There are many reasons why people start their own business, the main ones being a desire to have more control over their life and to be their own boss. Both of these are admirable and are known the world over but everyone who starts their own business is confronted on a weekly basis by problems that they could never have foreseen. A one man band, start up business often finds that there are not enough hours in the day to effectively generate leads, service customers, keep up with accounts, be a supportive parent... the list goes on. The start-up businessman then looks for advice from friends and family most of whom will not be business owners themselves, he’ll go to the pub and ask discuss issues where he’ll receive ideas from his fellows that, whilst well-meaning are not the kind of answers that he needs.

When you run a business you often need answers rapidly and if you’re on your own then discovering who to ask is time consuming.

So what’s the answer? A business networking group is a supportive environment where owners of small to medium sized businesses gather together regularly to offer advice, support and share ideas. When a group of people get together with the aim of learning about each other’s businesses and developing relationships a remarkable thing happens, a synergy is created and connections made. We’ve all heard that two heads are better than one, what if there were fifteen heads all with a deeper understanding of your business than your friend in the pub and all striving towards similar ends? This is the backbone on which Business for Breakfast is set.

Over the course of a couple of months it is fairly easy to get to know a small group of people and trust can be gained quickly. It is not only at the regular meetings that members get together; it’s normal to have at least two one-to-one meetings in a fortnight where you can find out exactly the kind of help that another member requires and vice-versa. It may be that you need legal advice or marketing advice and because the other member actually knows your business he can offer solutions specific to your business or at least point you in the right direction. Often allegiances are formed where a contact might be able to see a route to success that you hadn’t thought of and because of the nature of business networking, getting the right team in place becomes as simple as building blocks.

If you’re a start up business or even if you have an established business why not come to a Business for Breakfast meeting and see how a business networking group can help you achieve your goals.

Business for Breakfast run six groups for Business Networking in Bristol. To arrange a place around the breakfast table please call Rodger Scott on 07710 617 751

What is Networking for your business?

Let's start with what it's not... It is not selling a product or service to the people you meet at an event. This is particularly what it is not. Going to a networking event is about letting the world know that you exist and that they should trust you enough to refer you to their business contacts. Look at the folk around you, ask them what they need really try to get to the bottom of what it is they do. It's very hard to put in a nutshell all the things that a company does so try to eek it out of them- they'll appreciate the time and concentration that you invest in them. Not only that, they'll talk about you to their business colleagues. Networking is a really effective way to generate more business through mutually beneficial relationships. Networking is FUN! Whatever your business you will benefit by learning new skills and developing yourself by using some of these tips.

So, for the newbie (we all started there), first tip-

Ask yourself what you want from a networking event or ongoing networking events. This needs to be very specific so you can then create a plan and monitor your progress in it's achievement. There's another hint here about how to network- only a very few people meet the people that they need to at the first networking meeting that they go to- you must plan for the medium to long term and build relationships. So if you want to maximise your networking activities this is really important, so how much business do you want to generate in the next 12 months directly and indirectly from your business networking?

Saying how much business you'll receive from networking is very nebulous so try to judge it on benefits as well. However, good networkers can achieve a vast majority of their income from the networks they create.

So what's the way forward?

Your networking group is the hub of your network- don't expect to get a lot of your business here. It is the members of this group that will be your ambassadors within their further networks- so be nice to them, pass on thier details and look out for opportunities for them. "Pay It Forward"- when you feel good your positive energy will reflect on everything that you do.Networking is about synergy and when there is synergy magical things can happen. So open the door to networking for your business, you'll be surprised where it might take you.

Networking for business in Bristol is nothing new. Bristol was built in trade; from the coal mines in Easton to the iron mines past Ashton Court, from the agricultural farmland in Somerset to the Corn Exchange in the centre of town, everyone needs to know who to buy from and who to sell to. The best way to find these people is to network. Networking is a powerful marketing tool that is very different from traditional selling and that makes it a key part of any marketing strategy.