I need a better networking model. What works?

I have attended my fair share of networking events, and more often than not I find that I do not get any quality time to network and begin the process of building viable business relationships for the future.  

I find the time allocated to speak with people and start to get to know them is often too short, coupled with too many other distractions. 

When attending these networking events I find I usually get the most value out of listening to the keynote speakers.  If I am fortunate enough to strike up a meaningful conversation in between the breaks with someone I am seated next to, then great; but all too often there is no real focused time to listen and understand each other on a one-on-one level.  

I’m aware there is plenty of advice on how to get the most out of your networking at these types of events and the advice is often very good, so don’t stop going.   I want to make it clear that I am not criticising the style of these networking events – they are what they are and you can make the most of them.

However, I have been on the look-out for other ways to really connect, understand, and collaborate with people who are interested in leveraging collective networks, especially in this current market.  

I had the privilege the other day of being invited to a very different networking event.  It was small in scale, focused, purposeful, co-ordinated, quiet, and for me, very meaningful.   The concept is a “multiplier lunch”.

Multiplier lunches are a sandwich lunch held for four businesses at a time, one of them being the host company which invited me.  All four businesses are non-competitors, and in my case generally in the services sector, and are unlikely to require each other’s services.   However, all work in similar markets.

The central idea is to act, where there might be an opportunity, as referrers to each other.

The purpose of the lunch is for the group to get to know what each other’s businesses do so that we can be effective referrers for one another.  Each attendee has half an hour to tell the group about their business and to take questions.

Typically, each business representative will talk for around 15 minutes and take questions for the remaining 15 minutes.  This works well. It is a very informal gathering and things are kept relaxed, so people do not prepare any formal presentations.  Everyone was respectful of allocated time ensuring that the lunch finished on time.

I found this to be a liberating and enjoyable, alternative networking experience!

Sue Barrett is founder and managing director of BARRETT, a boutique consultancy firm. Sue is an experienced consultant, public speaker, coach and facilitator. Sue and her team are best known for their work in creating high performing people and teams. Key to their success is working with the whole person and integrating emotional intelligence, skill, knowledge, behaviour, process and strategy via effective training and coaching programs. Click here to find out more

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