One of the signature activities for Enterprise Week, part of Global Entrepreneurship Week...

As one of the signature activities of Global Entrepreneurship Week, join countries across the world and run a speednetwork to unleash energy, share ideas and make connections – fast. You can run speednetworks with a theme - such as social enterprise, women’s enterprise, global issues, etc.

Across the globe, there will be speednetworks in landmark locations. Think Brazil’s Copacabanna beach, London’s Trafalgar Square and Paris’ Eiffel Tower.

Speednetworking is a very simple format but always results in a really buzzing atmosphere – it’s great as an icebreaker or energizer or as a whole event in itself. It provides the opportunity for everyone to meet new people or find out new things about people they already know. Speednetworking is a very simple format – anyone can run it and it costs nothing. All you need is a room, a whistle and at least 20 people.

When you blow the whistle, everyone has to find someone to talk to. Blow the whistle every 5 minutes and everyone has to talk to someone new. Keep it simple or take advantage of today’s technology by speednetworking online with people in different parts of the world via webcams and Skype.

Start by reading out the Three Golden Rules:

Rule 1) You must speednetwork with people you don’t know well or have never met before. No sticking with the person you arrived with or your best buddy!

Rule 2) It’s just a bit of fun. Speednetworking is all about sharing ideas and meeting new people. You don’t have to just talk about work. Ask each other ‘what are your hobbies? ‘Your passions’? ‘Your wildest dreams?’ Talk about anything you like!

Rule 3) No Double Dating. When the whistle blows, you MUST change partners. No clinging to the person you’re talking to - keep on moving...

To find out more, or to register your Enterprise Week event, please see www.enterpriseweek.org.uk.