I signed in at the door and was told to wait for a security guard to escort me to the elevator. In the elevator, there was a woman there to push the button for us. Was I entering some sort of high security zone? The elevator operator told us to enjoy, and we got off on our floor for The Product Group Meetup.
Despite my initial impression of not being trusted to find the elevator in this fancy building, I entered into a room full of people settling in rows around the room. There was pizza and soda for everyone, and big screens announcing the meetup’s sponsor, as well as the Wi-Fi password. The host of The Product Group was using a microphone to explain what to expect for the evening.
Unlike my previous meetup adventures at Taco Night, Pints ‘n’ Purls, and the Origami Meetup Group, this one had a much more official feeling. This was not a purely social event; this was networking. I felt a tingle of excitement as we all introduced ourselves over a microphone. Next, we were going to hear wisdom from the winner of the Best Product Person of 2016. After that, we would learn about that evening’s “Featured Product.”
Lesson #1: The controlled, yet hip vibe the host created made for an evening that felt special
I felt like I was back in college, or at a professional forum. I was in a room of people, all looking to make professional connections on their own time. Some had just moved to NYC; others were looking to switch careers. I absorbed information about the field of product management, a topic I’d never considered before. Just being there felt productive and meaningful.
Lesson #2: If you want to encourage networking, give real opportunity for it
The host of the Product Group did a great job of fostering an environment of networking.
Starting with introductions
Every person there got a chance to say their name, job, and to answer the question “Do you know great product people?” This was a fantastic way for everyone to feel welcomed and also to get an idea of the possible connections they may make with others in the room.
Fostering community through tradition
This meetup happened to be the one celebrating the Best Product Person of 2016. I found out that they do this annually and people nominate others in the field to win the title. The winner got a physical award and was given the opportunity to share his story.
Q&A and “parking lots”
The Best Product Person also gave everyone a chance to pick his brain and ask him questions. Anyone could grab a mic and ask him about his expertise in the field. He even said at one point to a member, “Definitely talk to me about that after this meetup!” At Swift Kick, we call this a “parking lot.” In other words, he gave the opportunity to meet with the person at a later time to continue the connection and conversation.
I had to duck out early to catch a train, right before someone else was about to present the “featured product” of the night. But I left The Product Group meetup, understanding why anyone would want to come back each month to build their professional network while still having fun.
