Why Business Networking Works

Those of us involved in business networking have long accepted that the best way to generate new business is to help others. So much so that it has become one of those mantras that is repeated so often that we tend to forget what it really means.
Now we have scientific proof. Researchers at the University of California have found that the old adage that one good deed deserves another more than holds true. Professor James Fowler said, “When people benefit from kindness they “pay it forward” by helping others who were not originally involved, and this creates a cascade of co-operation that influences dozens more in a social network.”
Interestingly the study finds that, “Interacting with others in large populations without structure greatly reduces the likelihood of cooperation, but in a fixed social network cooperation can evolve as a consequence of repeated interactions. “ This, in my view, goes a long way to explaining the success of structured, membership based, business networking groups, as opposed to looser networking events, even though these may attract greater numbers of participants.
So, we finally have a scientific basis for arguing that successful business networking depends on helping others first.
If you find this an attractive idea and would like to see business networking in action you can either visit www.bforbsouthwest.co.uk or call Rodger Scott on 07710 617751.
If you would like to see the full report, entitled “Cooperative behaviour cascades in human social networks” and published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, click here.

Training, Breakfast & Business Networking… £12

We are holding a special ‘Business for Breakfast’ networking session on 19th March in Bristol.  We have an exceptional guest speaker in Richard Palmer, owner of Estadia, a sales training company which comes highly recommended by B for B members and which won the Somerset Business of the Year Award in 2009.  You can see more info at: http://www.estadia.co.uk

Here’s a summary of the session: Creating a steady pipeline of prospects is the most challenging part of any sales operation.  This presentation will discuss the various ways to prospect and lay out a tried and tested method of developing new potential customers.  We will look at the identification of prospects, the approach to generate interest and the follow up to secure an appointment.  A question and answer session will follow the initial presentation.

There is no charge for this session other than the usual £12 for the networking breakfast, so it’s free sales training.  We also anticipate a larger number of guests than usual, so more networking opportunities.  The meeting should finish by 0900.

Venue:

Holiday Inn & Conference Centre

Filton Road

Hambrook

Bristol

BS16 1QX

Date: Friday 19th March 2010

Start time: 7.00am

Finish time: 9.00am

Charge for breakfast: (Full English or Continental): £12.00, which includes the FREE training seminar.

If you have any questions, please contact the event organiser

Rodger Scott - rodger@bforbsouthwest.co.uk 07540984441

http://bforbsouthwest.co.uk

Six great Business Networking Tips

If you follow these six great business networking tips then you are assured over the next twelve months to not only build relationships with people who know, like and trust you but also that you’ll eb getting the most out of your networking time. You may even have some fun and feel invigorated by your networking event.

Many small and medium sized businesses say that seventy per cent of their business comes from referrals and effective networking is a great way of generating those referrals. We have a lot of small businesses from Bath, Bristol and Cheltenham that are taking advantage of this great opportunity to generate more leads.
In the spirit of Business for Breakfast- the number one business networking group in the Southwest here are six ways to get referral networking working for you.
1. Be prepared- think about the benefits that you bring to your clients; be able to talk about the pain that you can take away from your clients with your services.
2. Be Focused- often you’ll be given the opportunity to promote what you do to others, you can educate people about everything that you do over time so initially think about the area of your business that you’d like to promote most and simply promote that. A simple clear message will be easy for people to remember.
3. Be Yourself- People buy form people who they know, like and trust, so relax and be who you are.
4. Listen- Ask questions of others and listen to the response. Have a genuine interest in them and they are likely to be interested in you in return. Ask questions about things outside of business as it helps build rapport.
5. Never Assume- You never know who people know! The most unexpected people can give you refferals so simply speak to them, build rapport with them and ask if they know anyone who might be interested in your product or service.
6. Build Relationships- Build realtionships first- sales and referrals will come later- enjoy your networking.

At a well organised netwotrking event all the people there are there to help each other. They understand that the process includes everyone.

So please, if you are interested in referral marketing call me, Rodger Scott for a place around the Business for Breakfast networking table in Bristol, Bath and Cheltenham.

