Where to network in Uckfield
Networking is a great way to do business.
You work with people you know – people who share a similar outlook on business life to you, writes Paul Watson.
It’s nothing new, of course. There used to be the “old boy network” with men talking business in smoky bars over a drink.
Modern businesses have swept that away and a much more formal way of networking is in place.
The usual system is that the group meets on a regular basis to exchange business leads and referrals with fellow members.
Group members will also meet on a one-to-one basis to build relationships.
Uckfield has a range of networking organisations both formal and informal. They include:
The Uckfield Lunch Club which meets on the last Friday of the month at Luna in Uckfield High Street.
Between 20 and 40 people from local businesses gather informally to exchange news and ideas and new members are welcome.
Laura Manton, partner at Dawson Hart said: "Our members have found that the lunches are an excellent way to bring them new clients and to discuss issues affecting all of our businesses in an informal and enjoyable environment."
Business Networking International Uckfield has the philosophy of all BNI groups – Givers Gain: If you give me business I will want to give you business.
The Uckfield group – now numbering 37 members - holds a breakfast meeting every Wednesday at East Sussex National Golf Resort and Spa, Little Horsted.
A priority for the BNI is to encourage members not only to do business with each other but also to hand on third-party referrals to other members.
A former chapter director, Greg Penfold, said a key factor in the BNI successes was the trust between members.
This was built at the informal networking before the formal meeting gets under way and at separate “one-to-ones”.
In this way people came to understand one another’s businesses and felt secure in passing referrals to them.
“Each person in the group has their own circle of friends, business partners etc so third-party referrals will be in the majority,” he said.
Another group on the networking scene in Uckfield is Ladies that Latte.
They meet every six weeks or so for coffee at different venues in the town.
Helen Toole said the group came together when a number of businesswomen were at a function and thought it would be a good idea to get together to chat through issues.
“We don’t meet early in the morning because that is not very woman friendly because of children and we don’t meet in the evening for the same reason.
“We limit it to one hour for coffee. We only each do a one-minute presentation if we have a visitor. Normally we talk through the issues and then one person does a 20-minute presentation on their business,” she said.
Discussion topics at a meeting range from finding new business premises, employee issues and, of course, referrals.
The group is independent, has no subscriptions – you just pay for your coffee.
Helen said: “It seems to work very well. I find it a great support.”
The “grand-daddy” of business groups is Uckfield Chamber of Commerce.
Its role is slightly different to the BNI, Uckfield Lunch Club and Ladies who Latte but networking is a high priority for members.
The Chamber has grown greatly in recent years and has 210 members.
It is very much a case of “if you are in business in the Uckfield area, you just have to be a member”.
Secretary Ian Blackaller said: “The real reason we have so many members is the chance to network. One complaint, if it is a complaint, is that there is not enough time to network at meetings. Networking is the crux of it.”
He said the Uckfield Chamber was probably unusual in that it has more members in the field of businesses and trades than it does high street shops.
“We would like to get some more shops in,” Ian added.
The Chamber does much to support commerce in the town by working proactively with the town, district and county councils to maintain free parking, minimising the impact of roadworks and monitoring retail planning applications.
Every two months there is a full members’ meeting at an attractive local venue.
New members are invited to give a short presentation on their business at members’ meetings (which normally attract about 100 guests) Uckfield Chamber of Commerce is now the third largest in the whole of Sussex.
To extend your networking outside Uckfield you might like to visit Professional Networking. (Click on the link to see their Uckfield News directory listing).
This membership group meets fortnightly over a buffet lunch on Wednesdays at the Boship Farm Hotel, Lower Dicker.
The aim is for members to pass business referrals, discuss, in open forum and in confidence, topical issues, hear new ideas, listen to colleagues' needs and concerns, and have the opportunity to present their own business to the group.
Contacts:
Uckfield Lunch Club: Paula Geear - 01825 762281 or email pg@dawson-hart.co.uk
Ladies that Latte: Helen Toole – 01825 765077
Uckfield BNI: Matt Bigwood – 01435 813044
Uckfield Chamber of Commerce: Ian Blackaller – 01825 722607
Professional Networking: 01323 739183
News in Brief
• The Really Useful Business Show is at the Brighton Centre on October 13. Key speaker Digby Jones is a former government minister and director of the CBI.
• Property manager Will Miles is back behind his desk at Miles Property Management in Halland after the adventure of a lifetime. Read more here.
(Added to site Wednesday, September 30th, 2009)
