The pleasure (and pain) of speed networking

Speed networking - by which you meet scores of people in a short time - may seem a good way of animating an annual get-together, but an event I went to recently brought home to me how one person's delight in accelerated face-to-face can be another's pain.
That's my first thought. Second is that it's really difficult for nonprofit organisations, aiming to span the spectrum from community to corporate, to run events in a style that appeal to all interests. Third is that I'm just turning into a grumpy old member of the awkward squad. Final appalled reflection.... do I do this sort of stuff to people when I'm facilitating events?

Anyway, here's the scenario (oops, facilitator-speak already). The event was for about 100, of several thousand, people who over the past ten years have been through London-based programmes bringing together interests from public, private and nonprofit sectors.
The aim of the programmes is to give people a chance to meet others from different backgrounds - often on tours of their very varied worksplaces - and share inspiration and ideas on how to make a difference, for social benefit, one way or another. Just what's need to help build civil society.
I enjoyed the programme that I went on a couple of years back, with a few reservations, and the organisation running it is one of the most highly-respected and effective in its field. They can pull in top corporate sponsors, and pretty-much any speaker they need. The staff are both charming and efficient, and the web site a model portal of socially-useful information.
Back to the networking evening. Besides welcomes, updates and testimonals about the value of the programme, plus a promotional video preview, the main proceedings were two forms of speed networking.
In one, we all sat a small tables and introduced ourselves, then half the group moved to another table and did the same thing again. This led to some repetition, but wasn't too challenging.
The heavy stuff came when we were called back into plenary for serious instructions on the next bit, that involved everyone going to numbered chairs, with your own set of numbered stickers and networking cards to complete.
The task was to explain to the person opposite, for three minutes, who you were, what you were interested in, find some possible follow-up activity, complete the card, and add your stickers. A horn sounded after two minutes and at the end of three minutes. You had a minute's recovery time before doing it all again. And again. And again.
For someone like me, whose hearing isn't great, the possibility of useful conversation was minimal, and faced with the task of shouting at other people to no purpose for three quarters of an hour I gave up and talked to the organisation's staff, who had wisely taken up quieter observation posts.
In my Myers Briggs personality profile** (ENTP) I'm reckoned an extrovert, which means among other things I get energy from interaction with other people (in the right environment). For introverts, who favour more internal reflection, the event must have been pretty painful. There weren't any feedback forms, so we'll never know, and the prevailing organisational culture is so POSITIVE participant visible dissent is unlikely.
The staff were solicitous about my discomfort, and we discussed what it takes to run effective networking event. I suggested:
* A clear purpose. Is this a one-off chance to meet, or will there be ways to follow through, helped by the organisation? For example, although there was mention of the organisation's 'London network' it doesn't exist beyond an annual get-together and chance to register on the web site. Is the networking for personal benefit, to try and foster new projects, give feedback.... whatever.
* A congenial environment, with enough space and appropriate acoustics
* Respect for disabilities and personality-type preferences
* Facilitation appropriate to the above.... which might lead to...
* Quickly finding the people who may be useful contacts (that should be the speed bit)
* Enough time to develop a conversation and get a sense of whether they are your sort of person
* The means to follow-up... which could go beyond the exchange of cards, and include the option to join an electronic network, or see what clusters of interests/contacts are emerging on, say, wall posters.
Find, engage, explore, follow through.
On this occasion the trauma of the speed networking was relieved by more tradition networking over a drink at the end. That was only spoiled by the 'buffet supper' promised in the original invite, turning into canapes (uhhh should have read the final agenda). Anyway, I would add to the list above, appropriate refreshment. If people turn up for a 5-8 pm they need to know when they'll eat, particularly if they have a long journey home.
Enough moans. The event did produce useful contacts, a blog entry, and some challenging reflections on working as a facilitator. I run workshops including games and simulations, where people may be asked to invent challenging situations, develop presentations, take on roles, solve problems as part of their group work. Should I offer an opt-out at the start... a bit like an alternative menu?
Further thought. On what terms should one blog events like this? I've left out the name of the organisation because I'm trying to make some general points, rather than critique their programme. Would it be more constructive to add the name, and ask staff for comments?
All much too interesting. Need to turn to some paying work now (bearing in mind useful lessons learned. Thanks ***** *****:-)
** Myers Briggs Type Indicator. Thanks to Colin for a link to Bloginality that offers a quick online check on your type. Probably an afront to professional practitioners of MBTI, but enough to get you thinking about how people differ.

