UKBF Real Life Networking

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

Would you be interested in meeting fellow UKBF's in REAL LIFE?

We are looking at organising an evening networking event in London during August/September (restrictions allowing).

The venue would either be in the West End or City, close to public transport, and would run between 6-9pm. The format is to be finalised, but we would imagine it would involve a short contemporary and relevant presentation, quick introductions and a lot of socialising.

The reason we are looking at London is due to the number of members in the region. The longer term plan is to run events regionally, but we want to test the water.

So we can gauge interest, please participate in the poll - we will keep it up for a few days.

 

[fisicx]

I know a couple of discrete clubs we could use for this.

 

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

They're for post networking networking

 

[tony84]

If its at one of fiscix "discreet" clubs, I reckon the attendees will be higher.

 

[Opinion87]

Made a thread about this a while back and there was a little interest. I'm game.

 

[KM-Tiger]

I'm old enough to remember the last London meet up, I think around 2005/6, and it was a great success.

It's fascinating to put faces to forum names, but the best part was the talks given by a couple of prominent forum members, on SEO and PR. Very interesting stuff that I can recall even now.

 

[UKSBD]

I'm a townie (villagie if such a word) I don't even like going to the town I was born in (Stratford-upon-Avon) anymore.

Haven't been to London in 30 years+

Coventry is only city I've been to in last 10 years and that was only hospital visits

Nice village (or small town) pub within 30 miles of me and I'm in, no way I would travel to London though

 

[Paul Norman]

I believe this might be worth a go.

Obviously, I am relatively unlikely to get to a London meet - although I wouldn't rule it out - but that doesn't make it a poor idea. If I was around London, I would try to get to it.

 

[Ozzy]

London is only about a 1 to 1:1/2 hour train journey for me, I'd be in and great to meet every who can make in person!

 

[fisicx]

London is only about a 1 to 1:1/2 hour train journey for me, I'd be in and great to meet every who can make in person!

If you plan to be there I'm not sure I want to go anymore

 

[Fagin2021]

It's a great idea but 250 miles is too far. Pity.

 

[Opinion87]

It's a great idea but 250 miles is too far. Pity.

I'd travel 2,500 if it meant I could meet Mr. D!

 

[gpietersz]

@UKSBD Are you somewhere near me? I have just moved to Leamingto Spa.

Back on topic, its fairly easy and I am still a Londoner at heart, so quite likely to turn up.

 

[gpietersz]

I keep on wanting to call @UKSBD UKBSD - or UK BSD. Maybe such a thing should exist.

 

[Ozzy]

Well I’m Northants so L Spa isn’t far away for me either. If the London meet works well we could look at other areas around the UK too I’m sure.

 

[UKSBD]

@UKSBD Are you somewhere near me? I have just moved to Leamingto Spa.

Back on topic, its fairly easy and I am still a Londoner at heart, so quite likely to turn up.

Between Stratford-upon-Avon and Shipston-on Stour, about 25 minutes from Leamington down the Fosse

 

[Lucan Unlordly]

Great idea but not for me I'm afraid.

Having endured 4 years of BNI breakfast meetings and multiple hand shaking lunchtime functions when employed, I vowed I'd avoid the same when working for myself.

That plus I've really not got anything to sell outside of our very defined market.

 

[fisicx]

...multiple hand shaking lunchtime functions ...

I'm don't plan to shake anything, I'm just going to get drunk on free beer and poke Ozzy whilst shouting 'and another thing' until I get ejected and and banned from the forum.

 

[Ozzy]

That plus I've really not got anything to sell outside of our very defined market.

It’s not about selling to the room. Tch, didn’t you learn anything from BNI?

 

[Mark T Jones]

It's a nice idea and I hope it works.

Unfortunately I'm unlikely to be part of it not least because the number of people I've agreed to meet for a beer in London 'when all this is over" would actually turn me into an alcoholic (don't even consider suggesting not having a beer)

Besides, despite my convivial persona on here, I'm actually a miserable git.

 

[Ozzy]

Besides, despite my convivial persona on here, I'm actually a miserable git.

No way! Seriously?

 

[Mark T Jones]

No way! Seriously?

Yeah

Mind you, if @Clinton comes I might be swayed.

