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What's your favourite networking icebreaker? ❄️ πŸ”¨

Robyn Freya Archard Former Community Manager - Your new Community Manager is Ocean King at CharityConnect Posted 6 years ago

I'd love to hear your suggestions for networking icebreakers. The less cringey the better! Go, go, go... πŸ‘‡
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A CharityConnect User

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at 6 years ago

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Write a fascinating fact about yourself on a piece of paper (no name). Fold it into a paper aeroplane. When everyone is ready launch them round the room - individuals go and pick one up and then go round the room reading out the fact with the individual trying to guess who's aeroplane it might be. The writer then steps forward! Some great facts - and some great aeroplanes!

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A CharityConnect User

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at 6 years ago

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I personally enjoy speed dating as a networking icebreaker at the start of events. Done well, it can be fun and entertaining (particularly if branded or introduced well) and the format means it stays pretty lighthearted. 
I like it because it's efficient without being awkward - it's a good way to meet a lot of people quickly and find out if you have any useful crossover, and be able to move on quickly if not! 

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Mark Cassidy

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Individual Giving Fundraiser at Rosemere Cancer Foundation 6 years ago

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In my pre-fundraising life at a conference we had to draw a picture of the person we were sat next to without looking at the paper, sign it and give it to them! It was a good laugh - if only i could draw.

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Trin Gong

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at 6 years ago

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We played wink murderer at a work away day. Possibly not the easiest to play at night. But the variations of werewolves, mafia or murder in the dark could be fun! I'm sure there are also more cooperative games where you have to work together. :) any kind of puzzle solving or trivia? Potential to go badly if people get competitive though! You could also go for straight up speed networking (like speed dating) where everyone has to chat for X mins and then you move people on. Can make it easier by giving people a theme/topic to talk about (I think some topics have been suggested below). :) 

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Paul Taylor

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Non-executive director at Various 6 years ago

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Tell me all about yourself; is my most successful approach. People generally like to talk about themselves and whilst they do, you can be thinking of the best way to make the key approach. Of course the strategy is a complete flop if you happen to be talking to an introvert; in which case make some platitude and move on. 

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Genevieve Hibbs

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Volunteer at MissionAssist / NAF (Board member) ... / A Rocha UK 6 years ago

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Because my recent networking events have attracted a very wide range of people, I often ask, "What brings you to this event?"  In all but the very occasional case that works well and we get straight into a worthwhile conversation.

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Robyn Freya Archard

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Former Community Manager - Your new Community Manager is Ocean King at CharityConnect 6 years ago

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Genevieve Hibbs I actually completely agree and have already included this question on the name badges. Even though it's so simple I've found the responses so far to be really interesting and ones that will definitely spark conversation. Thanks for sharing Genevieve.  

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Mike Allen

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Trustee Recruitment & Governance Lead; retired CEO; Trustee for social housing/care charity. at inVOLve Community Services 6 years ago

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When I was a Youth Work Trainer, I often started a day's training by distributing one sheet of paper and one marker pen to each participant. Then I asked each to take 5 minutes to draw a representation of what they had done that morning/day, and communicate that in drawing-form without speech or text.
Those that 'hated' drawing made the best attempts and those who rated themselves as 'artists' often couldn't.
The effort to communicate in a non-verbal manner broke ice successfully; I even found participants remembered the game years later...

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Robyn Freya Archard

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Former Community Manager - Your new Community Manager is Ocean King at CharityConnect 6 years ago

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Mike Allen I love this idea. So creative and different. And I can imagine the game becomes a talking point in itself. Thanks a lot Mike.

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Trin Gong

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at 6 years ago

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Mike Allen   this would be fun! :) I try to convince people that anyone and everyone is an artist, just got to tap into that creative side. 

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Clare Lucas

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Person bingo! Have a sheet with different facts- mix of silly and serious. People have to go around and find a person to tick each box. 
I also like two truths and one lie but that tends to work better if sat in small groups rather than if people are milling about. 

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Robyn Freya Archard

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Former Community Manager - Your new Community Manager is Ocean King at CharityConnect 6 years ago

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Clare Lucas Another bingo suggestion - it must be a goodun -  thanks Clare! So would I need to collect facts on my guests or do I just use generic ones that would probably fit? 

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Clare Lucas

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Robin Freya Archard   Just generic ones is how we've done it before. I can send you a festive version we did for our Christmas party last year :-) 

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Ab Brightman

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Communications Trainer & Consultant at various charities 6 years ago

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I love meeting new people! I think a great approach is around mindset - I like to think what things am I excited to share with people that event, such as a great theory I've been reading about, and what things I want to learn from people, such as book recommendations. Really changes. Then after you have an initial conversation about those I think it's pretty obvious whether you click or not or professionally can add value, and if not it's chill because we probably are both happy to have learnt from one another but to move on. 
 

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Robyn Freya Archard

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Former Community Manager - Your new Community Manager is Ocean King at CharityConnect 6 years ago

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Ab Brightman Some great networking tips there Ab, thank you! It's definitely good to have something in mind that can spark up a discussion, for those errr.... slightly more awkward moments! πŸ˜‚

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A CharityConnect User

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at 6 years ago

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I've started giving people the wrong name badge. They then have to go round and find the right owner. I was really worried that it was going to back fire the first time, but every time I've done it everyone's loved it. Means they cant just turn up and sit down and they have to talk to people, even if they hate it. Ha Ha. At my Christmas networkers, I'm going to  make them play pass the parcel and instead of sweets in each layer, there will be a question asking them to reflect on the last 12 months. It will be the first time I've used this technique and it could be awful, but my meetings are always oversubscribed, so Im just going with the belief that I must do something right, so it will be fine!

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Ab Brightman

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Jemma Coles   haha love this! 

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Robyn Freya Archard

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Former Community Manager - Your new Community Manager is Ocean King at CharityConnect 6 years ago

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I've heard the giving the people the wrong badge trick before and think it's great. Although...  if you don't mind, I think I'll be stealing that pass the parcel game. 🎁🎁🎁 What a fab idea!!! And so seasonal. Thanks a bunch, Jemma.   

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