Networking is it worth the effort?

So we are all about networking this week and a few questions first.

Why go networking? Does it do any good and is it worth the effort?

So why do I go?

1.      To raise the awareness of my business and my client’s businesses.

2.      To speak to potential suppliers

3.      To gain more business.

So this week it is not only my exploits but also a few comments on things I have observed throuout the week and why I still think networking is the best way of promoting your business.

As Will Kintish would say if you don’t go you will never know! So why would you book on an event and not turn up? Monday saw me hosting the FSB Trafford event where we had the popular speaker on social media Alex McCann. Unfortunately, some people had booked on but did not arrive. I, as host like to match business people a host and if you try to introduce a business to another it is helpful if the other business turns up. So it s embarrassing for the host but could be a catastrophe for the business that does not turn up.

Research is also a key to networking and so it was a 5.30am start to be in Nottingham for an insurance industry event on behalf of B-Compliant. We need to speak to a many people in the financial industry and this event was ideal. Furthermore, having done some social media posts the interest in us was increased to the extent that Jeremy one of the directors asked me what I had done for all the views on the company’s profile. Networking should always be a combination of physical and social media which of course may reach businesses you can not.

Wednesday started with being a sub at a BNI group in Manchester City Centre, I went as Premium Collections and having some stats always help people focus on what you are saying. So much so that three people came up to me saying they may have some outstanding monies they need chasing.

I had the opportunity on Wednesday to attend the Dynamic event in Wilmslow and to see so many people in the room was great and to get the opportunity to not only speak with a good number but also to present my pitch to all of them.

Thursday was the start of our first Business Network event. But also my Thursday morning group which starts at 6.15am. As I had not been there last week giving six referrals, some for business which had already been done nice and helping others is great as a seasoned networker. Also as one of the other members had asked for a specific referral and I was able to introduce him to that specific business and one of the directors.

Our very first Business Network event was well attended and went so well with three visitors saying they wanted to attend. There was a real buzz in the room which was helped by a very well presented pre-lunch seminar by Merce Cozens and a lunch time talk by Sharon Taylor. As the host I need to make sure that everyone sees a return on their investment and it was so good to hear that two of my members are now working together and a visitor is now speaking to one of our previous members. Great to catch up with fellow member and client Chris Moran of JCM Business Solutions.

It is now onto the July event and ensure that we build on the success of our first. A little a side WinWorkz, Win Edmondson’s new business picked up it’s first client too after the event.

Friday has to start with the Manchester Business Breakfast Club and it was sad to hear we were losing two of our members! One as she lived too far away now and can not do the 180 mile round trip and the other because one of the other members had been so impressed with the work he had done for him that he is now employing him full time. I was happy to give Niel Cope of People Matters one minute whilst he was away.

Finally it was the Altrincham and Sale Chamber of commerce’s Property Lunch with a great line up of speakers. A few months ago I had had the pleasure of sitting on a round table for the Guardian newspaper with Urban Splash’s Tom Bloxham who I have always admired the regeneration his company has overseen in Manchester and to see the work they had and are doing in the city was inspirational and along with Capital Centric it was fascinating to hear these two companies’ ethos about the way they build and market their properties. I also came home with a bottle of Prosecco from the business card draw.

But two stories from the event which go back to our theme of networking I read a social media post saying that a contact wanted an introduction to one of the speakers and the reply came back saying that they could of have spoken to them direct if they had attended.

Secondly, the table I was hosting had two local businesses, one a growing business who already have an office in Barcelona and looking to extend that to Holland too and the other a well established and well known law firm who are also based in Altrincham but have contacts with lawyers in Europe and can help them establish their new office. To quote Mr Kintish again “be more interested than interesting”. By listening to the directors proudly telling their story the lawyer came up with a solution for them.

“Networking” you have to be in it to win it!