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Brick No55: A new way for you to use business bricks
By Matt Weston, Friday 2 March 2004 Every Tuesday and Friday I talk to you. I share my ideas and experiences with you. And, increasingly, you talk back to me. Every time I send out a brick I get an inbox full of useful feedback from readers. Starting today, now that business bricks has snowballed its way to reach over 3,000 readers, I want to get a third line of communication going. I want to help you talk to each other. I want to help you meet up face-to-face with other business bricks readers; other small business owners, start-ups, freelancers and people working from home; other people in your area; other people in exactly the same boat as you. And I want to help you do this because I strongly believe that starting a business needn't mean going it alone. You know what I think about networking -- Because I read your feedback, I know that business bricks readers have a great deal to share. You can get a fresh perspective on your business by listening to what other people are doing with theirs. -- Networking can help you open doors. The first person I met at my first-ever networking event now advertises with business bricks. And yesterday I met with a potential client who was introduced to me by my Sunday League strike partner (Peter Beardsley to my Gary Lineker) -- Running your own small business or working from home can be a lonely experience. Meeting up with other people in the same boat as you can give you the water-cooler banter you miss when you leave the world of 9 to 5 -- Pooling ideas and sharing knowledge can make your business stronger. As The Beatles opined on Abbey Road, "The love you take is equal to the love you make". The more you put in the more you get out. How starting a networking group can transform your business Earlier this week, I caught up with Diana Horner, an old colleague and friend of mine. Di and her superstar sidekick Justine Avis run the Enterprising Woman shows, currently touring the South East. 3 years ago, Di set up the SWAN Group, an informal networking group for businesswomen based in sunny Sussex. Di started SWAN from scratch. Fast-forward to 2004, and over 500 businesses - film-makers, printers, PR freelancers, solicitors, plumbers, accountants, publishers et al - receive the SWAN newsletter. Di organises evening meetings and working lunches - usually attended by over 50 SWANS. At the risk of offending our handful of American readers, the group works because it's not a hard sell. Like Di, I don't believe in the heavy US approach of schmooze and sell. It just doesn't cut it this side of the Atlantic. And it works because it builds enduring and worthwhile relationships based on trust, support and win-win promotion. SWAN has helped transform many businesses down in Sussex, not least Diana's. Most of her new clients come via a lead introduced by a fellow SWAN. And if Di ever needs a favour, she has over 500 people to ask. business bricks meet-ups Every two weeks on alternate Fridays I'm going to include listings of your local networking groups, informal meet-ups, breakfast clubs, working lunches, you name it. -- If you already run or are involved with a networking group, let me know when and where you're meeting up, and I'll let the 3,000 plus business bricks readers know -- business bricks readers are spread over every corner of the UK. If you want to meet other business bricks readers in your area, let me know, and I'll post a message and your contact details in the newsletter -- Simply email meetups@businessbricks.co.uk (include your contact details, areas covered, next meet up date/ time/ place, and please keep text to three or four lines maximum) To start the ball rolling - * Angel Business Bricks. Reader Chris Walthew wants to start an informal breakfast or early evening beer meet for North/ East London based businesses. Will meet somewhere near Angel. Email him at chris.walthew@prospectresearch.co.uk * To find out more about joining the SWAN group for Sussex- based businesswomen, visit the website or email diana@eventsteam.co.uk * Ladies that Lunch is for female entrepreneurs in Oxfordshire. Email Tracey Jeffries on info@langmansltd.com, call 01865 881773 or click here for more details. Next meet Weds 21 April @ The White Hart, Dorchester-on-Thames * Clapham Business Bricks. My business partner, Emyr Williams, is setting up an informal meet for entrepreneurs in the Clapham/ Wandsworth/ Balham area of South London. Email him at emyr@businessbricks.co.uk Get the gist? Remember all you need to do is email details of existing meet-ups or 'would like to meets' to meetups@businessbricks.co.uk Remember to sign up: back to top |
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