Business Networking – Is it in your sales plan?

Many businesses have taken the plunge into attending a networking event, perhaps as a one off visitor or to attend meetings every week. For me networking should be one of the essentials in your sales plan. Networking has grown at tremendous speed in the past few years. Just in Norfolk alone there are many clubs and events that people can attend. The choice is good as you can select the type of format that best suits you or your business.

Many different events have different start times different ways of working. Some are very formal and some are relaxed. 4Networking has over 300 breakfast groups across the UK and meets at 8am. In the Eastern region there are groups in Norwich North, Norwich South, Diss, Dereham, Swaffham and Kings Lynn. It is the UK’s largest joined-up business network and gives businesses the essentials that they need, People, Appointments, Business and Support. The 4N culture is relaxed and friendly, with a complete lack of pretension and ‘cufflinks’…plus people can network where they want and when they want. I am a regular attendee to the 4N events in East Anglia and have met some fantastic people who have helped me with my business over the past year. I was so pleased with the results I recently became the 4N Area Leader. 

BNI is another popular networking group that normally meets at 06.30 in the morning. BNI is like having up to 40 sales people working for you, because fellow members will be carrying your business cards and referring your business to people they meet. There are a number of BNI Chapters in East Anglia.

Networking is not all about the morning and a very popular evening event is ‘The Business Club’ which is run by Richard Kerrison, and regularly has over 50 businesses attending. The Business Club usually meets every other Tuesday evening between 6pm and 9.00pm.  Meetings are held at The Holiday Inn North, Norwich Airport and a speaker, facilitator or presenter normally addresses the group. The Antidote Network is another evening event where you can network with other forward-thinking business owners and growers. The Antidote is a pay on the night event also held at the Holiday Inn North on the 3^rd Wednesday of the Month. I recently attended a fantastic evening of Speed Networking at the Antidote, meeting many businesses.

Look out for other events in the area held by; The Federation of Small Businesses, Chamber of Commerce, The Best of Norwich, LinkedIn, O4RB and the Business Networking for Women held at Caistor Hall. Visit the EDP and look at the networker’s calendar to see special events in the area. 

To get the best out of a networking event, I have listed some key points and tips:

1. Create a great elevator pitch about you, your company, what you do and what you are looking for, what can you say in 40 or 60 seconds?
2. Take business cards and any sales leaflets/offers with you
3. Don’t go straight into the hard sell create the relationship first
4. Don’t be frightened to speak to people. When entering a room try and make conversation with people alone or in a group of three
5. Finally have fun but remember your clear objectives for attending

4Networking – http://www.4networking.biz

The Business Club - http://businessclubnorfolk.co.uk/

The Antidote Network - http://www.theantidote-network.co.uk/

BNI - http://www.bni.eu/uk/index.php