The Networkers Blog

Driving back from London the other day my car felt odd all of a sudden and then a vibration, having stopped to check no flat tyres etc I carried on but it only got worse and then a grinding so at 8pm I stopped on the M6 Toll and called the RAC.

Only a few weeks before I had been contemplating stopping my membership, I drive a fairly new car which is regularly serviced and so does the rest of the family. My car also has run flat tyres to I can drive home even with a puncture!

So the problem was a blow out and even on run flats there was no way I could drive with a hole in the inner wall so big I could put my hand in it! The RAC was brilliant and we got home on a spare wheel they had by about 11.30pm.

Why is this of importance to my business blog? Well I hear quite often from FSB members “I haven’t needed the services, I have an accountant that can tell me that information or I will never use it”.

However, The FSB is just like the RAC at times. You hope you will not need it but when you do you are really pleased you were a member.

We also have members who will call the advice line every single week and there is nothing wrong with that at all, in fact we encourage. The RAC on the other hand maybe suggesting you buy a new car!

So apart from tyre problems, last week was not the usual run of networking meetings as we started off with our rejuvenated Women In Enterprise event at Veenos in Manchester. What an event we had, the inspirational Cody Gapare who built her very successful business C-Lash out of necessity and a refusal to give up. The whole event was organised by the effervescent Merce Cozens who’s never ending enthusiasm is refreshing and contagious.  The event was hosted once again by Heather Gray who goes out of her way to make sure she gets the best out of our guests.

Tuesday saw me and Regional Chair of the FSB in the North West Chris Manka attending the Chairman’s dinner for Pro Manchester. An organisation who gets Manchester businesses together for the benefit of the Mancunian Economy. Some great stories were heard and lengthy discussions about how we could improve the challenges businesses face. Big thanks to the Lowry Hotel for hosting the event.

Due to family commitments on Wednesday I was sorry to miss Leonherman’s quarterly meeting at the Met always a good sociable event with business in the background.

Thursday was the usual 6.15am start for the breakfast meeting I have attended for a client for the last 12 months which unfortunately is coming to an end and then it was straight over to attend a new group to me Old Links New Links in Bolton. I had been kindly invited by Peter Cunliffe of Fieldings Porter. I hadn’t realised that I was the guest speaker! I had only mentioned the other day to a client I am no good when I don’t have notes but when you haven’t got a presentation too. Pleased to say my 10-15 minute presentation was probably better than the one with slides talking about the work Premium Collections do and the benefits of the FSB which was well received and plenty of questions too.

Once a month we have a SUBS meeting in Altrincham a unique concept in networking where the event is free laid on by local businesses who pay a subscription to be highlighted and seen as giving something back to the business community. David Bellin and Steph Tucker get 60 local business owners in the room and it is two hours on introductions and presentations which is always well received.

David is now selling the franchises and I have said I will help him to find suitable candidates so if you are thinking of new ways of promoting your business with a small amount of residual income then let me know.

So if you are thinking of cancelling a membership to an organisation check out the benefits you receive and if you think there is the slightest chance you may need these services then think very hard before cancelling.