ThriveMembershipPack

There are some essential questions you should ask yourself in order to create a networking plan that will work for you. Why are you networking in the first place? What results do you want from your networking? a) Tactical networking: • Finding new customers; • Finding new suppliers; • Meeting potential associates and referrers; • Tapping into useful immediately knowledge. b) Developmental networking: • Personal development and learning; • New skills and improving your effectiveness; • Meeting those peers who will be able to advise and mentor; • Widen your range of contacts. c) Strategic networking: • Get you and your brand noticed • Positioning yourself and your business in the marketplace; • Opening up new opportunities; • Identifying key people and businesses who will help you achieve your goals. There’s more to networking than ‘turning up’! a. Ask yourself who are your best prospects? You'd be surprised at the number of

business professionals who can't define their best prospects. Most of them either say that everyone is a potential prospect, or they offer some vague description without any specifics. b. Who exactly do you want to meet? The theory behind making the right kind of connection is summed up in the simple saying 'You don't know who they know'! c. Be genuine and authentic Have you heard the saying “be nice to the people on the way up because you never know when you might be meeting them on the way down.” The world’s a small place. d. Be generous Use your brand, your leverage, your contacts to help other people, it will all come back to you in positive karma and plentiful business opportunities. Give your time, your advice, and especially help make connections and introductions for each other. e. Invest time Make time to maintain regular and consistent contact with the people in your network. If you’re front of mind guess who they turn! One of the best marketing tactics is to periodically meet with people for a 121. It’s much more personal, and much more fun too. f. Build rapport Don’t go to networking events to sell, go to build relationships. Are you a people magnet or a people repellent? What are you projecting outwardly? Make sure others see you as a positive, warm and friendly person they would like to interact with. Make sure your positive personality and outlook is attracting relationships and not pushing them away. Finally, remember that it's important to surround yourself with quality business contacts. The best way to your ideal contact very often is through another contact. You want to network with people that you genuinely like and believe in, to build these deeper relationships. Lorna Burroughes Thrive ​ ­ developing connections for growth Email us on [email protected] for more information. See more at: ​​http://www.thrive.buzz

Thrive meetings follow a standard agenda. The reasons for this are simple: 1. It is a tried and tested format that works 2. An agenda prevents wasted time and lost opportunities 3. The experience for each member must be of the same content and quality in each meeting Members update The purpose of this agenda item is to allow every member/Guest to introduce themselves in a way that immediately informs who they are, what they do, the benefits their product or service offers and the type of introductions they are looking for in the meeting. Members are immediately informed how they might help each other through contacts, leads referrals and recommendations. For guests ● Your Name and Company’s Name: ● What (My Company’s Name) provides or services you offer ● Why You are different/What benefits you offer ● What Are you looking for Member’s Card Box This is a quick agenda item that really takes place as the rest of the agenda progresses. Its purpose is to allow Members and Guests to take the business card of other Members that they have an interest in, to use or to refer to. Contacts Section This is where we think is the most important part of the meeting, it where we discuss

how we can help each other. ● Who exactly do you want to meet? ● Ask for help identifying/introductions to key people and businesses who might be able help you ● Widen your range of contacts by getting a warm introduction ● Tap into useful knowledge ● Discuss with like minded people an issue or problem Networking break The adjournment for the networking break is usually no more than 10 minutes. The purpose of this break within the agenda is for members (and guests) to mill about and grab a quick chat with other members in which they have an interest or might be able to help. At this time members will also arrange private meetings (‘121's’) to discuss their mutual interests further. ARRANGING a 121 The most important consequence of this adjournment should be Members arranging 121 meetings with each other. These are meetings usually held outside the venue, probably at each other’s offices, over coffee, with the aim of the below: ­ A clear understanding of the mutual benefits to be discussed. ­ 20 minutes for each member present to discuss their business and the mutual benefit they are seeking from the meeting. ­ 10 minutes to agree an action upon those mutual benefits ­ A quick note of those actions with timings The Importance of 121 Meetings 1​2​1’s = Connecting. Networking is all about building relationships A 121 meeting allows you to explore what your fellow Members do and who they are in greater depth. This is a vital first step in getting to know and hopefully, like and trust, each other. This allows the best contributions to be made. Real power is unleashed when you understand how you can refer even your best customers to fellow Members, knowing that all three of you will benefit. The understanding gained from the 1​2​1 meetings taps into that power.