 

[Ozzy]

Mind you, if @Clinton comes I might be swayed.

That's agreed then, you start a petition going, I'll get a GoFundMe page setup, let's get this campaign rolling!

 

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

Having endured 4 years of BNI breakfast meetings and multiple hand shaking lunchtime functions when employed, I vowed I'd avoid the same when working for myself.

That plus I've really not got anything to sell outside of our very defined market.

As Richard said, it isn't about selling to the room. Who knows, that person who knows your target client could turn up!

Also, it is great to meet people who have common interests e.g. running a business, UKBF etc.

 

[Mark T Jones]

Also, it is great to meet people who have common interests e.g. running a business, UKBF etc.

Totally!

If I was to attend it certainly wouldn't be to pitch or be pitched to, it would be for bantz and to put faces to names

 

[Annoying Donkey]

Totally!

If I was to attend it certainly wouldn't be to pitch or be pitched to, it would be for bantz and to put faces to names

Are you suggesting people don't use their real faces for avatars...?

(Yes, that is really me! )

 

[fisicx]

If I was to attend it certainly wouldn't be to pitch or be pitched to, it would be for bantz and to put faces to names

So we could have a duck, donkey and Clanger. Quacks, heehaws and whistles. After beers, who knows.

 

[Mark T Jones]

Are you suggesting people don't use their real faces for avatars...?

(Yes, that is really me! )

I use my own to put people off talking to me

 

[UKSBD]

Can someone tell @Mark T Jones it works.

 

[fisicx]

I use my own to put people off talking to me

Look a bit like Dominic Cummings in a toupee.

 

[Newchodge]

Look a bit like Dominic Cummings in a toupee.

Harsh. True, but harsh.

 

[ctrlbrk]

no way I would travel to London though

What's wrong with London?

 

[UKSBD]

What's wrong with London?

Too many cars
Too many traffic lights
Too many roundabouts
Too many buses
Too many taxis
Too many cyclist
Too many buildings
Too many people

I could go on

This is what I look out the window on every day

 

[Mark T Jones]

Too many cars
Too many traffic lights
Too many roundabouts
Too many buses
Too many taxis
Too many cyclist
Too many buildings
Too many people

I could go on

This is what I look out the window on every day

Make a great site for a McDonalds Drive Thru'

 

[Mark T Jones]

Look a bit like Dominic Cummings in a toupee.

A pretty sparse toupee, if we're honest.

 

[fisicx]

A pretty sparse toupee, if we're honest.

Indeed, I would have mentioned it but didn't want to embarrass you in public. I shall wait until we meet in person where we shall quaff and declare undying friendship or something. Depends on which club @Ozzy chooses

 

[Paul Norman]

Before attending such an event I would need to put a newer picture up, I think. That one is 5 years old, and it has been 5 tough years....

 

[Ozzy]

Before attending such an event I would need to put a newer picture up, I think. That one is 5 years old, and it has been 5 tough years....

You're not alone. My picture was taken before Covid. I'm now have a few extra "lockdown lbs" and have grown a beard, and my hair is greyer and thinner!

 

[The Byre]

and have grown a beard!

I hope you realise that nearly all the evil in the world was caused by men with facial hair! Kaiser Willhelm, Hitler, Stalin - the list goes on and on . . .

I'm don't plan to shake anything, I'm just going to get drunk on free beer and poke Ozzy whilst shouting 'and another thing' until I get ejected and and banned from the forum.

I'll join you - making a nuisance of myself is a speciality of mine!

despite my convivial persona on here, I'm actually a miserable git.

Despite my miserable git persona on here, I'm actually one joyous bundle of fun!

My problem is, I only go to places I can drive to and park there. If people want to hear my story about the wannabe rock star with no roof to his mouth who robbed a bank, the venue must have parking and reasonable accommodation!

 

[Lucan Unlordly]

As Richard said, it isn't about selling to the room. Who knows, that person who knows your target client could turn up!

Also, it is great to meet people who have common interests e.g. running a business, UKBF etc.

I don't have any target clients Paul

At one time i'd have been first on the bus to London or wherever the planned venue is, but i'm of an age where I have to keep reminding myself that Colonel Sanders opened the first ever KFC franchise when he was 62, just to get out of bed in the morning