I did it...

[bikersbits]

Hi, after joining this forum and really enjoying reading about all the different comments, opinions, suggestions and good advice, it’s a daily task now; I've decided to do some networking.
So off I went, as a guest, to my first breakfast meeting, bit early for me but I managed to be there on time, and I was pleasantly surprised how effective they can be.
Just the referrals time was amazing, so now I ask:
How do you find out about them, who organizes them, how many times a week do people go to these kind of meetings, do you choose them or they "select" you, and do they charge, expect a weekly commitment where once you've signed up you have to go?
That is probably the worrying bit, get involved in something and then I don't like the group or can't relate to it and wanting to change, will they chain me to the chair???
Can you network between networking groups?
And do they only serve fry-ups?
No more questions for this week :wink:
Thanks
Roberta
www.bikersbits.com

[Ozzy]

Hi Roberta,
There are hundreds and hundreds of different networking events in different areas of the country.

Join your local Chamber of Commerce and the FSB and go to their networking events. It sounds like BNI that you went to above, and if so that would be the only "franchise" in your area so only real choice with that club.

Also look at http://www.ecademy.com/ as they hold a various networking events in their "clubs" around the country. Problem is most of the good ones are in London so I don't bother myself.

Subscribe to the Business Bricks newsletter, yellow banner on the left of this forum. They advertise a number of networking events around the UK at the end of each newsletter.

Finally, look in the Events section of this forum for various networking events that people may publicise here.

Hope this helps!

[Alpha]

Hi Roberta

I don't think there is one single answer that can cover all eventualities.

I know of two main networking clubs - BNI and BRE. They both have different rules but you can check out most of the details on their websites.

The thing that put me off BNI was the absolute commitment you have to make....it is a requirement to turn up to every meeting or send a proxy. The chapter I was invited to is about 1 hours drive so nwasnt practical and couldnt guarantee to bee there at any meeting but have no real substitute.

This is not to say that it will not suit you though.

There are also local business clubs who meet, I think, during the evening and have events such as wine evenings.

What group did you go along to and I will find out what their website is for you.

[bikersbits]

Hi and thanks for the advice, I'll check the websites, the chamber of commerce and FSB (? what does that stand for?).
Couldn't see the yellow banner, and the meeting was run by BNI so, as you said Alan, the commitment might be too strict for starting up.
Cheers guys, appreciated that.
Roberta
www.bikersbits.com

[Ozzy]

Can see yellow banner? Just below login boxes? Are you using some program that blocks banners? If so that would explain it.

FSB = Federation of Small Business. http://www.fsb.org.uk/

Kind regards
Richard

[bikersbits]

of course, yup I don't get banners, but I went on their site anyway.
Thanks, great help
Roberta

[winton50]

What are people's experiences of BNI

I have been invited but am not sure

[Ozzy]

I found it a mixture of very American Rah-Rah and excellent team networking.
The Rah-Rah put me off as I'm not into that sort of thing, but I found it great in that everyone there is there to help each other...mostly. I plan to join once my second child is born and grown out of the midnight feeds and stuff (as the early BNI starts will push me over the edge).

[Bizgifts]

Hi all,

I've been a member or BNI for over 2 years and receive a significant chunk of business through it so I would recommend anyone to at least take up the offer of an invite.

I have since joined another chapter, so now my business is represented at 2 locations, I send my salesperson to the other. I am also a memebr of BRE in another location.

Mark

[c4l]

So - do these things work for everybody?

I sell new cars - would i be able to sell to people at these thing???

[Ozzy]

The idea behind networking is you DO NOT sell to the people you network with, you are simply building contacts and getting to know them all. Once you have a goo drelationship with them you find them business from your other contacts and they do the same for you.
You may never sell a single product to the people you meet networking, but still get a hell of a lot of business from networking.

Its all about trust and relationships...

[VeryMark]

I'd endorse everything that's been said.

The main national networking groups are BNI (Business Network International), BRE (Business Referral Exchange) and BoB (Business over Breakfast), which all work along similar lines.

You can find BNI at www.bni-europe.com - I think it is the bigger of the three.

The main thing about any of these groups is that they require consistent long-term commitment to be worthwhile - you get out what what you put in, like any networking.