This morning saw the launch of the Billericay meeting of Essex Business Forum, at the Ivory Rooms.
It was well attended with plenty of guests many of whom have already signed-up to become full members and others all promising to return next week to take part in the first “full” meeting.
Todays business networking started as usual with informal open-networking as all of the guests introduced each other for the first time. Only now can we report that it was of course on purpose that we forgot to bring the visitors name badges so that everyone had to work that bit harder to introduce who they were and what they did.
After this, a delightful breakfast was served and we began to “walk-through” our typical meeting agenda rather than “run the agenda”. We needed the first meeting to work this way as although there were some seasoned business-networkers present a significant number of the guests were brand new to the concept and each element needed to be explained.
Everyone in attendance had the opportunity to stand up and present their businesses for 60 seconds which proved to be very useful. You’d never have guessed that this was the first time for some of the guests as the standard of presentations was very high.
As the meeting continued we talked about how our referrals system works and how we are able to measure the contributions made by the members and the amount of business that we pass to each other.
The meeting finished at around 8:30 and then open networking continued after. I was particularly pleased to see so many application forms being filled in and talk of business being done between guests already! It also pleased me to read the Event Evaluation forms all of which said that we had run a successful meeting where people were made to feel welcomed and informed.
Already I am looking forward to next Tuesday, where I hope that the guests who weren’t able to attend today will be present, along with this weeks visitors who we’ll hope to be converting into members.
Personally for me I am most excited about the prospect of two of our guests who promised to bring along samples of their wares. The Brewery and the Sweet Shop. Thats one very easy way to influence a committee decision on your application form!!!
I Look forward to seeing you all next week,
Scott.
Im trying to work out my relationship with Nick, the manager at the Ivory Rooms who looked after us today. He’s my mothers cousins son, so what does that make us? Second cousins once removed? It baffles me!
A very encouraging first meeting, I am sorry that my holiday will mean that I will miss next weeks….well sort of! For a first meeting numbers were good and the venue came up to expectations. A thank you to Scott in particular of the board members for his energy in getting this project well and truly underway.
As to your lineage, it would be helpful if somewhere in the family tree there was a camel driver or someone who assisted a camel driver. That might assist in determining the correct title. Brian Painters’s views might assist.
Aidan
Sorry Aidan, I dont get the significance of the camel or its driver. Have I missed something here? Brian – your help needed I think!
All the best for the expanding EBF venture