IAB members are invited to IFA branch events, to give them the chance to network with IFA members as well as each other.
Its also nice to chat about problems or issues (like we do on this forum), with others over coffee, or a drink. Some bookkeepers even help each other out after getting to know each other!
-- Edited by YLB-HO on Monday 11th of February 2013 07:37:11 PM
Do any of you folks attend any book keeping networking events?
This questiom may sound like a silly question to you, but what are the advantages of going to such events, apart from gettng to know other book keepers?
Wouldnt expect there will be many bookkeeping networking events as what is that point in that? Maybe it is a support network in which you can ask other bookkeepers questions you may have.
The whole point of networking is to generate business so you want to get to events where there are different sectors there. But you have to remember that the reason why they are there is to sell their services, not just buy yours, so networking tends to be a slow burning lead generation.
It is however good for confidence building in that you need to stand in front of someone and explain what you can do for their business that another bookkeeper couldnt. But dont go in with the whole sales pitch idea, as said it is probably more important to listen to them and see if there is anything you can do to help them.
I personally am a big fan of networking and intend to do more this year. Its takes a while for things to filter through but its worth it in the long run. Networking isn't about just going to an event, you can network with Accountants, get friendly with a couple and keep in contact with them, make yourself known, thats what I did and its paying off.
There are some breakfast club networking events, they might be useful. I don't do these as I have kids to get to school.
Rob did a nice post about advice on networking. Just cannot remember which thread it was in. Hang on a sec, I'm off to have a Google is my friend moment...
Responses are not meant as a substitute for professional advice. Answers are intended as outline only the advice of a qualified professional with access to all relevant information should be sought before acting on any response given.
I've found, during my short time at networking, you need to bulid up a level of trust. Theres NO point in thinking 'oh if i go to this networking event once or twice i can get 'x' new clients. It wont work. Myself and a financial advisor were having this chat just the other week, if you do plumbing or sell flowers then your ok; but ANYTHING involving your money, or showing how your business works, or what its takes to a complete stranger is just not the 'done' thing here in the UK. Its a trait us brits have just like queuing or not talking openly about sex, you just dont do it.
Which is why i say you need to build up trust, this will be a MASSIVE selling factor for yourself if you can attend one event on a regular basis. I do one event every week, where work permits, and i have just started to get leads through, people asking about if I can do their books for them, its taken about 6 months to get it, but i know if i do well enough then I will pick up more work through them.
@Frauke, where do we, as IAB members, get the info on these IFA branch events?
Seems to me the same sort of mentality that my granny used to have in that if there was a queue at any shop she would always go and join it on the basis that if it was worth queing for then there must be something good at the end of it!
I hope your granny wasn't disappointed that often when she did get to the end it and realised that it wasn't worth the wait
-- Edited by Marky65 on Thursday 14th of February 2013 11:19:26 AM
Obviously I don't know if your a member of them but I know the ICB run quite a few networking events across the country, organised and run by the members in that area.
Other than that there are always plenty of networking groups in most towns, though beware of the closed ones where you can't get in unless they have a vacancy in the business sector (never quite seen the idea of 'closed' networking groups but thats just my opinion)
never quite seen the idea of 'closed' networking groups but thats just my opinion
Agreed,
Something is given value by it's perceived rarity making people want to join.
Seems to me the same sort of mentality that my granny used to have in that if there was a queue at any shop she would always go and join it on the basis that if it was worth queing for then there must be something good at the end of it!
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Shaun
Responses are not meant as a substitute for professional advice. Answers are intended as outline only the advice of a qualified professional with access to all relevant information should be sought before acting on any response given.
Certainly she always seemed to have enough sugar and tinned fruit reserves to last at least six years!
Pretty sure that when she died Del Monte and Tate & Lyle shares fell a few points on the back of the redistribution of her stores.
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Shaun
Responses are not meant as a substitute for professional advice. Answers are intended as outline only the advice of a qualified professional with access to all relevant information should be sought before acting on any response given.
I'd treat networking as one of a range of tools to generate new business. There is no guaranteed return of course but a regular networking commitment I'm sure would reap rewards as time goes by.
