Networking perspectives - Business Development Network

With nearly 7 million small and micro businesses in the UK today there is no doubt this represents a hugely important part of our business economy.

Moreover those running these small / micro businesses are much more connected into our communities and spend much more time in the community often working from home or small serviced offices.

There is also a much larger percentage of women involved in these micro businesses too. With the advent of the Internet and the ability to create a business that fits around their lives instead of the other way around, we are seeing the 'business day' slowly but irreversibly being redefined.

What is fascinating though is that with the huge growth in people choosing to 'take the plunge' and start their own business there has not been the comparable growth in support services.

Business Link disappeared almost 7 years ago or so now... that was one place that small businesses could go for at least some support. I have heard many times people mooting its resurrection although a forlorn hope, and perhaps our fond memories deceiving us a little about its real effectiveness.

Nevertheless... Where do people go these days to connect and to obtain some impartial advice, guidance and signposting?

It's a difficult one to answer. We have seen the rise since the early 2000's of alternative business networking options to provide choice other than BNI which began in 1985. The majority are paid for membership networking but there are many that are independent and free ones too which does indicate a real need.

The main challenge still remains however which is that unbiased, impartial advice, guidance, and signposting is still wanting. Because business networking by its very nature is about promoting business, everyone is looking for an opportunity to find those elusive customers in an environment of 'low hanging fruit'. Advice and guidance is available... after a very 'light' assessment (normally short discussions)... but always at a price.

Free networking events are a good development which has meant more people can get out and network but the downside is that people tend to be less committed (it's free so no financial implications for not attending) and consequently it's difficult to build strong relationships, or establish the real capabilities of people.

There is a huge trend these days with the Baby Boomer generation or even those 40+ to escape the 'hamster wheel' of the corporate world. This has probably been exacerbated by the advent of increased connectivity where people are contactable 24/7 which adds further pressure and demands on us all. There are certainly 10's of thousands (if not hundreds) who just want to return to doing what they love, something with some meaning other than just earning money... And bringing back some choices about the direction of their lives... and so...

These people starting on their new adventure have certain characteristics in common :-

1. They have money to invest in their new life (but not a bottomless pit)
2. The need to meet new people, this is a whole new world. Regardless of whether a refugee from corporate (most people we know are in the business we just left) or beginning a whole new exciting venture having been released from full time family commitments
3. Many of these local businesses (and all community groups) provide services to local 'people'. Not local people who are in business, but anyone in the community that could benefit from what we offer. Becoming integrated as part of the local community is vital nowadays.
4. Need to obtain support, signposting and guidance. This is very often the first time they've ever done anything like this. We all need help there is a lot to getting a business off the ground these days, even though it has never been easier to start a business
5. Improve technology skills. There is a real need to both know what technology is available and to be effective with it too! ... There are just not enough hours in a day (one person) or surplus money (to pay others to do everything) so new skills will be needed.
6. Flexibility and openness to new ideas and possibilities... we only know what we know... how can we innovate when we have no idea what is possible

So this presents a real quandary for a large group of people

We need to meet people, pick up a lot of new skills, learn from other people's experience, get support and signposting, run our business and...  find trusted fair suppliers who will work with us.

At the same time... we've got to learn about running a business (where we have to learn what needs doing and take responsibility for it all as well), discover and adopt the right tools for our business... AND... bearing all that in mind... we have time constraints in that we do have to get this to work in a short to medium timescale and... we have to survive with the money we have put aside until it works so we can't keep throwing it at other people...

There is no doubt that there are already places to meet other business owners. Business networking continues to evolve and grow. Although 'cost' is often used as the primary show stopper with traditional networking, this is actually a minor issue.

A criteria offered up for a great networking event is often, one with a large attendance and where there is a great buzz in the room. The more people attending traditionally means more revenue and therefore more sustainable; the buzz provides a 'feel good factor' fix and motivation to ensure that attendance becomes regular. 

