Current Issue: Autumn 2008
Swans Flock to Business Club North East Ltd
Swans (North East) is a new networking group supporting ‘women into enterprise’ across the region. Launched in February 2008,and now a member of Business Clubs North East Ltd, Swans is becoming one of the region’s key networking organisations for women and men who support the development of women in the workplace.
The central philosophy of Swans is to work with women to “inspire – nurture – grow” their businesses and careers. Member businesses are classified into three stages – egg, cygnet and swan. Working with pre-start businesses (egg), Swans will support, train and mentor members to help them clarify their business ideas and establish viable business plans and procedures. Newly hatched businesses (cygnet) will receive ongoing support, advice, guidance and mentoring from experienced members during their first two years of trading. Established businesses (swan) will support each other to develop and grow their businesses and brands.
Swans meets from 6.30pm – 9.30pm on the last Thursday of each month for a formal networking event. These events are currently held at The Holiday Inn, Seaton Burn, and plans are in place to include additional venues in coming months to widen the geographical footprint and increase opportunities for businesses from further afield. These events are well attended and always provide a good mix of guest presenters, relevant business topics and practical ‘fun’ activities. In addition to the monthly networking meetings, Swans offers members a comprehensive package of training and practical problem-solving masterclasses at discounted rates. By September 2008, Swans will be an approved ILM (Institute of Leadership & Management) Centre able to offer Business and Enterprise Awards to its members and other local businesses.
Swans is committed to working in partnership with other local and regional organisations to further the advancement of women in enterprise. Involvement in initiatives such as Enterprise Week, and the national ‘Make your Mark’ Campaign, will encourage local communities to engage with Swans members and raise the profile of women across the region.
Further information – www.swansnortheast.co.uk
Who inspired your small business
Horsesmouth.co.uk and Yell want to find out who are the people that inspire and help the small businesses of today, and award the best mentor with £1,000 cash and private mentoring.
The Yell Small Business Mentor of the Year Award needs entries about inspirational mentors, who can either be formal mentors or supportive colleagues, peers, family, or even helpful strangers, like those on the horsesmouth social networking site.
The judging will be based on the horsesmouth 'M-Factor' - a combination of three key attributes they identified as being key to successful mentoringrelationships: friendliness, helpfulness and timeliness.
Apart from the cash, the winning mentor will receive a private mentoring breakfast with a business hero of their choice. Potential 'Prize Mentors' supporting the award include Dame Mary Perkins, founder of Specsavers and Sahar Sashimi co-founder of Coffee Republic. Dame Mary is offering to fly the winner to Guernsey for a day for a tour of her head office and a personal mentoring session.
The Yell Small Business Mentor of the Year Award follows the January launch of horsesmouth.co.uk, an online social network which enables users to profile their experiences, publish their stories and mentor each other one-on-one in a safe, hosted online environment. This award is part of a wider joint initiative called the Yell Mentoring Works Awards.
To nominate a mentor, small business owners and managers should log onto www.horsesmouth.co.uk and complete the entry form.
Networking Works
Networking is a powerful means of building up valuable relationships, which in turn, helps your business to grow. This is why membership of organisations such as the Durham Business Club is crucial to the success of your business.
Durham Business Club runs a host of networking events which enable companies large and small to find out more about each other. Most of the suppliers you will ever need to help your business thrive can be sourced at DBC and you are one of them!
But building a business through networking requires the same degree of thought, planning and commitment as you apply to your finances, employees, business services and IT systems.
Networking is not a quick fix to win badly needed sales. It requires long term planning and needs to be well thought through otherwise it will simply “not work”. Good networking helps firms to meet potential customers and suppliers, share knowledge and build associations and partnerships. It is an important marketing tool in terms of raising your company profile.
There are a world of opportunities outside of the comfort zone of the office and these need to be explored. You need to start with a purpose, identify who you need to network with and select the events that suit your purpose.
And before you attend any event, give some thought to your networking style, your image and how people see and relate to you. Successful networking is about connecting with people and sharing information and contacts.
Make good use of the organisers or “hosts” and get them to introduce you to someone you want to meet.
And bear in mind that first impressions count. Be friendly, smile and be prepared to listen to people. Encourage them to talk and show an interest in what they have to say. They in turn will take an interest in you.
Always remember your business cards and don’t be tempted to spend too much time with one person – move around the room and build other contacts.
And most importantly, always leave people with a good impression so when you walk away so they will want to do business with you.
Remember “a wise man knows everything; a shrewd one everybody”
Emanuel Spence Ltd
Emanuel Spence Ltd is committed to providing a range of renewable energy options to reduce your fuel bill and carbon foot print.
Emanuel Spence have invested over thirty thousand pounds in their own in house training for their staff and so our Customers may visit and see exactly how Solar, under floor and renewable energy systems work. All the office hot water is heated by solar power.
www.emanuelspence.co.uk
This issue of Your Business Magazine is sponsored by BLP Law.