Recently, Claire Burge of Simplify Learning asked me “What the open coffee events are about and why they have been beneficial to you?” I thought instead of just emailing her, I’d write a post here and share with others…
I recently spoke at the Ignite Dublin talks at the Science Gallery. I spoke about our OpenCoffee group, and the plans for Northwest Connects – so this is all fresh in my mind.
By the way, this is Heather- since this cheapo WordPress template doesn’t show authors.
The Origins of the Open Coffee network
Saul Klein’s early descriptions of the Open Coffee network focus on connecting web developers & web-based entrepreneurs with investors.
“The OpenCoffee Club was started to encourage entrepreneurs, developers and investors to organise real-world informal meetups to chat, network and grow. Read the blog post that started the ball rolling.”
And this is primarily what they have been doing: growing. The OpenCoffee official group lists 80 groups, but this is likely not all of them. Not all of the over 20 groups in Ireland are listed there. Of the groups in Ireland, some meet weekly; some once a month, and some took off the entire summer.
“The key is a regular place and a regular time – it’s not important who comes along, some days it might be no one – just that people know if they want to meet, this is the time and this is the place. We want to create some density for people — a few places where people know they can meet or bump into others.” – from the original post by Saul Klein
In the original context: London, you have a population density which can handle frequency; and can specialize in the area of web developers & investors. Ours is a little different…
Our Open Coffee in Sligo
Our Open Coffee meets the first Thursday of every month, 11-1pm. It’s free and open to all. Depending on the location, you just have to buy yourself a coffee (or tea!)
We also have a different mix of people. While all brewing some ideas for services and businesses; and we’re swapping referrals and leads- but we’re not at the stage where we can go run to an investor or join the Chamber of Commerce, or BNI for established businesses.
And we’re not all techies. I think this makes it a more interesting group, and more useful since we’re not all living in the same bubble.
Our OpenCoffee is also like a “community of practice” – a type of learning group. Last week, Anne Louise O’Donovan presented some tax tips for small businesses and freelancers. We’re sharing our expertise, while also learning about each other – and this helps each of us expand our reach. As a freelancer or working in your own company- you don’t have the same context for learning- to look over the shoulder of, and learn from your colleagues. I think OpenCoffee can offer this kind of context.
Networking through knowing
Like with anything worth while, the tired adage applies: “You get out what you put in.” A representative from a County Enterprise board (not Sligo) said he went to an Open Coffee (not ours) and he “was underwhelmed.” I was annoyed when he said this, what did he mean? Did one-off visitors to our OpenCoffee not return because they were underwhelmed? Well, I wanted to say to him, (but didn’t) Open Coffee isn’t there to entertain, and I doubt you’d get much out of it if you only attended once.
With that said, I know someone who has attended the Open Coffee Sligo only two times, but in those two times he made contacts- and got back in touch with them, which lead to two more clients for him, and three hot leads which he has lined up for when his service gets out of beta-testing. That’s great news for him, and a sign that without a chance to meet and rub elbows with people outside your bubble, you may be missing opportunities.
Networking is built on developing relationships- meeting once off, you aren’t likely going to get valuable reputation-based referrals. People need to *know* you, and know what you do. I am learning more and more about the others who attend our group, and more and more I’m knowledgeable about what they do, what they offer, and what kind of help/leads they are looking for. And- over time, I care more, and I’m motivated to help them.
We’re hoping to grow the network more and more. Email me at hjames {at} gmail.com if you have questions.
Open Coffee in Ireland
If you’re not near Sligo- check out a map of the Open Coffee groups in Ireland. Some are hibernating, some are buzzing. Check their sites to see. Also @Burkie is setting up a site for open coffee groups in Ireland: http://opencoffeeclub.ie/
