BLAB: Best Practice For Meetings

Organising and managing your time around meetings. (A few technical glitches but hopefully you get the gist and a few useful tips).

Charity cycle ride from Brighton to Paris for the Blind Veterans.

Unlocking the UK's Daily Savings Time (Workfront.com)

Additional tips for meetings:

• Always late for meetings?
• Bad habit - cancelling meetings at short notice.
• How to manage your meetings.

Get in touch if you want to chat about your own challenges and issues.

No Shows And Missed Meetings

Now I know life gets in the way and we can't always allow for the unexpected.

It's frustrating when people take the time and effort to book, register or sign-up for sessions, seminars and workshops and just don't turn up. Whether it's free or they've paid upfront.

You're left wondering what happened. How long to wait before you give up or go and do something else.

What is it? Disorganisation, poor planning or over commitment?

What would make you miss an appointment, you've committed to, whether it was intentional or not?

When you make arrangements to meet someone or be somewhere - other people have made time in their day for you.

If you need to change your plans, let them know at the first and earliest opportunity. People will understand, sometimes it's unavoidable or you have a genuine reason for not showing up or missing a meeting.

Be honest. Respect their time so they can make other arrangements, change bookings, make adjustments or have time to do something else.

There's no excuse for not turning up and not letting someone know?

Do you find you're always saying yes to things and then for whatever reason you're not able to attend or have to let people down at the last minute? Or perhaps you simply forget because it's not written down or you just have too much on. It happens.

Be more realistic with your time. Plan ahead. Don't say "yes" or agree to a meeting when what you actually mean is "probably not". Better to make a tentative arrangement and confirm nearer the time than over commit or double book.

Don't get a reputation for being dis-organised or unreliable.

Networking Tips: #40 So you want to start a networking group?

Are you thinking about starting up a networking group?

Don't!

Not unless you're prepared to put in the time and effort to make it successful.

Many people start a networking group thinking it will give them a ready made audience for their products and services.

This is rarely the case.  They will see you as the 'meeting organiser' and while you're busy running the group, meeting and greeting, writing out name badges, you don't actually get much time to network.  People are busy chatting to everyone else but you.

Even if it's a free event and you do a minimum amount of 'running the meeting', you still need to send out emails and updates, advertise the group, find new people to come along, get the meeting venue ready, follow-up afterwards etc.

Running a networking group can take up as much time as running your own business.  I've spoken to several meeting organisers who've realised this and then given up after a couple of years.

I had to regularly update my list of local and national groups with all the new groups that were and still are starting up each year and removing those that were no longer active.

If you want to start your own networking group - you need to think:

• What's your objective for running a networking group?
• How much time and effort will you able to give it?
• Who's your target audience - for the network, for your business?
• Where and how often will you hold the meetings?
• Will it be a business or social group?

If you want to run it as a business in it's own right and make money from it, that's one thing but you might find you've bitten off more than you can manage trying to run it alongside your existing business.

Image courtesy of [Ambro] at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Bad habit: cancelling meetings at short notice

I recently had a meeting cancelled on me at short notice. Usually this isn't a problem but unfortunately I was already on my way travelling up to London, so only found out when I got there after a two and a half hour journey. 

Two attendees had phoned at very short notice (two hours before the meeting was due to start) making our objective for all of us to meet face to face for the first meeting of the year fairly redundant.

Another person was in a similar position having also travelled in to London. 

There will always be unexpected or unplanned events or reasons for short notice cancellation - sickness, family, accidents, unavoidable traffic or travel delays.

When you agree to attend a meeting you're committing your time and the time of others.  You set an expectation that you will be there.  Respect other people's time.

If you have to cancel - give plenty of notice.  Just because you don't have far to travel, isn’t always the case for everyone.

Don't commit to a meeting you know you won't be able to make.  Too many times people say 'yes' and agree to a meeting without really thinking it through.  Only realising too late that they have another meeting immediately before or after, they have other commitments at that time, they're working on a project so won't be able to attend. 

If something else comes up - say you're already committed.

Look ahead. If you thought you'd be able to make it when the meeting was first booked but then realise that you have other commitments or other priorities come up - rearrange ... in good time.

If your disorganisation, lack of planning or overcommitment means you can't make the meeting - make sure it doesn't happen again.

How would you feel if you turned up for a meeting and found it had been cancelled but no one had let you know?

On the plus side - I was able to write a couple of articles and respond to a few emails on the train journey there and back. 

