Instead of just talking to the people seated on either side, encourage conversation among the entire table by providing tabletop quizzes and trivia. To get everyone involved, offer trivia related to the theme of your event or random facts from popular culture. Set a time limit for the quiz to get everyone started, and the winning team will be the one with the fastest time and the majority of accurate answers.
Foam balls or cube microphones that are simple to throw, catch, and drop (there’s always one) are among the options that are available. To break the ice and encourage audience participation, they present a lively and entertaining idea. Additionally, it alleviates the discomfort and anxiety that come with using a conventional microphone.
Start by giving the attendees the incorrect name tags and instructing them to locate the person with their name on them. This is always a fun and interesting game that can be played right away, but be warned you should either keep this for smaller groups or events because too many people can make it difficult. This not only helps people approach each other and learn more about other attendees, but it can also encourage groups of people to start having conversations that they can continue later on. When they have found the right person, they must answer three questions to get the name tag back, and then this will continue until everyone has the correct name tag.
What are networking games?
Networking games are organized activities that encourage networking between individuals present at the same venue or event. A networking game frequently serves a specific purpose, such as connecting professionals or fostering discussion about a particular concept or idea. By facilitating conversation and encouraging participation from all attendees, networking games can entice professionals to network.
A networking event can benefit from activities that everyone can participate in together by playing the many networking games that are designed to be played in groups. As a result, professionals may find colleagues with whom they get along well and with whom they might try to collaborate in the future.
What is networking?
Meeting other professionals in the same field and exchanging concepts and ideas with them is the process of networking. There are many different ways that people can network, both in formal and informal settings. Speaking with a professional who comes to your place of business and exchanging contact information to make future contact easier are two examples of informal networking. In a formal setting, networking may occur at planned occasions intended to bring professionals in an industry together through seminars, meetings, or dining together.
Why use networking games?
A networking event or initiative can always benefit from playing networking games because they give professionals specific activities to use to connect with one another. Professionals may be introduced to one another through games at a planned networking event through facilitated activities that encourage communication and idea sharing. When hiring new employees, businesses can use networking games to help them get to know one another and existing employees. You can select the networking games you believe will most effectively support your networking efforts because there are so many different varieties available.
7 networking games
Here are seven different networking games you can use:
Social Cafe
The entire group of players should be divided into smaller groups of three or four people to play Social Cafe. Then, you can give each group a particular issue to address or topic to discuss. This could be a theoretical issue, a hypothetical situation, or a query based on personal experience. Allow 20 minutes for group discussions to occur after each group has chosen a topic to discuss.
As soon as the time is up, tell the players to switch groups and sit with different people. Then, repeat the process as often as you like to give the players a chance to get to know everyone else who is participating.
Speed Networking
When getting ready for Speed Networking, arrange tables so that participants can sit opposite one another on either side, and tell everyone taking part to sit across from a player they don’t know. Ensure that each participant has a writing instrument and a surface to write on. After everyone has taken a seat, you can set a timer for five minutes and instruct players to converse with their partner across the table and share information such as names, job titles, experience, and more.
When the timer goes off, have one side of the table move a chair to a different position in front of a new player. Then, repeat the process with the new pairs until everyone has had an opportunity to connect with each person on the other side of the table.
Networking Scavenger Hunt
Networking Scavenger Hunt involves creating a list of items that participants must find by exploring the area and interacting with other participants. Make a list of qualities or characteristics that can be applied to your industry in order to play the networking scavenger hunt. This could include entries for people who have held management positions, people with sales experience, or athletes who have a certain amount of playing experience. Then tell the players to finish the scavenger hunt by asking their teammates if they possess the qualities and traits listed.
This can help with networking by highlighting similarities between players and facilitating communication.
Business Card Collection Contest
The best places to hold a business card collection contest are likely large gatherings or professional networking events. This is due to the fact that it entails reaching out to as many people as you can and getting their business cards. At the beginning of the game, let the players know that the person who collects the most business cards by the end of the day or event will receive a reward or prize. This can entice players to interact with more people than they had originally intended to and give them a large number of contacts to expand their network with.
Two Truths, One Lie
The classic game Two Truths, One Lie can be especially helpful at networking events where participants don’t know each other very well. Instruct players to write down three statements about themselves, two of which are true and one of which is a lie, in order to play the game Two Truths, One Lie. Invite players to share their statements with the group in turns, after which the remaining players must determine which statement is false. To ensure that all players can take part and get to know one another, repeat this process until everyone has shared their responses.
Quick Fire Questions
Players should be arranged in a space with a board where you can display sample questions in order to play Quick Fire Questions. Once there are some questions on the board to refer to, allow players to pair up and start a timer for one minute, during which one player can quickly ask questions to their partner.
Repeat the procedure after the timer goes off to enable the second player in each pair to question their partner. Once everyone has had a chance to ask questions of multiple players, tell the pairs to switch up and carry on in the same manner.
Switch Sides If…
Switch Sides If. is a fantastic game to find commonalities and differences among a group of businesspeople who are networking with one another. To play Switch Sides If. , divide the players into two groups, separating them with a line on the ground, and label one group the “Yes” side and the other the “no” side. Ask a series of yes-or-no questions to the players once they are standing, and then tell them to switch to the side that most accurately describes them.
Any players who work in sales, for instance, can move to the “Yes” side of the question, and any players who do not can move to the “No” side. Repeat this process with as many questions as you desire.
Networking Games: 8 Effective—and Fun—Networking Activities for Your Next Event
FAQ
What are networking games?
Networking games are organized activities that encourage networking among a group of people present at the same place or event. A networking game frequently serves a specific purpose, such as connecting professionals or fostering discussion about a particular concept or idea.
What are some good networking activities?
- Happy hour meetups.
- Industry-specific seminars.
- Virtual groups.
- Career fairs.
- Conferences/trade shows.
- Breakfast or luncheon meetings.
- Community service groups.
- Speed networking.
How do you make a virtual network fun?
- Speed Networking Events. …
- Interactive Games & Icebreakers. …
- Virtual Networking Events. …
- Targeted Connections. …
- Coffee or Cocktail Mixers – With a Twist. …
- Roundtables. …
- Smart Badges To Better Match Attendees. …
- Gamification to Engage Attention.
What is networking bingo?
The goal of networking bingo is to get people talking to each other at an event. The activity was fun for my program’s participants at several business gatherings. Hopefully, it will transform your gathering into more of an experience than merely a meeting.
