The European Treasury Peer Group uses digital meeting technology and a “speed dating” format to recreate networking opportunities in a meeting sponsored by Standard Chartered.
NeuGroup’s European Treasury Peer Group met virtually this week for their second half meeting, and ended with a type of session new to this group: digital speed networking. After all the members had opportunities to communicate and speak with one another on curated topics that directly affect their current priorities, they had the opportunity to have short, one-on-one conversations with other randomly selected members in brief segments across a 30-minute period.
- “Since we don’t travel, networking is not something we can recreate,” one member said. “But I liked this a lot. The next one could be even longer.”
- But speed networking wasn’t the only bonding opportunity for the group: at the end of the first day of meetings, a “mind-reader” joined the call for a brief bit of entertainment, as members unwound (and laughed more than a little).
But at NeuGroup meetings, it isn’t just about the opportunity to bond with fellow members, but also to learn from them. Members reflected positively on in-depth sessions over the two days of virtual sessions, appreciating the insight they were able to glean from sponsors Standard Chartered Bank on issues that the members are directly dealing with, like the impact of ESG and political events.
- In one session, Deniz Harut, Standard Chartered’s executive director of sustainable finance, helped to present on incorporating the sustainability agenda in treasury by identifying and achieving specific treasury goals.
- In another, these subject matter experts from Standard Chartered offered their perspectives on the short- and long-term impacts of the US elections, Brexit and the impending arrival of a Covid vaccine:
- Sarah Hewin, head of research, Europe and Americas
- Philippe Dauba-Pantanacce, executive director and geopolitical strategist
- Christopher Graham, director and Europe economist
- After these sessions, members participated in smaller breakout sessions to allow for productive conversations, like they do at many NeuGroup virtual meetings. But in this week’s EuroTPG meeting, participants actually had the opportunity to choose breakouts based on shared priorities, allowing for each conversation to go in-depth on the topics that matter to them.
NeuGroup values our members’ participation in these sessions, and this week’s meeting of the European Treasury Peer Group just served to highlight the success that comes when members join together to share and learn, virtual or not. A great thanks to all who joined and a big thank you as well to Standard Chartered for continuing to be a supportive partner of NeuGroup and our members. For more on this meeting, stay tuned to NeuGroup Insights.
