A GBO guide to preparing meaningful conversations.

A practical guide to business networking

Your first networking meeting at GBO, step by step.

A good first experience starts with a clear idea of what you are looking for and what you can contribute. This guide offers suggestions for preparing, having conversations with context and following up thoughtfully. Adapt it to your situation and the format of each gathering.

Prepare for my gathering Discover GBO in Spain

01 · Before

Arrive with a simple purpose.

Think of a challenge you would like to discuss and an experience you could share. Having a concrete starting point makes it easier to introduce yourself and listen to the other person.

01

Choose your gathering

Check the date, location, format, price and attendance requirements. Find out what registration includes and whether the event fits your availability. Creating a GBO Link account and having a confirmed place are separate steps. Resolve any questions before signing up.

02

Prepare your profile

Explain what you do, who you work with and what you would like to learn. Review your company, activity and professional links. Share the information you want to make visible and explore the profiles available to you under your access permissions.

03

Know what you seek and can offer

Choose a specific question: testing an idea, comparing an approach or understanding a market. Add something useful you could offer, such as your own experience, a perspective or a resource you know well.

02 · During

Give context and make room to listen.

Start with your work and the challenge you are facing now. Avoid reciting your entire catalogue. Ask what the other person is building, what decision they are considering and what they have already tried. This helps you understand whether you share an interest.

If you see a possible connection, explain why it might be useful and ask whether they would like to continue. An introduction to someone else needs both people’s permission. You can end a conversation by thanking them for what you learned, even without a next step.

Participants talking at a GBO gathering

Hypothetical example

An introduction with a specific question.

The following situation is fictional and can help you prepare your own introduction:

“I run a software startup for retailers. We are deciding how to validate the product with our first shops. I would like to hear how other businesses prepare those conversations. I can share what we have learned from testing our prototype.”

The introduction explains the work, the challenge and the contribution. The other person can share their experience, ask a question or say it is outside their expertise. The aim is to open a relevant conversation.

GBO members exchanging professional experiences

03 · After

Turn shared context into an agreed next step.

After the gathering, separate what you discussed from what you agreed to do. Keeping that distinction helps you follow up respectfully and with a clear purpose.

  1. Note what matters. Remember the topic you shared and the commitments you made. Avoid keeping unnecessary personal details.
  2. Agree how to continue. Ask which channel the other person prefers and whether they would like to pick up the conversation. Use GBO Link where your access and relationship allow, or the channel you chose together.
  3. Follow through on something useful. Share the resource you promised or suggest the conversation you agreed on. Allow time for a reply and respect a preference not to continue.

Make an informed choice

Consider how you want to stay involved.

Afterwards, ask yourself what you learned, who you would like to speak to again and what you could contribute to the community. If you want to keep taking part, compare membership options and their terms with your actual needs.

Business Friendship grows through trust, reciprocity and time. Your first gathering helps you experience that approach to relationships. Each connection develops at the pace of the people involved.

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Your next step

Start by getting to know GBO Link.

The GBO Link entry page lets you choose between creating an account and signing in. From there, you can explore your participation options and available event listings.

Get started with GBO Link