In reality this helps the networking group but isn't enough on its own to really help the small / micro business owner move forward. Because most events have a predefined format (script) there is little time at meetings to have really good deep conversations and get to know people. This then requires significant additional 1-1 time (a lot of it it too!) to develop those important relationships.

We need something that works for the business owner

With huge numbers already travelling this path (7 million) pretty much unsupported, and the likelihood many more will be joining them soon (jobs in all sectors are under threat from automation) there is a real need to innovate something new in this arena that works for the Business owner.

What we could do with is almost a self help group of enormous proportions where :-

1. Everyone brings their skills and strengths to the table
2. We come together with a 'go to give' supportive attitude
3. Openmindness to new ideas prevails and creating innovative ways to get things done that don't require us always reaching for our wallets
4. People can meet in a non sales, non pressured environment, where we can be ourselves
5. No expectations placed on anyone to perform, just be part of the solution
6. Wide variety of opportunities to meet at different times and places throughout the month
7. Meetings are a place to do productive, useful business development and get help
8. Not for profit, so focus is on people and relationships not money

A Business Development Network 'evolved networking'

As part of the Link4Growth organisation a whole sector is devoted to bringing together the different elements to provide a holistic solution for business. Link4Business is.... your Business Development Network

Grow your personal community with like minded people. There are plenty of local opportunities to...

1. Meetup, build relationships, connect with your local community (Link4Community)
2. Get help, support, advice, guidance, signposting (Link4Business) ...
3. Develop collaboration skills and ideas (Unions)... 
4. Mentoring and peer support  (OMG - Mentoring) 
5. Grow yourself through learning new skills (Link4Skills), and how to effectively apply technology and online tools to your business. 
6. Take up the chance to develop your leadership skills and grow influence locally (Link4Growth Team)... 
7. Finally... make some incredible new friends...

What's not to like? 

It's a whole new support eco-system that has been created for the 21st century. Focused on enabling every one to follow their passion and succeed... innovate, share what you love and become an important participant in your local community... everyone wins... the best bit? ... We the people own it... it can't be taken from us... put on ice... sold to the highest bidder... this is our chance!

enquiries@uk.link4growth.org   @link4growth   

Peer-2-Peer mentoring now available to all...

There are 6.7 million of us now running small micro businesses with 5 or less employees and the vast majorty of these are solopreneurs; people working by themselves. How so many of us got to running our own businesses is not the subject of this blog, but the fact is there are a very large number of people that are now responsible for their own endeavours, and, more than likely doing it for the first time.

There is a huge amount of inexperience out there and running a business today is probably more complex than it has ever been. Trying to work it all out on your own is almost impossible and can be daunting, isolating, lonely and not to mention very time consuming. How do you know if you are doing things right? Who can you trust to be giving you objective and impartial advice? Who can you share ideas knowing that it stays in the room?

You go to any networking meeting and ask people how they are doing? You'll probably get the answer, "great thanks... could be better, but really busy which is good. How about you?" ... you will probably find yourself answering in the same way. It's not honest or authentic is it? Nor is it accurate most likely. It would be considered bad form though to disclose that there are some real issues... and anyway no one wants to hear your problems do they? So everyone 'pretends they are doing well' and we go away even more miserable because everyone is doing great and yet we know that things are no where near as good as we made them look in the backroom of our own business.

Actually being able to be vulnerable with people, trust them to help us and look out for us when our soft underbelly is exposed is not easy. In fact it takes a great deal of courage, and it needs a different environment to be able to share at this level. It is however, at this very point of vulnerability that we let the magic in. It is at this point when we openly ask for help and support that people respond to our call.

Why is this such a powerful tool?

Imagine 5 other business owners with all their knowledge, experience, expertise and connections... all their life lived so far and their wisdom gained being applied specifically to your challenge. Couple that with a desire to see you succeed and a real willingness to help you move on past your issue. It is powerful stuff, and it is no wonder that 'Peer-2-Peer mentoring groups' or 'Mastermind groups' have been the source of great leaps forward for many people (and businesses) and continue to do so.

