The digital transformation of our world has made us more dependent on gadgets, applications, and systems, even for human relations and communication. Although they’ve made our lives easier many times, especially by connecting people worldwide, communication devices are less effective than face-to-face dialogue, as they leave room for interpretation.
At the same time, text-based communication lacks all the elements of meaningful and genuine associations, being a little bit impersonal.
Communication is the most important element of a successful business because it ensures task flow and team coordination, through which every goal can be achieved. Inadequate communication costs companies about $62.4 million per year in losses, which usually happens when they onboard more people and fail to adjust their communication strategies.
If your business needs help improving social relations, you could plan networking events and create unique settings in which teams can get to know each other better. Here’s how.
Focus on Your Goal
While a networking event sounds completely business-focused, it can have various objectives. You could raise money for a cause or connect people from different industries through which your business might benefit.
Regardless of the scope, it would be best to think of specific activities and itineraries that correspond to it.
For instance, if you thought about hosting a lecture or a talk, you could get some inspiration from Ted Talks, where experts in different fields comprise their ideas in about 20 minutes for the audience to engage with them easily.
Still, an entertainment conference will boost people’s moods, which is necessary from time to time. A skilled host will lead the event through excellent icebreakers and introduce creative exercises to strengthen connections.
Such an event wouldn’t be the same without food or something sweet, so make sure there’s enough pizza for everyone or dessert with a fun and original cake topper!
Get the Right Venue
The venue should correspond with the event’s theme, so picking a format is required. You should also consider some aspects of the audience, such as age or things in common. A bar or hotel lobby is usually enough for a casual event with few people.
A workshop might require a convention center equipped with sound and projection equipment. Decorating the space is much easier after you’ve successfully booked it, so make sure to do it in advance.
Don’t forget to set the budget before making endless plans for decorations. You will need food and beverages as well as marketing materials for a physical venue, so the financial implications are considerable compared to a video conference.
Advertise the Networking Event
Although you may want the event to target your employees, allowing people from outside the business to participate can bring valuable ideas and insights. You could target social media professionals, influencers, brand leaders, and entrepreneurs, boosting communication and creating a general good mood at the venue.
Take advantage of social media and create unique and funky posts. You can also send emails to spread the word. If things start to get overwhelming, use digital event platforms and always rely on digital ads to extend your target audience.
If your advertisement succeeds, you may be surprised to see how many people attend. In that case, you should introduce a pre-registration option to plan logistics accordingly.
Organise Activities
Prepare the activities plan thoroughly to ensure everyone will leave with something meaningful after it, be it a new business connection or a friendship.
Networking activities for corporations should be simple and interactive, but it’s also best to allow people some time only to discuss and go from one business person to another.
For example, speed networking takes up to five minutes and lets people meet plenty of business collaborators while creating a great icebreaker.
If you want to spice things up, introduce the “Two Truths, One Lie” game so people can share things about themselves in a fun and casual setting.
Another fun activity is the Human Bingo, in which you need to prepare bingo cards in advance and include descriptions of specific jobs, celebrities, or whatever crosses your mind. These games are engaging and usually work well with any kind of audience.
Seek Feedback
Sometimes, waiting a few days before asking for feedback is best, as attendees have had enough time to think about the ups and downs. You could create a feedback template to facilitate their answers or allow them to freely write anything about the event.
Feedback is the most important part of organising an event because it provides valuable information about what you can do better at the following event. In many cases, people are not into networking activities because they feel forced, so it’s your duty as a host to make them as natural as possible.
It would also be helpful to create a plan for success metrics before the event so you can analyze ticket sales or the number of social media followers after it. Depending on your final goal, these metrics can differ.
Networking Events Can Build Strong Business Relationships
Networking events are underrated ?they provide so much for so little. They can raise your professional profile, allow you to keep up with trends, and gain a different perspective on how business is done.
As an organisation, breaking out of your comfort zone will ensure success in the long term, exposing you to numerous opportunities.
At the same time, networking events can help you have fun and meet new people, so being friendly and open is important in this industry. Learning, conversing, and partying are essential to maintain long-term commitment.
Are You Ready for Your First Networking Event?
Planning a networking event is easier said than done, especially when the number of participants is extended. Therefore, you need to do it step by step, starting with a plan and building up necessities as the event gets closer.
Having interesting and fun activities is crucial to keeping people engaged, and finding ways to advertise the event will bring more interesting personalities to the venue.
Photo by CHUTTERSNAP on Unsplash
