Archive for August, 2010

Bristol networking events pays recognition to best connectors of the year

Sunday, August 8th, 2010

Only Connect, Bristol’s largest business networking group, held its latest networking event last Friday at The Berkeley Square Hotel in Clifton, bringing together around 400 guests and awarding two regular attendees with the Only Connect Connecter of the Year award.

Launched 2 and a half years ago by journalist Jamie Breese, Only Connect has held around 15 evening events attracting a sizeable amount of guests, often including celebrities such as author Martin Shervington and comedian Justin Lee Collins.

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How to train your Dragon

Saturday, August 7th, 2010

Dragons’ Den has returned to our screens for another new series and so far, it’s been a pretty interesting ride – more of the same however, but I suppose that’s what people love. Ill-prepared entrepreneurs, outraged dragons and bizarre inventions add up to an enjoyable, if somewhat predictable, programme.

However, throughout the series, through all the companies failing to gain an investment, a common complaint is: “You don’t know your industry / you haven’t looked at the competition”, which begs the question: Why haven’t these entrepreneurs attended networking events?

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Belfast sports tournament has potential to become business networking event

Friday, August 6th, 2010

A sporting event called the Belfast Basketball Classic is taking place for the first time in Belfast and could have  the potential to become an international institution. It is hoped that this will help bring together businesspeople from around the world and give them an energetic and friendly environment in which to network.

The event also aims to attract a great deal of tourism, further boosting businesses in the area and increasing opportunities for networking. It is being hosted by USNI Sport, an organisation dedicated to improving economic relations between Northern Ireland and America, who are promoting the event in a progressive and positive manner.

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Business at breakfast or networking at night?

Thursday, August 5th, 2010

You might have noticed a common trend that networking events are only available at certain times – namely evening or first thing in the morning. Logically, this is so that businesspeople do not miss out on their working day and can allow themselves a few hours without thinking of business.

However, which time is best for effective networking and the all-important follow-up process?

First, let’s look at the pro’s and con’s of each:

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Sheffield Entrepreneur Festival to be headlined by former Dragon

Wednesday, August 4th, 2010

The MADE Entrepreneur Festival taking place in Sheffield this September 8-11 will be headlined by Doug Richards, a former dragon from BBC’s Dragons’ Den, who will be advising attendees on effective business operation and the best way to achieve growth.

Held in Sheffield, Yorkshire and sponsored by O2, the MADE festival brings together a number of entrepreneurs and SME owners from all over the UK to one location where they can network with each other, as well as attend talks and receive teaching tips.

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Brighton businesses hope to break world record for largest-ever UK speed networking event

Tuesday, August 3rd, 2010

Sussex businesses are to team together to take part in the largest-ever speed networking event in the UK after receiving the go-ahead from the Guinness Book of Records who will also be in attendance that night.

The event will take place this September in the Hilton Metropole, Brighton and is expected to attract up to 250 businesses, all of whom can take a significant benefit from the exciting atmosphere and numerous amount of networking opportunities.

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CSA & DBSG to hold networking events at annual conference

Monday, August 2nd, 2010

In September, more than 250 delegates are expected to attend a CSA & DBSG networking event that will bring together an array of notable speakers, such as Michael Wilson, former Sky News Business Editor; and Chief Ombudsman Natalie Ceeney.

The theme of this networking event is to advise sellers and provide them with a venue and outlet to discuss key challenges within the industry, such as how to time selling for full effectiveness. Chairman of DBSG, Leigh Berkley, said, “The market is clearly beginning to thaw and timing is fast becoming a major issue.”

The event will also focus on developing the business and becoming a leader, as well as developing systems, structures and compliance approaches.

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Anglesey businesspeople offered unique opportunity to network with a talent contest

Sunday, August 1st, 2010

In a similar format to BBC’s Dragons’ Den, businesses in Anglesey, Wales, will have the chance to show their entrepreneurial and presentational skills, as part of the first Anglesey Business Week, which runs from September 20th to 24th.

Named ‘Anglesey’s Got Talent’, entrants will be required to make a presentation lasting 15 minutes to a panel of business experts, who will then judge and advise them. The best business idea and entrepreneur will win a £1,000 package of mentoring, support and advice, sponsored by the Xenos Wales Business Angel Network.

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