If you'd like to address some of your time habits - take a look at the 90-Day Habit Mastery Programme.

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Networking Tips: #39 Networking types

A light-hearted definition of some of the 'types' of people you're likely to meet at networking events.

The wallflower - doesn't really know anyone and this may be their first time networking.  Hides in the corner or skirts around the edge of the room, trying to avoid making eye contact.  If you see them invite them to join you, make them feel welcome, don't leave them standing on their own.

The socialite - seems to know everyone in the room and are usually more than happy to introduce you to people they know.  Good people to connect with at networking events, especially if you're new to networking or new to the group.  Some can be a bit aloof if you're not part of their 'crowd'.

The meerkat - constantly looking over your shoulder or glancing around the room to find someone more interesting to talk to.  Or that's the way you feel.  Perhaps they're just looking out for a friend or colleague who's yet to arrive.

The gannet - they're only there for the food (or drink).  You'll find them hovering around the buffet table or the bar - best place to find them if you want to engage any of them in conversation.  Sometimes they only turn up for the food and refreshments, hardly talk to anyone and quickly disappear having eaten their fill.

The seagull networker - you may have heard of the seagull manager, the seagull networker is similar.  They fly in, rush around the room, handing out their business cards or leaflets, they make a lot of noise talking AT you and then move on the next victim person, without showing the slightest interest in what you do.

The techie - firmly attached to their smartphone or tablet and probably more interested in that than in having a conversation with the real life people in front of them.  They may be seated at a table tapping away or spend most of their time on the phone outside or on the edge of the room.  Technology has it's place but at least pay attention to where you are and who you're with.

The groupies - they're from the same company and spend most of their time talking to each other.  They sit together and don't take advantage of spreading their resources and talking to twice as many people. 

Can you recognise some of these and what other types have you spotted?

Wallflower (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Always late for meetings? Missing appointments?

Being late for a meeting or missing an appointment isn't just an indicator that you're not good at managing your time, it also shows a certain disregard for the person or people you're meeting.

They've made time for you in their day.  They've turned up on time (hopefully).  They may even have altered or moved other appointments to fit around you.

It's an inconvenience to them and it makes you feel guilty, frustrated or just stressed out.

Respect their time and yours by making sure you turn up on time for your meetings.

If you are going to be late or can't make it, let them know - with as much notice as possible.

Most common reasons for missing meetings and appointments:

- Not putting it in your diary - write it down, put it in your scheduler.  Set a reminder.
- Not leaving enough time to get to the meeting - always aim to arrive early and allow extra time for delays and hold-ups.
- Not knowing where you're going - check it out before you get there.  Google maps and Streetview are very useful.

If someone cancels on you - you might enjoy the extra time you now have available.  You've gained an hour or two of your time.  Make the most of it.

What does a missed appointment mean to you?  Inconvenience, frustration, wasted time?

How much do late, missed or no-shows cost you and your business?  Do you ever charge for missed appointments?

Get in touch for more tips on how to never miss a meeting or be late for an appointment.

Rush! (Photo credit: Quadel)

Networking Tips: #38 Why do you do it?

If you regularly network, have you lost your networking mojo?  Do you go along just because you've got into the habit or your regular meetings?

Think about what you want to get from your networking.  All the time and money you put in to your business needs to give you a return - whether that's in real immediate income, long-term investment, connections or something else.

Why do you go to networking meetings?

To gain business - unlikely to happen on the first visit and unlikely to just land on your desk because you've exchanged business cards or if you upset everyone by giving a sales pitch to everyone you meet! (See previous tips.)

To give business - you're on the look out for a web designer, printer, accountant ... a great way to meet other business professionals who can help your business.

To meet other business people - it's a good way to connect with your local or online business community, to share ideas, talk through challenges and find solutions.

To socialise - for sole-traders this might be a good opportunity to get out of the office and meet other people outside of your usual four walls.

Because you enjoy early morning breakfasts!  There are better and less expensive breakfasts (when you add up the total cost).  That's fine if you just want to socialise and 'chat' but does it give you the return you want or expect?

Refresh your networking mojo every now and then by reviewing your networking strategy - are you still getting what you want from your meetings?

How to manage your meetings

Meetings can take up a huge chunk of your working day, your week and your month.

Manage your meetings and you'll be managing your time better.

You don't have to attend every meeting you get invited to and you need to make sure you value the ones that you do.

Are you the best person to attend?  Could someone else attend in your place?  Make sure you have an agenda for the meeting, so you know what's expected of you and others.

