Hello,

I've decided that I'm going to start attending networking events..

I've never been to a networking event in mylife, how does it work?

Is it like speed dating? (I.e. 2 min with each person then you go to next person)

Any advice appreciated....Also..Can you recommend any networking events coming up in the next few weeks/month?

:D:D

Not a clue about what to do on these events. I am considering going on this one. http://www.scci.org.uk/event/show/29 £40 though and you have to be there at 7.30am. I wouldn't fancy moving around that much while eating breakfast either. Anyone else been to one of these breakfast things?

I go to the Doncaster Chamber free monthly meetings, but they are free within the membership, not free to everyone. They dont hold them in July or August due to holidays and I try to get to the quarterly breakfast ones where possible.

TBH the quarterly's aren't as busy, because they share the venue between the 4 locations of the chambers, but those with furthest to travel tend to appear least e.g. the next one in Sheffield will be least attended by Doncaster members. The Doncaster one gets 80+ at their own meetings (90+ at the June one held at the airport) and I bet there isn't much more than that at the SY quarterly one.

You get a full English breakfast first, a bit of chat from chamber staff, and usually 3 table shuffles, so take plenty of business cards. You get a 2 minute pitch round the table at each shuffle.

Anybody wanting to meet up on arrival, let me know and we'll try and get a table together to start with, as i'm already booked on for the 8th Sep at SWFC.

They used t give discounted Chamber membership to start ups at Sheffield Chamber, not sure if they still do, you'd have to ask. It was reduced to £99 + VAT from about £150 ish.

Networking is great for creating relationships with other businesses and springboarding new ideas. When you feel lacking in speed a good breakfast meeting gets you running again.

Hopefully I will be able to attend the 8th Sept meeting so save me a place on your table please Indizine. The SWFC meeting is £40 to non members of the Sheffield Chambers but only £19.99 to members.

I'll lookout for you Kipper - except dont know your real name or who you are! Will you be wearing a Kipper tie or waving a smoked kipper so I can identify you?:D

I go to the Doncaster Chamber free monthly meetings, but they are free within the membership, not free to everyone. They dont hold them in July or August due to holidays and I try to get to the quarterly breakfast ones where possible.

TBH the quarterly's aren't as busy, because they share the venue between the 4 locations of the chambers, but those with furthest to travel tend to appear least e.g. the next one in Sheffield will be least attended by Doncaster members. The Doncaster one gets 80+ at their own meetings (90+ at the June one held at the airport) and I bet there isn't much more than that at the SY quarterly one.

You get a full English breakfast first, a bit of chat from chamber staff, and usually 3 table shuffles, so take plenty of business cards. You get a 2 minute pitch round the table at each shuffle.

Anybody wanting to meet up on arrival, let me know and we'll try and get a table together to start with, as i'm already booked on for the 8th Sep at SWFC.

They used t give discounted Chamber membership to start ups at Sheffield Chamber, not sure if they still do, you'd have to ask. It was reduced to £99 + VAT from about £150 ish.

Thanks guys,

Can I ask - How soon do you, in general, get a response from the cards you've handed out?

I've just ordered some business cards from printing.com on Division St.

there isn't a time response thing on handing out business cards. Much like distributing leaflets, if you happen to had one to someone who needs what you are selling, and they like what they see and hear about you and your business, they will usually send you an email or call you up, either pretty soon after the event of when they are ready which could be weeks or months later.

Anyone wanting business cards, you can get 250 double sided, nice quality digital print due to the low volume, 400gsm, for £20 no vat, no delivery, delivered within a few days. You need to supply the artwork. PM me if you want the contact email address.

Hi All,

I am considering attending one of these myself, also joining the Sheffield Chamber of Commerce. When is the next one and do you find that you're membership to the COC pays?

Regards

We hold a monthly networking event which is free to attend.

Its for people involved in the property market but our next one in October (the 29th) is a general overview of the economy with guest speakers

Clive Betts MP

and

Kevan Keegan (the economist, not footballer)

see www .sheffieldpropertynetwork .co. uk for further details

if your a young businessman or woman and you want to network u really should join the sheffield branch of the JCI- they have loads of events on when u can network and there a real nice bunch of people-

http://www.jci.cc/local/sheffield

This is a really interesting thread.

Having spend most of my 'serious' work life down in London all my business contacts are based either down there or in Manchester and Chester. I would be really interested in attending a networking event to make a few business contacts in Sheffield (i need contacts in Sheffield desperately).

