10 top tips to effective speed-networking

Speed-networking is fun, energetic and dynamic and a very effective way of meeting a lot of new business contacts in a short space of time

How it works is simple – two business people each have 90 seconds to tell the other about their business and what they can offer them. 

You are seated opposite each other and when time is up one of them moves on.

Think of it as a mini interview, make notes and ensure you follow up afterwards.

1.   Ideally be in the group of people not moving

2.  Be natural don’t sound as if you are following a script

3.  Try to go second, then you can tailor your pitch based on what you have heard, they will be more focused on listening to you and not what they are about to say

4.   Exchange cards at the beginning of the session

5. Either have a brief leaflet on what you do or lots of business cards

6.  Have a pen and write down notes on the back of their card to make it easy for you to follow up afterwards

7. Lean slightly forward when listening to show you are interested and focussed on what they are saying

8. Remember their name and use it for the biggest impact

9. Practice does make perfect so the more sessions you attend the better you will become

10. Make sure you follow up afterwards

High levels of online crime go unreported

This week our guest blog comes from insurance brokers, Jelf: 

With the constantly developing world of today, it seems the threat of having our data breached or our online systems hacked is becoming increasingly possible. We just have to look at the large organisations that have come under attack in the last 18 months.

But even with these reports reminding us of the challenges we face as a business, according to the City of London police commissioner, over 80% of online crimes go unreported. So what should be done to combat online crime? Read more here…