Networking and #SBS 2016

Networking - wasn't that something company directors did on the golf course or meetings of the Masons in their secretive lodges?

We have communicated individually or in groups, even tribes, for time immemorial trying to create the most advantageous conditions in which to thrive. Networking is simply business speak for making connections and talking to one another.

I was 39 when we had our first child and consequently we had no friends with babies or young children and after nearly 20 years of going to work, I found being a new mother isolating and lonely, until I joined the NCT, where I met a group of friends who are still part of my support network 18 years later..... And several of the children of that group remain close friends too.
Networking is something that happens on the school playground, swimming lessons and Saturday football.

This week, I attended the 4th #SBS Event, organised by fromer Dragon,  Theo Paphitis, which has to be one of the best networking opportunities you can imagine . What's more #SBS was made possible by Twitter, which is in itself the ultimate networking environment.
If you want to know more about SmallBusinessSunday - have a look here http://www.theopaphitissbs.com/about and if you fancy your chances, make sure you enter on Sunday evenings.
Remember, perseverance is the key.

We have made loads of real friends and met many new customers, both private and retail, simply by using the power of Twitter to communicate our message.
And we clearly got the message across to Mr P. who selected us as one of his winners..... here I am collecting our certificate in 2013.

This year's event was, as ever, inspirational, with speeches not only from Mr Paphitis, sharing his passion and knowledge in his entertaining, informative and inimitable style, but also from Helen Tucker, founder of the phenomenally successful notonthehighstreet and the straight talking Yorkshire man, Mike Pickles, founder and sole owner of Really Useful Products, manufacturer of what really are "really useful"  boxes.

Listening to their stories and realising that they had shared some of the trials and tribulations that, no doubt many of us, undergo, inspired me to kick all thoughts of defeat into the long grass and use our passion for what we are doing to drive us on.
Once again, on shaking legs , I got up to ask a question and the support from fellow SBS winners as well as the response from the platform gave me great encouragement.
At least he remembered who we are and commented that he still uses the Netherton Foundry trivet that he bought - yes, bought, not a promotional giveaway.

                                                        


Those of you who were there, will have heard me mention our unofficial and certainly unpaid global ambassador, Nigella Lawson, who has been singing the praises of our cast iron slow cooker wherever she goes, as well as featuring our loaf tins, not only in the Daily Mail, but also in her latest book Simply Nigella.

Lucky you, many have said, but as Theo pointed out..... the harder you work, it seems the luckier you become.  Whilst there was an element of serendipitous timing that led to this incredibly valuable connection, underlying it was the drive and determination to get our brand name and product range recognised, even if it meant hammering the social media platforms at unsociable hours, when we could have had our feet up with a glass of wine and a box set.

So my messages from today are:
Thanks to Theo Paphitis and the #SBS team for hosting a great event and providing us with hope, advice, inspiration and a good lunch
Thanks also to all the people there and out in the Twittersphere who have extended friendship and support, especially when times have seemed at their worst.
Luck may make a difference, but you make your own luck, so get up and get on with it if you want to be successful, it won't come to you......go after that success with passion, determination and hope.
And you will only stand a chance of winning #SBS if you enter.

I hope you all get the success you deserve and a little bit of luck along the way.

 © Netherton Foundry Shropshire 2016