After the COVID-19 pandemic, where new habits came into play such as Zoom meetings with colleagues, online quizzes, endless Teams messaging and incredibly tedious buffering connections, face-to-face meetings with colleagues, clients, partners and potential clients have returned.
While, for many, this is an exciting idea as it means attending events, dinners, sports matches, conferences and so on, for others it might seem difficult to see the value of face-to-face again after we managed pretty well without.
We’re here to share with you why face-to-face networking is so important, for your personal self and your business.
Creating meaningful relationships and connections that can support and enhance your business is a non-negotiable for many. The value of meeting and entertaining clients, future clients, partners and colleagues can result in a multitude of benefits, for yourself on a personal and professional level, and for your company.
Don’t make it all about work - get to know someone on a more personal level
Face-to-face networking allows you to develop a rapport and a more personal relationship that you just simply cannot recreate over video call. Personalities can truly shine through, and you get to know someone for who they really are (for better or for worse!) It’s easy to come across in a very different light over email or video call, even if that is not your intention, but when you’re together in person you can feed off each other’s energy and body language and generate a more genuine relationship. All in all, this can avoid misunderstandings – a huge bonus.
Build your contacts, get printing those business cards!
As many of you know, networking is a GREAT aid to your business and professional self. Often when you’re networking at an event, you get talking to other guests who also work in your field. Introducing yourself to others can increase your chances of building your contacts and network. Learning about people’s careers, businesses, contacts and so on, has a great potential to open up lots of doors, personally and professionally. Just a small conversation can lead to someone becoming interested in your business and services (or even interested in yourself!)
This can lead to great business opportunities – after all, it’s not what you know, but who you know right?
Getting out and socialising
While it may or may not be your idea of fun, socialising and networking with colleagues or business clients outside of an office or working environment is healthy. While its always exciting to attend an event and watch your favourite sports team or athlete battle it out, it’s also great to mingle with people inside or outside of your business. Having a few drinks and enjoying great hospitality with colleagues and clients can make your day even more enjoyable and make socialising with them even better.
Overall, we can see such a value in face-to-face networking, and it’s something you should be looking to do more of in the future. Fancy making networking and entertaining more exciting? Why not take a look at our hospitality experiences at a range of sporting events, such as the tennis at The Championships, Wimbledon or cinch Championships at The Queen’s Club, watching England in an epic showdown at Twickenham Stadium or enjoying a day at the cricket at Edgbaston or The Kia Oval this summer?
Explore our experiences here to plan the best corporate event that your guests will LOVE!
