Running a small business can sometimes be rather isolating – especially for those who work from home. We are all so busy with our day to day work that we literally don’t get out much. However, it’s good to talk (as they say) with people in a similar situation – and that is not the only benefit of business networking. Through attending a few networking meetings, we have made some really good contacts, discovered new promotional channels for our guesthouse and got access to some very useful training. Here’s some information about two local networking groups of which we’re members.
Clara Lawrie - who runs the very informative West
Somerset and Exmoor news and events website http://www.aboutmyarea.co.uk/Somerset/Minehead/TA24
- has been the driving force behind West Somerset Means Business, which started
up in 2011 and is going from strength to strength. Local businesspeople meet
once a month over breakfast at the Reading Room in Minehead. There is a
visiting speaker and the opportunity for each person to briefly introduce
themselves and their business to the rest of the group. For more details, and
to book your place at the next breakfast meeting, email Maureen Smith:
rismoch@hotmail.com
If you haven’t yet been to the Reading Room, then
do give it a try. It’s a friendly café with a community ethos (e.g. books and
crafts to buy, local information, internet access and a variety of events and
courses): http://www.aboutmyarea.co.uk/Somerset/Minehead/TA24/Businesses/Cafes-and-Coffee-Shops/The-Reading-Room
Earlier this year, Elke Koessling-Winzer of
CultureLine set up Exmoor4all, which aims – through extensive use of social
media - to promote Exmoor as a wonderful place to visit. Part of this project
is a scheme called the Exmoor Club, offering discounts and special deals across
Exmoor to visitors and local residents alike. More details, including
information on how you can get involved, at http://culturelineuk.wordpress.com/projects/
There are now also regular informal Exmoor4all
TweetUps (i.e. face-to-face meetings of people who have ‘met’ on twitter) for
local businesses, over coffee and biscuits at The Culbone, near Porlock: http://www.theculbone.com/ (a very good
place for a spot of lunch, by the way).
Exmoor has a vibrant business community, supplying
a huge variety of products and services. These kinds of get-togethers (both on
and offline) give us all the opportunity to learn more about what other
businesses do and explore ways we can work together. They are a great way to
bring in new custom for ourselves while supporting other local organisations
and at the same time promoting this beautiful area where we live. Everybody wins!
