One of the most critical advantages of both virtual and in-person speed networking matching technologies is the improvement in peer-to-peer networking. Rather than leaving networking to chance at large events, members can be paired based on shared interests, professional goals, or expertise areas. This strategic approach ensures that each interaction is meaningful, leading to more productive conversations and long-term professional relationships. The ability to quickly connect members who can offer relevant advice, guidance, or collaboration opportunities enhances the networking experience, turning it from a social activity into a career-advancing tool.

Mentorship is another area where these technologies can be game-changing. Professional associations are often seen as key platforms for fostering mentorship relationships, but identifying the right mentor or mentee can be a daunting task. Speed networking technologies, with advanced algorithms, can match experienced professionals with emerging talents based on career paths, skill sets, and mutual interests. This creates a structured and efficient environment for mentoring to thrive, offering mentees the guidance they need while providing mentors with the opportunity to share their expertise in a meaningful way.

For professional associations, member retention is directly linked to the value members perceive from their involvement. By offering personalized networking and mentoring opportunities through speed networking technologies, associations can provide tangible benefits that go beyond generic events or resources. These connections not only help members advance their careers but also build a stronger sense of belonging within the organization. When members feel that their association is actively facilitating valuable connections and growth opportunities, they are more likely to renew their memberships and remain engaged long-term.

Ultimately, the integration of speed networking matching technologies is a win-win for both associations and their members. Associations that prioritize the use of these tools are better equipped to meet the evolving expectations of today’s professionals, delivering customized, impactful experiences that drive member satisfaction. By streamlining networking and mentorship opportunities, these technologies help associations not only retain members but also cultivate a vibrant, connected community that maximizes the value of membership.

Want to learn more about how SpeedNetworking.com can assist your organization, contact us and we will help with a free assessment!

The post Harnessing the Power of Speed Networking Matching Technologies in Professional Associations appeared first on Speed Networking.

Prioritizing communication and fostering virtual team-building activities support the employee well-being and helps to reaffirm the company’s values and mission in the face of a changing workforce environment.  Flexibility, empathy, and a focus on maintaining a sense of community are key to mitigating the detrimental effects of the pandemic on corporate culture.  Utilizing new methods of virtual face to face engagement like speed networking sessions as a part of a regular leadership cadence are helping Employee Resource Groups to foster a sense of belonging among employees.   

With the sudden shift to remote work for many companies, maintaining a strong sense of corporate culture has become more challenging. Remote work can lead to feelings of isolation and disconnection among employees, hindering collaboration and communication.  By implementing speed networking sessions that create 6 to 8 face-to-face interactions in an hour at a very low cost, the company increases the ability for employees to build relationships and foster a sense of belonging within an organization.

For more information on how SpeedNetworking.com is enhancing the ability of corporations to connect, please visit:     

Case Studies

The post Corporations Enhance Workforce Culture with Virtual SpeedNetworking.com appeared first on Speed Networking.

Organizations that are looking to do DEI better in the new year may consider ditching a few DEI trends that are more of a hindrance than a help and implement a cohesive DEI strategy that works:

A cohesive DEI strategy includes:

• Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) – These may include metrics related to the hiring, retention, or advancement of diverse talent. Or, analyzing data based on feedback (surveys, conversations, etc.) about job satisfaction or workplace culture.
• Providing contributors with a straightforward way to track their progress and performance around KPIs
• Clear responsibilities – Who does what?
• Implementation of new tools to assist Key Stakeholders in managing DEI efforts and expectations consistently – Lay out the action plan and the most effective tools and route to accomplish it.
• Highlighting the tools needed to bring the DEI strategy to life – Perhaps coaching or consulting is needed for the DEI professional. Or there may be a need for added collaborators, access to data, knowledge products. Say so upfront!

The main consideration must be towards leaving behind any DEI initiative that does not inspire behavior change and does not address the root causes and systemic issues that lead to bigotry, discrimination, and inequity in the workplace. Check-the-box, compliance-driven DEI activities are not the best use of employee time or the company’s money.

Contact a SpeedNetworking.com specialist to learn how we have assisted prominent organizations apply strategic internal networking that addresses DEI objectives with measurable results.  Check out our article on how year round events can help your DEI initiatives,  Click here

The post What Matters Most in 2023 for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion? appeared first on Speed Networking.

One topic that was ripe for discussion: Shorter lead times and niche events have become more common. “Organizers are understandably jittery right now,” given the still-uncertain future of travel because of Covid, said Cathy Breden, managing director of CEIR and CEO of International Association of Exhibitions and Events. “This has led to shorter [planning] cycles and new models such as smaller niche and regional events, which present new opportunities for both sides of the industry.”

