Speed Networking Kent

Speed Networking, as the name implies, is designed to connect companies who use networking as a prime route to market their businesses. It runs at five locations across Kent and currently three locations across Surrey. Each event runs between 2pm and 5pm and usually there are between 25 and 40 businesses represented there, ranging from start-up and micro through to high end SME businesses. Two lines of tables are arranged, and each participant takes a seat opposite each other. A whistle blows and they have approximately 3 minutes to tell each other who they are, about their business, why their business is different to others in that sector (USPs), and what business they are looking for. The person sitting opposite does the same, and they then jointly decide whether to arrange a follow-up meeting, telephone call, e-mail exchange or that there is no synergy or interest. The whistle then blows and one participant moves on to repeat the process with the next person. The participant is not only selling to the other participant, but also to their contact base, so if 30 people attend and each have 30 other contacts, there are potentially 900 links to others. It is a very effective way of making new contacts and marketing your business in the current recession, and is very cost effective. As the purpose of the event is strictly business, it also helps shy people to network more effectively as it is totally focussed on business rather than social chatter, and is a series of “one to ones”. The event is enjoyable as there is a tremendous “buzz” in the room and it is fun, exhilarating and exhausting!