FAQ

thesmallbusinessclub

BNI, Thrive, Bacon Eggs and Entreprenurs and other groups

What sort of people will I meet there?

Most of our members and visitors are business owners or managers. They are usually decision makers. They are often ambitious entrepreneurs

I am a Newstart business - will thesmallbusinessclub be any good for me?

We have found that most new businesses are really keen to get to know fellow business owners and that is why our mix of informal networking and structured Keep it Short and Simple slots are ideal

Our business is over 12 months old - what can thesmallbusinessclub offer us?

Feedback from our members and friends in a similar situation to you tell us that the monthly business speaker spot is of great value as it helps them continue to learn whilst still working on the business

We are an established company with several employees - will thesmallbusinessclub be worth our while?

We have quite a few members in this category and we find that the membership benefits greatly from their experience but that often these members are looking to form fresh business relationships to help take their business to new heights.

You mention Relationship Networking - what exactly is it?

We believe that a good relationship is essential to good business and we strongly encourage members to build relationships. In fact quite a few of our members have built a big part of their business through thesmallbusinessclub

What makes you different from other networking groups such as BNI or Thrive?

We don't have any category restrictions - in fact in clubs where there are several members from similar businesses have ended up with these companies forming a power group. Also we meet monthly at each venue rather than weekly and there is no expectation of referrals or measurements of amounts of business done

...and the informal groups such as Business 9am?

We find that whilst informal networking is good for the Newstart and perhaps the reluctant networker, most of our members and friends appreciate some structure which makes sure that you do get tangible benefits from our meetings

Can I try before I have to join?

We wouldn't expect anything else - in fact we encourage you to try twice before we ask for a membership commitment and why not try two different clubs! However, all our meetings do have a £15 attendance fee

Does my membership mean that I can go to any club I want?

Yes! and as often as you want but do remember that there is the meeting fee for each event.

Why do you meet at lunchtime?

We all have to eat at some point so lunchtime seems as good a time as any! But we have an evening branch in Glasgow City Centre as well.

Will I have to stand up and do an elevator pitch / sixty seconds?

No - you will be seated with a group of approximately eight people though and asked to pass your cards and say a few words about your business. But there is no need for fancy tag lines or witty ditties. We do have our 5 minute members spots though that you can request and do a short promotion for your business then - but this is totally voluntary

What if I don't know anyone there?

We will make sure when you arrive that you are welcomed by your meeting host who will do their best to make sure that you are introduced to some new contacts, But don't worry thesmallbusinessclub members are one of the friendliest and most welcoming groups around

What if I am late?

Our relaxed structure ensures that we have a 30 minute window of informal networking at the start of the meeting allowing for late arrivals.