Business Networking

Different Kinds of Networks

There are many types of networks. Often they set joining criteria to take members with common attitudes or requirements, eg size of business, professional background.

You could establish links through:

• Education and research organisations - to explore development initiatives and to access studies or research into products, markets, customer preferences, best practice etc. See which organisations participate in networking on the Higher Education and Research Opportunities (HERO) website.
• Learning networks - managers and other employees can attend training and development activities tailored to their responsibilities, keep up-to-date with best practice and current thinking, and hear from high-profile speakers, researchers. Approach relevant trade associations and industry bodies and ask them about their seminars and events. Organisations like the Confederation of British Industry and the Institute of Directors also hold regular networking and educational events.
• Trade development opportunities, access telephone or online helplines, and factsheets, or for information on latest management thinking visit the Institute of Directors website.
• Employers' federations, eg the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), for support and best practice on employment issues and to lobby for/against proposed changes to law and regulation visit the FSB website.
• Regional/local organisations, eg Chambers of Commerce, for advice, support and local news. For details of regional and local organisations visit the Chamber Online website.
• Business groups, eg the CBI, to represent business people, professionals and their interests. Find business groups at the Confederation of British Industry website.
• Community organisations - action groups representing local, ethnic or social interests. Find community organisations at the Business in the Community website.

There are various forms of networking:

• organised meetings/conferences - structured ways of networking
• e-based discussion and debate - coordinated on many websites
• business trips - sponsored by a relevant trade organisation or similar can provide a coordinated way of establishing foreign contacts and learning about overseas markets
• social events - an informal way to meet people with a common purpose for attending
• survey and focus groups - allow you to meet fellow-contributors and the organisers