I Just Can't Figure This Out

Networking is an active sport.  You can't just sit on the sidelines and expect anything to happen.

I attended the annual speed networking event presented by the Rocky River Chamber of Commerce. Now I have to admit that this type of networking is not my favorite type, but this chamber does it well.  In one hour, we meet around 30 people.  But usually 80 are in attendance, so over half are still an opportunity waiting to happen.  Liz Manning, the Executive Director of the chamber, has it all under control, because by that afternoon, she has a complete list of attendees, with all the necessary contact information, out to all participants.  That's efficiency.  Five gold stars to Liz.


I look at that list as a challenge.  For each person that I schedule an appointment with, I use a highlighter pen on their name.  My goal is to have the page be all pretty green highlighter! 

It's always interesting to me in the way people reply.  Usually, I email from this list,  I have found that using the phone number means that I have to leave a message and more times than not it doesn't get returned.  I know, busy world.

So my message looks something like this:  "Good afternoon, Suzi, We were both at Coffee, Tea and Contacts on Thursday, and while we didn't get to meet, I wondered if you would be interested in getting together for coffee so that we could get to know each other with the idea of figuring out ways to help each other.  I will be available on June 3 or June  10 at these times. Would either day fit into your schedule?"

I use a similar message if we did meet.  

Many are glad to meet and we get something on the books.  Others get back with funny answers.  Funny as in odd.

Example:  "I'm busy both days."  That's it, the whole response.

Or

Example 2:  "I don't really see the need for us to meet."

Or

Example 3:  "I'm busy the rest of the summer."  We were just at the end of May when this happened.

And this is not just one person.  All three examples were from different people responding.  

I guess my question is, if you attend a networking event with no expectation of meeting beyond the event, why in the heck do you even bother????? OK, I'll get off my soapbox before I hurt myself.

Door #1 or #2?

Speed-networking can be one of two things, either good or bad!  There is no in-between.

Last week I was at a Findlay Chamber Speed Networking and for the most part it was good.

Most of the participants realized that in two minutes they can't tell (or sell) everything.

One particiapant, however didn't know understand the concept of finding people to establish relationships.  She was in full sales mode.  She had a sales sheet inserted into a plastic protector and she used it as she pointed out all the benefits of using her services.  She never made eye contact, nor did she smile.  At the end she handed me (and everyone else) a big plastic bag full of more propaganda and candy and pens and pencils and.....

Others in the room understood the need to get to know who was sitting across the table from them.  They understood that while we may not be able to do business with them, that we still may be able to help them.  They conversed and smiled!  We traded business cards and maybe an announcement or one other small advertising piece.

Guess who are the ones I have scheduled appointments to get to know better?  I know you're smart, so you already know it is door #2.  The thought of sitting down with the lady from door #1 is very scary!

Speednetworking is meant to be a way to meet people and then to make a decision as to who you will meet later to discuss things more in-depth.

What is your experience with this type of marketing?  Share your experiences!