RECENTLY, four foreign chambers staged a speed-networking night with the premise that those who participated will, well, expand their network of contacts for their businesses, and probably even in their personal lives.
The four foreign chambers were the British Chamber of Commerce Philippines (BCCP), French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the Philippines, German-Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. (GPCCI), and the Spanish Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines (La Càmara).
I guess, speed is really all the rage these days. Most people seem to want it in this day and age, where instant gratification has become the norm.
People want and demand speed basically on almost everything, from browsing on the Internet, in their travels, in the television shows they watch, when playing online and video games, in the way they are served coffees, and all the way to the finalization of contracts.
Fast-food chains are now everywhere. We love instant noodles. Luxury-brand fast cars are entering the country in droves. There are speed-dating events that are regularly being scheduled in Metro Manila, and probably everywhere else in the country. There is even this quickie naughty thing that I would not even dare discuss further here.
Fast. Quick. Instant. Speedy. For all I care, I just want to see a proper sequel to the movie Speed being made. That would be a good start.
Here is the thing, though. A friend of mine once told me that she would never enter into a relationship again with a man until she is completely sure that it will last.
She said her two previous relationships both went down in flames and grouped them as some of the biggest mistakes in her life. Her thinking now is that for a relationship to be meaningful, it needs a strong foundation, and has to be established at a slow and steady pace.
Now if you have at least once seen Eat Bulaga’s all-too-popular “AlDub” Kalye Serye, then you are familiar with the line—“Sa tamang panahon.”
Yes, people, there is a time and place for everything. The Roman Empire was not built in a day. It is the same with relationships. And a key part of that is trust. It is never given. It should be earned over time.
You see this happening even in the golf course where business relationships are initially built. Imagine yourself together with three other individuals for the whole length of a par-72 game. That is a lot of time for someone to start a permanent bond. But get this, no one closes any transactions inside the golf course.
That is how it should really start. Create and establish a relationship by getting to know more about the other person. Good things take time.
I just do not get it when people today can call someone a friend when they just met them in Facebook or when the preferred line of communication for people these days is Viber or whatever app out there you can install on your phone. Again, speed here is a factor.
Maybe, I am just getting old but I must say, just like in that old television commercial, that a handshake is still better than a fax.
But, I guess, we Asians, in general, still remain cautious, conservative and sometimes slow in the decision-making process. We also value trust in any relationship. And, yes, I am not talking about a certain brand name of a product out here.
Not saying that happily ever after exists, just like in those Disney movies, when you approach any relationship in a deliberate manner. But, I suppose, having the right mind-set and perspective can go a long way.
It was not the first time for me to attend a speed-networking event. I have been to several in the past. Just like in any activity, there are always positive takeaways that you can build upon.
BCCP Chairman Chris Nelson, one of the most amiable individuals in the foreign chambers, surely made a lot of sense on the event.
Nelson told me that, at the end of the day, it is all about amassing a lot of business cards from individuals you get to meet. He said that what you do afterward with those business cards is what matters.
According to Nelson, those business cards form part of a database that an individual who attended the event could build upon. His advice is to have a clear direction and follow up on those thing can become part of your plans.
Kudos also to Nelson for making his onstage part of the program lively, even with all wall-to-wall chatter going around. That just goes to prove that wit and charm can go a long way.
As for GPCCI Executive Director Peter Kompalla, he told me the event was the perfect way to meet interesting people in a limited amount of time.
He said that it was an interesting mix of group, with the event having Germans, Spanish, French and British nationals, who all come from very diverse cultural backgrounds.
Kompalla is the latest German national whom I have come to meet, and he reinforces my belief that they are some of the nicest individuals you can meet. You just cannot help feel very comfortable around them.
Then there was La Càmara Executive Director Barbara Apraiz, someone who I have known since she first arrived in the country last year. Everything is always good and fun around her.
Apraiz told me that events like the speed-networking which they cohosted is the fastest way to expand an individual’s business contact in a mere matter of minutes.
She said that individuals should maximize the time they spend in such events, because it will be very helpful in their careers.
The place was packed that night. Everyone was literally rubbing elbows with one another. The noise from the place was loud enough that what was happening onstage was barely noticeable for the most part.
But you know what? I had fun. The food was great. I got to meet some very interesting people who I will be in touch again.
For comments, suggestions and reactions, I can be reached at raalzona@yahoo.com.
1 comment
You confuse fast with efficient….. The best way to improve things is to be efficient and actually deal with things, not just pay lip service.
Sure we want things quickly but this does not mean we want to be badly treated. Poisonous “Noodles”, Rubbish Internet, Laws not enforced so everybody suffers.
Selfish, nasty people who just care about themselves and their absolution…
Oh yes… A Mass Of Catholics!