You won’t find a date if you don’t get out there and meet people. By the same token, you’ll find it difficult to meet business contacts, develop your network and ultimately grow your business if you rarely venture out of your office.
When it comes to networking and dating, the principles are the same. Get out and about, start meeting people and you’ll reap the rewards. Stay within the same four walls and you’ll miss out.
Carrwood Park, providers of co-working space, serviced offices Leeds and virtual office space Leeds businesses thrive in, takes a look at how networking is like speed dating.
1. Meeting people (in a hurry) and evaluating their suitability
Unlike conventional dating, speed dating – as its name suggests – cuts out the ‘baggage’ from dating. Structured to allow for meeting a series of people in a short space of time (often on the same night), speed dating allows daters to rapidly evaluate whether other singleton could be a good match for them. Within this short timeframe, speed daters are forced to make up their mind about whether or not the person sat opposite them could be an appropriate partner. If it’s the thumbs down, it’s time to move on to the next person.
Similarly at business networking events, you are required to ask questions, listen out of opportunities and make quick decisions about a person. This evaluation process is a skill in itself. If you’re new to networking, preparing some networking questions may help.
This process is easier and less pressurised of you share co-working space, as you will likely have more than one opportunity to ask questions and seek opportunities.
2. Doesn't work? Move on to the next...
At any speed dating night event, there are likely to be many unsuitable matches. Likewise at networking events, there will be times when no mutually beneficial opportunities can be found. Many people feel anxious about ending conversations to move on – but there’s no need.
Simply saying something like: “it’s been great meeting you. I better pop around and meet a few more people before the end of the evening” is a great way to move on politely. Alternatively try these other useful tips on politely ending conversations at networking events.
3. The all-important second date - Strike while the iron's hot!
So you met someone on a speed date you definitely would like to meet up with on that all-important second date. If you’re wise you won’t hang around wondering whether to make contact. A good catch is likely to not stay single for long, so you should secure a second date while you have the opportunity.
Savvy business networkers also know the value of “striking whilst the iron’s hot’. You attended a networking event last night, met a prospect who gave you their contact details and business address Leeds based or elsewhere, then you should follow up straight away. Connect with them on LinkedIn, email then as soon as possible after the event (preferably the same day), and put a date in the diary now for a follow up meeting. Leave it a few days and the lead may go cold.
As FireCask notes in a feature that marries networking with dating:
“It sounds obvious but always follow up with people you have met the next day. We can all get side tracked with employees, colleagues, work and clients but it is important to take time out to get in touch with anyone who gave you a business card or had a chat with.”
4. Developing long-term relationships
“The key to success is building relationships that go beyond one-time projects and provide value to these clients on a consistent, ongoing basis,” writes The Small Business Authority, a brand of Newtek Business Services.
Business thrives on developing long-term relationships, and quite frankly, without longstanding relationships, a business will crumble. This is the ultimate aim of the networking activities that co-working centres, serviced offices Leeds and networking events promote – to create long-term business relationships that work for both partners.
Speed dating shares this networking objective to build, develop and maintain long-term relationships. Those embarking on a speed-dating stint aren’t there for the good of their health, they’re there for one reason and one reason only, to find the fulfilling relationship they are looking for!
Business, like dating, can be a precarious game. But if you don’t get out there and be prepared to ‘kiss some frogs’ along the way, your business growth will be all the more challenging to achieve.
Network with confidence, be generous, connect with as many people as possible – and you never know who could provide that diamond lead you are looking for.
If you’re a small business owner or freelancer in Leeds, Yorkshire or even further afield and you’re looking to grow your business, why not put your business on the pedestal of credibility it deserves by taking out virtual office space Leeds with Carrwood Park and getting a professional and credible business address Leeds?
Or why not open up daily networking opportunities by taking a desk in Carrwood Park’s co-working space?
Alternatively, business owners can download our 'Beginners Guide to Serviced Offices' to find out what to ask for and how to measure up and plan serviced offices for a team or department.
You can also use the link below to book a viewing of our serviced offices.
