Speed Networking

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I often run a speed networking session at the start of a Gurteen Knowledge Cafe and at workshops or conferences. It is a great ice-breaker and exceptionally easy to run. But it will cost you the price of a whistle :-)

I briefly explain the process
I blow my whistle (an acme thunderer - the world's first reliable pea whistle - that was invented in 1884 by Joseph Hudson in Birmingham, England and which over 160 million have been sold worldwide! I carry it with me at all times on my key-ring)
Everyone finds a partner - someone whom they do not know
They have two minutes to tell each other a little about themselves
I blow my whistle again and they swap partners
They again have two minutes for conversation
I repeat this procedure maybe 3 or 4 times
Finally I blow my whistle twice to indicate the end!

In just 10 minutes, you can cycle this 4 times.This simple process works exceptionally well and can be expanded or contracted depending on the time available. I tell people its a bit like "speed dating" but you don't get to date and then add but there is no rule against it!!! This always gets a laugh :-)

It really lifts the energy in the room and my biggest problem is getting people to stop and sit down again :-)

And of course you did not even need a whistle - but try shouting over the cacophony of 30 or more people chatting away and you may go out and buy one for the next event.

You can also combine this with people tagging.

Video: Knowledge Cafe - Speed Networking

Speed Networking at a Gurteen Knowledge Cafe, February 2007. This was taken at the start of the Social Tools Debate at the end of day one of the UNICOM Social Tools in Business conference.

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David Gurteen

Giving a talk at the Graduate School of Bangkok University, January 2008.

I help people to share their knowledge; to learn from each other; to innovate and to work together effectively to make a difference!

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Saturday 5 July 2008
12:46 PM GDT