Speed networking fits nicely into this new landscape, as the concept offers short, focused agendas that can be conducted as frequently as desired.  Buyers and sellers, for example, can be strategically matched into 1:1 meetings so that sellers only meet with buyers interested in the products and services they sell. Colleagues can be paired with others that share the same professional goals.

The SpeedNetworking.com platform was designed to make planning and executing networking events simple for event organizers, and powerfully effective for event participants.  With our self-service platform, organizers can not only set up an event in under 30 minutes, but participate in the event as well since the platform runs meetings in autopilot.  Once the networking meetings begin, they run based upon a timer and are hands off for the organizer!

Speed Networking events can be both in-person and virtual, and pivoting between the two with ease gives event planners a sense of comfort knowing that a live event can quickly be converted to a virtual event with very little lead time.

You can learn more about our various programs at https://speednetworking.com.

The original article can be found HERE.

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Whatever your preferences are, there’s no doubt that speed networking events can be a fantastic way to grow your network and bring you new opportunities.

Because of this, we wanted to put together a resource full of speed networking tips and ideas that will help you make the most of any speed networking event you attend.

Understand what speed networking is all about

This is something that many new speed networkers have trouble adjusting to. The format of speed networking is something that you should have in mind before you walk in the room. This will give you the ability to make the most out of your time there, and make quality connections. There are various forms of speed networking events (we will cover that later) so you should make sure you understand what you’re signing up for. Too many times you see people do speed networking but treat it like a normal networking meetup. Often this leads to them getting frustrated due to a lack of detail in the connections they make. Speed networking is about being efficient, and that starts here.

Come well prepared

This is a slight continuation from the tip above, but it’s worth breaking it out into two pieces. During a speed networking event, it is extremely important to be well prepared, efficient, and goal-oriented. There is very little time for small talk in contrast to other networking sessions. Prepare yourself by setting goals and outcomes that allow you to deliver the message that you want to communicate. In other words, know what you want to convey and prioritize that heavily. You don’t have time to set things up as much as you would in a normal networking event. This can feel unnatural for some people at first, and it does take practice. Typically once you get into the swing of things you will find your groove and feel more comfortable getting right to the point. Also, don’t forget to bring a stack of business cards and preferably a folder or one-pager that clearly describes your company and what your offerings are.

Always have the end in mind

Before the speed networking event begins, set clear and concise goals and objectives to use as a guide during the different meetings. To create a new contact in a specific local market could be an objective, but the overall goal should be more specific than that. A great way to set this up is by working backward from what you need. For example, if your business needs new clothing distribution partners that would be a good place to start. From there, be prepared to identify other people who might have some connections to them. It’s probably unlikely that you will bump into a clothing distributor directly, but meeting someone else who has is far more likely. This also can be very useful when reviewing business cards after the speed networking is finished.

Be honest and show respect

This seems pretty obvious but you would be surprised how often it is ignored. There is a common trap to fall into with speed networking as a matter of fact. Many times attendees get caught up in the “speed” element of the event and that comes at the expense of courtesy, which will actually end up wasting your time altogether. Who wants to do business with someone who isn’t polite? Keep it simple and respect the other person. Introduce yourself and exchange business cards before you begin and give the other person the chance to start unless he/she prefers not to. Being first has its advantages, but whoever speaks last can adjust the presentation to what they just heard, and in that way, touch on common denominators and create more interest. This is a helpful speed networking tip that will lead to better connections and more efficient sessions.

You will gain from giving

This is another aspect of speed networking that sometimes falls by the wayside. When attendees feel like they are under the clock they sometimes default to a “me-first” attitude, when the opposite can be more effective. By helping the person you are meeting achieve their goals in an open-minded and honest way, you will gain more from the meeting. One of the most powerful drivers of human action is reciprocity. When you help others they want to help you, and it applies to speed networking just like anything else. It creates a desire and will from the other party to help you out (since you just did the same thing for them). It also creates a more dynamic and open-minded way of looking for win-win situations for both of you, as the party can find opportunities within your offer to help them out. This applies not only to speed networking but all forms of networking activities as well.

Be aware of your personal brand

We have written about this at length in other blog posts too, but defining your personal brand will greatly benefit your speed networking (and all of your other career goals). Take some time before the speed networking event to establish your personal brand and make sure you are always looking through that lens. During the meeting, make sure this is a fallback point of view if you feel you are getting off-topic. Understanding your personal brand will help you stay on track as well as find new opportunities. Think of everything. Are you dressed according to the expectations of the event, are you communicating your core values and your basic principles, are you looking past the first point of contact for potential fits? Also, be aware of your posture, your body language, and note the way your counterpart is responding to the way you are delivering your message. Speed networking is always viewed as a quick way to gain connections, but it is also a fantastic method of getting feedback for your pitch.

