If I had to slice and pigeonhole this part of the industry into just three divisions, I would do it like this:

- Speed dating

- Get-together organizers

- Introduction agencies and marriage bureaux

Speed dating is a growing phenomenon that originated in the USA and is now well established on the UK dating scene. It’s fast-moving and fun to do and the biggest thing it has going for it is that you can tell at once if there is any chemistry between you and your five-minute partner. There is no time to get bored because any self-respecting organizer will line up lots of brief encounters in one exhausting session, and in the event that two of you reckon you want to get together for longer, the occasion will at least have resulted in a firm date.

Get together organizers include big names like ‘Only Lunch1 and ‘Dinner Dates1 and a host of similar organizations around the country. Many of them, despite their seemingly restrictive names, organize all sorts of social events for meeting other single people, such as parties, balls, opera and theatre evenings, gallery visits and sports events. In common with all things in life, there’s good and there’s not so good. I always think that it’s a good idea to ask if you can attend a trial event to see how you get on before paying to become a member.

Introduction agencies and marriage bureaux largely cover much the same ground except that top-of-the-range specialist agencies and bureaux carry out exacting and thorough vetting and matching services and charge anywhere between ?3,500 and ?15,000. Some bureaux have a special understanding and expertise with particular ethnic groups such as the Asian or Jewish community. Understandably, for that sort of money, you can expect to receive a high level of personalized service where only the database is computer driven.

There will always be a demand for introduction services from singletons who do not know how to go about finding themselves a suitable partner, and from executives in demanding jobs who are unable or unwilling to make time available to manage their personal affairs. But I can’t help wondering — if these people genuinely can’t afford the time to find the right partner – how on earth are they going to find the time to invest in the relationship to make it a loving and lasting one?

The bulk of the mass-market introduction services, which generally charge a few hundred pounds per member, rely almost entirely on computer-generated dates, although some agencies take the trouble to screen prospective members in person at the outset. Do satisfy yourself that the interviewer/salesperson has the professional experience to screen and assess you, or you could find yourself being processed into the system on a ‘commission-on-sign-up basis.

Think before going blindly into a system on the assumption that the computer always knows best. Check with any of your friends or work colleagues who have experienced a system based on computer-dating! In this cruelly commercial world, love and the selection of Mr. or Ms Absolutely Right is one area of life where it pays enormous dividends to learn how to do it yourself.

Have you ever wished you could access an environment where virtually every single person you meet, is genuinely looking for a lasting relationship with the right partner? Where people have demonstrated their commitment to interpersonal development, by investing time and resources in finding out how meaningful relationships work?

Such an environment is being created right now by The Countdown Organization at locations across the country. Each of these venues is a no-go area for anyone who is not sincere about wanting a committed and lasting relationship when they meet the right partner. Access is exclusive to Countdown readers, seminar delegates and workshop participants who have transformed unremorseful emotions into empowering actions.

The most striking and obvious benefit of looking for Mr. or Ms Absolutely Right in a Countdown-cultivated environment is the absence of people who are not emotionally available, willing or ready to enter a meaningful relationship, along with those who are dating for spurious reasons. Great relationships take two active participants to create, the more equal, the better.

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