Networking Tips: The Value of Face to Face Meetings
February 20, 2024
In today's digital age, face-to-face interactions remain the most effective way to build valuable connections and partnerships. Joining our Annual Meeting events presents a unique chance to network with fellow freight forwarders, share insights, and establish strategic alliances for business growth. In one trip to a world class destination, you'll connect with over 215 logistics experts from across the globe while making lasting memories together, making it a very cost-effective networking opportunity. Here are our tips on how to make the most of in person meetings.
- Differentiation: what makes you unique?
- It is safe to assume that everyone coming to this event offers ocean and air freight. Take this time instead to highlight your specializations and uniqueness as a company, and that will make your meeting more memorable to fellow members.
- Ask questions, don't do all the talking
- As our Founder Bill Siemens often says: whoever is doing all the talking is not learning. Be curious, ask questions that will lead to learning opportunities about your fellow members which can result in discovering a path to collaboration together.
- Schedule meetings with relevant partners
- We have custom designed our One On One Meeting Scheduler platform to facilitate a simple booking process to set the optimal schedule during the AGM. You are able to search for members by branch location, any keyword, but most importantly, you can also look up members based on their specialized niche service offerings to make sure you are sitting down with the most compatible collaborators.
- Take notes!
- All too often, we think we will remember all that is said during these sit downs, but that can be hard to keep track of after 10 back to back meetings. Utilize our Annual Meeting Mobile app to take notes during your meetings on company profiles. All notes are sharable so you can pass them to your team for follow up.
- Don't forget to be social
- It's not all about the One On One meetings. What we have observed countless times over the years is that the best partnerships arise out of fun experiences shared together. I am sure you will agree that we give business to the people we remember and enjoy. Don't forget to let your hair down a little and enjoy yourself, let people get to know you. Fellow members will keep you in mind in the future as a result. Our Cocktail Party, Gala Dinner, and Wrap Party are all perfect opportunities to network in a more relaxed style. Sit down for breakfast together, take a dip in the hotel pool, or enjoy some down time in the lobby together. These events are experiences to be enjoyed together.
- Make a plan to follow up
- Sales do not happen without follow up. Remember, the Annual Meeting is just the beginning. Do not forget to set an action plan for following up with everyone you met, and maintain an ongoing proactive sales strategy within the network for the best results.
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Globalink was formed in 2003 to test a new concept for networking. For 20 years, we have been proven right. We are committed to connecting high-quality, independent freight forwarders looking for the best possible partners worldwide, supported by our first-class customer service. We believe in the simple truth that good relationships with good companies builds good business.
