There is no question that networking is a very valuable tool that like a skeleton key (or crow bar depending on your tact) can open up an array of opportunities for both business and personal development.
The problem with networking events is, like dating, you are forced to spend time and money finding and building relationships that you are not even sure are going to be valuable or successful in the long run. Cue: the concept of speed networking.
After debating the types of communication skills and business knowledge needed to be a good networker, a smart friend of mine filled me in on this eastern state phenomena called speed-networking. The idea is – like speed dating – you get a few minutes to engage in ‘mini-meetings’ with a number of different people. Business cards are exchanged and both parties lay out their business needs on the table. It is a cut-the-crap kind of networking that is a great concept in our time-poor society.
The only draw-back – I hope you make a good first impression.
I love the concept of cutting the crap and doing away with polite small- talk. It’s time consuming and annoying. But no time to recover if you make a bad first impression! Mybe you should practice with Colleagues first?