Events
 |
 |
 |
|---|---|---|
 |
 |
Taking the “Work” Out of Networking
We’ve all been there… you go to a networking event: the last piece of sweaty cheese is curling up on the meagre platter in the centre of the room… the hummus has developed and earth-like crust almost as hard as the pita it is being served with… there’s only one bartender and… gasp!… they’re only serving orange juice! Or worse… there’s the bar and you forgot to bring cash with you. And then, here he or she comes… (don’t make eye contact, don’t make eye contact)… it’s “the talker”! The one with the (pick one) a) boring stories b) bad breath c) over abundant perfume or worst of all… the talker who has absolutely no interest in you, but wants to make sure you know all about them before they release you from their grasp. And while they talk AT you, you watch all those potential leads walk by, avoiding you in particular because of the company you keep, and the night has been a complete waste of your time. At a Please Take My Card event you can rest assured that:
- There will be great food and plenty of it.
- The bar is open and the beer or wine is available — you can even pre-purchase your drinks to save yourself the “Oh rats, I forgot to bring cash moments” AND the wait time at the bar.
- Even if “the talker” picks you as his or her next victim — you won’t miss out on all those great leads. In addition, with our great speakers at the events, you’ll have a “get out of jail free” card. “I’m sorry, the speaker is about to begin and I would very much like to hear him. Perhaps we can pick this up another time?” (Exit left and turn your jacket inside out so you can’t be recognized in the crowd later.)
Please Take My Card events allow you to learn something new while you cast your net wide and only catch those “fish” that can help you to grow your business. So come in, enjoy the food, have a drink and relax. We’ve taken the “Work” out of Networking!
GET business and GIVE business!
When you register for our events, you are asked to provide a question that you might ask someone to obtain a new lead if you were speaking to them directly. Some examples:
An insurance broker: do you know anyone who would like to have a free insurance review for their home or business?
- A graphic designer: do you know anyone who needs a new logo for their business?
- A Mary Kay consultant: do you know anyone who would like a free facial?
- A duct cleaner: do you know anyone with allergies or someone interested in improving the air quality in their home?
- A marketing company: do you know anyone looking for a new and unique way to market their business?
- A cartridge refill company: do you know anyone interested in saving money on their laser or inkjet cartridges?
- A pizza restaurateur: do you know any companies that order in for lunch?
You will also be asked for a question in order to GIVE business. This comes in the form of “I am looking for someone who can help me…” This is a product or service that you require and are prepared to pay for, and are looking for a reliable and competant supplier. Some examples:
- I am looking for someone who can help me get my books in order
- I am looking for someone who can help me design a new website
- I am looking for someone who can help me find a new hair stylist
- I am looking for someone who can help me put together a vision team for a new project we’re working on
- I am looking for someone who can help me understand the signage laws in my city for my new office
- I am looking for someone who can help me save money on my office supplies
- I am looking for someone who can help me redo the landscaping in my back garden
Whatever you are looking for, ask it here. Be concise. If you have dollar figures or geographic areas in mind, please specify. If you are having trouble formulating your question, please call us at 519-894-6929 and we will be happy to help you.
On the Day
Firstly, make sure you arrive with LOTS of business cards! Depending on the event your questions will be presented to the other guests for the evening in multiple ways. The questions may be placed on one of our question towers, or handed around by our event specialists, or asked in a forum. The most important thing to relise is that YOUR QUESTION DOES THE WORK FOR YOU. At Please Take My Card events your job is to relax and have fun. You have one obligation as a guest, which is to respond to the questions with your card if you think you can help the person or you know someone who can.
You know the phrase “It’s better to give than to receive.” That’s how net-ing functions. Read the questions on the drop boxes as you walk through the room and drop your card into as many boxes as you feel you, in honesty, can. Read the question, thinking not only about yourself, but about the people you know… would they be interested? If we all know 200 people… do the math!
100 People at the event
X 200 People every person knows
20,000 The number of people you are networking with
WITHOUT EVER HAVING TO ACTUALLY SPEAK TO ANYONE!
200 People at the event?
40,000 people!!!!!
The success of the event relies on each and every one of the attendees. And believe us when we say “The more you give, the more you will receive!” At the end of the evening, go and empty your box. (Please leave the box behind for the next event.) We strongly suggest coming early and staying right until the end — that way, you will maximise the amount of time your question stays in the room and the amount of people who get the opportunity to read and respond to it.
Our Guest Speakers
We’ve been asked “Won’t a speaker take some of that precious time available to obtain leads?” Not at a Please Take My Card event. Net-ing is passive, and because everyone is helping each other instead of just being out for themselves, this format gives you an opportunity to learn something new from market specialist while, as if by magic, leads are being generated for you in the very same room. Please note, due to some venue restrictions, not all Please Take My Card events have speakers or exhibitors.
