How often do you go Networking?

[Lawson@CBF]

Some very familiar faces at every event we attend. You wonder how some of these people actually get any work done as it seems like a way of life or social life substitute. Once or twice a week is all the time I can afford. But I guess everyone's different.

As long as we attempt to be in front of prospective clients then the event seems worth attending.

 

[billybob99]

Once a year, but looking to cut back.

 

[JEREMY HAWKE]

Once every fifteen years maybe every twenty years .
Im networking all the time just go over the industrial estate talk to the person with all the contacts and give him or her a big handful of our lovely pens . I always point out that they are always struggling to find a pen (everybody does) !
Networking all the time

I was planning on giving out some company balloons this summer but the rubber company went bust !

 

[Mark T Jones]

I tend to go to specific, relevant networking events, probably once or twice a month.

I know from the days when I was experimenting with networking what you mean by the ‘usual suspects’. Some of them will generate good business from it. Others will simply see it as a break from the office (or home).

 

[Noah]

I don't do any formal "networking" but the nature of our businesses means I am frequently doing it informally.

On the other hand, I have just received a do-gooder's invitation to a do hosted by an MBE/KStJ/Lord-Lieutenant which will also feature an ex-chancellor and probably at least one major customer bigwig, so that's probably a "networking event", isn't it?

 

[Mr D]

For some its social, for some its a way of building their business.

I used to try and get to one or two a month but schedule has interrupted that.
Rarely the same group twice in a row.

Used to get to a group in Newcastle 3 or 4 times a year, great bunch of people.

 

[HazelC]

At the beginning (5 years ago) when I set up - 3-4 times a week, I was getting my face everywhere and seeing what worked.

Now I have one group I go to every meeting (every other week) which works for me, I then drop in to the other groups I used to frequent regularly, 1-4 times a year so they remember me.

I still get work / leads from the groups I used to go to lots.

 

[BristolBiz]

I'm just back from my 6.30 networking meeting, it's fortnightly, informal (ie not BNI), useful and a really good source of business AND reliable suppliers.

So much depends on your type of business, the financial service types seem to pass a good amount of business between each other.

I've gained a good bit of business understanding, especially about my own business, so it's been worth it from that perspective alone. It's definitely a slow burner, as it should be. We see lots of guests pass through expecting to get business from the get-go, it don't work that way.

I'd say it's been a game changer for my business, but "horses for courses" and all that...

 

[Ian J]

I never go to formal networking meetings but I do get invited to informal networking events like horse racing, cricket, footie etc and if I played golf I would be networking somewhere in Europe 50 weeks of the year at someone else's expense

 

[Phil Elvin]

I'm not one for the BNI style meetings but we do have a more informal local one I keep intending to go to. Finding the time is the real problem.

 

[Jeremiah@RHJ Accountants]

Formal networking never!, however informal where there is good food count me in

 

[Blaby Loyal]

Link to BNI for those of us who have no idea what it is.

 

[Higgsy]

I attend BNI weekly which works for me (I understand why it doesn't work for everyone). My chapter is not as formal as what some of the ones I've been to are. If i based my membership decision on the first one I went to, i wouldn't have joined. Luckily the members at mine have helped me grow my business and the knowledge from some members has been invaluable. I plan the BNI day in my diary as a business growth planning day.

When I am free, I attend other networking groups, however this is all diary dependant. My best two networking events so far are:
A golf day at the Belfy on the PGA course (I can't play golf and borrowed my Dads Clubs!).
And
Clay pigeon shoot.

Both brought in valuable contacts.

 

[borderco]

Horses for courses - I regularly attend 1 group every other Friday. I have done so for around 10 years and believe that has A) Built a "Chatham House" atmosphere of trust, B) Given me access to free legal, financial, IT etc advice. In return I happily dispense free vehicle leasing advice, C) Resulted in quite a few sales.
May not suit everyone but I find patience brings rewards
My pet hates are groups set up solely for the benefit of the organisers (Chambers of Commerce seem to be worst for this) and people who come along for one or two meetings, fail to sell anything immediately and move on. Their loss.