Off-line Networking

Business networking is the process of establishing a mutually beneficial relationship with other business people and potential clients and/or customers. The purpose of business networking is to increase business revenue - one way or another. The improvement of the bottom line can be immediately apparent, as in developing a relationship with a new client, or will develop over time.

The best business networking groups operate as exchanges of business information, ideas, and support. The most important skill for effective business networking is listening; focusing on how you can help the person you are listening to rather than on how he or she can help you is the first step to establishing a mutally beneficial relationship.

The following are business networking organisations that we at My Business Advice have created relationships with. Check out local face to face networking events in your area.

Face2face (Gloucestershire)

Face2face provides a great platform for local businesses to meet like-minded people in relaxed, social surroundings to network over a three course dinner.

The networking format is friendly and designed in such a way that after each course, participants change tables and get the chance to talk about their products and services to a new group of people. The cost for the three course dinner and a complimentary drink on arrival is just £35.00 per person.

Many of our members tell us that one of the biggest advantages of face2face is that they don`t have to take time out of their working day to network. If you find you`re often too busy to network during the day, you may like to take the opportunity of joining us, initially as a non- member to see whether you like it.

First Friday (South East)

The Friday Network is a monthly free business networking event held on various Fridays with meetings across East Sussex, West Sussex and Hampshire.

Free entry – no fees: just turn up, no need to pre book, no 'lock-outs'. Just bring plenty of business cards and promotional material...

The value of networking is now widely accepted. Most businesses realise that word-of-mouth recommendation is by far the best way to gain new business. If you are looking for new customers, new suppliers or merely want to meet and chat with other business people to share experiences, talk about your recent successes or discuss mutual problems, then bring some business cards and come along.

There is no prior booking, no registration, no fees and no pressure!