OK so it is not the Da Vinci code and
I am not Tom Hanks, however, getting to really meet the most people in the
shortest amount of time is a major key to solving the networking puzzle.
The scene:
At a recent meeting of a senior management organization, we
unveiled the Morris Code.
The rules:
Assign seats so that no one sits at a table with the same
person twice.
Answer 4 or 5 questions about yourself, your business and
your hobbies/life. (3 minutes per person)
Discuss a unique business or political topic (never discuss
the same topic more than once) with the other table participants and come to a
consensus/opinion as a group. (1-2 minutes person to encourage all to speak)
Select a scribe/presenter to regale the room with your
consensus/opinions. (2-3 minutes to present)
The results:
With 4-5 people per table, in 60-75 minutes, each person
meets, interacts and learns about the business and personal life, the
conversation and group participation style and the public speaking capabilities
of 12-15 guests.
Careful planning, doing the math on table assignment and the
question generation, creates the foundation for a successful meeting. A critical factor is the size of the
crowd and that the scheduled attendees show up - otherwise you have to adapt
quickly to reconfigure the tables.
The feedback:
The Morris code received high marks from many
participants. The overall response
was that they got to truly meet people and secure a list of follow up
networking connections with real promise.
The rest of the puzzle:
Success only comes to those who follow up with one on one
networking to cement a relationship and to delve deeper into how we can truly
be more successful together.
For more information on this networking idea and how to
implement it on your project team or for your networking group, or on HR
Technology and Sustainability, please contact Morris@hrcomputes.com.