Update and other links
Jonathan Briggs, who helped design the event, has now blogged it here... so anonymity seems contrived. The organisation is Common Purpose. Hopefully it is helpful to have a participant/organiser persective on the same thing, and as Jonathan writes this might help promote London networking. I await the Common Purpose follow through with interest. I think good stuff may happen.
A rather different approach to community building - and networking - is highlighted on Colin Morley's Empowerment Illustrated, based on the teachings of M. Scott Peck author of The Road Less Travelled.
We need difference. I cherish George Bernard Shaw's observation: "Do not do unto others as you would that they should do unto you. Their tastes may not be the same."
The most satisfying small group networking meeting I have been to recently was that organised by John Moore to explore authenticity. It was run in the upstairs room of an Islington pub, facilitated by John with a very light touch. We talked about ourselves and our interested as slowly or as fast as we wished, with a breaks for snacks, pool, drinks. No frantic buzz, but I left feeling extraordinarily energised, and looking forward to the next one. I may be unable to resist raising the question of whether speed networking is likely to be an authentic experience...

Comments

[Jonathan Briggs]

Our postings contrast each other nicely David. This was the first event of its type that Common Purpose has run and in my view (and I accept all the useful comments above) it was a big success.

In the past these annual get togethers have tended to be reunions in which people from each Common Purpose course get together and reminisce.

Common Purpose wants more. It wants action and activity that will actually make a difference, in this case to London. And to stimulate that, I think they will run lots of different types of events in different ways.

Yesterday's venue was not ideal and we learned a lot. It was a good networking event however.

What interests me next is how we can move some of the information captured and the contacts made online so that the benefits become long term and can be spread around more members of the group.

[David Wilcox]

Jonathan - I agree about the value of the approach, and moving online as well as running more face-to-face. How about:
* finding some other techish enthusiasts to discuss how to do the online bit
* recruiting some other enthusiasts who are not necessarily tech but keen to learn and act as a first core for the network
* running a session to plan network development to get buy-in and collective enthusiasm (I even have a game for that:-)
In my experience 'build it and they will come' doesn't work... it needs an engagement process.
I also suggest that the London network is 'owned' by the participants with support from Common Purpose rather than the other way around.
First question - where/how best to continue and broaden these initial discussions?

[Astrid]

Jonathan and David, I have read both of your accounts from the event last night and really appreciate your feedback.

Having organised the event I have to say that I was very pleased with how it went overall - given that it was the first event of this type we've done and considering all the nervousness beforehand. There was a great atmosphere in the room and people seemed very engaged in their conversations - it was a great feeling to watch. Also, it seemed to really stimulate and spark off conversations wich were continued over drinks in the end.

From my perspective the event was a full success, however, I do acknowledge that there is room for improvement - thanks for all your suggestions, David. I am more than happy to continue the conversations on how we can create an even better networking event...

[Colin]

There is a very interesting Myers Briggs site at www.keirsey.com

[Jonathan Briggs]

I'm really up for some further discussions about how we use technology to link people to other people to solve small problems. Dating sites for problem solving? ;-)

I think we should find people interested in connecting people more than tech - the tech is turning out to be easier than the ideas.

I agree by the way about "build it" does not guarantee an audience.

Who else would be interested?

[Antony Vila]

Hi All,

I was very interested to read the above articles as it did make me laugh. I organise monthly speed networking events in Newcastle, UK and have done for the last 2 years.

I once tried an event in a smaller venue which was a bit of a nightmare as people did have to shout to heard. The venue I normally use has high ceilings which reduce the amount of background noise for attendees.

On the technical side, I have built a full system for promoting and recording speed networking events. It basically works like this:

Each attendee has a scorecard. At each meeting he/she writes down the number of the person they meet, a score based on how likely they are to do business, and any additional comments. This is then fed into the database and emailed out in the form of a prioritised to-do list the following day.

It is an online database, so attendees can view who they have met by logging onto the website.

I've also built a CRM for people to promote the events through (from any location as it's all online). I am in the process of finishing off an online system for organisers to facilitate the events. This will standardise all of the difficult elements of running an event.

Finally, the database produces the table plan for future events based on who has already met each other at past events - this means people are sat opposite people they have not met providing long term value for the networker.

If anyone reading this is interested in running an event, please send me an email to antony@contact25.com.

Great Article!

Antony Vila