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Just weeks ahead of what is probably the first Business Networking Event held in Malta, Elaine Tabone Adami, president of the Malta affiliate of Junior Chamber International speaks about the importance of business networking for young managers, creative professionals and aspiring entrepreneurs alike
Dr Elaine Tabone Adami joined JCI Malta in May 2002 where within a few weeks she was already heading one of the most renowned JCI initiatives - the Best Business Plan (BBP) competition. “Having just returned from four years studying in the UK within an international and ambitious environment, I was seeking to be actively involved in an international organisation that offered entrepreneurial and leadership skills. JCI Malta provided me with the perfect platform to achieve this”, added Dr Tabone Adami.
“Networking is central to the JCI philosophy. JCI’s mission is to create better leaders and entrepreneurs and networking is key to such a development.” Through the Business Networking Event, participants are given a platform to develop new business contacts. JCI members believe that networking is not just useful for developing one’s project and collaboration, but also as a means to initiate new, innovative ideas and finding the right resources.
Commenting about the event, Dr Tabone Adami said, “Networking is one of the ways for young managers, creative professionals and aspiring entrepreneurs alike, to establish and develop business opportunities. Participants do not necessarily need to have a business idea in mind. Most importantly, the event is an excellent platform to build new potential business relationships, create more opportunities and partnerships, and to seek financial and logistical backing for the setting up new ventures.
Networking is the means to establish new relationships with potential business partners.”
The Business Networking event is based on the concept of social speed dating and is becoming more popular abroad. On a JCI European level, such Business Networking Events have recently been organised by JCI Belgium and JCI Denmark providing quality successful networking. “I have personally met the organisers and the mingling of high profile business people with upcoming entrepreneurs and professionals within the BNE were considered key to their highly successful events”, added Dr Tabone Adami. An attraction to JCI Malta’s event is that established entrepreneurs will be joining the BNE participants during the networking sessions. Amongst these are Chris Grech (Chief of Dhalia Real Estate), Hatem Dawidar (CEO, Vodafone Malta), Juanita Bencini (Partner, KPMG Malta) as well as Joe Fenech Conti (Datatrak, AirMalta and Public Broadcasting Services).
Unlike traditional business networking events where people might be held up in long, non-profitable, chats with the same group of people, JCI Malta’s Business Networking Event will ensure that participants will get the maximum out of the activity.
We will do this by ensuring a structured approach to meeting other participants. The BNE will kick off with a welcome note and a motivational opener by one of the patrons. Each participant will then be allowed up to five minutes to develop an initial contact with another participant, with everyone moving on to his/her next potential business partner at the end of the five minutes. Following this business-oriented ‘musical-chairs’ a reception will be held where participants will be able to delve deeper in the new relationships established.
BNE will be held on Thursday 5 October, at 7pm at the SAS Radisson Baypoint, St Julians. Anyone aged between 18 and 40, working within an entrepreneurial environment or keen to explore new business opportunities is encouraged to attend. Booking or further details are available by calling JCI Malta on 7946-8060 or email us on [email protected] |
