What do you want from a networking event?

[Stuart Russell]

Hi,

A fairly open question, but what do you want from a networking event?

Imagine I was setting up a new networking event, what would you want that event to look like?

Regards

Stuart

[Deirdre Dee]

I think that I would want an event with some structure to it, so that everyone had a chance to have a short time with as many of the other individuals attending the event aas was humanly possible. I don't like it when you get stuck at a table for the best part of an hour while eating lunch or breakfast that you don't really want.
I like ideas along the lines of speed networking or a discussion group.

Regards

Deirdre Dee

[Deborah Henry-Pollard]

Hi, Stuart,

I agree with Deirdre Dee and would also add that for me, I'd like it not too big - it shouldn't be a "numbers" game to see how many cards you get, but where you can have a chance to actually talk to people.

Maybe a section to work in small groups to discuss a specific business topic; as well as exchanging tips, this could help to break the ice for people who may be a bit shy in the first instance and is also good at giving you a guide to those people with whom you might want a more in depth conversation in the open networking period.

A delegate list with contact details and a short description of their business, to follow up anyone you might not have met. (In a perfect world, it would be great to have this prior to the meeting, so you can target the accountant / marketeer / coach etc., for whom you are specifically looking.)

Held at the beginning or end of the working day, rather than cutting into the middle.

Best,

Deborah
www.catchingfireworks.co.uk

[Suzie Parkins]

Hi Stuart,

What we find works well at our events is various activites happening throughout the day - the structure is open networking punctuated with three speed networking sessions and two seminars. This gives everyone a focal point to talk about and helps break the ice which is great for those that aren't too comfortable with networking.

As Deborah said as well, keeping it medium-sized is also an important factor. If there are too many people it can become overwhelming, whereas an intimate setting allows all the delegates to strike up conversations that lead to lasting relationships.

It's very interesting to read about other people's views on this.

Best wishes Stuart,

Suzie Parkins

[Paul Johnstone]

Technically speaking, there are two types of B-2-B networks Formal and Informal.

Informal are places like Chamber of commerce, lunch or coffee clubs where people meet and make connections casually.

Formal networks (those with typically an agenda, and weekly or occasionally fortnightly meetings are what most people understand by formal networks.

However this group can be split into two types - Fixed & Forum.

Fixed groups will usually have a ‘fixed’ agenda that is designed to produce 1 outcome. That could be passing of connection slips, getting more 1on1 information, or whatever else they have decided is the groups preferred outcome. The best known of this type of group is BNI.

Forum groups will have an agenda however they usually have a formal start and end to the meeting. The main body of the meeting is devoted to helping and supporting members on a range of topics the members have chosen. Foremost in this type of networking is Refer-On.

You find the forum networking clubs often tend to be amongst the senior executive networks such as the YPO.

I guess I prefer Forum Based networking. If done well it delivers market intelligence and business connections, so there are two parts to the meeting.

Paul Johnstone