The enjoyment of 'speed date' networking

Jan 26 2010 by Karen Dent, The Journal

REPRESENTATIVES from almost 100 North East businesses attended a 'speed dating' style networking event designed to showcase their goods and services to potential clients.

The North East Chamber of Commerce (NECC) organised day gave networkers three 60-second opportunities to pitch their businesses to the audience.

The event, at Oceana Business Park in Wallsend, pulled together entrepreneurs ranging from financial advisers and fitness experts to web designers and builders. Representatives sat at 10 tables, each containing around 10 people.

NECC event co-ordinator, Ashley Carney, said: “There has been a terrific turnout of NECC members and overall it appears to have been a very productive occasion.

“This kind of networking event provides an ideal opportunity to raise businesses profiles in a relatively short space of time, allowing for more engagement opportunities.”

Jon Dudgeon from chartered accountants Blu Sky LLP, based in North Shields, said that around 95% of his firm’s business is generated through a mixture of formal and informal networking. “These vibrant events are an enjoyable way of developing key relationships and becoming part of a support and business network,” he said.

Jill Roe, from photographic company digitalab, based in Newcastle, said networking was also a vital marketing tool to get her business brand known across the region.

She added: “The networking events aren’t solely about getting new business, as you can also gain important professional advice – something you wouldn’t have been able to access if you were just kicking your heels stuck behind your office desk.

“Trust is a major player in the networking community, as you need to be patient and realise the long-term strategy of getting to know somebody and their business product. This will allow people to successfully work together and assist in pointing each other’s business into the right direction.”