Hi-Tech Scotland meets Sonia English, CEO of San Francisco based '5 Minute Networking'
Hi-Tech Scotland
My5MinuteNetworking is an organisation based, online networking community for business professionals. In addition to free profile pages complete with testimonials and business contacts, internal emails, lead generation and search tools, My5MinuteNetworking provides online follow-up to an organization or conference’s in-person events. At 5 Minute Networking events, individuals meet one-on-one in five-minute increments, resulting in a fast-paced, exciting and extremely effective networking and relationship-building experience often referred to as the business-equivalent of “speed dating.” The company has also developed Event Facilitation Software, which takes all the work out of planning and facilitating events and maximizes the results for event participants.
Hi-Tech Scotland (HTS): Describe your current role.
Sonia English (SE): I am CEO and Co-founder of 5 Minute Networking and My5MinuteNetworking. I spearhead the company vision by managing my staff according to our long term goals – of using technology to maximize the benefits of in-person networking events, and being the primary provider of online social networking solutions for business organisations. I drive the acquisition of clients and travel throughout the United States speaking about networking, sales, and entrepreneurship. Most recently I presented to M&Ms/Mars Corporate on the topic of networking and jump started their conference with a 5 Minute Networking? event.
HTS: You moved to US with your family before embarking on a career. Do you think your location influenced your career choices, i.e. had you stayed in Scotland, do you think you would be involved in the same sort of business?
SE: Our business originated from my frustration with the inefficiency of traditional business mixers, where participants stand around talking to those they already know. The needs we address, namely, the need for time efficient business networking events and online networking, including online follow up to any networking event, whether it be a conference, luncheon or 5 Minute Networking? event, are global.
We are in an exciting time, where technology is being used to optimize even the most “human” of things. As a social person, the idea that technology can be used to optimize human interaction, business networking in particular, fascinates me. So yes, I think I still have been led in this direction regardless of location.
HTS: What first sparked your interest in technology as a career?
SE: When I was little, we moved from Kirkcaldy to Long Ashton, England. My father, Peter English, worked for a company called Inmos Ltd. One day, he brought me to work and introduced me to “Nancy”, their supercomputer, which encompassed an entire room. My Dad’s excitement in sharing her with me made quite an impact. When I was a college student at the University of Southern California, my laptop had the same MIPS as Nancy. No other industry provides a front-row view of the progressive world quite like working in technology.
HTS: Has being Scottish ever been an advantage or disadvantage to you?
SE: Being Scottish is always an advantage. My slight accent adds colour when I am public speaking and intrigues the audience. Hands down, I receive a positive reaction when people learn I am from Scotland. It’s a country that is held in great regard by Americans. They either have fond memories of travelling there, or dream of going one day. I am often peppered with questions, whether it be about golfing, whisky or Braveheart! Many Americans have ancestry in Scotland, and when I tell them I am from Scotland, they eagerly respond, “I am too!”, albeit three generations ago. I occasionally find myself jealous of the many Scottish surnames found here in the States.
HTS: So, speaking as an expert, what is the secret of good networking in the 21st century?
SE: In our fast-paced societies, the secret of business networking is utilizing technology to increase results and time-efficiency. Compared to a traditional mixer in which attendees may meet only two or three new individuals, participants of 5 Minute Networking? events can meet twenty or more. Our software allows attendees to specify who they would prefer to meet, and it keeps track of who has met whom so attendees meet new people at every event.
Online networking sites allow individuals to increase their contact base, and equally important, provide a forum for quickly and easily touching base with existing contacts. Our new site www.My5MinuteNetworking.com, which is free for organizations to offer their members and provides free profiles, bridges the gap between in-person networking events and online networking. Organizations can upload a list of event attendees, so attendees can easily follow-up with each other. Follow-up is one of the most important, and most commonly neglected, aspects of business networking.
HTS: Finally, you co-founded the business with your sister, Melissa – does working with a sibling hold any special challenges?
SE: I would say that working with family in general can be challenging, but like any potential partnership, it depends on how well the two individuals work together. Melissa and I work together extremely well as our skills sets are complimentary and our roles are clearly defined. The fact that we are sisters allows us to side-step politics and be frank with each other when there are tough issues that need addressed. Also, being on the same team working towards a common goal negates the “big sister versus little sister” sibling rivalry we experienced growing up. Although, in little sister fashion, Melissa does occasionally joke that I got to be “CEO” because I am older!
www.My5MinuteNetworking.com
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