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Networking

Industry Spotlight: Networking opportunities at the FM and TSS Meet Up…

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This September, we invite you to join us for an evening of networking with a host of facilities management and security industry influencers and innovators; the perfect opportunity to catch up with your peers, meet new business contacts and network in an informal and relaxed setting.


In today’s uncertain times, we are all too aware how hectic both the facilities management and security industries are becoming, and with demanding hours and tough objectives to meet, it’s hard to not feel overwhelmed by the increasing industry developments. For us, it’s always heartening to organise meet up events by allowing industry professionals to share tips and advice for best practice; as well as promoting the array of benefits of working in the sectors.

Continuing our passion of bringing industry professionals together, the Facilities Management Forum and Total Security Summit are organising a number of networking events throughout the year. Following the success of the first FM Meet Up earlier this year, the next event will be taking place on the 21st September at the Grange St Paul’s Hotel.

Together with our partners ATEC Security, Flir Systems and Gallagher Group, we’re bringing together representatives from firms such as the BBC, Solid Management, Coach, SBEG and more, for an exclusive night of networking.  It’s a chance for senior figures from across the industries – and some of the most influential innovators  –  to get together to learn, share, network and engage in a relaxed environment over drinks and canapés.

If you would like more information on becoming a sponsor for the event, or attending the event, please contact Mick Bush on mick.bush@forumevents.co.uk or 01992 374090

 

Find out more about the Meet Up here

Forum News: 10 ways to succeed at networking events…

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Walking into an event full of people you don’t know can be a scary experience. However, there are proven ways to conquer this fear and make networking an enjoyable and a useful process to do business. Here, we share 10 of the best practices to eradicate those networking nerves.

1. Plan ahead: Try to obtain the attendee list in advance and highlight the people you would like to meet. On arrival, contact the event organiser and say who you are trying to connect with. If they get the chance, an introduction between yourself and the other party will be made upon arrival. It might also be beneficial to go to the registration area to ask if one of your selected visitors has arrived.

2. Get there early: If you are one of the first to arrive, it is much easier to strike up a conversation with a small group of people.

3. Most people are in the same position: If you do not know anyone else attending, it’s good to prepare a few opening questions: ‘Any particular presentation you’re looking forward to hearing today?’; ‘What brought you to this event?’

4. Join a group: Approaching a group of attendees already in full conversation is a daunting prospect. So be bold, confident, and simply ask: “May I join the conversation? I’ve just arrived and I’m keen to learn what’s going on.”

5. Build interesting conversation: Ask topical and relevant questions to the specific event. Be a good listener and don’t dominate the conversation with your own stories and business ideas.

6. Be helpful: Share your knowledge of the industry, your contacts and sources of information. If people perceive you as an experienced and knowledgeable professional, they will want to keep in contact and maintain a relationship.

7. Use your business card as a tactical weapon: I have a friend who renovates old wooden floors, so his business card is made of a thin piece of wood and has proven to be a guaranteed conversation starter. Be imaginative with the design and the job title displayed. Anything that says ‘sales’ or ‘business development’ could cause people to fear a sales pitch is on the way. So try and think of a job title that encourages a productive conversation.

8. Receiving business cards: Be sure to make notes on the back to remind you of the conversation and the person. This could become much use in future interactions.

9. Following up: If you engaged in constructive conversation with an attendee and have agreed to follow up after the event, then set a preferred method of contact and make sure to do so promptly.

10. What not to do: Sales pitches, even if you’re asked ‘what does your company do’, keep your answer to a very brief explanation. Don’t ‘work the room’ rushing from group to group as this is not the way to form business relationships. It’s better to have had four good conversations than a dozen meaningless chats.

 

Words by Paul Rowney, Director at Forum Events Ltd.

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