Historically, St Albans and its local business owners have enjoyed an enviable array of business to business networking opportunities.
Currently the city plays host to [amongst many many others] the currently most successful ‘BNI’ Chapter in the UK, the fantastically friendly and FREE ‘St Albans Networking Group’, the well-connected and professionally hosted ‘Business Club West Herts’ and the inspirational ‘Business Wealth Club St Albans’.
These are just a few that I have been fortunate enough to attend. There is not a week that goes by without over a hundred eager business men and women getting up at the crack of dawn, and meeting to share their week’s activities and some freshly gained pearls of wisdom with one another. A special mention to Viva Business Networking who won the FSB Hertfordshire Networking Business of the Year Award this year.
What recession?
Many business owners maintain that networking represents THE most efficient way to showcase their businesses, and most importantly – the people behind their name or brand. It appears that if you are genuinely serious about connecting with local businesses to share experiences – this is a mighty weapon to your marketing arsenal. [See article in the Telegraph here]
So why is it that a large portion of us still shift nervously at the very mention of the word networking? Our palms begin to sweat; our mouth dries and the excuses not to join in follow on quickly.
There is a good reason. It is natural to hide from our fears.
Recently I [Google] researched a cross section of polls on the internet to determine what it is that we most fear. I tried to focus my attention on the UK. For your amusement though, I found that Hobbits from TRR Tolkien’s Middle Earth fear starvation more than death itself, and apparently dogs do fear baths. That’s a good reason to only own small dogs right there!
Anyway, as it turns out, always in the top 5 [and most frequently at position 2], nestled lovingly between phobias such as fear of snakes, death and flying, was the phobia of social interaction. Topping the list of these social anxieties was of course public speaking, a phobia that I am well acquainted with.
The horrible reality of networking is that [you guessed it], in order to reveal to our piers and our customers how cool, sincere and useful we are – we have to turn up in person and make polite chit-chat.
Interestingly, amongst the other social phobias listed were the fear of rejection, fear of crowds and the hellish fear of failure. In one particular online poll, all 4 social phobias appeared in the same top 10 list!
So why do we put ourselves through this agony?
Well, to put it simply, it appears that business owners are really interested in results, and ultimately their bottom lines. So business networking quickly evolves into the following value propositions;
Can it be possible that in our efforts to associate with other business men and women, that we are losing a really important aspect of connecting with people? Which is to have fun whilst doing it?!
Therefore it seems fitting that in the historic surroundings of St Albans, where it is said that the very first English pub was opened in the 11th century [Ye Olde Fighting Cocks] – that it is once again at the very heart of a ground-breaking way to bring the local business community together.
An Afternoon in the Pub. It is as simple as that. Turn up at the chosen venue, order a drink and have a chat with someone.
At each of these meet-ups the free transfer of knowledge is encouraged, with a special emphasis on the organisers expert skill sets of social networking, marketing and SEO.
As the reach of social media platforms such as Twitter, Google+, Facebook, blogging and LinkedIn become ever more pervasive in our personal and business worlds, these pub meet-ups represent a refreshing way to dips ones toes in the primordial soup of creative marketing.
So if you have a spare few hours in the afternoon at the end of the month, and have a burning question or two about how you can utilise the newfangled marketing magic of social media, to help you engage with your customers – then my personal recommendation is to pop over and give it a try.
It’s free, it’s friendly and most importantly, there’s lots to learn.
What recession?
Many business owners maintain that networking represents THE most efficient way to showcase their businesses, and most importantly – the people behind their name or brand. It appears that if you are genuinely serious about connecting with local businesses to share experiences – this is a mighty weapon to your marketing arsenal. [See article in the Telegraph here]
So why is it that a large portion of us still shift nervously at the very mention of the word networking? Our palms begin to sweat; our mouth dries and the excuses not to join in follow on quickly.
There is a good reason. It is natural to hide from our fears.
Recently I [Google] researched a cross section of polls on the internet to determine what it is that we most fear. I tried to focus my attention on the UK. For your amusement though, I found that Hobbits from TRR Tolkien’s Middle Earth fear starvation more than death itself, and apparently dogs do fear baths. That’s a good reason to only own small dogs right there!
Anyway, as it turns out, always in the top 5 [and most frequently at position 2], nestled lovingly between phobias such as fear of snakes, death and flying, was the phobia of social interaction. Topping the list of these social anxieties was of course public speaking, a phobia that I am well acquainted with.
The horrible reality of networking is that [you guessed it], in order to reveal to our piers and our customers how cool, sincere and useful we are – we have to turn up in person and make polite chit-chat.
Interestingly, amongst the other social phobias listed were the fear of rejection, fear of crowds and the hellish fear of failure. In one particular online poll, all 4 social phobias appeared in the same top 10 list!
So why do we put ourselves through this agony?
Well, to put it simply, it appears that business owners are really interested in results, and ultimately their bottom lines. So business networking quickly evolves into the following value propositions;
- A system to generate referrals for its members [raw business opportunities].
- A place to learn and grow [mentoring, training, academies].
- Philanthropy [raising awareness for charitable foundations].
- Or worst of all, a hunting ground which attracts the aggressive sales tactics of business hardened networkers.
Can it be possible that in our efforts to associate with other business men and women, that we are losing a really important aspect of connecting with people? Which is to have fun whilst doing it?!
Therefore it seems fitting that in the historic surroundings of St Albans, where it is said that the very first English pub was opened in the 11th century [Ye Olde Fighting Cocks] – that it is once again at the very heart of a ground-breaking way to bring the local business community together.
An Afternoon in the Pub. It is as simple as that. Turn up at the chosen venue, order a drink and have a chat with someone.
At each of these meet-ups the free transfer of knowledge is encouraged, with a special emphasis on the organisers expert skill sets of social networking, marketing and SEO.
As the reach of social media platforms such as Twitter, Google+, Facebook, blogging and LinkedIn become ever more pervasive in our personal and business worlds, these pub meet-ups represent a refreshing way to dips ones toes in the primordial soup of creative marketing.
So if you have a spare few hours in the afternoon at the end of the month, and have a burning question or two about how you can utilise the newfangled marketing magic of social media, to help you engage with your customers – then my personal recommendation is to pop over and give it a try.
It’s free, it’s friendly and most importantly, there’s lots to learn.
SPECIAL UPDATE! Please take a look at this link. The Afternoon in the Pub crew have organised a BBQ at the White Hart Tap pub in St Albans [follow them on twitter here] this Friday 13th! [from 2pm] FREE FOOD! Oh, and chats. FREE chats too.
...local public service announcement over...
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