People often ask us:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat\u2019s the difference between The Business Culture HEY and a traditional networking group?\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n So perhaps an ice cream is the easiest way to show it. \ud83c\udf66<\/p>\n\n\n\n Networking is absolutely part of what we do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But there\u2019s a lot more on top.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Think extra scoops, a cherry, a couple of flakes\u2026 the full works!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Because when we started The Business Culture HEY, we never wanted it to be about turning up to the same meeting, at the same time, every week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n People are different.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Businesses are different.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And the way we like to meet people, build relationships, learn and get support is different too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So, what are all those extra scoops?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Some people absolutely love networking. Give them a room full of people and they\u2019re in their element.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Others prefer smaller groups and the opportunity to have a proper conversation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some enjoy listening to a speaker or attending a masterclass. Others would rather get to know people in a more relaxed, social environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There\u2019s no right or wrong way.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n That\u2019s why we offer different types of events and different ways to get involved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And importantly, you don\u2019t have to do everything.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Choose what works for you, your personality and your busines<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Membership doesn\u2019t stop when you leave a networking event.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We also want to help our members raise their profile<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Members can promote their business through their Business Page on our website, share Good News, demonstrate their expertise through Know-How articles and promote their own Offers and Events.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Because the person who eventually becomes your customer, recommends you or wants to collaborate with you might never have been standing in the same networking room.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sometimes being visible<\/strong> is just as important as being there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n One of the things we probably don\u2019t talk about enough is what happens behind the scenes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We regularly get messages that start:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cDo you know anyone who could help me with\u2026?\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Quite often, we do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If there\u2019s someone in our community we think you should know, we\u2019ll make an introduction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sometimes you don\u2019t need another networking event.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You just need to meet the right person.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Business Culture isn\u2019t only about who you meet. It\u2019s also about what you learn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Our speaker events, masterclasses and wider community give members opportunities to learn from people with different skills, experiences and perspectives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sometimes you leave an event with a new contact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sometimes you leave with one idea that changes something in your business<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Both matter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n This is probably one of the hardest parts of Business Culture to explain because much of it happens quietly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sometimes a member needs some business advice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sometimes they need an introduction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sometimes they want to bounce an idea around.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sometimes things aren\u2019t going particularly well and they simply want someone to talk to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And sometimes what\u2019s happening has nothing to do with business at all<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Because behind every business is a person.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n We\u2019ve always believed that supporting people in business means looking beyond turnover, leads and referrals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Running a business can be brilliant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It can also be stressful, lonely and difficult at times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And life doesn\u2019t conveniently stop happening because you\u2019ve got a business to run.<\/p>\n\n\n\n That\u2019s why our approach is about supporting your:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Mind. That might mean making a connection, pointing somebody towards specialist support or simply being there when somebody needs a conversation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s not necessarily something you\u2019ll see advertised on an events calendar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But it\u2019s there.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Another thing people sometimes don\u2019t realise is that the business is the member<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Membership isn\u2019t restricted to the person who originally joined.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Your team can be part of the community too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Different people within your business may benefit from different things \u2013 and that\u2019s exactly how it should be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Ultimately, networking can introduce two people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But relationships take time<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n They develop through seeing people again, having conversations, helping each other, sharing experiences and gradually building trust.<\/p>\n\n\n\n That\u2019s why the social side of Business Culture matters too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Not every conversation has to end with a referral.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sometimes it\u2019s simply about getting to know somebody.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And you never quite know where that relationship might eventually lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n And then, of course, there\u2019s us \u2013 Tony and Michelle<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We\u2019re not sure we\u2019d quite describe ourselves as the cherry on top\u2026 but we are a big part of what happens behind the scenes at The Business Culture HEY!<\/p>\n\n\n\n We get to know our members and their businesses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We make introductions, connect people, answer questions, listen, offer support and, when we can, help point people in the right direction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sometimes that's about business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sometimes it's personal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And sometimes it's simply knowing that there are two people you can pick up the phone to and say:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cCan you help?\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n We won't always have the answer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But we'll always do our best to help you find it.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Because underneath everything we've built at The Business Culture HEY is one simple belief:<\/p>\n\n\n\n We believe no one should feel alone in business.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n So yes, networking is one of the scoops.<\/p>\n\n\n\nNetworking \u2013 but your way<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Helping your business to be seen<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Making the right introductions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Learning from other people<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The support you don\u2019t always see<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Mind. Body. Business.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Body.
Business.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nYour membership isn\u2019t just for you<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
And then there are the relationships<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The cherry on top \ud83c\udf52<\/h3>\n\n\n\n