Westchase Golf Club
I’m not talking about computer networking here. I mean the kind where you meet people face to face. Those local networking functions where you’re herded into a room to drift around listening to everyone rehearse their “elevator speech.” I don’t know about you, but I find this painful.
If you need to meet new local people for your business and you like golf, Florida based entrepreneur, John Kypriotakis has the answer. He has created a new program in the Tampa area called LinksNet.
(Listen to my interview with John Kypriotakis about LinksNet and his approach to time management on the On Target Podcast)
OK, so why am I writing this in a blog about time management and efficiency? As much as I hate the concept of “multi-tasking”, this really fits the bill. LinksNet gives you the ability to perform a very important function for your business (meeting potential customers, partners etc.) while doing something relaxing (most of the time).
Each month LinksNet members meet to play a round of 9 holes at a local course. Tampa has no shortage of great courses and John makes sure that the selections are top notch.
But it’s more than golf. LinksNet makes sure players are paired based upon common business interests, the members’ networking objectives meet and sometimes golf skills. They listen to their members’ needs and match players up accordingly.
Only nine holes you say? My mother, a lifetime low handicapper, used to say “The game is 18!” She was right, but this is about business and it’s designed to be a networking opportunity during the work week. Sneaking out for 18 holes is a little too much time for most people.
They do a shotgun start (for you non-golfers that means everybody starts at the same time) so that everyone will finish at the same time. After golf there’s a meal and ample time for casual networking.
There’s nothing like riding with someone in a cart for a couple of hours to help break the ice. The engagement you create during the game helps members to get to know each other as people. And that’s what matters, right?
John says that LinksNet has been such a big hit that they are thinking about starting groups in other cities.
For more information check out the LinksNet web site. In the meantime keep it in the short grass.