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Speed networking tries to meet new pace of business
By Paul Sullivan
Financial Times; Mar 25, 2004

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The idea that the city's business people are starting to feel like unhappy singles seems almost absurd, given New York's history. With its power breakfasts and working lunches, squash and golf outings and endless rounds of Martinis and cigars, the city is a temple to the art of networking. But these days even type-A personalities need a little help.

David Zweighaft, a forensic accountant at Lazar, Levine and Felix, says traditional networking events no longer work now the pace of business is so much quicker. "Before, if I heard about something I'd call the parties involved - the attorneys - but by then it was usually too late, because they had the people they needed."

Since he began attending Networking for Professionals' events last year, he says, he has met six to eight attorneys he expects to work with and acquired two financial services clients. "Even if there's no immediate match, the people who attend these events are all motivated. Once you get into their Roledexes, they remember you."

This is where speed networking differs from such dotcom-era events as First Tuesday, which aimed to connect venture capitalists with start-up companies; and "pink slip parties", where the post-boom unemployed searched for jobs. Most of those who attend speed-networking events want to meet professionals who might need their services.

© Copyright Financial Times 2004.