It's not a new idea

The idea of Peer-2-Peer mentoring is not new. Bringing like minded people together with all their collective knowledge has been going on for decades. The word Synergy is often used in this context which means "The combined power of a group of people when brought together is greater than the sum of the individuals". With this the inference that with 6 people you effectively get a 7th as the melding of combined minds achieves much more.

We're here to help each other UP!

There is enough business for everyone out there! Link4Business is committed to helping all businesses in our local communities succeed and these Online / Offline Mentoring Groups are another item in the toolbox  :-

• Learn from other people running businesses (and their mistakes)
• Share experience and knowledge
• Fast track through obstacles and challenges
• Accountability
• Ongoing support through a closed G+ community
• Share trusted connections and networks
• Build deep relationships and trust
• All the networking and other benefits of being part of the Link4Growth / Link4Business network

No excuses...

1. Information accessible and available on the website
2. Low cost... Free to Link4Business Members or just join up here for £12 per month
3. Flexible ways to be part of a mentoring group with people you know and respect
4. Deeper levels of connection leading to faster growth, personal and business development

A historic day for Link4Growth 24th March 2016

On the 24th March there were two huge events in the #Link4Growth calendar. The first was the launch of #Link4Business in #Watford (Herts) and the second was the launch of a new country with the first ever #Link4Coffee event north of the border in #Scotland.

The Link4Business in Watford kicked off in a brand new venue, Fresh Shop (a local cafe) downstairs and with 25 booked in promised to be a successful (and very packed) event. With a few casualties on the day around 20 people attended and the team of +Jean Flower +Simon Cox and 2nd speaker +Tania Clarke carried if off beautifully. Thanks to all those that attended to make this a very special launch.

This is the 10th #Link4Business event now running, with #Whittlesey and #Alfreton launching earlier in the month. The popularity and success of Link4Business continues apace. Well done to +Joan Richardson and +Len Harvey for their respective events. Both also hugely successful. Well done +Simon Cox the national lead for #L4B for all his hard work too!

On to #Scotland and it is amazing how things come about. Andrea McGuinness first heard about #Link4Growth via watching a Video Show with +Gerri Riddiough talking as a guest on an American based show. Andrea was instantly taken by the idea of Link4Growth and then followed a relentless pursuit to find out more... eventually this detective work was to lead to +Nikki Pepper and the rest as they say is history... until the 24th March.

Andrea had prepared the ground well and 28 people turned up to find out more about this idea of community building. There is an appetite for change in Scotland and Link4Growth is something that everyone can get involved in. Almost without exception the attendees not only marveled at both the simplicity of just turning up and having a conversation, but also, how much they learned about what was going on around them that they didn't know about.

There is very little going on in our communities to bring people together without any other agenda these days. Yes Fayres and other charity events exist but they have an agenda often to raise money... but nothing to just enable people to talk and get to know each other... meet, talk, listen, learn, connect, share and inspire... well here it is... it's called Link4Growth. Welcome to a world of conversation... it just came back... please do come along to something near you... and if there isn't anything... then start something... the time is now... let's take action! Together we really can change the world... one conversation at a time...

Thank you so much to the Moorparkhouse Hotel who not only provided the venue but all the teas and coffees too!

The 1st ever Link4Growth Conference 8th January 2016

The 1st ever Link4Growth Conference took place on the 8th January 2016. The venue was the amazing Missenden Abbey in Buckinghamshire and brought the Link4Growth family together for the first time. A historic moment and one that many of us will remember as the day that connected people in the flesh who had previously only known each other virtually.

It is incredibly difficult to single out individual performances and comments fed back through January confirmed this as one of the most inspirational collaborative events people had attended. Link4Growth has indeed come a long way since its initial launch on January 9th 2012; nearly 4 years to the day.

Below some of the highlights... links to picture albums, the live video feeds of the 8 speakers on the day and also the 6 Laminates which will help us to visually explain the different aspects of Link4Growth going forward.

