Out of interest as much as anything I booked on our local chamber‘s “speed networking ” event held at The Silsoe Conference Centre , part of the University of Cranfield campus. Having never been speed dating before I figured networking would be be a good guise under which to check out the experience.
Nearly 20 companies were represented last night, all sizes and shapes, local, national and international. The room was laid out like an examinations hall with 2 chairs at each desk, we then had 5 minutes with each company – 2 minutes to each explain what each does – followed by a 1 minute joint wrap up! 5 minutes is a very short time and 2 hours disappeared very quickly. What did I take a away, lots of introductions plus promises of passing details onto other companies who may require project managers as we as friends and colleagues as possible candidates for project related jobs.
I also got to practice explaining what Arras People does in a succinct and timely manner. All in all an interesting experience and unlike most networking events I did enjoy the structure, formal works for me, rather than having to barge your way into a conversation while balancing a plate and glass!
I’ll see what comes of this over the next 12 months then maybe I’ll go again.
