Since visiting and then joining B4B in Cambridge, we have secured regular business at each meeting and excellent referrals. After 6 months of researching Cambridgeshire networking groups we decided that the profile and quality of B4B members is in a class of its own. A relaxed biweekly format without the pressure of other groups was key in our decision making. The bonus is that all the members are genuinely nice people who work with you to help your business and that you would genuinely have round for dinner. In the short term it has been a hit for us and long term the forecast is fantastic on a business and personal level. Did a 10 minute business profile slot recently and to have genuine enquiries by 80% of the members and visitors in the room by the time I had finished says a lot for the B4B format. 

When I joined Giddings Lane in 2007 it was to launch a new territory for the Company. I was not only new to Will Writing I had no existing customers or prospects; it was necessary to hit the ground running and find new clients. A sustained and expensive run of local advertising only proved that it does not work for our service.

What was left? I had been considering Networking although knew very little about it or if I could get any benefit from it; not to mention the obvious feelings of nerves when faced with having to converse with strangers.

My very first Networking experience was to an informal non-membership group where I was made most welcome and quickly shown the ropes. Having enjoyed my first “go” and having had good success at this Networking lark I threw myself into the local circuit by quickly visiting a number of other meetings. My experiences were not always as good or enjoyable. I was yet to find a Networking home.

A very fortunate contact was made at my first meeting with a Company of Accountants who have not only become a much valued source of referrals they also strongly encouraged me to attend Business for Breakfast in Cambridge, again something I have to be very grateful for.

BforB was a revelation; there was something different here which I had not experienced anywhere else, the proof being that I was very tempted to join and did so shortly after. The atmosphere is different at BforB almost every visitor mentions this, there is an informal structure to the meeting which is very conducive to building friendships and on-going relationships, the very essence of successful Networking.

A Networking group like any organisation is all about the people who run the thing and set the tone. Kathryn Fletcher is responsible for the undoubted success of the group. She now runs four BforB venues around Cambridgeshire.

People who just look at the cost of joining a Network group are missing the point; it is a business investment which will, if you are doing it right repay you time and again. Within two months I had invoiced more new business than my year’s membership fee and more importantly I have formed strong relationships with people who are now far more than just business contacts.

Networking provides more than 95% of my clients and they do not come as “leads” which require a lot of cultivating before any business happens. No, they are fully qualified and waiting for me to provide the service they are looking for. Business people talk about conversion rates and are often happy with 1-2% from something like a mail shot campaign; my conversion rate from Network generated referrals is almost 100%.

There are many other benefits to be gained from being part of a group, you meet other professionals who you can in turn refer to your contacts thereby helping both parties, there is advice and encouragement to be had which may be in short supply if you work alone. There are more however space is running out on me.

My suggestion is to make Networking a serious part of your marketing mix and try Business for Breakfast in particular. Like me you might just find a home.

Since joining B4B in Cambridge less than a year ago, I have repaid my annual subscription fee more than ten times over through the quality referrals that have been passed my way. Without exception every lead that I have followed up which was introduced to me by a B4B member was a genuine opportunity to take on new business – we are all keen to help each other as we meet every other week and have developed strong relationships but we do not feel the unnecessary pressure to ‘pass on a lead’ which might otherwise mean that poor leads are being passed. A great group, great fun, much too early but it works.

I was introduced to Business for Breakfast by Kathryn Fletcher after a discussion about my internet Web Design & Development business (Upshot Media Ltd) and my ambitious growth plans. I had heard of breakfast networking meetings but being honest never really grasped the concept of how it would work, even though I had used on-line networking websites. Kathryn explained that these regular events are relaxed but effective and attendees are all likeminded business owners or Directors, who like to share knowledge and build contacts, Kathryn also explained that as your network of contacts grows, qualified referrals and recommendations of work naturally happens.

After the initial discussions I decided to attend a couple breakfast meetings to find out more and chat with a few of the members, I was made to feel welcome and saw the potential of not only meeting new people, who maybe be looking for Upshot media’s services but for meeting people who provide services that we may need. It’s been one month since I joined the Ely group but around two months since my first attendance, since then I have received a number of referrals for work from group members and have also passed work back to other members for my business and for contacts I already had who are need of specific services.

I would recommend Business for Breakfast to any Business Owner, Director or staff within a company looking to make new contacts and increase their companies’ turnover.

Dear Kathryn, Just a few lines to say how pleased I am that I joined Cambridge & Newmarket Business for Breakfast.Unlike other Networks which I've been involved with,BforB is relaxed & much less formal,which I believe leads to a much friendlier atmosphere,more condusive to genuine referrals of quality business.My investment in membership fees for BforB has seen the most fruitful return from my marketing budget in the nearly 17 years that I have been a Financial Adviser.