Prepare your elevator pitch

Having an elevator pitch locked in will make any speed networking event a breeze. An elevator pitch is a 30-second description of yourself, what you do, and what you want to communicate. Prepare a pitch before the speed networking starts and think through the most important things you would like to communicate. Refine the pitch so that it sounds natural. If you can execute this well, you will have an audience that is alert and attentive to whatever you have to say afterward. Present your elevator pitch and then tie things back to what they need as well. Bringing this back to how you can help the other person reaching their goals and how they can help you reach yours will make the whole process much easier.

A good elevator pitch can be constructed by the following parts:

• Your name.
• Your title and company.
• The values you create for your clients, by describing a typical problem, what activities you used to solve it, and the actual result.
• You can round up by including something about your goals and the results you wish to achieve from the meeting.

Speed networking questions are important too

Too often participants jump into an event without having any speed networking questions they can go to in order to get the conversation started. Having some good speed networking questions in your back pocket are also great to quickly see if there is a good connection with the person you’re talking to and an opportunity to work together.

Some good speed networking questions to ask are:

• What do you do?
• How can I help you do that better?
• What made you decide to come to this event? (this can be a great way to identify problems they might be having to see if you can help)
• What inspired you to start doing the work you’re involved with now?
• What are some strategies that you’ve found to be helpful for your recent work?

All of these questions will do a great job of making sure that you are not only taking advantage of the time you have together, but you’re also engaging with the other participant. The quality of the connection you form will directly impact your ability to make something out of the networking event.

Take notes

Taking notes in a speed networking event is often overlooked despite the multiple benefits it can provide. This doesn’t have to be anything fancy, just enough to aid the process. Jot down who it is you are talking with, the date, the context as well as a summary of what is being said. Try to find common denominators and in which ways you can help the person in front of you, who amongst your contacts can be a good connection, which of your own goals can benefit from the other person’s experience, contacts, etc. Getting this all down on paper can make the speed networking process a lot more fluid and help you identify new opportunities. It also has the beneficial side effect of helping your image during the meeting. Someone who is attentive and takes notes will be perceived as trustworthy, interested, and a hard worker. This will not only help directly but trigger some reciprocity as well! It’s simple, always bring a writing pad and a pen to meetings. Successful people think on paper.

Follow up

It’s amazing how many people forget this part of the process. One of the most important aspects of networking is to follow up on the contacts you have received during the meeting. For some reason though, a good number of speed networkers think that all of the magic is supposed to happen during the event. The reality is, if you do not follow up you might as well have stayed in the office and done something more useful. It doesn’t have to be anything crazy either. Place a quick phone call, book a lunch, or send an email so that the person gets a more lasting impression of you and what you do. This shows professionalism as well as respect for the time the other person took to meet you. By revisiting your notes, it will be easier to recall details related to the goals of the other party.

Work to continuously improve

If you want to progress and attain your career goals, working to develop yourself and your skills are crucial. What went right? What could you have done better? Do not wait to figure out how you can improve until you’re in the middle of your next speed networking session. Prepare yourself ahead of time by improving your elevator pitch, prepare a mental checklist, and think of how your personal brand can be even more relevant for the next speed networking event that you attend. If you feel uncomfortable, just remember that the majority of other speed networkers are feeling the same thing. It’s a big thing to go talk to new people and put yourself out there, but you do it because there are some big benefits to doing so. So keep going!

Original post by BrandYourself on June 22, 2018 can be found here.

The post The Best Speed Networking Tips & Questions To Know appeared first on Speed Networking.

Come hang out with the Founder Groups global community. Every 6 minutes you’ll be strategically matched with another awesome founder. Depending on how long you can stay, you’ll have a chance to connect with up to 6 other founders.

Spark a great conversation? Exchange contact info or simply continue chatting in the Founder Groups Slack channel. It’s that simple.

This event is open to all Founder Groups community members. Not a member of Startups.com Founder Groups? If you’re interested in becoming 10x the Founder by surrounding yourself with brilliant, connected peers who understand your pain and solve your problems together, you may apply for consideration here.

How To Register

1. Sign in or sign up for your free account on SpeedNetworking.com. 
2. In the box labeled “Join an Event”, Enter Event key FG-2022-2-11
3. Click the button to Register for the event.

Sign In / Sign Up

Date: Friday, February 11, 2022
Time: 12:00 PM CST – 1:00 PM CST
Registration Deadline: Friday, February 11, 2022 @ 11:45 AM CST
Cost: Free to all Founder Group Founders

Timeline (CST)

• 11:45am – Registration & Check-in Deadline
• 12:00pm – Welcome Lobby Kicks Off
• 12:10pm – 1st Round of Networking Begins
• 1:00pm – Event Concludes

What you can expect

• 1:1 video meetings with brilliant, connected Founders like yourself!
• Experience up to 6 one to one engagements for 7 minutes per meeting.
• Connect with startup leaders who understand your pain.

