[exoclean]

Has anyone ever been on one of these speed networking events organised by your local enterprise agency?

If so, who normally attends and was it worth it? I've got one arranged this week and would like to know what to expect and if it helped.

Thanks

Paul

[mxg]

I signed up for one of these events recently but at the last minute something cropped up and I was unable to attend.

But they did email me a list of all the "attendees" with all of their details. Thinking about it afterwords I wonder how much, if any business I would have won by attending. Everybody is there to sell themselves and their business - if I had gone I wouldn't have expected to give business to the mobile phone guy, the insurance broker, the business coach etc and they probably would have had similar thoughts towards me.

But you could be lucky and meet somebody who says "just they guy I need, our current cleaners are crap etc. Or a letting agent or a builder or whatever market you're aiming for. Other benefits are that its a relatively cheap way to build up a certain amount of brand awareness and regular attendance at similar events should also bring longer term benefits.

So the bottom line is that if the opportunity presents itself again and I am in a position to attend I probably will.

Mick

[mxg]

This snippet is from an email newsletter for business growth & just arrived in my inbox after I had posted the above.

It says what I said but in a more comprehensive & eloquent way!

The website is www.business121.co.uk

Mick

====================================
The best way to make networking work
====================================

Most business owners have an opinion on networking. For every
person who enjoys and values it -  you'll find another who
visibly shudders at the mere mention of the word.

But why does networking seem to polarise us? Is it a massive
untapped opportunity or is it an uncomfortable evening in the
company of strangers and cocktail sausages?

The main problem with networking is that it's been hijacked by
the hard-sell. If you've been at an organised networking event,
you're sure to have been collared by somebody employing the
'double-glazing salesman' approach.

And no matter, how many times you say "No" they just don't stop.
So you wait for your chance to make your dash for the exit, and
away you go, scarred by the experience and vowing never to
network again.

What makes it worse is that the guys employing the hard-sell
are completely oblivious to the damage they're causing.

They measure their success solely in the number of sales and
leads they manage to garner - and don't stop to think about
what networking really is.

If only people used networking to... well... network!

Turn your expectations on their head
====================================

At any given networking event the chances of you finding your
ideal customer within the room is remote. But the chances of you
being able to help each other to find customers is far bigger.

If you're expecting to come away with ready-made sales and a long
list of 'leads' you're going to be disappointed. You're far more
likely to enjoy the experience and build long-term benefits for
your business if you turn your expectations on their head.

Instead of thinking,

'How many sales can I make?' think,

'How many sales can I make for OTHER people?'

To do this you'll need to ask lots of questions and get your
head around other businesses. When you meet others you'll soon
find that the genuine interest you're showing in their business
will help them to relax and open up to you.

The pre-prepared elevator pitch will be forgotten and you'll
have a real conversation about real issues. You might learn that
they're not happy with their accountant or are looking for a web
designer to build their new website.

And this is your cue to ride to the rescue and show the true
benefits of networking.

Give them the name of an accountant or web designer from your
network. In an instant you've helped to connect two people - and
all without a hint of 'selling'

Suddenly, with this simple change of approach you've added
another person to your network and put a smile on two faces -
actually three if you include your own!

Both of these contacts will feel indebted to you and will be far
more likely to 'return the favour' in the future.

As your list of contacts grows, you'll find it easier to connect
people within your network. Before too long you'll find that
you're well-connected and have generated a huge amount of
goodwill within your network.

You'll have created an army of ambassadors, all primed and
waiting to help you and your business.

And this is the real benefit of networking.

So, the next time you're at a networking do (and I hope that
you'll feel that it's worth one more go) put the selling to
one-side and try this approach.

If enough of us take this approach to networking we just might be
able to reclaim it from the hard-sell, begin to enjoy these
events again and reap the long-term benefits they can bring to
our businesses.

Finally, if you're in the Surrey area, I run an informal
networking group for small businesses. We have no set agenda or
speakers. We meet to talk, discuss and share. Our next meeting is
on Monday, November 14 at the Weyside Inn, Guildford. We start at
6pm and end 8pm-ish. If you want more details just drop me an
email - mailto:emyr@Business121.co.uk

If you're based in Scotland and looking for a less formal and
more fun networking experience, have a look at Business Buzz.
They seem to shun the hard sell.
http://snipurl.com/BusinessBuzz

If you run a networking group and would like to spread the word
about it, let me know. We may be able to put it in our new
'EVENTS' section on Bytestart. Over 22,000 visitors used
Bytestart last month alone, so it could give your group a boost.
http://snipurl.com/_Events

[Ged]

hi folks
 i regularly attend our local chamber networking sessions these are well structured events so you get to present your businesss to as many people as possible in an organised three table shuffle format and mentoring is available for newbies. you get to raise your profile in the business community but also when you think of it every one you talk to probably has hundreds of contacts some of which will be interested in your service and they will recommend you if you are a familiar face. i went along to one this week and as it happens got two very lucrative jobs but this is not always the case.

So i reckon they are a good idea particularly if you remember to follow up contacts.


Ged