Photo's from the day

Picture Album No. 1 - Credit to +Mark Mountford
Picture Album No. 2 - Credit to +Diane Richardson +Catherine Baldwin & +Jonathan s Darby

Live Video feeds of the 8 Speakers on the day

+Paul Violet  ~ Opening the conference

+Emma Jaynes  ~ Community

+Chris Ogle  ~ CKi (Community Kickstarter initiative)

+Su Ball  ~ Link4Business

+Jeremy Silverstone  ~ OMG's (Online Mentoring Groups)

+Carol Dodsley  ~ Link4Skills

+Diane Richardson  ~ L4G.tv

Chris Ogle ~ Leadership Programme

+Nadine Standish  ~ BITC (Collaboration)

Chris Ogle ~ New Laminates

+Tania Clarke  ~ Taking Responsibility

Chris Ogle ~ Recognition

Chris Ogle ~ Closing Address


Link4Growth Laminates

All the Laminates can be found here... 

A fabulous day had by all... thank you to everyone that supported the event... it was a memorable day for us all.

How can small businesses be a catalyst for big changes?

Many of us already know that the sole trader, micro and small business community is where we must look for the changes in our fortunes. This is on a personal level, local community level and a national level too.

There are often clamours for more support for the small business, changes in legislation and tax breaks for those taking the risk of setting up a business and often going it alone. Makes sense doesn't it? If we're going to dig ourselves out of the hole we are in, then encouraging the small business with incentives will help them grow, it will drive employment up and make a massive difference.

But... and it is a big but... The government (or local councils for that matter) neither have the resources nor the inclination to favour those who choose to be in business any more than they do now. If you choose to be in business, then there are the rules and good luck is about as much support as you are going to get, look what happened to Business Link! Nope, you are an enterprising bunch you entrepreneurs don't look to the government for help or inspiration... They chose working in the civil service!

... plus... It is a known fact, entrepreneurs in general will look at all other possibilities before taking on staff as a last resort. If you are self employed with a skill (doing something you love) you might just get hired for projects as a supplier though... A glimpse into the future there...

So... What is a good way forward for self help for a small local business?

We are all part of the local community in which we live whether we choose to run a business or not, and if you are in business it's great to be able to meet others also in business. But you know what? 70% of what goes on in the community is nothing really to do with local business and herein lies a huge problem. Business and community are undeniably linked very closely, and yet there is virtually no mechanism for business and community to engage on a regular recurring basis.

One concept to bring business and community together was corporate social responsibility (using CSR here on in). The concept was introduced mainly for large corporations in an effort to encourage them to give back to the community in return for the vast profits they extract from us. With a few exceptions this has largely been adopted in a kind of 'lip service', 'tick in the box' way, with schemes that represent a fraction of what they could do. Almost nuisance projects, allowing them to legitimately record them into their annual reports demonstrating how they are giving back to community. The tangible signs of these projects however, are far and few between.

Asking large corporates and shareholders to 'donate' their profits to community voluntarily was always going to be an uphill battle. Perhaps the concept of helping out with the local community ought to have been directed elsewhere... at a different audience.

And here is one solution. What if we could create a way to bring business and the community together? What if local businesses (sole traders, micro and small businesses) could engage easily with local charities and social organisations and find ways to help out? If local business people started to take a keen interest in local community issues (and contribute) their reputation would grow rapidly, as would the respect of those in the community.

When respect and reputation go before you, so do recommendations and referrals. People refer people they like, but if you are a giver too? Go straight to the top of the referrer board! By raising your profile through community engagement local businesses are effectively delivering CSR not necessarily through monetary donations, but through interaction and time.

Link4Growth is about to launch Link4Business, a place where local businesses can meet together, to get connected, find suppliers, share tips and tricks, knowledge and expertise... But couple this with the community events, we provide a fast track route for businesses to learn about the community needs around them, and play an essential role in rebuilding our communities.

With local small businesses leading the way, helping to rebuild our local communities, taking an increasing share of business from the multiples perhaps corporates will begin to learn the message of CSR. It would appear the only time big business listens is when something affects negatively the bottom line.