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News
Business On a Date
by Jamie McDonough
And The Bell
Rings
I check the clock.
It’s about to begin.
My hands are a bit
damp. Will they notice?
Will this just be another
series of meaningless exchanges or will I discover some long lasting
relationships?
The clock … one more minute.
I tell myself not to be
nervous. Everyone who’s here, wants
to be here, right?
The knot in my stomach feels
like a rock one minute and butterflies the next.
The minute-hand advances
with a loud click.
And the bell rings.
“Hello may name’s Jamie. Please have a seat…” And it begins.
What Begins?
Speed Planning. Or Speed Networking in this
case.
If this sounds vaguely
familiar, the experience is based on the concept of Speed Dating. For those of
you unfamiliar with the concept… Wikipedia states that “Speed dating is a
formalized matchmaking process or dating system whose purpose is to encourage
people to meet a large number of new people.”
Speed dating is a quick, safe, fun and energetic way to
meet others and, possibly, begin a relationship.
Sounds like a good business premise to me.
Recently the MPI Eastern Great Lakes Chapter held a Speed
Networking event devised and coordinated by their VP Education, Jeanne Wolf,
owner/event specialist, Event Elements.
The event was hosted at the
new headquarters office and warehouse of one of the
country's premier rental and staging providers, CMI Communications in Rochester, New
York.
Why “Speed
Networking”?
We have all been to so many
networking events… loosely named as such really just a cocktail social hour. We tend to arrive and search
out the bar followed by familiar faces. It’s a natural way to feel comfortable
with your environment. We know we should be making
new contacts. We justify the behavior by
saying, “I haven’t seen so-and-so for months and I need to re-connect.”
Speed networking, gently
directs us to become engaged… and in a way that not too far from our comfort
zone.
How’d It Work?
As we entered CMI
headquarters, we signed in and received a card and a number. People with odd numbers were “stationary”
while the even number people went from station to station at 7 minute
intervals. Stationary people were also given a map of the building with their
various locations noted. Even numbered people were given a starting position at
one of the odd number stations.
From the registration desk,
attendees were treated to refreshments and an opportunity to meet friends in a
more traditional style.
Then Jeannie took the podium
and asked for the odd number-stationary folks to take their positions at the
pre-determined stations through out CMI’s headquarters. She instructed the
group, “that when you hear the bell, even numbered people go to your first
station, where the two of you will exchange business cards, and follow the
questions on the card, until you hear the bell again. That is your signal to move to the next
station on your list. Please be prompt and have fun.”
What a Concept!
After seven rounds it was
time for dinner. The talk around the
table was electric. We couldn’t stop discussing the process and what a great
technique it was to meeting people and energize the group.
The discussion quickly
turned to innovative uses of what limited time we have together. We agreed that
there is a great deal of value in trying to maximize the quality-contact time
at meetings. One person talked about her experience at a tradeshow recently,
which took it’s cues from an on-line match-making service.
Exhibitors and attendees
were required to fill out an extensive survey revealing their specific buying
needs and wants and conversely services and products exhibitors are present to
discuss.
You were then provided a
custom schedule of appointments to follow. Attendees knew they would be seeing
companies that most closely matched their needs and companies were treated to
real, qualified buyers. What a concept!
Rather than being an exhibitor
standing in a traditional 10 x 10 booth and hoping
the right buyer happens by, you were treated to a series of interested,
qualified people who filled your day. Buyers didn’t have to research the floor
to try and find the booths that might be of value to them. Buyers knew exactly
where to be every minute of the show.
It’s All About Value
It is time to rethink your
events. Add a little spice to what might
have become mundane. Try Speed-Networking… or just try something different. It’s
all about providing value and receiving value for your time. Speed-planning,
speed-networking, whatever you call it… give it a try. It’s fun, it’s
different, it’s memorable and you might just come away with that great business
relationship you’ve always been looking for.
The MPI Eastern Great Lakes
Chapter would like to thank their March Event sponsors: 
Eastern Great Lakes Members:
Walking into PEC this year, it was actually kind of exciting. As
a person who attends probably 15 tradeshows a year, and then works in a
building that hosts so many more per year, you can get a little jaded
about ANOTHER trade show. And when everyone says they are doing things “different” you worry what their definition of different was.
What I saw did not wow me as much make me proud. MPI tried something truly different. The trade show was set up different, the meetings were attempted different, even the food service was different. All that “different” was met with mixed reviews. I heard some people love one thing and hate another and other people just the opposite. But what everyone agreed was that MPI tried. And that they knew their comments, reviews and suggestions would be taken seriously. And then they were excited for next year.
In
a year of having to listen to politicians each talk of how “different”
they will be, it was very refreshing to see a true attempt at
“different.” What a great example it was to have the leadership say “what can we try?” There
were round table sessions set up as a street you could choose from,
Green initiative water service and show bags, something like 10
computer students taking input from meeting planners in how to make a
game about meeting planning (don’t think it will rival Madden 2008, but
“different”
All that encouraged me to ask what we at the chapter level could do different. I have ideas, but I don’t know. And I am asking the same question. “What can we try?” The board and myself would love to see attendance at meetings increase by as much as 25%. We would love to see members have a passion and ask how they can fit their passion into what we do. Please let us know what it is you would like to see, what you would like to be involved in. We are looking not just for people with passion, but people who want to use that passion to do something different. Let me know what your passion could be and what you would like to do with it!
Matt Peglow, CMP
Chapter President
mattp@visitrochester.com
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