[Mr Bungalow]

Hello All,

I have been invited to a business networking meeting in Loughborough tomorrow near where I live.

I have been told that you have to tell people as much about you and the business as possible in 60 seconds, and am feeling very nervous about it.

Has anyone else done anything like this?  Or have any stories to tell, let me know.

Kind regards.

[glen parva]

best of luck
just be your self 
let me know how it went

speak to soon cheers john

[Richard 01903]

Good luck 2moro just be your self and it will be ok

[mci services]

never been to a networking meeting but done loads of speaking to audiences and individuals.

write down what you want to say and structure it beginning middle and end/or introduction, main point, summary

then read it and time how long it takes. do it in front of a mirror sometimes helps

then just be confident and dont worry about what youve written as it will come to you at the time

[RO-Sheen]

I went to one a couple of years ago. I was quite nervous going in but really there was nothing to worry about. When I went in people were standing around chatting while drinking coffee. People were very friendly and made me feel welcome by making the first move and chating to me. just make sure you have plenty of business cards and hand them out to everyone you speak too.
After about 20 minutes or so we sat down for a cracking fried breakfast!
After breakfast the host said that we would go around the table and introduce ourselves. My advise is to sit opposite the host if it is one big table as the first person to introduce themselves is normally next to the host. If you sit opposite the host it is unlikely to start with you and you get to listen to other peoples content.
Best to keep it short and sweet and not bore people with the technical side of wfp. Basically tell them your name/business name. What you do (wfp or trad window cleaning), commercials and domestics. Public liability insurance, risk assessments and finally areas covered. After you speak or bringing the speech to a close walk around the table and hand out more cards to whoever hasnt got one.
Make sure you are smartly dressed in clean and ironed polo shirt and clean work trousers and clean shoes (dress in your normal work clothes but make sure you are smart looking)

Remember, the people you are talking too are NOT world leaders so dont feel nervous. They are just normal people that run their own local business's so relax and enjoy it.
From that one meeting I got 3 regular commercial jobs  £190 every 26 weeks, £30 every 4 weeks and £37.50 every 6 weeks and two domestic customers at £12 and £13 every 6 weeks. And to top it off I got more work from those jobs when people see me cleaning these buildings have asked me to quote their business's/homes for regular cleans.
Actually, think I might start going again, you just reminded me how good it was for me
Adie

[RO-Sheen]

oh, and let us know how you get on. Good luck mate, its a casual thing and not formal so dont worry

[williamx]

I go to one every 2 weeks and I find them quite useful and profiable not only have I picked up quite a lot of new business, but you will find that other professionals business people also attend, this lets you gain furture free help and advice.

What I have found that works well in getting new business is you have to spell out what work you want, don't just say you want domestic and commercial window cleaning, instead say that you want schools-hotels-pubs-golf clubs etc or even indroductions to property managment companies or other businesses, also ask for indiviually companies by name, you will be surprised who knows who at these meetings.

At each meeting change you "wants" so they don't get bored.

Also try and promote their businesses as well, if they get work because of you they will try harder to get you work as well.

[DaveG]

What have you guys paid for this?

I was approached by one of these groups ( they were having their weekly breakfast at the pub i was cleaning!). I had a quick chat with the "host" and he said the fees are £400 + vat, then £40 + vat per month

[RO-Sheen]

What have you guys paid for this?

I was approached by one of these groups ( they were having their weekly breakfast at the pub i was cleaning!). I had a quick chat with the "host" and he said the fees are £400 + vat, then £40 + vat per month
[/quote

All i paid was £10 or £11 per meeting and that includes a self service cooked breakfast. No joining fees or anything.

[williamx]

If you only want to go to a couple of meetings then you will only be charged the breakfast fee, in mine this is now £11.00 up from £10 last year.

If you want to join then there is a one off fee of £95 plus your yearly subcription of £220 plus the breakfast.

The meetings are held every 2 weeks, if you want to join other clubs as well then all you have to pay is the £220 yearly fee.

Some will say thah is a lot of money but I currently get over £2000 worth of new business every year, I still waiting for the jackpot contract, I do know that other members have recieved business well over the 20k mark.

[wire1078]

good luck pal

[DaveG]

What have you guys paid for this?

I was approached by one of these groups ( they were having their weekly breakfast at the pub i was cleaning!). I had a quick chat with the "host" and he said the fees are £400 + vat, then £40 + vat per month

Oh yeh and 8 quid for the breakfast!

[A & J Owen Window Cleaning]

yeh m8 been a member of a bni network last year found this a bit of a ordeal with your 60 secs its just best to write it down just say who you are and what you do that will take 30 secs i was a bit nervey at first the rest is who you want a contact for i used car dealerships then many thanks for listerning and sit down which network is it m8 i prefer open networks meself can get a good range of people there

[williamx]

do not expect that just by turning up and asking for work you will get it.

You are running a business and you need to explain why they should use you and not the cleaner they already have.

you need to sell yourself and your business, you need to offer more than others window cleaners do, you need the other members of the networking club to act a salesman for your company and they will only do this if they believe in what you are and what you say.

[daz1977]

i had a mate who use to go to these in manchester  he was sort of a manager of a security company, think they got a lot of work off it

[Moderator David@stives]

I went to the bni last year, biggest waste of time ever,

It was a table full of failing businesses all rubbing there hands together waiting for there next victim to arrive, in the first month, I had quotes thrown at me for leaflets, a mortgage wb design, and a magazine advert.

I got a few of them some leads, but never recieved nothing back.

I network in other ways, for me there are better ways to spend your time.

[williamx]

I went to the bni last year, biggest waste of time ever,

It was a table full of failing businesses all rubbing there hands together waiting for there next victim to arrive, in the first month, I had quotes thrown at me for leaflets, a mortgage wb design, and a magazine advert.

I got a few of them some leads, but never recieved nothing back.

I network in other ways, for me there are better ways to spend your time.

I have been a member of the bob networking group for the last 3 years and at £2000 each year in new business, well it works for me.

[Mr Bungalow]

Hello All,

I would just like to say thank you for all your comments on this.

It actually did go quite well, although was very nervous when speaking about my business.

I think I will write something over the weekend for next Thursday's breakfast meeting.

Also to let you all know I actually got 3 referrals straight off, which was excellent I thought for a introduction meeting.

Thanks again for all your comments, which are very much appreciated.

Kind regards.

[formb]

Hello All,

I would just like to say thank you for all your comments on this.

It actually did go quite well, although was very nervous when speaking about my business.

I think I will write something over the weekend for next Thursday's breakfast meeting.

Also to let you all know I actually got 3 referrals straight off, which was excellent I thought for a introduction meeting.

Thanks again for all your comments, which are very much appreciated.

Kind regards.

I am a BNI member. 1 thing I find helps is to remember that you know your business better than everyone there.

In your 60s tell them what makes you the best choice for their customers. Are you the cheapest? Maybe you are the Biggest?

I generally go for I am the BEST! 

I have been going for a few months, I have gained very little work (about enough to cover the cost) but, I have made some useful contacts, and a few friends to boot! 

Don't expect miracles straight away, you have to gain their trust first. Would you recommend their services to your customers if you didn't trust them?

Good luck.