Ignite Speed Networking - December 2009 Newsletter

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After digging out from the snow-mania here at Ignite corporate center, we've retreated to our tropical island World HQ (see this month's Sparks strip).

On February 1st we conducted a wildly successful Ignite event for students at James Madison University! They deemed it "Practice Speed Networking" and it enabled undergraduate and graduate students to try out presenting their skills and hire-ability to groups of faculty and other students. It was an intriguing and innovative format within the networking rounds that allowed for immediate feedback to each individual. Contact us if you'd like to setup something similar - we can give you some good facilitation pointers.

For all you networkers out there, don't forget to tell your group contacts/organizers that you expect events like Ignite Speed Networking to be on the calendar! (See this month's Networking Tip.) For 95% of business group members, the #1 reason for membership is to meet people and make connections!

NETWORKING TIP

Take Control Of Your Networking
You attend networking events and are a member of various networking organizations. Don't slack off and let others drive the types of events available to you. Let the organizations you're a member of (or just participate in regularly) know the types of events you want and expect for your membership (and event fees).

They will listen to you. What's more they WANT to hear from you. There's nothing more frustrating as an organizer than to have people stop participating (or worse yet, drop their membership) and having no idea why. Most of the time they're left in the dark. Even if they don't take heed of your ideas, believe me, they'll very much appreciate the feedback.

For advanced networkers, take the next step: offer to help make your suggestions a reality. Having a great idea for an event program (might I suggest... Ignite Speed Networking?) is one thing. But to back it up by saying "I'll help to organize it" really takes it to 11. Not only will you get kudos from your membership organization (which has a lot of value), you'll also be taking your networking further in the people you'll meet in planning and implementing the event! It WILL be worth the time you put in. (WARNING: only do this if you actually have the time.)

EVENT TIP

Bring It All Back To Round One
At your next Ignite Speed Networking event, try bringing everyone back to their first networking table as the last, possibly shortened, round. This will allow a final round of collaboration where networkers can share what they've found throughout the event.

If you set it up at the very beginning, they can even take extra care in the first round to know what everyone's looking for. Then on subsequent rounds, on top of their own connections they can also be looking out for good connections for their Round 1 Compatriots.

It might dramatically increase the key high-quality contacts your participants value.

Thanks to John Geddie at
Loudoun Independent Newspapers for this tip!