THE SOUTHPORT BUSINESS NETWORK
The Southport Business Network is a group
of very different companies from all over Southport, Sefton
& West Lancashire benefiting from a highly effective form
of business networking.
We first came together in June 2006 - since
then we have been demonstrating how businesses you might think
have nothing in common can help each other grow!
Even if you've tried networking schemes before,
you'll be pleasantly surprised with the SBN difference. It's
friendly. It's low-key. It's all about mutual trust & support
and there's no pressure.
Our regular weekly meetings are a relaxed
environment to talk to other business people about common problems,
to catch up on news, to enjoy a breakfast before the hustle
of the day and even do a little business! But not just that,
members will often hold ad-hoc training sessions on their areas
of expertise or host a group exercise on anything from telephone
technique to marketing to speed networking.
Why Network?
Networking is a skill - and like all skills, practice is necessary
to be effective. At SBN we aim to provide a friendly, unpressured
environment in which to get to know members and their businesses.
We try to offer new members hints on what we have found works
best.
We are different
Some network groups expect new members to bring leads immediately,
which we think is unrealistic. When a member really understands
the services offered by other companies, quality referrals and
recommendations naturally follow. No attempt is made to pressure
members for referrals.
Helping each other
With a mixture of training and practice we can ensure that the
whole is greater than the sum of the parts. Each of our businesses
benefits from the process. Consequently we have a portfolio
of businesses which we can confidently recommend to others.
Is it just for big
business?
Certainly not. Our membership includes business ranging from
single owner/operator concerns upto some of Southport's largest
& well known organisations. You'd be surprised, big &
small businesses have a lot in common & face the same problems
so where better to mull over the day-to-day concerns of business
than the friendly get togethers at Southport Business Network.
Isn't networking
just for stuffy middle-aged business men to talk about golf?
Not at all! There's a lot of ladies in the business
world too! Our membership is split pretty much 50/50 between
the sexes and although we do have a few golf fans, it's not
compulsory. Our members span a wide range of ages & interests
so don't worry about 'fitting in'.
Aren't networking
groups simply full of pushy salesmen looking for new leads?
Some are yes. But that's one of the reasons Southport
Business Network formed, we don't like that approach to doing
business. At Southport Business Network, we only have one member
from each type of business.
What sort of breakfast
can I have?
What would you like? We meet every Friday at the Premier Travel
Inn Ocean Plaza, Marine Drive, Southport at 7.15am (In the attached
Brewers Fayre) and make use of their excellent facilities. Continental?
Porridge? Fruit? Full cooked? The choice is yours.
How much does membership
cost?
There's a simple £100 joining fee and then
a monthly subscription to cover the cost of your breakfast.
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Being
new to business - we opened our Kitchen Showroom in October
2007 - the Southport Business Network has offered us a
support network through both the services provided by
other members as well as learning from their experiences
and lessons learned. For us. as abusiness, it has proved
a very
valuable group to be a part of.
I’m
delighted to be a member of SBN. Many members have become
my customers and also provide me with referrals.
whole team.