Networking in Surrey News - week beginning 31 January 2011

So, there goes January! Easter eggs and hot cross buns are in the shops already – I wonder how many shopping days there are until Christmas? I guess that’s become irrelevant, as every day's now a shopping day – you can even shop online on Christmas Day. Perhaps we should change it to ‘networking days ‘til Christmas’, as there still aren’t many networking events at the weekend (have we spotted a gap in the market? Hope not…)

Our schedules are always full of events, with more appearing all the time.  It’s a trend we think will continue, especially when the corporate world really wakes up to the power (and low cost) of networking as a marketing tool. Click here to check out events coming soon – and keep coming back to the site to make sure you don’t miss a great one near you…

The exhibition season is almost upon us again. Thebestof Richmond has changed its Expo date to allow for a keynote speech from bestof founder and marketing guru Nigel Botterill – never less than highly entertaining! The Websters, Paul and James, are going ahead with their Guildford event with a change of name to Guildford Means Business. There’s the South East Business Show

Our NetworkingIn snowball keeps growing as it rolls down the mountain, with NiS passing the 360 Member mark, and Networking in Berkshire currently at 466. Click here to see our newest Members (at least, you’ll see those who have posted a photo on their profile!)  Anybody you know? Why not take the time to page through our Member list and add any familiar faces as friends on Networking in Surrey? It will refresh your connection to them, and you can use your NiS friends list as a checklist to connect with them on a regular basis.

Here they are again - our brilliant sponsor advertisers who keep the site free to use…

  John Udal's Big Billboard - need we say more?!

 Sonia Duggan 's Inspiration - Personal Life and Parenting Coaching. for more inspiration in your life

 Sarah Martin's  Ladies at Eleven - networking for women who are serious about their business

 Mike Rutherford's Ignite at Danson Digital- the first system born to run online businesses

 Tessa Hood's My Video Talk - branded video emails & video broadcasting  for smaller businesses

   Howard Nichols  at Surrey Copywriters - for all your online and offline copywriting needs 

Diary of a Networker...

Last week I went to Putney for a business meeting at the Dukes Head with my old NiS friend Arnie Fabius to discuss a joint venture. Afterwards we attended the Wandsworth Business Forum event at the London Rowing Club. We both made some good new contacts - and enjoyed free beer and wine, and hot fish pie. Now that’s what I call networking! I really recommend combining a business meeting or a 1-2-1 with a networking event – you have a venue laid on, and it’s a great use of your time, because you both meet new people too.

And 'sociable networking' works too! Gerry Brierley tells me she'll be at the free opening party for All Bar One in Guildford on Thursday 10 Feb should anyone care to hook up for a chat. I hope to make that one!

 When I got home from Putney there was an email waiting from Sarah Martin, asking if I would give a ten-minute presentation on networking at her Ladies at Eleven event the following morning. Somewhat short notice (!) but I managed to say a few words and then got the audience to take over, led by the sparkling Elaine Hickmott and new NiS Member Michael Eve. Earlier that same morning, John Edward and Uzma Afzal ‘made me an offer I couldn’t refuse’ and I found myself taking on the Marketing Assistant role in the 4Networking team at Walton and Weybridge.

Tonight I’ll be presenting at Weybridge Ecademy, so please come on down and say hello if you’re free…

Happy Networking!

BRs

K