Networking groups

[redsadie]

Hi guys

I'm considering joining a networking group and wondered if anyone who has been to these would let me know what's involved? What do you talk about (other than your business) or is that all that's talked about. I mean things like networking breakfast meetings or evenings that local businesses go to.

Thanks

Sarah. xx

 

[Ruth Mills]

Lynne Baker on here is probably a good person to get in touch with, as I know she's been involved with "Ladies Who Latte" which is a networking group for women in the south of England.

 

[redsadie]

Thanks Ruth I'll hunt her down

xx

 

[kimi1101]

I do a lot of work with business gateway...the majority of there days are free, and although they do give out great business advice, its great to meet people who may potentially become clients! X

 

[Blue Rose]

There are soooo many different networking groups out there & all work in a slightly different way.

I'm a member of Felixstowe Chamber of Commerce & go to their informal monthly breakfast meetings. I do some shop talk but in the main have a bit of a catch up with people I am friendly with there. It starts at 7.00, we stand around chatting, then sit down about 7.30 for breakkie. It winds up about 8.30-8.45. I have gained a few clients from this.

I'm also a member of Suffolk Chamber & go to occasional networking events. I've found some good contacts to have for future reference from these events as opposed to gaining clients. At most of the Suffolk Chamber dos, there's a photographer milling about & I've ended up in the press quite a few times.

I went to a womens only lunch group a couple of months ago. At this 1 we mingled for about 30 mins then sat down at our tables. We then had to do a 60 second presentation about our business & cos I was near the end to stand up, I spent 45 minutes stressing out at the thoughts of having to talk in front of loads of people . I haven't been again - the thoughts of public speaking has put me off that 1!!

Then you have the BNI which meet every week for breakfast. This is very regimented. You have to go pretty much every week, have to refer so many people & do a presentation at each meeting & say how many refferals you've given. I only went the once but decided it wasn't for me as I can't commit to every week.

As already mentioned, there's the Ladies Who Latte but we don't have 1 of those around here so don't know their set up.

As to what is talked about - that is very much down to you. If you want to talk shop then go ahead & do it, that's what most people do if they're newbies & once you get to know people the conversation may change.

The best bet is to try some out & see what you think. Those that charge for subscriptions, like your Chamber of Commerce, will usually let you go to a couple of meetings without being a member to see what you think.

Keep us posted as to what you do

 

[redsadie]

Thanks guys

I'm not afraid of going on my own, or speaking to other people (although I've not done any public speaking but I should imagine if I know what I'm on about I would be ok ) I went to a Business Link Marketing Magic seminar a couple of weeks ago on my own, and I spoke to a couple of people there, but that's about it. We don't have a Ladies who Latte near me either Sarah, I think the nearest to me is Basingstoke and how would I find out about my Chamber of Commerce? Just Google it I suppose?

I have to say I don't usually have a problem with talking to other people, it's just a bit harder when you have to talk yourself up about what you do. I think it's a very British thing isn't it, almost like bragging, which typically (and I am generalising here) we don't like to do.

I suppose the only thing to do is get myself out to one, or set one up locally myself! :green:

Thanks again for all your input

Sarah. xx

 

[Blue Rose]

I've just done a quick search for you Sarah & found these 2 websites which should be of help:

Portsmouth Business Networking | Business Networking Clubs in Portsmouth
http://www.chamber.org.uk/

I think that as therapists & techs, we are naturally disposed to talking to people we've never met before so that does help with networking thingies

 

[redsadie]

I've just done a quick search for you Sarah & found these 2 websites which should be of help:

Portsmouth Business Networking | Business Networking Clubs in Portsmouth
http://www.chamber.org.uk/

I think that as therapists & techs, we are naturally disposed to talking to people we've never met before so that does help with networking thingies

Thanks Sarah, I'll check those out properly when I've got my littl'un goes to bed How did your talk go after all that waiting?

xx

 

[Blue Rose]

Thanks Sarah, I'll check those out properly when I've got my littl'un goes to bed How did your talk go after all that waiting?

xx

The talk didn't go toooo badly but it did take me ages to stop shaking & to get some saliva back in my mouth, lol.

At that particular event there were a couple of agents for some product range akin to Forever Living & some Collagen products. They both homed straight in on me after the meal & did their damndest to get me sucked into stocking their products. I really didn't like their aggresive tactics. Both were independent of each other but both were very determined. I was just as determined not to buy from them cos I didn't like their approach at all.

One of the main aims of networking is to meet people, tell them what you do & what you can do for them or their friends/family, it's not really about blatant selling as such. These women have a lot to learn, me thinks

 

[essentia]

The talk didn't go toooo badly but it did take me ages to stop shaking & to get some saliva back in my mouth, lol.

At that particular event there were a couple of agents for some product range akin to Forever Living & some Collagen products. They both homed straight in on me after the meal & did their damndest to get me sucked into stocking their products. I really didn't like their aggresive tactics. Both were independent of each other but both were very determined. I was just as determined not to buy from them cos I didn't like their approach at all.

One of the main aims of networking is to meet people, tell them what you do & what you can do for them or their friends/family, it's not really about blatant selling as such. These women have a lot to learn, me thinks

I only went to one and did not go back because of what you mention above. I felt everyone was trying to sell to each other - in reality we all had an agenda on one level or another and I felt it was pointless. I got calls long after with contacts trying to sell me things. I know it seems to work for some but I am not sure it was for me.:hug: