We recently interviewed Aditi Gautam about her group NY Connect and Learn Business Networking Group. NY Connect and Learn Business Networking group is a meetup group that strives to bring both networking and business education to NYC business owners.

 

DIIP: When and why did you start this group/organization?

AG:  I started this group in September 2010. Prior to the launch of my group, I would attend a lot of networking events but none of them were structured and they didn't focus on business education. Therefore I started this group keeping in mind both of these principles.

 

DIIP: What type of events do you have and how often are they held (i.e. pitch parties, seminars, conferences, happy hours)?

AG:  We have structured networking events with elevator pitch, business education workshop, brainstorming session, and targeted networking. We have an event once every 2-3 weeks.

 

DIIP: What is your value proposition to those that attend?

AG:  We provide following 4 benefits to our attendees:

1. Targeted networking through structured events with elevator pitches

2. Business education workshops

3. Mastermind support in brainstorming sessions

4. Marketing platform to people who come regularly to our events by giving them spotlight presentation time at one of the events and web presence on our website (www.bizkriti.com)

 

DIIP: What makes your group unique or different from other groups?

AG:  A blend of networking, business education, brainstorming, and marketing opportunity.

 

DIIP: Why do you think it is so important for people to go out to your events and “do it in person?”

AG:  Offline networking or "do it in person" is essential for any business owner as it helps them build strong referral partnerships with people. This kind of relationship is hard to build through online networking.

 

DIIP: Describe the ideal attendee to your events.

AG:  Small Business Owner who wants to learn and use the age old principle of long term business relationships.

DIIP: How has your group evolved since you started it?

AG:  In year and a half we have grown to more than 2300 members.

DIIP: What tip or tips would you give to an attendee of your event on how to make it successful for them?

AG:  Here are some of the tips that I usually give people to make the event successful for themselves:

1. Be positive

2. Have a prepared and rehearsed 30 secs elevator pitch

3. Check the RSVP list and go over the profiles of other attendees. Who would be the perfect referral partner for you?

4. Respect other people's time. Focus on building relationships rather than giving sales pitches

5. Follow up

 

DIIP: What do you look for when choosing a venue?

AG:  A quiet place where conversations and relationships come easily.

 

DIIP: How do you judge the success of an event?

AG:  Positive reviews and number of attendees.

 

DIIP: If you could pick one person that you would want to speak at/attend your event, who would it be and why?

AG:  Jay Abraham. We believe that marketing really matters in business; however, most small business owners are inadequately trained in marketing.

 

DIIP: Can you share any success stories or feedback from mebers from your events?

AG:  “Really enjoyed the personalized yet structured atmosphere the organizers created. The group was small enough that everyone was able to give a 30 second elevator pitch and say who they were looking to meet, but large enough to be useful. There were also small break-out sessions that forced you to engage in the learning materials, and ended up in absorbing them more fully. I thought this was the most useful meetup I've been to in the past couple months. ”

— Brian Erickson

 

“Quality presentations and quality people. This was by far the best networking Meetup I have been to! ”

— Rebecca Leven

 

To learn more about NY Connect and Learn Business Networking Group, please email Aditi Gautam at aditi@bizkriti.com. You can also follow NY Connect and Learn Business Networking Group on twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/BizEventsNYC/ or via Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/NY-Connect-and-Learn-Business-Networking-Group/122048707858445.

 

If you would like to have your group featured on the Do It In Person blog, please email info@doitinperson.com