Rodger Scott 07710 617 751

You can email Rodger for business networking Bristol

Learn how to attract business referrals

Wine Tasting and Business Networking in Bristol

The Bristol based business networking organisation, Business for Breakfast, is organising a Wine Tasting Evening in Wine Tasting, Business Networking Bristolfavour of “Caudwell Children” the charity that changes the world for special children throughout the UK, with direct donations of treatment, therapy, specialised equipment and dying wish holidays.

Wine Tasting, Business Networking in Bristol

A representative of the charity will be on hand to provide information about this exceptional charity where, for every pound donated not one single penny is spent on overheads, salaries, rent, electricity, etc.

The wine tasting will be run by Aaron Rice, from Avery’s Wine Merchants who promised, “we will show you the secrets behind wine-tasting and how to get the most out of every sip. The wines on show will include a fine White Burgundy, a deliciously zingy Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, a mature Claret and a spicy Pinot Noir. Plus you’ll receive a £15 Averys voucher to spend on the night!”
Wine Tasting for Charity and Networking opportunity

Wine Tasting

The event is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday the 1st of December at the Holiday Inn: Filton at a cost of just £19.95.

Wine Tasting and Charity event at the Holiday Inn in Filton

Anyone wishing to attend should contact the organiser, Rodger Scott, on 07710 617751 or e-mail rodger@bforb.co.uk.

Background:

Business for Breakfast is a national business networking organisation, (www.bforb.com) based in Manchester. The company has over 10 years of experience in running networking groups which successfully provide new business introduction and support for member companies though a national network of 33 franchises.

Effective Presentations

Here’s a useful check list for when giving presentations:

• Start and finish with your NAME and COMPANY NAME, in that order.
• Say how you do what you do. People buy people
• Keep presentations simple, engage your entire audience, be succinct.
• Rehearse and prepare well, build in topical items where possible
• Educate your listening public.
• Use humour, if you can use it.
• Use examples to help people recognize other contacts for you
• Do not use Jargon; you may confuse your audience.
• Keep notes brief – use bullet point notes it keeps you in contact with your audience.
• Vary the pace and tonality of your delivery. Using “pause” to advantage
• Body language, use it to your advantage, be positive. Exude confidence to your audience.
• Use your hands to emphasise. Remember only 7% of what you say is heard.
• Ask for what you want, Be specific. So “Who do you know who” and why.
• Keep your presentation to Target. 60 seconds for your presentation less is more.

Great Turnout at Hunstrete House Yesterday

Business Networking Meeting Bristol

Ten Tips to Get More Business From Your Networking

Ten Tips to Get More Business From Your Networking
If you own a business, you probably spend quite a lot of your time at networking events. In fact, for some people it is the main way to get new clients. But, do you ever feel that you could get more from these events? Do you actually get enough results from your networking to justify the amount of time you put into it?
If you don’t get a lot of interest from the people you meet, it may be that you’re going about things the wrong way. You may need a new approach.
Here are some things you may need to think about.
1. What sort of person do you want to meet?
If your answer is “ anyone “ you risk wasting time talking to a lot of people who just aren’t going to be interested. You also look a bit desperate, to be honest. Not everyone is going to be your ideal client. Once you define that “ideal client”, you can be more choosy about who you talk to.
2. Where are you likely to meet them?
Look carefully at the sort of event you choose. Many “networking” events are just a room full of people trying frantically to sell. They are not buyers and they are not listening. Good networking events are often smaller, more structured and talk about meeting people who may act as Ambassadors for your business. Many of these are membership organizations, but most allow you to visit a couple of times, before joining.
3. Prepare for the event.
Before attending any networking event get all the available information about the other attendees. This may be simply a list of names and companies but often, especially in the case of membership organizations, you can find company profiles for at least some of the members on the organization website. Decide, before the meeting who you want to talk to.
4. Accept that it takes time to build a relationship.
Don’t expect too much too soon. Whether the person you meet is a prospective client, or simply somebody who may be able to introduce you to that prospect, they will need time to get to know and trust you.
5. Think of something interesting to say.
The first question people will ask you at a networking event is, “ What do you do? “ don’t just say “ I’m a Financial Adviser “ or “ I’m a Consultant “ and expect them to be impressed. Tell them what you do for your clients, how you help, the problems you solve.
6. Don’t spend the whole time talking about yourself.
One secret for getting people to like you is to ask them about themselves. Be a great listener, not a great talker. People love talking about themselves, they don’t want to listen to you telling them how wonderful you are. Stop talking before they lose the will to live and ask a question. Prepare some good ones in advance so your mind doesn’t go blank. Avoid “ So what line of business are you in? “ Try to find something you both have in common.
7. Don’t be too pushy.
Just because someone shows an interest doesn’t mean you can bombard them with information about all your products or services. You’ll look too needy and that puts people off.
8. People always say they will get in touch; they don’t.
Sad but true. Don’t rely on other people ringing you, make sure you get their number so you can call them. It’s much more important to get someone else’s business card than to give them your own. It gives you the initiative.
9. Organise your contact information.
Hundreds of business cards in a shoebox are no use to you. Set up a contact management system so you don’t lose the details of the people you meet. This might just be a card index or it might be sophisticated software. Whatever it is, have a system which you know how to use and use it immediately after the event, while you can still remember your conversations. Make notes that may help you next time you talk.
10. Keep in touch.
Take the initiative. Get in touch again if you got on well, (they want you to really). Call or write, refer back to your conversation and mention something they said. Send them an article about an interest they mentioned, it will show you were listening and you care about them. It’s amazing how many people go to networking events and then never follow up with the people they meet. Don’t expect immediate business, it takes several contacts before someone is likely to do business with you.
I hope that’s given you some ideas for your business networking. Of course, you still have to remember the basics, such as dressing up a bit and cleaning your teeth, but that’s down to you.

