Business Networks - Networking

This is a business networking group comprised of small business owners and solo-entrepreneurs who want to network with fellow business owners to help them gain paying clients.

Here’s how it works:

[+] There is no cost. However, we do encourage you to order food to support the restaurant that is giving us this space for free.

[+] We will meet at the First Watch at 2809 S College Ave, Fort Collins, CO from 11:45 am to 1:00 pm.

[+] Please arrive at 11:45 am to get your meal order and get seated.

[+] The formal meeting will start at 12:00 noon

[+] We meet on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays each month.

[+] You will choose your specific meal and drink at the restaurant before the meeting starts.

Here's how the meeting will go:

[+] I will take 5-minutes to describe the ground rules for our meeting.

[+] Each person will have 60-seconds to introduce themselves and their business. During this stage, you are encouraged to be concise when it's your turn to speak; and listen intently when others are speaking. The key it to be clear about what you do and the types of clients you would like to be referred.

[+] After everyone has introduced themselves, pass your stack of business cards around the table. There will normally be 20 people attending each meeting; and so have at least 20-business cards ready to hand around.

[+] While business cards are being passed, you can announce events. This is a great time to invite participants to a seminar, workshop or simply inform attendees about an important happening in Northern Colorado.

[+] For the last 15-minutes we will ask if anyone has a business challenge they would like to solve. Anyone can bring up any issue they have, describe it to the group, allow participants to ask questions, and offer ideas or advice.

[+] At the end of the hour, the meeting is adjourned, and this is when the real networking starts. While it's nice to get together, enjoy the company of other business owners, the real strength of Business Networks is what happens after the meeting. Now that you have business cards of those who you believe you can network with, you need to set up meetings or phone calls with these folks to get to know them better.

The concept of Business Networks is that people do business with people they KNOW, LIKE and TRUST. Here is a step by step process of getting networking to work for you:

[1] Come to a group where you are acquainted with several people who you may want in your network.

[2] Set up a 1-on-1 meeting with people you are interested in knowing better. While you can sell your stuff; I don’t recommend it. Try to get to know the person you are meeting. Learn their background and what they do and why they do it. If you have interest in their product or service, it’s okay to say so. One-on-ones are not sales calls.

[3] Try to find people you can refer to the person you just met with; or try out their product or service yourself before you refer others. Keep their contact information to build your referral network.

[4] Repeat