4N new products - too much already ?

Thanks team.

What I'm looking for is more responses like Gareth's and Olly's ie what their personal preferences are.

I don't need to be told there is a choice - this I had worked out !

Hi Chris,

Having just started Advocater, I have learnt very quickly that being a 'one man band' operation can potentially be a very lonely place. I didn't anticipate joining 4N or any other networking organisation quite so quickly, but having the cameraderie of fellow business men and women is hopefully going to keep me sane.

I went to the Bristol evening launch meeting last week, and although the 'type' of attendee was identical to the morning groups, the fact that it was evening, rather than morning was slightly more relaxed and did make a difference (even without the booze !!!)

I will be attending groups at all times of day and night, because the more 'good' people I meet, the more I am going to be seen a a hub that can connect businesses together. I am delighted that I was invited, and hope to become a respected member of 4N as soon as possible.

We all have different schedules so, to my mind, offering a choice is a good idea. Although a few may make both the morning and evening meets, for me mornings are best - but that doesn't stop me thinking, great, 4N now offers something for those who prefer evening networking. In the same way, one of the things that drew me to 4N was that as well as being a regular at my local group (Huddersfield), I could decide which days of the week I had time free to network and choose which 4N in my area to go to on that free date. Much more flexible than other, ahem, networking organisations.

So is there really little difference - other than time of day -  between these types of 4N event ?

Well Chris that's the great thing about asking questions, you don't always get the answers you want. But being a coach you'll have that worked out too .....

So what would you say to a client who asked how they dealt with the problem of too much choice?

The format is the same, but I am finding different people at the evening events compared to the mornings.

Thanks Chris - ha ha ! - and Stefan.

I see I'll need a cunning plan !

Business network of choice is actually MUCH better than social business network.

(Arrrgh why was it not MY idea??)

You might do as there is loads and loads more to come this year......

I like having a choice and go to lots of 4N (and other networking groups) to see what I like - format, price, regularity etc -, where my potential friends and clients are and which ones give me a good ROI both financially and social/fun/friendships.

Many networking groups only meet once a month which is not enough. With 4N I can do 4 times or none a week, do a 4-sight, travel around and meet lots of potential friends, suppliers and clients. I prefer daytimes as I am at my best then...but have checked out many different online and offline ways of wokring. I keep the ones that 'work' (80/20) and stop the ones that don't....simples!

It's good to have some kind of strategy - decide why are you there/ the outcomes you want/who you want to meet - or it's just wasted time....

Claire

Having now been to a 4N evening networking event - Weston, last night - I would say that it's not very different to a breakfast one.

Except, I got home at 9.15pm buzzing and ready for work - a tad inconvenient this.

However, on the positive side there were at least six visitors (new people to meet), and all my 121s want a follow up conversation about my services.

So - good result.

My thinking behind evening groups is to target the following people, those with morning childcare issues, tradesmen who want to be on site early, those who prefer evenings to mornings and those who are currently employed and who want to start their own business. Add to this those existing members who cannot get enough of 4N and you have a winning formula.

I love being able to choose rather then be told what to do. That's why I'm self employed.

I think the evening events should be brilliant for retailers and maybe this will encourage more of these types of members. It's probably more about the demgraphics of those people able to attend the evenings, than the format of the evening meeting format.