Whether you’ve been invited to attend a meeting by one of our members, or you’ve heard about us through social media and have signed up, you’re going to want to make the best out of your visit. The easiest way to make sure that can happen is by preparing in advance. You know how that old saying goes.
We have lots of visitors coming along to our meetings, and it’s easy to tell who’s going to have a better experience, because they’re the ones that have put in the effort beforehand. Here, then, are the TOP TIPS to make sure you have the best possible experience at your first BBG meeting.
#1 – Know where to go
Our networking meetings are held at The Red Hall Hotel (Ramsbottom) on Manchester Road, Walmersley, BL9 5NA.
It’s an easy to find location, just off J1 of the M66. There’s also plenty of free parking on site, so you don’t need to worry about finding a space.
If you don’t know the venue, take a moment or two to check your directions, and make sure you have the details ready to put in to your phone/Sat Nav on the morning you set off.
Here’s a link to Google Maps showing the location CLICK HERE
#2 – Don’t be late
The last thing anyone wants is to arrive to a meeting late – certainly not if everyone is already sitting down waiting for proceedings to begin. However, we also know that if this is your first time attending BBG, you’re probably not going to want to arrive too early.
Our visitor host, John Bakewell, is usually on site setting up from 6.30am, and other members start arriving about this time, too. We are scheduled to start from 6.45am (with the meeting itself starting at 7am). It is therefore best to make sure that you have arrived at the venue by 6.50am to give yourself a chance to settle, grab a drink and meet some of our members before the meeting officially starts.
#3 – Find out who is already a member
If you have a look on our website, you will see a list of our current members. More importantly, you will get a good gauge of what industries are already covered. This will then give you a better idea of who you might want to meet.
Ask yourself:
- Does anybody work in a complimentary sector to mine? Is there the potential for us to share tips, knowledge, industry experience, contacts or even services?
- Is there anyone whose services I could immediately benefit from?
- Is there anyone who would potentially benefit from my services?
Whilst these are important questions to ask, it is also vital that you do not go in to the any networking meeting with the intention of selling. You are there to start to build relationships, not make a few quid there and then (though, that can happen, too!).
If there is someone you are interested in meeting on the day, do some research first – perhaps reach out to them via LinkedIn or other social media channels, so that you can introduce yourself formally at the meeting.
Now, if you haven’t already booked your place, just CLICK HERE.