Business in bloom
Speed networking is the latest business trend for making contacts quickly and efficiently so we find out how it can help the owner of a London flower arranging company.
WORDS: JOHN C SILCOX
PHOTOGRAPHY: JUAN TRUJILLO ANDRADES
It’s just gone 6am, but when we meet up with Elizabeth Marsh at her headquarters in London’s New Covent Garden flower market, she’s already been up for a couple of hours. ‘To get the freshest blooms you need to get here early,’ she explains. ‘Then the real work starts. Flower arrangements need to be created and delivered to customers before their businesses open for the day.’
As the head of Elizabeth Marsh Floral Design, Elizabeth focuses on all areas of the business, from office administration to meetings with potential customers. Friends often ask her how she copes with all the responsibility: ’I simply reply that, after raising my twins, this new schedule seems like a breeze,’ she quips.
However, such a busy schedule doesn’t leave much time for the pursuit of new business. So far her company has grown organically, but Elizabeth is always keen to make new connections, which is why she’s decided to try out ‘speed networking’ – a meeting format that’s designed to accelerate the process of making business contacts, aimed at professionals who are short on time.
To this end, Marsh makes herself comfortable in the back of our Audi A7 Sportback, and we chauffeur her to a five-star West End hotel, where a 20/20 Speed Networking event is being held. She is greeted by Wes Mendy, the organiser, who ushers her inside. ‘We fill a room with professionals, usually divided into two groups – those who are offering a service, and those who need a service,’ he explains.
‘People get 10 minutes to pitch their work face to face, before a bell rings and they move on to the next desk. In less than a couple of hours, professionals can have more than 20 interesting meetings. Our success rates are incredibly high.’
The event goes on until lunchtime, after which we drive Elizabeth to a meeting with the manager of the Gilbert Scott restaurant in the St Pancras Renaissance Hotel. On the way, she gives us some feedback on her first speed networking experience. ‘I was a bit sceptical at first, but it was actually great fun and very interesting. I spoke with event organisers working for some fantastic companies all over the city. There were even a few companies I would never have thought of contacting. Let’s just hope some of this actually turns into business.’
At the restaurant, Elizabeth jumps out of the A7. Before shutting the door, she turns and says: ‘I think I’m going to break a new record today. This is going to be my 25th meeting and it’s not even 4pm!’
