What to expect

Not all business networking groups are the same and there is a wide variety for you to choose from.

Here's what you can expect from your visit to one of the BusComm groups.

The meetings are welcoming and friendly; particularly if you are new to networking and feeling a little nervous about attending your first event. There are no rules about what you can and can't do - you can sit anywhere you feel comfortable and bring any marketing material you have (including banners).

You will get the opportunity to introduce yourself to the other businesses in attendance via a 45 seconds "elevator pitch" - your chance to let people know what you do and the type of customers you are interested in being referred to. And the only other "have to do" is partake in a 10 minute 1-2-1 meeting with another attendee.

Unlike a lot of other groups that tend to be "at you" meetings, the agenda (below) is engaging and interactive, helping you to share your knowledge, experience and advice; helping you raise your profile and develop rapport with the group - oh and they are fun too!

Arrival - open networking
Introductions - these are timed, but not strictly - but you should stick the time limit
Video review - a video on a relevant business topic that is discussed in the meeting (current video above)
1-2-1 meetings - 10 minutes to get to know another attendee
Member presentation - a 10 minutes presentation of an educational nature
"Hot Seat" - a chance for anyone to bring up a business question or request some help/advice on a business issue
Acknowledgements - an opportunity to thank someone for a referral or act of support
Close - open networking

This agenda may vary for some of the sector-specific groups.

You can attend up to 3 meetings before having to consider membership; at no point will you be pounced on to join up! (Some of the sector-specific groups do not require membership - you can attend as often as you like).

Unlike some membership groups, there is...

...no annual fee
...no contract - cancel any time
...no joining/admin fee
...no lock-out - all businesses welcome*
...no obligation to attend
...no pressure to refer
...no tie to a single group – you can visit as many of the groups as you like
...no application form to apply
...no approval process

*A little bit of healthy competition doesn't hurt and often, seemingly competing businesses, can work collaboratively.

Find out who typically attends these meetings

<p>I have done lots of networking over the years, and I love The Business Community. It hits <strong>just the right mix of being structured and organised</strong> while still being a <strong>friendly and relaxed</strong> place to be. The business world would be a lonelier place without it.</p>

I have done lots of networking over the years, and I love The Business Community. It hits just the right mix of being structured and organised while still being a friendly and relaxed place to be. The business world would be a lonelier place without it.

Paul Marks - Michael Paul Accountants

<p>The Business Community is a <strong>vibrant networking group</strong> that successfully combines <strong>professional relationship building</strong> with <strong>business education</strong>. Paul’s <strong>engaging facilitation style</strong> enables people to <strong>bond quickly</strong> and <strong>learn from each other</strong>. The inputs provide up to date thinking to challenge the members of The Business Community to think and act differently so to improve business results.</p>

The Business Community is a vibrant networking group that successfully combines professional relationship building with business education. Paul’s engaging facilitation style enables people to bond quickly and learn from each other. The inputs provide up to date thinking to challenge the members of The Business Community to think and act differently so to improve business results.

Paul Beesley - Beyond Theory

<p>Buscomm comes highly recommended as a networking group. The <strong>members are incredibly supportive</strong> and Paul is always <strong>open to new ideas</strong> and developing the service to meet the members' changing needs, ensuring <strong>an exemplary customer experience</strong>. Also, the free workshops available to members and consistent access to the collective brain network of other supportive businesses makes <strong>joining a no-brainer</strong>.</p>

Buscomm comes highly recommended as a networking group. The members are incredibly supportive and Paul is always open to new ideas and developing the service to meet the members' changing needs, ensuring an exemplary customer experience. Also, the free workshops available to members and consistent access to the collective brain network of other supportive businesses makes joining a no-brainer.

Kirti Patel - Career Inspiration

<p>This is the <strong>only business network I've stuck with</strong> for the duration of my 9 years of self-employment. <strong>Developmental, supportive and friendly</strong>, I would recommend this group to anyone looking to <strong>get business, give business and learn and develop</strong> whilst doing so.</p>

This is the only business network I've stuck with for the duration of my 9 years of self-employment. Developmental, supportive and friendly, I would recommend this group to anyone looking to get business, give business and learn and develop whilst doing so.

James Tarry - Cheyne Walk Club