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I held my first ever paid networking event last Thursday night, which was graciously hosted by Jill Jaysen of Center Stage Theatre Company in Westport. We were at capacity - 30 women business owners attending.
I have an exceptional database of entrepreneurial women to offer this to and who recognize the value of increasing their spheres of influence. What I provided was the recipe for success — an opportunity for them to have that access in a highly structured way.
What I find missing and frustrating about a lot of networking events is that although the people you want to meet may be in attendance, you aren’t able to get ‘face time’ in the brief two-hour period. At my program, each woman introduced herself to the group in a 45-second commercial so all could put a name and company to a face and voice. Everyone had the chance to identify each other and several occasions to interact. Then we broke up into small groups for more in-depth talk.
Here’s the exact recipe I used:
Ingredients:
- 30 women entrepreneurs
- a location that allows for seating 30 in a circle
- space to break into smaller groups
- light snacks and beverages
Method
- 30 minutes of an ice-breaking activity (networking bingo)
- 30 minutes of self-introductions
- 2 30-minute sessions of small group sharing — challenges/feedback
Jane’s Special Sauce: A database of remarkable women, a desire to share that resource plus a count-down timer and a velvet-gloved iron hand.