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About SpeedNetworking.com’s community building platform.  Our solution empowers event organizers to ensure their community is being intelligently connected and thriving.   From Fortune 500 to associations to chambers, organizations are all turning to SpeedNetwoking.com platform to stay competitive to attract, retain, develop, address DEIB and engage their communities.  Schedule a demo today!

The post February 11, 2022 Founder Groups Global Community Member Networking appeared first on Speed Networking.

The post Let’s Connect! – SpeedNetworking For Event Professionals appeared first on Speed Networking.

1. It’s not Zoom Rooms or Similar!
   Virtual matchmaking solutions are much more comprehensive and offer strategic matching supported by a well-orchestrated process to take attendees through a series of one-to-one private engagement meetings based on pre-defined matching criteria. These solutions save tremendous time on trying to match people up and dealing with the myriad of headaches that can be endured trying to match people together and then place them in a private virtual room.  
2. Solves Inclusion and Diversity Management
   Diversity in the workplace has long since been of paramount importance. Putting aside the social awareness benefit of a great diversity program, the outcomes significantly impact recruitment, retention, innovation, opportunities for new markets, financial outcomes, employee satisfaction and overall corporate culture.
3. Diversifies Attendee Networking Options
   Networking programs are like a financial portfolio; you don’t put all your eggs in one basket and financial professionals strongly encourage diversification. Not all networking programs fit the needs of individuals.  Diversify networking programs ensures opportunities for all types of attendees.  Programs can include buyer/seller, mentoring, leadership training, team building, knowledge sharing, cross department collaboration and much more!
4. Reduce Administrate Time & Stress
   Today’s solutions, such as SpeedNetworking.com, significantly reduce organizers administrative time and reduces stress as the tools today assist with set up, marketing, matching and the engagement of people is an innovative, engaging, and meaningful method.
5. Improve Meeting Quality
   Utilizing match making platforms significantly increases the chances that people meet the right people and helps ensures new smart connections. Additionally, SpeedNetworking.com allows organizers greater control through customization to ensure the best possible matching outcomes. 
6. Increase Attendee Engagement
   Attendees are busy people. When they know there is a solution to help ensure they meet the right people, participation significantly increases as this type of platform provides a greater opportunity of meeting the right people, as such, organizations have seen an increases in participation. 
7. Boost Recruitment / Retention
   Connecting attendees to the right people shows them the organization takes great interest in ensuring matching with the right people is important. In return for the organization’s efforts, attendees show their appreciation in turn by increased loyalty and retaining their relationship and spreading the good word about the organization on to others.  
8. Create New Revenue / Sponsorship Opportunities
   For organizations seeking to increase revenue opportunities, platforms, such as SpeedNetworking.com, offer multiple strategic sponsorship opportunities to maximize their sponsorship dollars and increase the chance for the best ROI.
9. Increase Attendee & Organization ROI
   For the organizers, reduced administrative, production, marketing and sponsorship opportunities supported by increase attendee participation and satisfaction leads to an elevated ROI. Furthermore, with quality reporting, the ROI can be validated to share with other staff and senior leadership.
10. Obtain Real Time & Comprehensive Valuable Data and Analyzing Outcomes
    Identifying a platform that provides smart reporting helps organizers understand the matching needs of their attendees. After reviewing all the data and analytics post an event, organizers can make smarter decisions on how to plan future events as they identify the very specific needs of their attendees.  Additionally, working with a platform that not only delivers the solution but works directly with the organizer to make suggestions for future events….is a no brainer…check out SpeedNetworking.com (we had to end with a plug!!!!)

Interested in learning more about SpeedNetworking.com, we’d love to connect with your.  Please follow “Click Here” to get started to learn how we can help your organization.

The post Top Reasons for Using Virtual Matchmaking appeared first on Speed Networking.

Interested in writing for Speed Networking? Awesome!

Writing for us is a great way to gain exposure and position yourself + your organization as a thought leader in the events industry. Simply submit a post about one of the following topics: event technology, event planning, or networking. 

Guest blogging requirements:

• Blogs must be 750+ words in length.
• Each blog may include relevant links and should cite any sources used.
• Blogs should not be directly trying to sell a specific product or service, though you may link out to them if they are relevant to post topic.

Each approved post will feature a short author bio, where you are welcome to include contact information about your business or organization.

Minor edits may be made.

If you’re interested, please Contact Us or send your blog draft to blogs@speednetworking.com.

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