ANOTHER barrier-breaking meet-and-greet session for businessmen and women to make contacts and build commercial relationships is set to be staged in Bahrain this month.
Around 50 to 70 business people are expected to gather for the latest Speed Business Networking event organised by management and coaching company Steppingstone Global and hosted by founder and president Jean Nicolai.
Mr Nicolai, who also acts as an economic diplomacy advisor to the Embassy of Belgium in the region, said: “This creates the opportunity to get to meet people that you might not interact with, maybe because you were shy, hesitant, or didn’t know if the person was approachable, or you simply didn’t know how to approach them.
“It gives people an opportunity to meet and speak with people independently from their status, position, culture, age or interests … probably people you might otherwise never come into interact with.
“It also boosts the self-confidence of people who are perhaps naturally introvert or shy too.”
The sessions normally start with a short introduction about the ‘do’s and don’ts’ of successful business networking … with a clear message to try and make an impression but to avoid getting carried away with the ‘hard sell’.
It’s a clever spin-off of speed dating, a formalised matchmaking process which first started in the UK in the mid-1970s with the purpose of encouraging eligible singles to meet large numbers of new potential partners in a very short period of time.
The 48th session is set to take place at Downtown Rotana on October 10, at 6.30pm. A BD5 charge covers the cost of canapes and drinks.
Attendees are urged to bring plenty of business cards with them.
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