Networking: Starting to get back to normal

It has been over a year since we have been able to do some face-to-face networking thanks to COVID and the lockdowns, but now networking events are now starting to take place once again are we are out and about talking to businesses about their issues and finding software solutions to help them work smarter.

The first big event this week was the Midland Business Network Expo, originally planned for October 2020 at the Richo Arena in Coventry, went ahead this week that National Motorcycle Museum near Birmingham. It was a fantastic event and we have had some fantastic conversations with potential new partners, plus a decent number of meetings set up with business owners we believe we can help.

It was also wonderful to see old friends and contacts again, including Martin at Definition Media, Emma from Squab Storage, Laurance from Laurance Jones Photography (the official expo photographer), and Hana from ActionCOACH.

We are extremely grateful to Julie and Bethany at The Midland Business Network for organising the show. From our perspective, it was a great success.

To finish the week, I went along to the Talk Business BIG Breakfast at The Farm near Stratford upon Avon. It was very strange having to set an early morning alarm to get up at 6am and travel, but it was completely worthwhile for the cooked breakfast and the company.

Over the past 14 months, I have connected with many contacts and partners through networking, some of whom I speak to every week via Zoom but have never met in the flesh. I have now had the pleasure of meeting some of those contacts this week and now know how tall they really are.

Of course, there were also some old friends too, and it was great to catch up once again and have a proper conversation, including Sandra from Footprint Social Media, Neil from Net Visibility, Oliver from Huges Legal, David from Bernard Rogers and Mike from RH Utilities this week.

I am looking forward to more face-to-face networking in the coming months.