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Business
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4 questions you should be asking when networking
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1. What brought you here today? This will help you work out how you can add value to the people you meet – are they there seeking a new job opportunity, looking to meet someone in particular or perhaps representing or supporting a company or charity?
2. Who are you looking to meet? The real meaning behind networking is all about building connections, looking for synergies with people and helping them where possible – and asking for the same in return.
By confirming who people want to meet, you’re looking for opportunities to introduce them to someone in your network of contacts. 3. Does anyone know a…? Be specific on who you want to meet when networking. You might be looking to meet ‘anyone in the hospitality industry’, but this doesn’t give the people in the room clues on your objectives. Better still would be ‘I want to meet anyone who runs a hotel in the borough to see if I can save them money on….’
4. The networking ‘golden nugget’ is to listen more than you talk. As the well-known quote by H.
Jackson Brown Jr. goes…“Learn to listen, opportunity sometimes knocks very softly.”
Chas Jordan
Image: Bresser Photos
Chas Jordan, Bromley Business Network www.bromleybusinessnetwork.co.uk
Online networking
Put Tuesday 10th May in your diary – 12.30pm-2pm for an online networking event from the Beckenham Business Association. All local businesses from across the Bromley borough are welcome.
For details and bookings see www.beckenham businessassociation.co.uk/events
Great news for SMEs
Britain's economy saw its fastest annual growth rate on record in 2021 - rising by 7.5% throughout the year. This comes after businesses throughout the UK showed great resolve by adapting to restrictions caused by the Covid pandemic. According to Luke Davis, CEO of IW Capital, one of the most impressive sectors in the UK business scene is the small business sector. He said: “The UK small business sector is in an exciting time. SMEs have worked so hard throughout the last year, not just to survive but to prosper and with restrictions ending the small business sector looks set to revel in the opportunity to grow their businesses significantly throughout 2022. "SMEs are set to drive employment and investing throughout 2022 - with nearly half of UK SMEs looking to hire new employees after a promising start to 2022 and UK investors ready to back start-ups and newly formed businesses, SMEs are ready to make 2022 an impressive year and grow as much as possible throughout the year.”
Cut to the chase!
PIB (People In Business) is hosting a charity speed networking event at the Bromley Court Hotel to help raise money for the Chartwell Cancer Trust and the MumMum Foundation. It takes place on Thursday 5th May from 5pm-7pm and costs just under £6 to attend. Booking in advance is essential, as spaces are limited.