Back to back meetings are time consuming, stressful and create more work that needs to be fitted in once you're back in the office.

A meeting is not just a meeting - it's much more and the impact on your time is often under-estimated.

As well as the time you spend in the actual meeting, you need to take into account:

• the time it takes to get to the meeting
• planning and preparation time before the meeting
• follow-up and actions that come from the meeting
• additional workload and projects resulting from the meeting

Only schedule a manageable amount of meetings each week.  Block out time before and after each meeting to allow for travelling.  If other people schedule meetings, let them know what's a manageable amount.

If you've had a busy week of meetings, schedule a couple of clear days the following week in order to clear the decks, catch up on work and admin as well as process what's come out of each meeting.

Think about it the next time you say "yes" to a meeting.  It's not just the one or two hours you spend in that one meeting but all the additional hours that go before and after.

 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Book Review: Mind-mapping - Tony Buzan

One of the best tools I ever learned was mind-mapping.  Years ago I picked up a book by Tony Buzan and read about mind-mapping.  I've used it in my corporate life, while studying and continue to use it in my own business.

I mainly use if for notes during workshops and seminars - it's much easier to create one or more mind maps than have pages of hand-written notes.

Ideally use as large a sheet of paper as possible on which to create your mind maps.  However, I often use an A5 notebook and a series of coloured pens (if I have them with me).

I prefer to create mine by hand but there are several mind-mapping software applications out there now.

Pick up a copy of The Mind Map Book today and learn the simple techniques to create your own mind maps.  There's also a Mind Maps For Business.

How to keep a meeting to time.

How often have you experienced this situation?  You've arranged a meeting for an hour and then the meeting somehow manages to run on for another half hour or sometimes longer.

You don't want to be rude or call a halt at a critical point, so what's the best way to handle it?

• Set the duration up front.  Make it clear that the meeting will only last a set amount of time.
• Have an agenda and stick to it.  Get it back on track if you start to get diverted.
• If the person turns up late - the end time doesn't have to change to accommodate their lateness!
• If you have another commitment that follows on from your meeting, mention this at the start of the meeting or when you schedule it.
• If it's clear the meeting is going to run over - agree to either cover the important points so that you can still finish on time or set another meeting if it's justified.
• Ten minutes before the meeting is due to end, begin to summarise and clarify any agreed actions. (Set an audible reminder or an alarm if it helps).
• Allow the right amount of time to start with.  If you set an hour but always run over - make it 90 minutes or two hours next time.

Get into the habit of scheduling your meetings with a little extra time either side.  If a meeting does overrun then you won't be rushing to the next one.

Make your meetings a more productive use of your time rather than a source of frustration and wasted time.

Short Meeting (Photo credit: Accretion Disc)

Related articles

• Get to your meetings on time (blog post)
• Meetings, meetings, meetings. (blog post)

Get to your meetings on time

Are you one of those people who always arrives late or only just in time for your meetings?

Here are some tips to give you a better chance of getting there on time and arriving more composed.

Start with the end in mind - aim to arrive early then work backwards from when you need to be there. The longer or more complex the journey, the more time you should allow. 5-10 minutes of travel time for every hour is a good rule of thumb.

Know where you're going - sounds obvious but all too often people rely on their SatNavs without actually looking at where they're going and then end up in the wrong place.  Google Streetview can give you a kerbside view of where you're going.  Very useful for a visual check of buildings, street layout and landscape.

Leave 5-10 minutes before you need to - not only does it always take a few minutes to get your things together before you actually set off but there's always one more thing you decide to squeeze in to those few minutes before you leave.

Allow for traffic - journeys can take longer than expected in peak rush hour time.  Also, allow for getting to and from your final destination - the walk from the car park, bus stop, tube or train station.

Better to arrive early - calm and collected with the chance to catch up on a few things than to arrive late.

Apply the same principles even if you don't have far to go or the meeting is on the same floor - inevitably it's usually the people who live or work closest who arrive late.

Late for the train (Photo credit: t3mujin)

Networking Tips #32 But I don't know anyone

Many people are put off going to networking meetings because they won't know anyone.

Well, we all felt like that once and you can overcome that initial nervousness with a few simple tips.

Arrive early - it's easier to meet and talk to people as they arrive - rather than enter a room full of people who are already talking.

Approach someone who is on their own.  They're not already engaged in conversation, possibly feeling nervous too, so will welcome your approach.

