Business Networking - A day business networking in Berkshire

Last Thursday, 25th September 2008, I was up early to walk the dog as I had a full itinerary and was looking forward to a top day’s networking.

First appointment in the diary was Emmbrook School, Wokingham. An old colleague of mine, Colin Willman, had asked if I would attend a workshop to discuss an IT course. A couple of corporates would be there and it would help him out so I was happy to go along.

I’m driving along Forest Road and I remember Karen’s email about their charity coffee morning at the Farm Cafe, so I popped in and said hello. Met her better half and enjoyed a cup of coffee and a slice of walnut cake. What a great way to start the day. Her hubby was a joiner and decided that he’d rather cook a good fry up in the mornings for people who enjoy real food. So he packed up his old kit bag and pinched a bit of his old man’s garden centre and turned a big old shed into Farm Cafe, the place for the best breakfasts in Berkshire!

I could only stop 10 minutes then off, round the corner to Emmbrook School where around 15 of us sat round a big table and discussed ideas for their up and coming IT Diploma which will count as 7 GCSEs, it’s that good! Offered my two penneth and it did sound like this new way of doing things does have a practical aim and therefore will be of real value to those who opted for it. They will be looking for input from local businesses so if they are a local school to you, say hello to Support Shop, Bracknell on 01344 485111.

I obviously took the opportunity to say hello to everyone and pass my contact details to those who were interested before moving on to Newbury.

I had a 90 minute meeting with Verbatim, the call answering service people. We’ve been working together for a couple of years and it was time to appraise the value to both parties. You have to do this on a regular basis if you are going to make the most of business opportunities each party can offer. Businesses change direction, new bells and whistles are created and unless you communicate to each other, how do you know what is on offer so you can present when the opportunity arises? They’ve done a great job for me over the last few years. Answering my calls with real professionalism, giving me a 1st class first impression, unless of course I turn it off divert and answer the call myself in real time with a, “Hello, you alright mate?” This is OK for those that know us but reinforces “small business” for those with an ego who could well be trying to contact us; we appear all over the web and they may be looking for someone with parity to do business with.

Next up, an hour with Mr Tony Quinn. If you’re from Newbury then you’ve probably met Mr Quinn, if you’re from outside Newbury you’ve probably heard of Quinney, the famous marketing guru. He’s a man of many words that can refine them into a few. A skilled wordsmith, people pay thousands for his thoughts and some earn millions from them! We discussed our relative businesses and our relatives and then he saw me on my way after showing me his wife’s new 350 SL. I drove away feeling as green as my green car !!

Then off to Bracknell for a spot of networking with a few of the regular crew who turned out to support our photographer chums and the ARK; a local charity that is lucky enough to have Linda Webdell as its champion. She does an excellent fund raising job for the ARK as well as helping criminals see the light at Broadmore Prison. It was such a shame the bigger boys didn’t turn out on the night. They may well have done had they been told but hey, a lesson learned.

Since there was no food on I had to get to a source of nourishment quick. Luckily for me my pal Paul Bidwell lives in Bracknell so it was off it his place for diet cheese on crackers and a sliced juicy Spanish tomato. Cheers Paul. We’ll be hearing more from Paul shortly, big veteran’s event next year in Bracknell, just joining a few dots.

Then home to my loving family for a game on PS3 before bed!