Coffee Chats - Are the pushed much in the UK?

This has been an interesting one for us in Australia.  We have tweaked our 4N Script quite a bit and everything to really encourage people to book "Coffee Chats" to talk business outside of the meeting.

We found lots of people would meet, but rarely take outside (hence get poor results).

What was the UK's take on this one? We push it actively.  Is it a big issue in the UK or does it just happen organically?

 

Ditch the coffee go for a beer!!

What's the point of that? We have three 121s within the meet? If people want to meet up surely they will do so?

Any chance of seeing a copy of the Australian script? Curious minds and all that...

Its not a new idea - A certain book that tells you how different groups stand at networking (I'm sure you know the book) recomends that you try to arrange to meet with a fellow networker for a coffee after the event. However in the book he says to do it another day and not after the meeting.

I've ended up having extended chats after many meetings - in fact doesnt the UK script say something along the lines of "You're welcome to carry on networking"? (My memroy is not what it used to be)

I get that Carl - and surely it will happen organically and naturally if people want to meet. Part of the BNI format is to have 121s outside of the meet and you are meant to do that in between each meet.

Totally agree Stef, it already happens now. TBH I think it is just a variation on whats in the UK script that welcomes people to hang around and to continue networking after the meeting.

I dont think I have ever been to a meeting and got away before 11 unless I had an appointment to go to

I think longer chats will naturally be arranged if both people feel it's worth their while. I know that happens often enough within 4N, either straight after meetings or at other times. The format within 4N meetings means that we're all used to having 1-2-1 conversations - if at the end of your ten minutes you realise there is much more to discuss it's natural to arrange to continue another time. In other networks I've been in one to one conversation isn't included in the meeting and has to take place afterwards or at other times. To be honest, it was more of an effort to set aside time for a meeting, often with little obvious connection between the businesses. For that reason it happened less frequently than it should have done.

To be honest, I don't see the need for pushing 'coffee chats' within the 4N script. The meeting format encourages it to happen naturally where appropriate and I think it would be a bit patronising anyway.

Edward, I am assuming (bad I know) that you are talking about them meeting at 4N then arranging to go for a coffee straight after that meeting, either to continue the 1-2-1 or for those that did not get a chance to meet?

In the UK, that sort of just happened naturally, some even stayed around for lunch.  Never felt the need to have to push this.  Spent more time trying to convince members of the uses of their online presence.

Happening in herts all the  time. Not part of the script just a natural thang...