Tonight was Women In Business’s Tuesday Club meeting and the focus was on ’speed networking’. Think line dancing meets speeds dating meets networking.  Fifty business women showed up and we each got a chance to chat to ten individuals one on one.  Here’s some video clips of some of the participants, and the two women who organised the evening.

It was a really fun, and fruitful evening.  We won’t be meeting in December, because everyone is busy enough.  But watch this space for what’s going on in January.

Pam Neill

Julie Fraser

Other women in business

prepared by Pam Neill and Julie Fraser

Speed Networking is a fun, energetic and dynamic way to build relationships and develop a thriving, successful word-of-mouth network

How does it work?

You will have a few minutes with each person to introduce yourself, your business/company, what you do and what you want from the evening.

At the end there will be time for you to connect with anyone you missed or to extend the conversations with those of your choice.

How do I prepare?

1. It is important to think about what you want to get out of the evening.  Some examples are:

• You need contacts within an organisation to get a job or promote a product or service you have
• You are wanting to generate publicity for an event
• You want to widen your circle of business / personal contacts
• You want to mix with like minded people

2. Have a well prepared USP or ‘elevator speech’.  Very simply this is :

• Your name
• Your company/business name
• What you/your company does
• What you want to get out of the evening

3. Make it engaging as you will be desperate to hear something entertaining and memorable by the time you get to the last person – and so will they!

4. Bring plenty of business cards or note cards with your contact info on.  Also bring extra flyers or promotional material along for those that want more information.

5. Take notes.  This will help you remember important facts about that person, their interests and goals.

6. Challenge yourself to help at least one person that you meet.  If everyone does this the impact of this event could be huge.

What happens after the event?

The real magic starts to happen when you build and continue the relationships outside of the event. So, visit the websites of the people that attended, send them an email, phone them and suggest another meeting with the intention of becoming better acquainted and finding out how you can both help each other.

The Isle of Man Business & Innovation Centre (BIC) is marking Global Entrepreneurship Week (16th – 22nd November) by holding some workshops and info sessions for people in business and those thinking about starting a new venture.

It’s all happening at the BIC’s unit at the Tower Shopping Centre in Douglas (first floor above the cafe).

18 November

* 10.00 – 11.00 Business Start Up workshop.  Thinking about starting a business?  This workshop is for you – learn how to evaluate your idea, identify resources and what starting a business entails.  Contact kate(at)iombic.im or call 820930 to  register.
* 11.00 – 12.00 Drop in session for any queries about the IOM Business and Innovation Centre, pop in to discuss your ideas and see how we can help.
* 13.00 – 13.30 What Is Business Incubation? A short talk to inform you about what incubation is and how it can benefit early-stage and pre-start up businesses.
* 14.30 – 15.30 Ideas to Reality Workshop – Bring your business or invention ideas – no matter how crazy they seem – to this workshop for some initial process guidance on how you can drive them forward. Contact kate(at)iombic.im or call 820930 to  register.
* 16.00 – 17.00 Drop in session for any queries about the IOM Business and Innovation Centre, pop in to discuss your ideas and see how we can help.

21 November

* 10.00 – 12. 00 For experienced or aspiring entrepreneurs, drop-in for an informal chat and  find out about the support available. Get answers to questions and to register for the Get Going Programme.  For 1-1 appointment contact kate(at)iombic.im or call 820930.

Just over a year ago, the Women in Business Network was only an idea.  None of those involved knew each other that well but research, discussion and sharing ideas has worked. Now we engage with nearly 250 women on the Isle of Man with 78 Fans on Facebook and 85 members of our Linked-In Group.

In line with the theme of connecting women in business on the Isle of Man, our November Tuesday Club event is a Speed Networking Evening.

WiB members Julie Fraser and Pam Neill, who came up with the idea will be organising the event.  We’ll be seeking to create more connections at The Courthouse Club, 6pm Tuesday 17th November 2009.  Visit and register at the event page here .

Regardless of what you’re communicating, speed networking is an increasingly popular way to get your message across and meet many people in a short space of time.  Tips on getting the most out of a speed networking are found in this article by Dr Ivan Misner.   Misner is the Founder & Chairman of Business Networking International, the world’s largest business networking organization.

The Speed Networking Event will be the last Tuesday Club of 2009.  See this post for how to promote events, offers and engage with WiB online.

If your organisation would like to host, organise or sponsor an event for WiB members, please e-mail info<at>iombic.im or telephone 01624 820930.