Watch the body language.  Two people standing directly opposite each other, engaged in conversation are less likely to be open to an interruption.  If they're standing at a slight angle to each other, it's easier to engage them in conversation.

Three is better than two.  For the above reason it's easier to approach and join a group of people than to join a group of two.

Make eye contact and smile.  You might be feeling nervous but don't look at the floor and hope no one will come and talk to you.  That's why you're there.  If you make eye contact with someone and smile they're more likely to approach you or welcome you in to their group.

Go with a friend, guest or colleague - that way you won't feel you don't know anyone - just don't spend all your time chatting to the one person you know!

If you're a regular networker, welcome new people, someone standing on their own or looking uncertain to join you.

"A stranger is just a friend you haven't met yet."

Talk (Photo credit: lovelornpoets)

Related articles

• Networking Tip #31 Be Selective 
• Networking Tip #29 Speed Networking 
• Networking Tip #25 Meet Up

Networking Tips #31 Be Selective

People will tell you that you need to be out networking in order to gain more business.  If you've been reading the Networking Tips blog posts - you'll have picked up a few tips on how to get the most from your networking.

One temptation is to attend every networking event going - taking a scattergun approach to getting your message out there.  You'll no doubt have come across people who seem to attend every networking event in their area.  Either they have too much time on their hands, or they aren't using networking effectively.

It's all very well attending every networking event if you've got time to handle all the follow-ups and it's your target group of potential clients or it relates to an industry that you work in.

Many of the networking groups are either free or low cost - so guess who they attract, small businesses, sole traders and people who are short on budget and looking for low-cost ways of marketing.  It's a great way to get started but as you'll quickly realise most people are selling and few are looking to give you business.

Some people even go along just for the social chit-chat.  That's great if you can afford the time to do this.  The evening networking events tend to be more popular for this.  It's a good way of ending a day and a great way to meet other like-minded business people, especially if you work on your own or work from home.

I've also heard from many people who are attracted by the large numbers that attend some of the networking events but then become frustrated that they never actually get to meet many people or they all seem very cliquey and it's difficult to break in.

Think about the ROI on your investment in networking.  Do you track and measure your networking or know what returns you're getting from all your networking time?  Which one's work better for you?

While the results of networking can be long-term, so less easy to measure, it's useful to know how many people you meet, how many you contact and how many take up any offers or subscribe to your list?

If you get one small piece of business from attending the same networking group year after year - would your time have been better spent focusing on another networking group that is more suited to your business?

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Related articles

• Networking Tip: #29 Speed Networking (Blog post)
• Networking Tip: #28 It's Not Who You Are ... (Blog post)
• Networking Tip #26 Time To Network (Blog post)

Networking Tip: #29 Speed Networking

Time me (Photo credit: mrlins)

Love it or hate it - speed networking is a great way of meeting a large number of people in a short period of time.

Some people dislike it because of the speed at which you connect with people without having a chance to really have a conversation.

The purpose of attending a speed networking event is that you get to talk to EVERYONE in the room and not just the half a dozen people you manage to connect with at a normal networking event.  For this reason, they're popular.

It's noisy, it's frantic but it can be fun and don't forget that it's only the initial connection that you're making.  It's then your chance to follow-up after the event and really get the conversation going.

The same criteria apply to your reasons for attending other networking meetings.  Are they the right people for you to meet.

Some speed networking events operate a closed policy in that only one person from each industry is represented.  That way you won't meet five accountants, six printers etc.

There are different ways of running the event and the host needs to be skilled in moving people around the room in a timely manner so that it works smoothly.

They tend to work in two main ways:

Speed Networking 5 (Photo credit: MadPole)

Method 1 - you're seated or standing opposite a room of attendees.  You have one or two minutes to deliver your 'pitch' - the other person then has their one or two minutes and then you move on the next person.  Repeating the process until everyone has 'met' everyone else.

Method 2 - you're seated in small groups around tables.  Only one person on each table speaks at any one time and circulates in an organised way (according to a complicated equation understood only by higher mathematicians and NASA), so that by the end, everyone has still presented to everyone else but the volume level is lower and you don't have to repeat yourself to the number of attendees.

With Method 1 - potentially dozens of people are talking at one time, it's noisy and can be confusing - who's turn is it to speak, how much time have you got, where do you go next.  Method 2 is less frantic and much more comfortable.

