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Brick No56: Keep the queue, keep the queue
By Matt Weston, Tuesday 6 April 2004 I'm taking a dose of my own medicine today. A few bricks ago, I shared with you my advice on maximising your business by looking 'in demand'. If it's in demand, everyone wants it. If people see a queue, they want to join it. And on the flipside, who wants to dine in an empty restaurant? Once you've got demand going, you need to keep the momentum. Or as reader Jim Corrigan's old boss put it, "Keep the queue, keep the queue". Last Friday I urged business bricks readers to meet-up with each other to share ideas, experiences and support. I offered to include listings of your existing local networks, informal meet-ups, breakfast clubs and your 'would like to meets'. It drew quite a response. I have a map of Britain on my wall that's now smattered with fluorescent yellow stickers representing your groups - from Bexley to Leicester; Exeter to Edgbaston; and Jersey to the Isle of Arran! The initial plan was to publish a brief list every other Friday, starting in 10 days time. But, now that you've given the idea momentum, I want to keep it going. I want to show you the queue, and get you to join it. These are the 'early adopters' - the business bricks readers who've taken the lead. Don't be a laggard! Help these readers get their momentum going. If there's a meet-up in your area, join it. If there's not, then start your own. To echo Woody Allen's sentiment, "80% of success in life is showing up." business bricks Meet-Ups Simply email meetups@businessbricks.co.uk with details of your existing group, or if you'd like to meet up with other business bricks readers in your area. (Remember to include your contact details, geographical area, next meet up date/ time/ place, and please keep text to three or four lines max). The Midlands * Gary McCarthy helps run a weekly breakfast group in my hometown Leicester. Meets every Friday (except Good Friday). For more info see www.the-regency-group.co.uk or email Gary at gary@mccarthy123.freeserve.co.uk * Edgbaston Business Club. The EBC is a breakfast networking club that meets every 1st and 3rd Wednesday morning in the month at the Eaton Hotel, Hagley Road, Birmingham. Meets 7am, next meeting 7 April. Contact Mark@Hana-Time.com for details * Herefordshire, Shropshire and Worcestershire. Would like to meet other readers to form local networks. Breakfast/lunch or evening meets as a choice, once a month. Next on 30th April 2004. Details from Michael (htacademy@aol.com) Scotland/ Wales/ Ireland/ Channel Islands * Reader Pauline Bingham is interested in existing networks of entrepreneurs in Northern Ireland. Can anyone help her? Email Pollybingy@aol.com * Jersey Channel Islands. Reader Lyn runs a lodging house business, and is about to start-up a health retreat centre. Very interested to meet with other readers on the island. Email Lyn on nell4@localdial.com * Readers in the Merthyr Tydfil/ Merthyr Tudful area can attend the Business Club's breakfast meetings for a free fruit/ cereal/toast breakfast. Third Thursday of every month, geared to smaller businesses. Call Robert Jones 01443 693693. * Reader Lynn Ross is launching a new business on the Isle of Arran (see www.lynngrayross.co.uk) and would like to meet other readers on the island (email Lynn at lynn@lynngrayross.co.uk) Up North * Recent subscriber Kate Hughes would like to meet up with other small business owners and start-ups in the York or Leeds area for breakfast or early evenings. Email kate.hughes@hopscotchhr.co.uk * Chris Price, a freelance web designer in Anthorn (near Wigton, Cumbria) is interested in setting up/joining a network group in the area (evenings/weekends). Email him at chris.price@choctaw.co.uk Down South * Glen Crosier is setting up a networking group for entrepreneurs, homeworkers and loneworkers in Brighton. Email him at glen_crosier@yahoo.co.uk for more details * Philip Brigstock-Bates (pbrigstockbates@btinternet.com) would like to meet up with other business bricks readers in Berks, Oxfordshire, Wiltshire and Hampshire areas. * Clara Westbrook is interested in meet-ups in Surrey. Contact her on 01483 855757 or clara.westbrook@wdps.co.uk * Simon Browing runs a small catering business in SE Hampshire near Fareham. Would like to attend or arrange a networking group in the area. Prefers afternoon/ evening meet-up. Email simon@foddermongers.com * Oxford Networking Lunch Club has over 200 members. Generally 50 or so meet every month at a different restaurant in and around Oxford (see www.onlc.co.uk) * Banbury Breakfast Club. Oxfordshire's largest (over 1000 members) and best attended networking club (average attendance 90/100). Meets first Thursday of every month just outside Banbury (see www.banburybreakfastclub.co.uk) * Oxon HR Club. Meets second Thursday of every month for breakfast. Guest speaker every month talks on employment related issue. See www.oxonhrclub.co.uk * George Glossop, a Cambridge-based Audio Consultant is interested in meeting up with other bb readers in his area. Contact him at hardware.house@virgin.net * Geoff Marsom belongs to the Sutton chapter of BNI (apparently the best in Surrey). It meets every Thursday at Oaks Park Golf Club (630am - 830am). gmarsom@hotmail.com * Samantha Steane co-hosts a networking group in Emsworth, Hampshire. It meets from 12-2pm on the third Friday of every month at the Crown Hotel. www.thirdfridays.co.uk or email info@thirdfridays.co.uk for more info * The Heart of Devon Enterprise Agency has been running a network in sunny East Devon for nearly 15 years. No membership fee, over 230 loyal members, informal monthly lunches. Sue Bond 01404 41806/ info@heartofdevon.com * Michael Gottlieb belongs to a business networking group which meets at Batchworth Golf Club near Northwood (between Harrow and Watford). Next breakfast is Friday 16 April 7am. Contact Michael Gottlieb on bricks@mgottlieb.co.uk London Area * Bexley Belvedere Business Bricks. Neal Hattersley is up for a monthly meet in SE London. Group will meet at the Belvedere Business Centre. For small businesses with turnover less than £1m (email Neal.Hattersley@bexley.gov.uk) * Graphic Designer Geraldine Morley (geraldine@flaminghotideas.co.uk) would be interested in any meetings in the Woodford/ Ilford/ Loughton area of Essex. * Jeremy Freeman recommends BNI Edgwarebury - Every Friday at 07.00 to 08.30. Networking Breakfast for businesses in NW London/Hertfordshire. Meets in Mill Hill. Email jeremy@bamps.com or visit www.bni-edgwarebury.co.uk * 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 * 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 Remember to sign up: back to top |
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