Day 23- Networking Choices

What networking events do I go to?

Well Aberdeen and surrounding areas have a vast array of networking events.  Now I can't give you first hand experience of these but I can relay what I've heard from others.

Lets start with the biggest one -

BNI Business Networking International

BNI has according to its own website four chapters within the city and five outwith.   (http://www.bni.eu/regional-chapters.php?region=36) BNI is a very popular networking format. "BNI is based on a philosophy of Givers Gain^®. If I give you business, you will want to give me business." It can be very successful and if you find the right chapter for you, your return on investment can come quickly.  BNI meets every week, primarily for breakfast although there are lunch based chapters.  However for new starts/young businesses the initial outlay may be a little off putting.

BNS (Business Networking Scotland )

BNS is different from BNI in that they only allow decision makers to join their network.  They have a regular meeting in Aberdeen which meets once a month at lunch time.  
"BNS events attendance is resticted to decision makers who have both a buying and selling authority. The events are structured but informal "  

Initial investment is less than BNI but still significant if you are a new start with very little cash flow

(http://www.businessnetworkscotland.co.uk/index.php)


AGCC (Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce)

AGCC do a range of networking meetings that are industry specific as well as general. They have a range of prices depending on the event and you don't always have to be a member to attend.  Feedback I have heard about these events is that they are normally very informative but formal.

(http://www.agcc.co.uk/network-your-business/)

ABN (Aberdeen Business Networking)

ABN is a very successful on and off line networking format.  The online arm is like a social media site for local business owners.  They also host three different networking format events.  F2F face to face, M4 Max four in a group and B4N before noon.  More information can be found here  http://aberdeenbusinessnetwork.ning.com/page/networking  These events are very popular and well attended which is good for expanding your contact base quickly but can be intimidating if you are new to networking and a little shy

Women Connect (formerly Connect 925)

This is a women only networking group (that to be honest with I don't wholly agree with but see that there may be a market need for)  They do a diverse range of activities/meetings that are always informative and enjoyable.

More information is available http://www.connect925.co.uk/

Aberdeen Entrepreneurs

I've not experienced this format but this is one of my goals this year to get to one of their events.  They describe themselves as 

"The business networking group which offers a working environment for business individuals to come and meet new people, network, gain business opportunities and have an enjoyable evening with like-minded people."

More information at http://www.aberdeenentrepreneurs.co.uk/

Podium

Podium is my networking group.  It was formed as a result of networking being quite expensive for 'shire businesses to get into town to network when you calculate out the costs.  It was also aimed at a startup audience where we have a very informal relaxed environment where everyone sits around the table and we have a speaker on a relevant topic.  We have a maximum attendance of 25 people so not a huge amount of people in the room. We have a Facebook page here, you can sign up to our updates here 

If you want to come to our next event you can sign up here http://podiumfeb2013.eventbrite.co.uk/

I've probably missed some out but I can only apologise  for that.  You now have some of the networking options available to you.