DIFFERENT KINDS OF
NETWORKING
There
are many types of network. Often they set joining criteria
to take members with common attitudes or requirements, eg
size of business or professional background.
You can establish links through
a number of different channels. Some of these include:
• Education and research organisations - to explore
development initiatives and to access studies or research
into products, markets, customer preferences, best practice
etc. See which organisations participate in
networking on the Higher Education and Research
Opportunities website
• Learning networks - managers and other employees can
attend training and development activities tailored to
their responsibilities, keep up to date with best practice
and current thinking, and hear from high-profile speakers
and researchers. Approach relevant trade associations and
industry bodies and ask them about their seminars and
events.
• Trade development opportunities - find trade associations at the Trade
Association Forum website
• Employers' federations - eg the Federation of Small
Businesses (FSB). You can find support and best practice on
employment issues on the FSB
website
• Regional/local organisations - eg Chambers of Commerce,
for advice, support and local news. Find details of regional and local
organisations on the British Chambers of Commerce
website
• Community organisations - action groups representing
local, ethnic or social interests. Find community organisations at the
Business in the Community website
• Virtual networks - internet-based communities providing
opportunities to communicate with other business people and
potential customers
There are also various forms of networking:
• organised meetings/conferences - structured ways of
networking
• e-based discussion and debate - co-ordinated on many
websites
• business trips - sponsored by a relevant trade
organisation or similar, business trips can provide a
co-ordinated way of establishing foreign contacts and
learning about overseas markets
• social events - an informal way to meet people with a
common purpose for attending
• survey and focus groups - allow you to meet fellow
contributors and the organisers