Have you ever thrown a beach ball during a networking event?
I hadn’t—until this week, when I attended the SHE Leads Group Outdoor Networking event at a beautiful lakeside park in the Denver metro area.
Instead of gathering in a conference room or coffee shop, about 25 women business owners met beneath shady trees and a park shelter overlooking a small lake. The beach, calm water, and mountain views created a relaxed atmosphere that encouraged conversation from the moment we arrived. There was plenty of laughter, easy conversation, and a feeling that we could slow down long enough to truly get to know one another.
Learning More About Each Other Via Questions on a Beach Ball
One of the highlights was a beach ball activity. Written on each color of the beach ball were two different questions. When you caught it, you looked at the color under your thumbs, selected one of the two questions, and shared your answer with the group.
The question I landed on was:
“What is one word your business colleagues would use to describe you?”
I stretched the rules just a bit and answered with two words:
“High Energy.”
Then I couldn’t resist answering another question:
“If your business had a mascot, what would it be?”
Without hesitation, I said, “The Energizer Bunny!”
The activity sparked lots of smiles, laughter, and conversation while helping us learn something memorable about each person.
Of course, the beach ball was only part of the afternoon. We also had plenty of time for open networking, which gave me the opportunity to reconnect with women I already knew while meeting several members for the first time. There’s something about being outdoors that makes conversations feel a little more relaxed and a lot more authentic.
About SHE Leads Group
SHE Leads Group is a business networking organization for women entrepreneurs founded in 2016 by Beth Boen. The organization offers in-person and virtual leads groups, educational programs, networking events, and many opportunities to build lasting business relationships. While it began in the Denver metro area, it has expanded to include groups in several states as well as additional virtual communities.
As the organization says on its website:
“SHE is more than just a leads group. The letters S H E stand for Supporting Heart (our families) & Enterprise® (our business).”
That spirit was certainly evident throughout the afternoon.
I’d love to hear from you. If we were tossing that beach ball your way, how would you answer?
- What one word best describes you professionally?
- If your business had a mascot, what would it be?
About Joyce
Joyce Feustel helps people, especially those age 55 and up, become more effective social media users, especially LinkedIn and Facebook. She works with business owners, business development professionals, business consultants, job seekers, and others. Find her at www.boomerssocialmediatutor.com.
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