Hitting the networking track hard

WHEN it comes to business networking, many executives around the world, including here in Singapore, are putting aside their golf clubs in favour of another sport - cycling. When Chris Robb, an avid cyclist himself, once asked a potential client if he could have lunch the next day to discuss a sponsorship proposal, the client responded by asking to meet at 6am to cycle together for an hour before talking business over coffee afterwards.

"We see more executives moving over from golf to get on their bikes and ride. They say it's more time-efficient, it's a fit and healthy activity, there's a competitive edge to the sport, and they enjoy the networking opportunities that come with it too," said Mr Robb, the chief executive officer of Spectrum Worldwide.

Later this month, his company is launching a new initiative called the Peloton Club, an invitation-only cycling group for C-suite executives that will meet once a month for a morning cycle followed by breakfast at a five-star hotel. In road racing, cyclists ride together in very close formation in a pack known as the "peloton".