Quick chat your way to business opportunities

If the thought of busting into a group of strangers for the purposes of networking instills fear and trepidation, then maybe the CCI Speed Networking Series may be for you... Networking is essential but not everyone believes they have the skills to make the most of the opportunities to meet people.

So we have created another Quick Connect event on October 11 – it allows participants to introduce themselves to other keen networkers in two-minute “get to know each other” bouts of conversation before you move to the next person.

With the first event in the series reaching capacity in only 3 weeks and the October 11 event capped at 100 people, it is a great way to meet and find a smorgasbord of potential businesses opportunities across a diverse range of professions from plumbers to lawyers and everyone in between.

In my opinion one of the problems with networking is that it becomes a business card on the plate affair, with people connecting you to their social media, but without any conversation. When I had first returned to Perth from a couple of years in Melbourne I went to a networking lunch, arriving a bit late and by the time I’d met two people at the table I already had 10 business cards flung over the table onto my plate, Then before I'd managed to even work my way around the table introducing myself to everyone I already had LinkedIn connection requests from two people without even having a conversation.

It was great they were using LinkedIn, but it left me thinking how much it would have been better for them to say hello first, having a conversation so there is something a relationship can be built from.

After attending what feels like hundreds of networking events in my career, I find people often tend to stick with people they know at networking functions rather than making themselves known to potential clients or customers. Recently I saw this guy trying to work the room. He walked up to a group and no one moved, they were all around this little circle. He moved his way in a little bit and waited for that laugh that always comes. He did the “ha ha ha” and everyone stopped and looked at him. He did the half smile then legged it. I immediately walked up to him and found out what he did, then introduced him to a couple of representatives from companies relevant to what he did. 

It can be that easy, that simple introduction and finding common ground is the piece that seems to be missing when it comes to networking, Somewhere along the line we’ve lost that ability to just break the ice. With this event, you won’t have time to worry about anything. You have time to say your name, what you do and what you’re all about and if you can get all that out in a minute you’re doing pretty well.

It’s going to be loud, it’s going to be fun and it will give you opportunities to build on long after the night is over. Make sure you come and say hello on the night!

 ? CCI’s first Quick Connect event filled to capacity – get in on the action, get your tickets to the October 11 event in the series here.