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PRESS RELEASE
Speed Dating for Business People
Speed Dating is firmly established as a
highly successful means for singles to meet and strike
up relationships - now the format has been adapted to
create new business relationships.
Speed Dating for business is fast
becoming an important part of the marketing mix for an
increasing number of forward-thinking business people.
While the format for business speed-dating (or speed
networking) is essentially the same as for its more
romantic counterpart, the goals are very different:
contacts and personal referrals are the currency rather
than romance.
The structure of speed networking events
means that 100% of the time is spent networking with new
contacts. Unlike traditional networking events which are
often unfocused and of limited value to attendees, speed
networking events are designed so that, on average, each
attendee will have up to 20 face to face meetings
lasting 5 to 10 minutes each. During these encounters
both parties can explain their networking goals, pass on
sales literature and pass on referrals to others in
their network of contacts. A fleeting meeting, perhaps,
but time enough to establish if there is any common
ground.
Speed networking is not industry specific
and relies on the six degrees of separation theory which
implies that everyone is linked by no more than six
people. With each attendee having an average personal
network of at least 40 close contacts, anyone attending
an event should have access to 800 potential referrals.
At least some of these will be relevant to your goals.
A ticket to an Original Network evening
event in Kensington costs £19.95 including refreshments
and even a glass of wine or two. Most attendees report
that they have made valuable connections at the events
and many have converted these in to valuable new
business.
Speed Networking also works well for
those researching a new business idea. Simply being able
to bounce ideas off a group of impartial individuals
over the course of one evening can be a highly
beneficial.
Unlike other networking events, there is
no requirement for public speaking and the events have a
fun and upbeat atmosphere. They take place in the
evenings and last for approximately two hours. After the
formal networking is over, delegates are encouraged to
stay on for more informal networking.
Original Networks have been pioneers of
speed networking events in London and have been doing so
since September 2006.
Currently Original Networks are the only
operator of speed networking events in London. Events
take place monthly at the Kensington Close Hotel.
Tickets must be purchased in advance via the website
http://www.originalnetworks.com
or by calling 0870 7447 885.
The next event will be taking place on
the evening of Tuesday
March
20, 2007.
Notes
to Editors:
About Original Networks
- Original Networks is the Sister company
of Original Dating
http://www.originaldating.com , one of London’s
longest established and successful speed dating events
organisers. Since it was established in 2003 Original
Dating has organised over 400 events across the capital
and boasts the first ever wedding as a result of a speed
dating event.
- The Original Networks website offers
networking tips, hints and articles on effective
networking.
- Original Networks currently events take
place monthly at the Kensington Close Hotel. The
programme is set to increase to weekly events by summer
2007.
About
Speed Dating
-
Unlike many other seemingly fad-like practices, speed
dating is a popular today as it was at its introduction
in the UK over 5 years ago.
- The
reason for its permanence is that it works: over 80% of
attendees receive at least one match per event.
For more information call:
Andrew Summersgill
Tel: 0870 7447 885
Email:
andrew.summersgill@original.gb.com
Mailing address:
Unit 3C Hillgate Place, London, SW12 9ER |
