I typically get a lot out of going to my Institute for Supply Management local chapter's monthly meeting.  The presenters usually have very practical information that I can put to use in my day-to-day job.  Mostly, I can say the same for other meetings and conferences that I attend.  But I'm missing out on something when I go to those events—and I'm missing out big-time.

So what am I missing out on?  Expanding my professional network...

At my local ISM chapter meeting, I tend to congregate with the people I already know.  When I'm at a conference, I'm busy running from session to session and I'm just not willing to make the effort to try and meet new people.  Sure, there are the stuffy "networking" receptions at these events, but those require me to come up with something professionally witty and pithy to break the ice with so I don't come across like I'm trying to hit on someone.  Sometimes, it's just too hard, so I tend to forgo receptions (plus I don't drink).

So, my professional network suffers...

I always thought that it would be great if there was some sort of "facilitated" networking session at these events, where my fellow attendees and I had some common objective to focus on and were sort-of forced (in a good way) out of our shells to network with other people who we don't know.  About six-months ago, I heard about "speed networking ," which sounded interesting but was more oriented toward sales folks trying to meet new prospects.  Speed networking is a lot like speed dating (in terms of the "speed" part).

After thinking more about it, it seemed to make sense to have a speed networking event for supply management pros.  The concept is that attendees are paired together, introduce each other, and have only 5 minutes to discuss two interesting (and easy) supply management topics. When the 5 minutes are up, the attendees move on to meet someone new and to discuss other topics.  I thought it would be a great and easy way to meet new people and learn something relevant to the supply management profession at the same time.

I put together a set of materials: a "Speed Networking for Supply Management Professionals" presentation containing instructions for speed networking (including the room set) as well as a list of speed networking topics specific to supply management.  Here are two example topics:

• Topic #7. What’s worse and why—stock outs or too much safety stock?
• Topic #16. You have an old friend, Billie Jo, who works for vendor ABC, but you’ve lost touch with her. You recently issued an RFP and vendor ABC is a bidder. Out of the blue, you receive a call from Billie Jo, who says that her boss is giving her a trip for herself and one other person to Hawaii. She asks if you would like to join her. What do you say and why?

I first tried the concept out on the members of the ISM chapter in the DC area.  It was a huge hit!  A month or so later and after some tweaking, I tried it out on a group of supply management professionals at the TechAdvantage Conference.  Another huge hit!  Here's what attendees from those events had to say (taken from evaluation forms):

• The speed networking class was really good – enjoyed getting to know a lot more people, for sure.
• This was valuable. To meet people before I felt like I was being too forward. This made it easy to network.
• Loved the event.
• Excellent session!
• This was great—especially for new members!
• Very good session!
• Great concept.
• Good idea!
• Enjoyed the interaction and format.
• Met lots of people I didn't know before. Fun to discuss the topics / questions.
• Definitely do this again!
• The topics...provoked learning and thought.

Here's a picture of 28 supply management professionals meeting each other and talking about supply management topics during my speed networking event at the 2011 TechAdvantage in Orlando, Florida.



If you're interested in doing the same thing for your next chapter meeting or other supply management event, my step-by-step materials are available to you for free.  I'd love to hear feedback from anyone else who tries the speed networking concept for his / her event.