Scottf - i'll have a look at the link you post, thanks for that.

Are these sort of events any good for finding out about vacancies in the area? My head office is based in London and i'm looking to base myself locally a bit more now my family life has changed.

let me know if you need any more info stockers :D

let me know if you need any more info stockers :D


Hi Scott,

I was a little sceptical about the JCI networking, on the webiste it mentions soemthing along the lines of requiring a strong belief in God, is this really required in business or is it some sort of happy clappy set up?

I need contacts and strong business relationships in Sheffield quickly for a potential new job and to enhance my reputation within the business networks in Sheffield. The only problem is what i do now would have very little relevance within Sheffield as there or no major Tour Ops in Sheffield, i would however be interested in getting to know a few well know faces who would give my reputation the (you stratch my back and i'll scratch yours) feel to it. I'm not talking major players in the business world, just ten or so good contacts who could be of help.

What age range is the junior chambers up to Scott? Sorry if you have previously answered

What age range is the junior chambers up to Scott? Sorry if you have previously answered

18 - 40yrs according to their website.

You know....out of all I learned from the JCI website (not very much) I couldn't find out what JCI stands for....Junior Chamber? Junior Christian?

Yeah I didn't gather a whole lot from it either, what do the events consist of Scott and who are the people who run it?

Its not the best website but it seems some well connected people are members or patrons of JCI (Junior Chamber Industry - it took some digging).

I'd be sceptical about paying £98 a year for something i don't really know what i'm buying into.

Yeah its an average site at best, does it tell you what the £98 gets you?

Hi Scott,

I was a little sceptical about the JCI networking, on the webiste it mentions soemthing along the lines of requiring a strong belief in God, is this really required in business or is it some sort of happy clappy set up?

I need contacts and strong business relationships in Sheffield quickly for a potential new job and to enhance my reputation within the business networks in Sheffield. The only problem is what i do now would have very little relevance within Sheffield as there or no major Tour Ops in Sheffield, i would however be interested in getting to know a few well know faces who would give my reputation the (you stratch my back and i'll scratch yours) feel to it. I'm not talking major players in the business world, just ten or so good contacts who could be of help.

Hi Stockers- god knows where that god stuff has come from- i have never heard any mention of religion at any event i have been to. promise.

Its basically a group that puts on various events (both business and social) that you can go to, meet other people and chat about- well- anything!!! The people i have met have varied from solicitors to people in recruitment and heavy industry!

They have socials in the pub and stuff which are always a laugh- i think about 80 people went to the quiz at the harlequin last month and then a more serious side was the talk given by a networking expert called will kintish- check out his website- the mans a genius!!!!

I agree the website is crap though and it doesn't really explain what u get for your money but instead of having to pay for all the events they put on- you get them all free.

Its one of them things that you will get out what u put into it.

Ill get one of the directors to come on here and give you a better explanation if you want?

Hi, I'm a membership director at JCI. It stands for Junior Chamber International. Please have a look at our main website http://www.jciuk.org.uk/ which is better !

Our own local website is a constant work in progress so please bear with us (all those involved in JCI are volunteers and do it in a spare time!) We are nothing to do with God or religion - where did you see that Stockers ?!?!

It's just £8 per month and we have monthly events plus pub of the month every month. You are welcome to come and try us first. Please ask if you want to know anything more.

Thanks
Leanne.

Hi, I'm a membership director at JCI. It stands for Junior Chamber International. Please have a look at our main website http://www.jciuk.org.uk/ which is better !

Our own local website is a constant work in progress so please bear with us (all those involved in JCI are volunteers and do it in a spare time!) We are nothing to do with God or religion - where did you see that Stockers ?!?!

It's just £8 per month and we have monthly events plus pub of the month every month. You are welcome to come and try us first. Please ask if you want to know anything more.

Thanks
Leanne.

How can I get a trial? If you know off hand, can you also tell me, whether I can claim this as a business expense? I need to see my accountant soon anyway so I'll ask him then if you don't know.

About the God thing, according to the handbook it does say, "That faith in God gives meaning and purpose to human life; "

http://209.85.229.132/search?q=cache:gGT25oin2VAJ:www.jci.cc/docs/university/JCI%2520Vision,%2520Mission%2520and%2520Values%252 0-%2520Manual-ENG.pdf+god+site:www.jci.cc&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=uk

Hi, I'm a membership director at JCI. It stands for Junior Chamber International. Please have a look at our main website http://www.jciuk.org.uk/ which is better !

