Speed Bizniking

All's quiet. The bell's about to ring. You have 60 sec. to talk about yourself. Then get graded: yea or nay. Palms start sweating. Then "DING" and your mind goes blank. You stutter a few words. And "DING", you're done. Shuffling off to the next table, you feel like a bonehead. You think: "Why did I say that?" "They must think I am so lame." "If I only had more time."

Networking is like speed dating. You get nervous. You sometimes say the wrong thing. You want more time to impress the other person. You usually only get one chance to make a positive impression. Yet, people want to see the "real" you, to feel comfortable with you or at least willing to see you again. Can you do that in 30 seconds? Or, do you need an hour? How many floors are required for your elevator speech? Are you "worthy" enough for that second "date"? Well, here's your chance to practice, get evaluated by other Biznik folks who walk in your shoes.

We'll order, eat and get to know one another first. Speed network after, moving from table to table approximately every 5 minutes.

Each person at the table (of 4) will give their elevator pitch for 60 seconds (yes, there will be a buzzer), then receive evaluations from each table mate before moving on. By the end of the session, we'll have a winner with the highest score, to be crowned "Best Speedzniker" and possibly receive a surprise award.

Rating concept: each table mate writes down on paper a word or two about each presentation. Was the 60 sec. pitch exciting, touching, humorous, boring or whatever? It's the emotional value of your "pick-up line" that sell others. Then, rate the "Speedniker" from 1 to 5 and pass the rating/note (face down) to the presenter. At the end, we all add up our scores. The highest scoring Speedniker wins. Everyone learns by discovering what their presentations evoked, while having fun, eating well and competing for the crown.