Networking in Surrey News – week beginning 11 July 2011

It seems ages since the last of these NiS newsmails back in June - although I did send a couple of Bulletins in the meantime. The first was about advertising on the site – thank you everybody who wanted the last slot for July, soz for not being able to fit you all in... but there’s always August (although that’s filling up fast).

The other Bulletin was offering free tickets to the Business Scene Guildford bash with Grant Leboff, and those (including over 20 NiS Members) who caught his presentation on the night know how brilliant that was - even if you paid for the show!

Absolutely tons going on here on NiS as usual... We now have over 620 Members – meet the latest to join our happy band here – and last month, over 1300 unique visitors (Wow!) used the site to plan their networking diaries, stay connected, and promote their businesses.

And we still list hundreds of business networking events in Surrey each month, from the Regular Group Meetings (BNI, 4Networking, Venture Catalyst etc) to the free, unusual and off-the-beaten-track EVENTS you’re unlikely to come across by chance. By the way, Arnie Fabius insists there are more than the 125 active networking groups in Surrey that I found – he makes it 135, but then accountants can always make the figures add up to what they have in mind (or is that just a rumour, Arnie? :o)

Coming soon to a networking venue near you:
...today’s launch of 4N Banstead with Sam Millard and the ebullient 4N founder Brad Burton (who also guests at 4N Richmond this week), afternoon tea in the Manor House at Foxhills with James Webster, Business Intros Guildford, the Best of Richmond evening at the Waldorf Syon Park (is it me, or are networking venues getting posher?) and the CIM River Cruise - and all that just going on today (Tuesday)!    

Later in the week there’s the NSBA Pub Quiz evening in Chertsey, the Business Network Surrey Breakfast in Woking , the BEA Croydon evening, the Best of Camberley BBQ with John Udal, and the 4N Walton Breakfast on Friday with Gordon Hewett... What a week!

There are a couple of big conference-style events in the pipeline from NiS Members Paullette Schwarz, Tessa Hood and Sarah Martin – more info on the site... Remember these Members are using our paid listings facility to publicise their events and subsidising the site so it’s free for all, which makes them ‘local heroes’  – just like our gorgeous advertisers:

Jane Hardy One Stop Financial Security - helping individuals and businesses with their money worries

John Udal  thebestof Camberley - promoting and supporting local businesses, onine and offline

Nicola McDonnell  Creative Dynamic Print - competitive prices on all your printing needs - digital, litho, stunning design and effective Direct Mail fulfilment

Victoria Pullen - Word of Mouth Local - making Social Media work for business owners

Christine Baron Paperwork SOS -Chris does your secretarial and administrative work, allowing you to concentrate on your business

Graham 'Rob' Mead - Return My Phone : if you lost your iPhone, would you offer a reward to get it back? Find out how!

Sarah Martin Ladies At Eleven - networking for women who are serious about their business

Diary of a Networker...
Quite unusually, I have missed more events on my list than I made it to in the past couple of weeks, thanks to a combination of work, parties and the Hampton Court Flower Show, but you just can’t get ’em all (Networking is not Pokemon!) So although I missed Paul Bridgland’s Best of Guildford lunch at Sutton Green Golf Club and Business Biscotti Cobham and Wentworth, I did make Richard White's inspirational Weybridge Ecademy presentation on networking skills, Business Intros Guildford, and the Tweetup in Staines (a first for me) with Sheree Lowe, David Endersby, Jake Lidell, Lizanne Jakobs, and Prabha Shiyani.  Onward and upward...
Happy Networking!