The Jerusalem Business Networking Forum held its first “speed dating” event of 2016 earlier this week. This is always an incredibly dynamic spectacle, where dozens of people frantically try to conduct a conversation in two minutes, when it usually takes 20 minutes.

The results? As ever at JBNF, most of those who I have spoken to have walked away with valuable contacts. And all this by saving time by a factor of ten.

Let me explain how this is done. The participants line up in rows. They are given 120 seconds to explain who they are to each other, ask pertinent questions, and swop contact details. When the time is up, one row moves on and then the next round begins. Every so often, the moderator – myself – allows a break and introduces a guest speaker.

JBNF was privileged to have three excellent presenters. Gilad Newman from Dale Carnegie described how to improve your presence, simply by smiling. Melissa Beinefeld, an employer advisor, stressed the importance of keeping messages brief and direct. Picking up on this theme, international branding expert, Jonathan Gabay, urged participants to consider their audience.

Gabay described the amazing story of the creators of the film “Aliens” who as newcomers to Hollywood were desperately seeking a way to impress backers. They hit on the phrase: “It’s like Jaws, but in space”. People ‘got it’ immediately, doors opened, and the rest is history.

The message for the rest of us may be obvious but it needs to be stated. Be ready for the question ‘what do you do?’ Prepare  an answer that takes up no more than ten words. If longer, your floundering could indicate that you are not sure yourself, and thus you will not be leaving a strong impression on your partner in the conversation.