<Disclaimer: Rant>
Here’s a Pet Peeve…pre-printed nametags that are too small to read! That has happened too much recently and it hinders networking by not allowing you to see the business name as you move through the crowd. I always have my own name tag that has my business name On Top in Large Letters with my name below. It never fails to attract attention when people are looking for a reason to connect with another. (That’s why we go to these events!) So I am set…people can read my tag…but I cannot read their’s from a comfortable distance! (And yes…I have my glasses on!)
Now, I’m sure that the administrative assistants who are in charge of printing these out have not given this much thought….but the larger the type, the better. They can be read across the table, across a small circle of networkers chatting.
Or, if they come on a lanyard, as many full-day events offer, they hang down mid-chest where looking at it might be awkward (really!)
Last week I gave a presentation to a large sales force and I talked about the value of a custom name tag. When I asked the sales manager if the company provided name tags, the response I got was that the events they go to usually have the nametags printed for you.
Do not rely on that….Effective name tags are too crucial to networking success!!
Ordering your own custom name tag is always the first assignment in The Link System® Training…it’s that important.
If you work for a company that sponsors events, let them know that they will increase the networking success of their attendees if they print the attendee’s name and the company name as large as the space will allow.
Oh…I once attended a chamber mixer (no pre-registration offered this time) when they forgot to bring name tags for the attendees to fill out. Don’t even get me started about how much lost business that mistake cost their members.
P.S. Kudos to Connect! Their tags had the largest font possible for business names!
<end of rant>
There were easily 300 people at the beautiful Birch Aquarium at Scrippts on August 1st. Fabulous wine, gourmet food and light jazz made for a spectacular evening. The event was co-sponsored by Connect (formerly UCSD Connect) and MIT Enterprise Forum. The attendees were top companies from the biotech industries and related service vendors. Watch for Connect’s Autumn Social September 27th.
Here is Payam Lavi, president of Convenience Enterprises, Keith McKenzie of Bernstein Global Wealth Management, along with Karen Winston, Program Manager, for SD MIT Enterprise Forum.
Enjoying the festivities are Jeff Barr of Idalica and Laura Darius of Darius Communications. You may have seen the article about her company in the Aug. 6th issue of The San Diego Business Journal. I have been her client, working with her to hone my presentation skills. The video can be brutal but crucial to the learning process. But aren’t we our own worst critic?
A challenge for all who attend networking events is to keep the names, faces and business cards straight in your mind the next day when you go through the stack you collected. I always suggest that you write notes on their card to help you recall your conversation and if you plan to reconnect for a specific reason.
I have found that some people strive to stand out from the crowd and to cause someone to remember a chance encounter. That was the reasoning given to me by Eric Busboom, founder of Clarinova Software, when I commented on his cool fedora. He figured that he would be the only man in the room sporting a hat and he knew that he would be remembered as “the guy with the hat”. Sure enough, when I looked him up in my Palm just now, it said “Hat Guy.”
Ok….back to the party.
Did I mention the food? 
This was my third Connect Social. They have all been first class events that were attended by professionals from San Diego’s leading firms.
Convivium (kən-vĭv- ēəm) n. Latin root for “Convivial” “Sociable, festive, jovial: fond of being in good company”
You’re young, hip, sexy, maybe a year or two out of college… and in the business world. You go to a networking event (maybe one you found on The San Diego Networking Guide) and think…”Most of these people are in their 40’s & 50’s! I want to network and Party! Where do I go???” Convivium!
Eric Berman, President of Convivum, summed it up in an email to me:
“The group was created because I saw a lot of people in the social scene that were also “hip/upscale young professionals” (who) didn’t have a coordinated outlet for business networking and reciprocally, those that were focused on their career didn’t have time to focus on how to manage their social calendars as well. Therefore, we brought both together. As you leave school, you are constantly (trying) to build your network for both business and friendships, etc. We aim to facilitate that process in a fun and meaningful way. People feel very comfortable being a part of our group and automatically have a connection with others which opens the door to whatever!!!”
On the website it says “At The Convivium it is okay to “mix business with pleasure!” Membership includes VIP treatment at San Diego’s hottest clubs and restaurants.
I’ll let others review future events…I would not want to be accused of being anyone’s mother!!