You're also likely to be slightly brain dead by the end of it.  Being bombarded by information from twenty to thirty strangers is confusing and overwhelming.  Here are a few tips for speed networking:

• Leave bags, coats at the side of the room - have the minimal amount to carry around - you'll be moving around a lot.
• Check how many people are going to be there and have enough business cards, leaflets etc. for everyone.  You don't want to run out.
• Have a bottle of water with you - you'll be doing a lot of talking (Method 1).
• Hone your one minute presentation - keep it clear and succinct.  If you can and you have time, ask a couple of questions.
• Take notes - you won't be able to remember half the people you've met by the time you've finished.  Write on their business card or notebook but remember you don't have much time and you need to be listening.
• Make a note of anyone you'd like to talk to again, as you go - you might be able to talk to them after the main session.

Remember to follow-up afterwards.

After The Event - Now What?

I was at the IFP Paraplanner Conference last week and have done a few talks this month.  One of the recurring questions or comments is often - "I've heard all this great stuff, I've learned all these great things but I know I'm too busy to put it all into practice."

Many people were motivated by the various talks throughout the day and enthused by the speakers and came away full of ideas.

Well, if you were taking notes during the sessions, the first thing you need to do is to plan time to go through them.  Whether it's at the end of the day's event or when you get back in to the office.  It's important.  You've spent the time and money (or your company has paid for you to attend), so you need to maximise your and their investment.

Don't lose those great ideas.  Commit to what you're going to put in to action.  What are you going to change or do differently as a result of the event?  What's realistic, what's practical, what do you need to do to make the change?

Set aside the time to do your Strategic Thinking - whether on a personal or business level.

Team up with a colleague, coach or mentor to help make that change happen.  If you went to the event with a colleague - buddy up with each other to check in and agree what you'll do and hold each other accountable over the next few days, weeks and months.  Review and accountability are key to making changes and sticking with them.

Otherwise, I know what'll happen.  Within a week of attending the event - you'll have got back into reactive work mode.  You may have managed to change a couple of things.  Within a month, the chances are, you'll have slipped back into your old habits because when we're busy, that's what we naturally do.  You haven't had enough time to make new habits stick and change a pattern of behaviour.

Get the most out of the events you attend - review the changes you want to make and the progress you've made.

Remember little and often and take small steps.  Don't try to do everything all at once or make big changes you won't be able to stick to.

If you'd like to create new habits, make real and lasting changes and have a review process that works to keep you on track, get in touch.

Related articles

• Planning For Strategic Thinking (clareevans.blogspot.com)

(Photo credit: Oliver Quinlan)

Time Tip: Five Minutes Fast

One time trick I use is to set one or two of my clocks five minutes fast.

Now despite being a time management coach, I don't wear a watch and haven't done for years but there are enough time pieces around me that make it unnecessary.  The only time I have a watch with me is when I travel.

The clock in my kitchen is set five minutes fast.  It's the nearest one to my most frequently used exit door, so I know that if I leave when it says it's time to leave that I've still got five minutes in hand.

The clock in my car is also set five minutes fast (actually I think it's now about six minutes fast).  It means that when I'm worrying about whether I'm going to arrive on time - I've got those extra few minutes in hand.

It's a simple ploy.  You're not trying to trick yourself into thinking the time is later than it is (after all you set it fast in the first place), it's just another useful tool and it works, as long as you work to the 'displayed time', not the actual time.

Crimond clock, with 61 minutes (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Networking Tip #25 Meet Up

If you regularly attend network meeting, you'll know that you don't often manage to have a lengthy conversation with the people you meet.

While you might carry on a conversation and follow-up via email, phone or social media - it's always good to meet up for a longer conversation.

You'll be able to find out more about what they do away from the noise and distractions of a busy network meeting and perhaps discover something you didn't know.

As part of the follow-up process, after each networking meeting, arrange to meet up with at least one or two of the people you've met.  Either a new contact or perhaps even someone you already know but haven't had a longer chat over coffee.

Remember, the intention is to find out more about them, their challenges and how you might be able to help.  Don't see it as an opportunity to do a sales pitch.

Image via Wikipedia

Drop-outs, No-shows And Last Minute Cancellations

Anyone who runs meetings, events or workshops knows that there is always the risk of 'drop outs', 'no-shows' and last minute cancellations.

Social or business, free or paid.  If it's free it's more likely to occur - there's no financial penalty for not attending.  It's just as likely to happen for paid events.  Whether it's a few pounds or hundreds, there will always be people who just don't turn up.

For a business running events with a limited number of places, this is annoying and frustrating.

You've turned people away from the event because it's full, only to have people drop out at the last minute.

