[cherylstephens]

Are there any entrepreneurial or business types in Sheffield who are interested in getting a business network going that is free to join and will allow them to bounce ideas around, discuss local business development in general and maybe showcase they're products? I'm thinking of something far less formal than the Chamber of Commerce where we could meet say, once a month? If anyone is interested or wants to get involved I'd be please to hear your comments or suggestions!

Possibly. I've been to networking meetings in the past and found them of little use but then that's probably down to their format, which if you're in at the beginning you can set yourself

[Malaika]

It's an interesting idea but I suppose it realy depends on who gets involved. A self employed support network type thing could be a good way to start it.
I don't know much about networking, I only know about the little fish in a big pond feeling of being on your own with a good idea and needing help. In my experience looking for financial help etc in business means that people dont really look at your idea. They want to put in alot of money for a big return. I always thought that maybe a true 'Buisness Angel' was someone who talked to you and your enthusiasm and knowledge of an idea and helped you out as much as doing it for their own financial gain. This sadly is not the case, I'm sure there could well be people out there but where do the people with the ideas find the people with the investement and the belief in you? The problem is how on earth do you find them and they meet you? Could this be what networking is about?

[Moon Maiden]

sort of - I guess. It is also I think a way of businesses helping each other out.

For example - I am a specialist shop and I am funded by the Princes Trust. I was cutting it fine getting money from the Trust to make it for my opening day. SO one of my suppliers contacted other shops in my genre and asked if they could help any.

Initially the agreement was they would buy my stock in on my behalf and I would pay them the money as soon as the funding cheque cleared. But instead the sheque got here elarlier and we now swop stock and advise each other on the best selling items and market trends.

I would be up for it.

Moon Maiden

[owdlad]

Has anything ever been done about this idea?

[JoeP]

Last years half a dozen of us met up a couple of times to try and get something like this up and running, but generally it fizzled out.

[Classic Rock]

The Devonshire Quarter have a traders association.

[Jess22]

Business Link do free networking events. Does anyone know of any others?

[kingius]

Id be interested in something like this, Im a freelance software developer and it could be mutually beneficial.