In times of economic uncertainty it is important for businesses to take another look at what they do to promote themselves. Networking events are something that have been fairly scarce in Caerphilly in recent years however things have been changing with several new groups being formed and providing a really useful tool for Caerphilly businesses.
Of course most business have heard of the Caerphilly Business Forum, which is run by Caerphilly Council's Econmic Development Department. I have had many dealings with the Forum and have found them to be extremely helpful to new, growing businesses and they also arrange regular networking events based around a variety of themes. For more information visit www.cbforum.co.uk
And there are two larger networking groups that have recently launched in Caerphilly.
4Networking meet for breakfast at the Crossways pub/restaurant at Crossways Park on alternate Fridays from 8am. The Best of Caerphilly are members of 4Networking and in our view the mix of relaxed business and social interaction is very useful. We have already found that this has opened doors for us and enabled us to begin dialogues with several businesses that would otherwise have taken us some time to get in front of.
And yet a newer group is BNI. Again The Best of Caerphilly are members of the Caerphilly Chapter that meet each Wednesdy morning at Bryn Meadows Golf Club. This is a far more structure approach to networking and does require a reasonable amount of committment from businesses that apply to join, however there are few organisations that can prove to have such a significant impact on their members turnovers as BNI.
In supporting Caerphilly businesses The Best of Caerphilly would be delighted to welcome any interested businesses to either of these networking events. Please email me at caerphilly@thebestof.co.uk for more information.