Breakfast meetings

I've attended a few different breakfast networking groups namely BNI and 4Networking. I am attending a local one later this month too that is free!

BNI in my mind is too much of a cult. It's doesn't really fit in with my life either ( 7am start not good when you have kids). The thing I disliked the most though, was the fact that you have to refer people in the "chapter" and it was pretty frowned upon if a member didn't have any referrals. How can you refer someone you don't know or have knowledge of their work?? I wouldn't do it as it's also my reputation on the line! Very expensive to join too. However, people I know in the design industry say they get alot of business from it.

4Networking I'm enjoying. The start is a more reasonable 8am so the kids have gone off to school. There is no pressure to refer others. What I do like is that you can attend any networking group around the country if you wish so it gives you a better chance of gaining business. This moving around the country doesn't suit my life at the mo but for anyone not rules by kids going to school I think it's great. I haven't joined yet ( got one more free visit) but I will join on the cheaper one group membership. I have gained a few leads from the 2 visits so far and have found the people who attend are interested in what I do. Had a few meetings with the other attendees outside of the meeting and have 4 meetings booked in next week.

Basically I think everything is worth a try so don't dismiss until you have given it a go. I think it's also important to remember that the people who attend this type of network group, need to get to know you as a person as well as what you do business wise. Therefore don't expect to be inundated with work after 3 or 4 visits. I don't!

__________________
French Doors | Folding Sliding Doors | Folding Doors

I agree with Mary et al about the horrors and inconvenience of an early morning start. Virtual networking groups are much more user friendly!

It is nice to be able to put a face and voice to someone you might work with in future, though.

__________________
Career Counselling | Graduate Careers Advice
Outplacement Support

The last breakfast networking event we was invited too started at 06.45 hrs, although it was only a 5 minute drive for me, that's too early!!!

__________________
PSP articles
London Swimming Pools
psp4pools blog

I am a member at 4Networking. The whole ethos of it is get to know people, don't try to sell to them. If they want your stuff then once they know you they will buy and they will also refer to you without being asked.

To be honest this is something that I am enjoying. The meeting is run to a set fashion. A little chat at the start over a drink, then everyone in the room gets 40 seconds to stand up and say a little about their company/self. The best ones are not sales pitches but are a sound bite that get you interested in what they do.

Then there is a 10 minute slot where someone gets to give some information, this is not allowed to be a sales pitch. Then everyone gets the chance to have three ten minute 1-1's so you get to discuss somethings in more detail. The last one I went to I ended up talking about family, Germany and a lot more and the other guy was talking about the weekend. It may not sound like much use to business but I know what his company does and If I or someone else needs it I would happily use or refer because he is a nice guy and from following up and having a few discussions with him he knows his stuff.

It won't be for everyone and there are plenty of other networks out there but as a start they are good to get you out of the office and in front of other people to hone your skills of an elevator pitch..

__________________
Credit Management Consultants
Collection of Overdue Invoices

I have decided to give 4networking a try and signed up for a breakfast meeting that starts at 08.00 hrs and only a mile down the road, will have a lay in then?

__________________
PSP articles
London Swimming Pools
psp4pools blog

I am a member of 4Networking and attended one of the breakfast. it was the first time i had attended a networking event and really enjoyed it to be honest. At that time, my colleague was doing all our business in NI and i was focusing on mainland UK so it made sense for him to continue with the meetings and i mainly network using the online forum.

he did get a fair bit of business from this but after having spoken with him after the events, i was getting the impression it was mainly the same people coming each week. it also seemed that the meetings he arranged after the events were being done so when the clients didnt really have any interest in our services but thought that they could sell to us and it would set them in a better position if we thought we could get their business, when in actual fact there was little chance of this.

To be honest, i think that NI is quite a way behind the rest of the UK in terms of online networking and attending these events. It is very rare to find regular users of the online forums from NI and i cant put my finger on the reason(s).

__________________
Aaron Maxwell
Connect Telecom
Looking forward to getting you connected...
www.connect-tele.co.uk

Interesting feedback. You reguarly see Scottish or Welsh users on various Biz forums, but thinking about it, I've never noticed many NI based users. I wonder why?

It seems to be a similar story with the States, business forums in this format don't seem to be as nearly as popular over the pond as they are in the mainland UK. No idea why, answers on a postcard!

__________________
cheers Steve
Forum Admin - teaboy and general gofer...

Forum Rules and FAQ's at a glance | Find me on Google+ | or even Facebook!

My Local Services - The UK and US Online Business Directory | JobsVitae - Recruitment Help and CV Creation

If you're here to spam, then expect a ban

i've no idea why it is. even in some of the regional forums there is rarely any activity in the NI ones. bit strange

__________________
Aaron Maxwell
Connect Telecom
Looking forward to getting you connected...
www.connect-tele.co.uk

I helped launch a credit organisation in NI earlier this year and spent a couple of days in Belfast talking to other people in the industry. They all wanted local events, everything had to be in the area they lived and worked otherwise they would not attend.

I got the feeling a lot of people there lived in a very small world and were enjoying it so did not see a need to look further afield. Maybe it works the same for the small business community in that most concentrate their business on their local geography so see no need to network.

As for 4N NI, I believe they only launched the first group or 2 there this year so it would probably take time for it to take off like it has in other areas of the UK.

__________________
Credit Management Consultants
Collection of Overdue Invoices

Debating whether to attend breakfast networking events myself.