You've planned and budgeted based on numbers attending - last minute cancellations and 'no-shows' mean you still have to pay for the places booked.

Expect it to happen and plan accordingly:

• Keep a waiting list - so you can fill any last minute places that become available.
• Get full payment or a deposit upfront and have a cancellation/refund policy.  No refunds within 24hrs, 48hrs, a week before the event.  At least you won't be out of pocket.
• Invoice them for the missed session - make this clear upfront.
• Send out reminders before the event - a week, a few days and the day before or on the day.
• Overbook - allow for the inevitable cancellations and no-shows and book a few more places than your 'maximum' or have some leeway on numbers.
• Mark their card as 'unreliable' or as a 'no-show' and take some of the above steps to ensure they turn up next time, if there is a next time.

So what are the likely causes of these no-shows and cancellations?

• They drop your session when something 'more important' turns up (usually pressure of work).
• They've double-booked .
• Lack of planning means they don't really know what's happening from one day to the next.
• They realise at the last minute they can't make it - often due to a work-related issue.
• They say yes or book up with no real intention to attend.
• They just forget - it does happen (probably due to pressure of work, stress, lack of planning, poor organisation).
• Overcommitment - people will often say yes to several things and realise later they've overcommitted.
• A genuine emergency comes up and they can't make it or can't get there in time.

Avoid becoming a 'no-show' or being labelled as unreliable.

• Check your diary before you commit to an event.
• Look far enough ahead so you know what's coming up.
• Be realistic - don't overcommit.
• Set reminders in advance - one week, one day, so you're less likely to forget.
• If you have to change your plans, give people as much notice as possible.  Better some notice than no notice.
• Send a substitute - if you've already paid, can someone else attend in your place?
• Have the organiser's contact details with you, include them as part of the diary entry - if you get delayed or have a last minute emergency, let them know.

How have you been impacted by 'no-shows' and last minute cancellations?

What reasons, if any, have you been given when people cancel or don't turn up?

Photo by ashleigh290 via Flickr

Networking Tips #14 Any Time, Any Place, Any Where

You don't need to attend a specifically organised business networking event in order to participate in or benefit from 'networking'.

As the Martini Ad used to say - networking can be done, "any time, any place, anywhere" (for those of us old enough to remember it).

You never know who you might meet or where you might be when an opportunity arises.

Networking is about talking to people and building relationships and that can be done anywhere.

• Chatting with someone in a queue.
• Out at a social event.
• At training events or meetings.
• While away on holiday.
• Indulging in a favourite pastime or activity.

This doesn't mean you're forcing your business down everyone's throat at every opportunity - after all, that's not what networking is about anyway.

It does mean that you never know where a random introduction might lead or what opportunities can arise from any conversation you have - formally, informally, at home or at work.

Don't limit your networking.  Where have you found opportunities to network that you didn't expect?

Image via Wikipedia

Networking Tips #13 Running your own group

Many people decide to start a networking group in order to benefit their own business.  After all what better way to promote your business than hosting a regular meeting for 30-40 people?

Some people also start up a group because there's nothing else in the area or for their particular industry.

However, while there are obvious benefits - there are also fairly obvious things to consider.

Running a networking group takes time - if you're going to run a successful group then you need to put a lot of effort into making it work - not just for your own benefit but more importantly for the benefit of those who attend.  Time that might be better spent on your own core business.

Even a simple, low maintenance group - needs to have the event posted, someone to run it, keep people informed, answer queries, recruit new members.

It takes money - whether or not you charge for your event - every networking group has a cost associated with it.  You'll probably set up a website for your group, advertise it locally and perhaps nationally, have leaflets printed up, business cards, pay for the venue, refreshments, banners, labels, admin - plus the cost of your time in running the group.

It takes commitment.  Whether or not you run it on your own or with other people, you need to be committed to the group for the long-term.  You'll need to be there every week or every month, you need to fit it in around your main business.

Make it work.  If you're running it as a business in it's own right - either alongside your own business, as a franchise or it is your main business, then run it as such.  Set goals, have targets, know what you want or need to get from it in order for it to work for you.

Networking is incredibly popular and there's a new networking group starting up every week.  Equally, there are groups which close down on a regular basis.  Either the originator has moved on, their circumstances have changed, they realise they're not getting as much benefit from it as they expected or they simply don't have the time or energy for the group.

Do you run a group or have your run groups?  What are your tips for running a successful group?

Related articles

• Networking Tips #4 - Which Meeting? (clareevans.blogspot.com)