Our own local website is a constant work in progress so please bear with us (all those involved in JCI are volunteers and do it in a spare time!) We are nothing to do with God or religion - where did you see that Stockers ?!?!

It's just £8 per month and we have monthly events plus pub of the month every month. You are welcome to come and try us first. Please ask if you want to know anything more.

Thanks
Leanne.

Hi Leanne,

Many thanks for clearing a few things up, i would be very interested in joining though would like to give it a go first. I'd be interested in knowing where the next meet is and attending with the view to joining up (can payments be spread on a monthly basis?).

The bit about God has been highlighted below by someone which made me a little sceptical.

Thanks,
Gavin

You don't need to have a trial, you should just come along to one of our events, chat with the directors and find out more about us.

Our annual dinner is on October 9th at Holiday Inn Royal Victoria. PM for more details.

Our next 'regular' event will be pub of the month, it's held on the last Thursday of every month, so it'll be the 30th October, starts at 6pm but venue changes each month and we let everyone know by email and website, sometimes text too. It's free to attend and is just an informal get together in a social setting. If you would like me to add you to the mailing list, PM me your email address and you can be kept up to date with what's going on.

Once a month we host either a business, community or personal development event too.

Payments can be spread monthly by standing order at £8 per month. A lot of people have their work pay where they are able. Other spread payments. It's whatever is best for you.

I see your point on the God thing but I really have to say in all the time I've been involved no one has ever mentioned anything like that to me! It's all about like minded young professionals meeting up, networking, learning new skills and get involved in things locally.

Please ask if you have any more questions
Thanks
Leanne.

I see your point on the God thing but I really have to say in all the time I've been involved no one has ever mentioned anything like that to me! It's all about like minded young professionals meeting up, networking, learning new skills and get involved in things locally.


Then you really should ditch this page http://www.britishsenate.org.uk/jci.html

Sorry Raggy, as I say, I take your point on it. I can only repeat what I have said before that in my whole time with JCI no one has ever mentioned anything about God to me.

It really is about young professionals wanting to learn and grow and develop their own career by networking and sharing skills with likeminded people.

JCI Sheffield is part of an international organisation with over 200,000 member worldworld. An excellent network to be involved in. Developing essential new skills or brushing up on old ones, networking with peers and striving to reach your full potential can be achieved through JCI Sheffield.

Thanks
Leanne.

Can I just recommend the Business Link... lots of very useful information and tailored to your individual business needs. They also do networking events... many free :-)

I went to a BNI networking event this week, actually I went to 2, one tuesday morning and one on wednesday. They cost me £10 to attend and were very eye opening. In the first meeting I got nearly £1000 worth of work there and then from members interested in what I do. The second meeting wasn't immediately as profitable but I did meet a number of people who expressed a definite interest and I hope to be helping them in the not too distant future.
Compared to some networking events discussed on this thread BNI is definitely at the top end of the market cost wise but a year's worth of membership and attendance was paid for just from my first visit as a guest so basically any work that I would get over the following 12 months would be pure profit! I'm not a member of BNI yet but will be soon. If anyone wants to give it a try for a tenner drop me a PM...you do have to get there early but there's a cooked breakfast thrown in so it makes the early start more tolerable!

I went to a BNI networking event this week, actually I went to 2, one tuesday morning and one on wednesday. They cost me £10 to attend and were very eye opening. In the first meeting I got nearly £1000 worth of work there and then from members interested in what I do. The second meeting wasn't immediately as profitable but I did meet a number of people who expressed a definite interest and I hope to be helping them in the not too distant future.
Compared to some networking events discussed on this thread BNI is definitely at the top end of the market cost wise but a year's worth of membership and attendance was paid for just from my first visit as a guest so basically any work that I would get over the following 12 months would be pure profit! I'm not a member of BNI yet but will be soon. If anyone wants to give it a try for a tenner drop me a PM...you do have to get there early but there's a cooked breakfast thrown in so it makes the early start more tolerable!

It can work but sometimes it is just swapping business cards, after a year I managed to recover the breakfast costs and membership cost but basically was not paid for 100 hours of my time.

Couldn't we just set up a Sheffield Forum networking group, like BNI. I know the informal networking didn't take off, but maybe something a bit more structured without the pressure to deliver leads like BNI.

At the end of the day people help people who they like themselves. If I met a say 'garage convertor' and someone told me they were looking at changing their garage into an office, then I would straight away recommend the person I knew.