I hope that this post finds you well.
Preparations for next week’s event are on the way and I wanted to share with you an update and a flyer.
As I think I mentioned previously, in order to organise ourselves at this end , we need to know who will be interested in attending in advance. I would therefore be grateful if those of you who are interested registered using the Eventbrite page.
http://nawicspeednetwork.eventbrite.co.uk/
In order for the event to work, the only pre requisite is that attendees are involved in the construction industry.
In order to help demystifying the event and encourage you to participate, I have prepared some tips to help with the Speed Networking event preparation (below)
I should let you know that I have based those on my experience as well as research from various websites and business magazines but I cannot claim to be an expert.
Thank you all. Have a great week and see you , hopefully, next Wednesday.
Cristina
NAWIC London and South East
Supporting notes in advance of the NAWIC London and South East event 18th of September 2013
Speed Networking is a streamlined, person to person professional networking model that will allow attendees to widen their network by making new contacts through focussed 5 minute discussions
Benefit:
Getting to know what other professionals in the industry are doing
Making new contacts and broaden your career horizons
Connect with people who might be working in sectors that you are interested in
How it works:
Because of the setting, the Anise Gallery in Shad Thames, we will be surrounded by gorgeous art and we hope that this could be a great ice breaker/ conversation starter.
The participants will be organised in smaller groups of 6 and there will be 5 minutes to speed talking to each other within your group before a break. In order to keep the pace, there will be a sign every five minutes in order to indicate that it is time to change partner.
We have allowed a 15 minute break after each session to re organise groups, reconnect further, refill glasses or any other matters.
There will be some sitting facilities available but we will mainly be moving around the room. (Details will be adjusted to the attendees on arrival, so please do not let this stop you)
Making the most of the experience:
Business cards:
Do bring your business cards (or paper-less alternatives) along. As many you may require.
Nowadays you can exchange numbers, email, and connect on LinkedIn quite easily over the smart phone but the truth is that cards give you the freedom to consider which connections you would like to take forward. It will also allow the recipient of your card to write on it the reason why they took an interest in you and/or your business in the first place.
Another almost forgotten benefit worth noting is that cards can be passed around to 2nd degree connections (friends and colleagues of the card recipient) looking for a person with particular skills.
Elevator pitch:
Prepare in advance your introduction (elevator pitch) in order to focus the discussion without going into too much detail or take too long which would prevent your partner from talking. (Remember that Speed Networking, like traditional networking, is as much about listening as it is about talking)
It should be a minute long and focus on the memory you want to leave behind with your card. You could use the 5Ws technique that journalists use to evaluate their news reporting for example (WHO, WHAT, WHEN, WHERE, WHY) or even use an online Elevator Pitch Builder
There are many resources where you can find inspiration to help you:
The Art of the Elevator Pitch: 10 Great Tips by Read Write
The Perfect (Elevator) Pitch by Bloomberg Business
Week Crafting an Elevator Pitch by Mind Tools
Further tips:
Do not force situations, people will notice if you are not comfortable or interested
Consider ways to make you stand out and be remembered
Find common points of interest and build up on those
Humour and anecdotes make you memorable and help breaking the ice
Do make a note on each card to remind you a quality of the person you have met
Do follow up the next day
We really hope to see you at the event!
