So I've just got back from a local chambers networking lunch. People were SO keen to pour out what they're business is about they got quite a surprise to be asked what they do in their spare time, if they have a family etc. You could see the motions in their head - shock - confusion - realisation - registering thoughts...organising response - and you're back in the room. I know it's a business networking thing but it's as if they were all one dimensional. There were a couple of people that were trying to out do each other too which was fun and I had a nice long chat with someone that had clearly done the NLP training recently and was attempting to use the entire toolbox in one hit. Jolly good fun all round and I might even follow up a few contacts on Monday
They work well in a slightly more relaxed atmosphere but, nowadays, the attendees are usually so pushed for time that they find Boardroom Bingo a distraction. A good networking meeting will have two major factors to attract regular attendees. A good speaker on an interesting subject, and some committee members circulating to pick up on people that appear a bit lost or to help introduce people to each other (especially with new members). Good admin should have studied the attendee list to brief the committee members to help them keep it flowing. It's sometimes quite fun to use reverse NLP on people (deliberately make your body language not fit your words)
I used to be paid for it (in kind) by a large manufacturer when their Sales Director brought new reps in to try and sell to me! They wanted to see how long it took for the rep to catch on.