Rodger Scott runs six very successful fortnightly Business for Breakfast meetings in and around Bristol, UK. He aims to increase this to seven by April 2010. Networking is the best way to grow your business, not only from referrals but also from the freely offered advice from the many diverse professionals and tradesman and women that come to the group. Please visit check out the Business for Breakfast website or call Rodger (07710617751) if you’d like to see what it’s all about and for an invitation of a seat around a breakfast table near you.

See you there.

Business Show ’09 at Brunel’s Shed

Over 500 businesses had pre-registered to attend the show, on Wednesday 16th September at Brunel’s Old Station, but, on the day, almost 800 people visited and the seminars and speed-networking sessions were all filled to capacity.
Generally speaking, the mood of both exhibitors and visitors was remarkably upbeat, with many companies remarking on the “green shoots” of recovery and commenting on a noticeable increase in business activity over the last two or three months.
Several Business for Breakfast members were exhibiting and, towards the end of the day, all agreed that the show had been a success. One of them, Paul Clift from “Chips Away”, had already covered his costs by 10:30 in the morning and by four o’clock was heard to wonder how he was going to manage to fulfil all the commitments made during the day. He pronounced the show, “the best promotional event we have ever attended.”
The Business for Breakfast stand was also busy throughout the day, with interested companies often chatting at length with members who had just stopped by to say hello.
A successful show for all concerned.

Business Show 2009

BRISTOL, UK, September 13, 2009 /24-7PressRelease/ — Business for Breakfast will be participating in the 09 Business Show, organised by GWE Business West, on Wednesday the 16th of September 2009, at Brunel’s Old Station, Bristol. The show runs from 9.30am – 4.30pm.

The Business Show is the key business-to-business exhibition event in Bristol, open to the business community across the South West and features around 100 exhibitors, a seminar programme, speed networking sessions, wider networking and a conference cafe .

Entry to the show is free to pre-registered businesses and you can register online at http://www.gwebusinesswest.co.uk Around 800 visitors had registered a week before the event.

Personnel from Business for Breakfast, including the area franchisee, Rodger Scott will be available on Stand 47 for the duration of the show to welcome existing members and to answer the questions of those business people who may have an interest in finding out how Business Networking can help find new clients and get more business.

About Business for Breakfast

Business for Breakfast is an expanding Business Networking Group that holds meetings in and around Bristol. Please contact Rodger Scott for a place around the Breakfast table.

First Test worked but Ping.fm went down!

Over the last one hour all was set up and then ping.fm lost my account! Retesting now