Network Club

[Business News]

I've tried business breakfasts and the like and always been disappointed. Fearing going stereotypical these meetings seem to be frequented by solicitors, printers, web designers and telecoms specialist all trying to market to each other. I would have found a collective of business owners sharing common experiences a lot more useful. Who has the best telephone package, where do you get your ink cartridges from as a real world everyone can benefit forum. Somewhere were everyone can share and benefits from everyone's experience. Where workshops can work out the best deals and organise collective discounts. Is this a pipe dream or are there other companies out there that would see a costs saving forum as a benefit to their business?

I'd like to see a group of small business owners matured to where problems can be shared and solutions found on all aspect of busines.

Any interest?

[trevorwood]

I'm looking at something like this for the East Midlands area. I'm meeting someone from business Link on Monday to discuss it

[Business News]

I'm looking at something like this for the East Midlands area. I'm meeting someone from business Link on Monday to discuss it

I talked to my local Business Link peeps 2 years ago about this. Great idea apparently but it ended there. I even offered to be a facilitator but never got the requested information from them to take it forward.

Judging for the lack of response within this thread relative to viewings there doesn't seem to be a burning desire for this type of grouping anyway.

[Keeano]

Yeh i am looking for such network

[trevorwood]

We'll I'll try and remember to let you know how I get on. Perhaps we could do something together?

[alex4orne]

Yep the response is a bit lack lustre. My own experience of these get together's is they are a bit of a waste of time if you have a business that isn't predominantly internet related or business to business. With my own trade a web site is defiantly a secondary consideration, and I am not sure what I would gain from a networking session. Lots of marketeers trying to sell me marketing, when they don't understand my business, an example of this can be found on this forum, when I asked for ideas for off-line marketing, the response was the same as to this thread, very limited.

[Business News]

We'll I'll try and remember to let you know how I get on. Perhaps we could do something together?

Please do. I think there is a lot of mileage in a properly managed business club. Doing simple things that everyone needs. I'd imagine the mobile phone companies would offer some nice deals if you went in for 100 phones for a small group of companies. This pooling of best practice and purchasing power could apply to many things from land line, office consumables, vehicle leasing through to utilities.

I'm struggling with thing like a decent wedge of cash in my business account now earning no interest. Collective good could even entail lending (against securities of course) to fellow club member who could put the money to better use.

Then there's the two head are better than one, bouncing ideas of someone who is not involved in your business is always a good thing to do.

Are we certain no business owner aren't interested in this kind of meeting network club. I'm referring to small businesses rather than one man bands.

[PointandStare]

Have you looked at http://www.4networking.biz ?

[Business News]

Have you looked at http://www.4networking.biz ?

Do you have experience of the meeting? Breakfast clubs leave me cold as they have always been filled with individuals looking to sell to everyone else in the room. Looking at some of the profiles of recently logged in on that site I could imagine they fit into that stereotype; accountants, printers and marketing experts plus a lady into stress relief drumming.

I'm more into what we can do for each other rather than what I can do for you business groupings.

[PointandStare]

I am an active member of the forums (http://www.4networking.biz/members/view.htm?UserID=18424) (I am also chairman of BRX Islington (http://brxislington.co.uk)) but haven't been to a 4n breakfast simply because there aren't any near me.
The secret to breakfast meetings is not to sell to but through the room.
With any good networking group you would rarely do business with each other but to each others contacts.

[djwellis]

We set up a network group just like this in Rugeley, West Midlands.

The purpose of the group is for businesses to share wisdom, help each other out and introduce each other to people.

Regrettably, over the last year - some new members have moved it perilously close to the direction of another "sell everything to each other" club - and we are currently trying to get it back on track. - If you want to come along, you're more than welcome.

However, I would be very interested in attending some of these groups that you are trying to set up - keep me posted!

[Business News]

Rugely isnt a million miles from Shrewsbury so I'd be keen on joining in your little group and hopefully be able to help get it onto the best practice path over can I flog you this.

Please do let me know where and when.

[Steve202]

We set up a network group just like this in Rugeley, West Midlands.

The purpose of the group is for businesses to share wisdom, help each other out and introduce each other to people.

Regrettably, over the last year - some new members have moved it perilously close to the direction of another "sell everything to each other" club - and we are currently trying to get it back on track. - If you want to come along, you're more than welcome.

However, I would be very interested in attending some of these groups that you are trying to set up - keep me posted!

Have you got any details on this group? I'm just down the road in Burntwood.

[RLD Plastering and Tiling Services]

me too, from my experience I believe these meetings should be about businesses helping each other and should have businesses attending that compliment each other instead of trying to sell to each other all the time.

i.e
someone who runs a pizza parlour meeting someone who runs a leaflet distribution business or an electrician meeting a plasterer. these types of businesses at the same breakfast meeting could help each other more than a solicitor ever could.

In my opinion anyway, I'm in birmingham but let me know if you are having a meeting i may like to attend

[ExtinctFire]

any news on this? im in walsall :)

[templarmc]

Interesting thread - bit averse to 'organised' networking groups, although accept there has to be a degree of formality, uniformity etc. Had to laugh at the perception of the 'typical' networking groups component parts - if only because it seems to be true from my (limited experience). Also agree that with a bit of a 'free market' (as opposed to lockouts) there could actually be a shared strength. After all, similar companies/competitors should have enough security about their own business to be able to network on an open playing field, should they not?

Guess it's just a case of finding the right group that fits one's needs, personality and budget.

[fresh-apple]

I've never attended a business networking club.

What's peoples opinions, are they worth it?

[Business News]

Network clubs take all forms and guises from those open to all organised by the local chambers to those that are by invitation only. My experience of the breakfast club type groups is they are very much service industry manned and is generally a forum exploited by individuals seeking to promote their own service. Nothing wrong in this but how many solicitors, web designers and phones from us companies does anyone need for their business. The instructive presentations that often appear at the club meetings have wide ranging titles but have always disappointed me when they turn not into a summation of best practice or a review of what is available in the market but a what my company offers and hear my sales pitch for the next 25 minutes.

I am certain lots of people have good experience in gaining leads through the club contacts and their wider associates. Being in graphics design you could well gain valuable contacts from organised club meeting and there is nothing really to lose for going along to see whats on offer. If nothing else there will be a decent breakfast provided.

[melward]

I want to join. Who is leading on this?

I am looking to provide business services including networking. The idea of selling through each other's business is indeedthe way forward.

Hope to network with you all soon.

Mel

Melward Tenderbrokers
07896 495385