A few months ago I developed this simple warm-up activity to use before a LinkedIn training. The goal was to boost engagement and energy, provide face-to-face networking time, and build in an at-home follow-up activity that would lower the barriers and fears of networking.
The activity was born from requests from the group for a speed-networking activity; meanwhile, the meeting topic was LinkedIn, so the two became a natural fit. The activity created a safe space for experimenting with the concrete tips and tricks provided by trainer Grace Segovia.
The workshop - from warm-up to training - was a hit and instructions to the activity have been requested by one of my dear friends and workshop participants. Feel free to use this warm-up for your next training or adapt it to fit your topic.
LinkedIn Training Warm-Up
Preparation
Ensure all participants:
- Have a LinkedIn account in advance of the workshop.
- Come with a mobile device or laptop from which they can access their LinkedIn account.
Time
Time can be adjusted based on the time in your schedule. More rounds means more new connections. More time per round (within reason) can lead to deeper discussions.
- 4-7 minutes per round
- A minimum of three rounds
Space
- One chair for each participant (comfortable seating like a couch works great too)
- Arrange seating/chairs in pairs of two
- Space seating throughout the room so pairs can easily hear one another (this could get loud)
Conversation starters
You'll use conversation starters for this activity (Download the PPT here). My preference is to show the conversation starters on a screen and allow pairs to choose which they use. This allows pairs to move on to a new topic easily if the conversation begins to slow before the end of the round. Alternately, you could select one conversation starter per round.
How it works
Introduce the activity: "Today we are going to do some speed-networking. Each networking round will be done in pairs. Your first challenge as a pair is to connect on LinkedIn. Your second challenge is to start talking about one of the questions on the screen. When I call time, one of you will change seats to make a new pair and the round will begin again.
- Divide into two groups
I like counting off by twos (1-2-1-2-...), this ensures you have an even number of participants in each group. - Declare one group the conversation starters and ask them to find a seat.
Each person should find a chair that has an empty space across from it. - Declare the other group mobile.
The mobile group will wait until you start the round. Once you start the round, each will find a conversation starter to sit with, forming a pair. - Start the first round.
If participants are very new to LinkedIn, you might want to have a few facilitators who can help the pairs make connections the first time. - Keep the time.
You want to give teams enough time to connect with one another and ensure each person has a chance to talk. It's okay, even ideal, to interrupt conversations to end the round. - Introduce LinkedIn networking tips
After the first round, I like to ask if I interrupted conversations. When participants say yes, I let them know it was intentional so they have something to follow-up on via LinkedIn after the session. Share info about the value of increasing your network and tips on how to follow up after a networking event.
Tip: You may also want to allow a short amount of time for participants to make notes about the conversation so they don't lose track of who they met. - Repeat.
Start again at step 4. To move the groups, ask the "conversation starters" to stay seated and the "mobile group" to stand up and find a new pair. Encourage participants to pair up with people they don't know.
If you have questions about how to use this activity or would like help facilitating your workshop, feel free to reach out.
If you use this activity, I’d love to hear how it went! Leave a note in the comments below or contact me.