I've been in contact with 2 companies that offer the "sped dating" version of business networking- you only spend 5-6 minutes with selected biz types, swap cards, give your elevator speech, bell rings, you go the next person, follow up with only those that can help you.

It sounds better than the regular networking groups I've been to, plus registrations, etc., are all done online which streamlines the process for organizer & attendees. (There are "speed networking" groups that do the same thing without a website & software.)

Has anyone been to one of these?
Do you think it's a viable income producing business??

Thanks

If you know and understand the value of networking... which is "How can I help YOU improve your business not how can you help MY business"; then any networking is of value.

I've been to several speed networking functions and they are wonderful fun... The best value to it is to ensure that the "next" person you meet is always someone you've never spoken to before.

The best way to get full value out of ANY networking function is to truly network. The longer you know people, the better you know what they do, the better you can help them do business and trust me on this one... If you bring your network buddies the business, they will bring it back to you... You don't ever have to ask. It just happens.

Tina Brooks, VP Marketing
Brooks Pepperfire Foods, Inc.
Makers of Peppermaster Hot Sauces
http://www.peppermaster.com

Eat more peppers!

Thanks Tina.

What I like about the concept is that the attendee can pick and choose the people or industries that they want to meet in the "speed round."

Did your meetings have online registration and payment features?
Was the attendance large enough that multiple meetings can be held per month for different areas or attendee groups/industries? I'm in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area with a spreadout and diverse population of 2.5 million people. I'm wondering if there's a real business here or if it's just part time income.

Thanks for your help & I'm going to have peppers tonight.

>Thanks Tina.
>
>What I like about the concept is that the attendee can pick
>and choose the people or industries that they want to meet in
>the "speed round."
>
>Did your meetings have online registration and payment
>features?
>Was the attendance large enough that multiple meetings can be
>held per month for different areas or attendee
>groups/industries? I'm in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area with a
>spreadout and diverse population of 2.5 million people. I'm
>wondering if there's a real business here or if it's just part
>time income.
>
>Thanks for your help & I'm going to have peppers tonight.

Well, I don't know if it's a full time business unless you make it one. But, suffice to say, since others have made successful businesses out of other types of networking groups, I certainly see no reason why this one couldn't also be a successful business model.

And, yes, the one's I've attended had the online payment modules through paypal.

T

Tina Brooks, VP Marketing
Brooks Pepperfire Foods, Inc.
Makers of Peppermaster Hot Sauces
http://www.peppermaster.com

Eat more peppers!