Business Spotlight/learning point/outside speaker The purpose of this part of the agenda is to give a different member in each meeting the opportunity of more time to present their business and their needs and to take open questions from other members thus raising the understanding of their product or service in the forum. Maybe introduce a tip or an item of interest knowledge, market intelligence or resources to the attention of the group for all to benefit; ● Basic tip on local, regional or national events ● Local economic activities ● PR tips ● Networking techniques ● Legislation changes ● Technology ● ​(not exhaustive) Any other business Don’t go to networking events to sell, go to build relationships! Email us on [email protected] for more information. See more at: ​​http://www.thrive.buzz

Why do the Spotlight? It's your chance to show that you are the authority in your sector and to make sure that your network really understands your business as much as possible and in as much depth as they can. You need to make it simple for people to make introductions and leads for you that generate new business for you. The ‘Spotlight’ enables your fellow members to understand more about you and your business which helps them when looking to pass on leads and referrals. So it is in your interest to do so, 5 minute for the presentation and 5 minutes for questions. Audience participation in the form of questions or suggestions is important and will help people to understand about your business and this is often what they want to know more about.. The more information people have about your business the easier it is for them to recommend you to others or pass referrals. The first few sentences of your presentation are very important. If you show that you are confident about what you are about to say, your audience will sit up and listen. Tip ​ Learn some useful opening phrases. You can use various resources and props that will help you with describing your products or services, especially when combined with humour but ensure that this is appropriate. Your presentation does not have to be a formal ‘chalk and talk’ session. So what do people like to hear? ­ People like stories. ­ People like emotions. ­ People like to hear about success. ­ Facts tell, stories sell. People don’t like to hear facts. So if, you’re sharing a bunch of facts about your business, yes, you will bore them!

Show that you are the best authority in your field but sometimes recognise you might have to tone it down (and not be too clever) and don't use acronyms or jargon that the listener might not understand. If you are apprehensive about presenting then don’t worry, you are not alone. This is something many people are anxious about but there is a wealth of information available about giving a presentation which is both useful and helpful. Plus your fellow members can provide advice and support. Practice makes perfect! So go through your presentation several times before the meeting and think about what you are trying to say and how you will convey this to your audience. What are your key messages? Tip ​Think of a memorable title for your presentation and ensure that it flows throughout. It is recognised that people remember the beginning and the end of a message so make sure that you have impact at the start and the finish on a high note so that your audience are left with a positive impression. Thrive Top Tips on your Business Spotlight ­ You need to get the audience's engagement and so doing things differently will get it. ­ Know your audience and what value you can add to them. ­ People are listening to you for a reason so it's important that you provide your audience with value, but always leave them wanting more. Your presentation/speech is the perfect opportunity to market what you do and develop your business so make sure you are demonstrating your value to your audience every step of the way. ­ Add credibility by sharing advice and knowledge. ­ What are you projecting outwardly? Make sure others see you as a positive, warm and friendly person they would like to interact with. ­ So, you’ve delivered a presentation to a room full of great people and they are really impressed and love what you do. What now? What happens next? There is

no point in speaking to a room full of people, but you don’t give them information on how they can contact you next or how they can help you. ­ If appropriate give your twitter, website and email address is given in your presentation. ­ Always leave five minutes in your presentation time for questions and answers and most of all, enjoy it. When you’re enjoying it, your audience will pick up on this and naturally enjoy it more to. Confident presentation = confident business. And finally don’t be afraid to show your passion for your business. Email us on [email protected] for more information. See more at: ​​http://www.thrive.buzz

Thrive ​­ developing your connections for growth Working behind the networking scene to utilise your time. The Thrive Connect and Socials 1. Thrive provides you access to the monthly meetings 2. Thrive initiates and identifies your connections and contributions 3. Thrive records/collects/researches and manages your connections and contributions 4. Thrive’s experienced and dedicated networking team oversees the process 5. Thrive communicates and reports back to you regularly 1. Thrive provides you access to the fortnightly meetings ­ Thrive regularly puts you in the same room as like minded and purposeful people 2. Thrive initiates and identifies your connections and contributions ­ Thrive captures your data during Thrive’s fortnightly meetings ­ Thrive then regularly meets with you on a 121 basis 3. Thrive records, collects, researches and manages your connections and contributions ­ Thrive continually works behind the scene to capture and process your data 4. Thrive’s experienced and dedicated networking team oversees the process ­ Thrive’s CRM and marketing system helps us capture important information whilst connecting you with valuable new contacts ­ Working collaboratively with other networking organisations 5. Thrive communicates and reports back to you regularly ­ Keeping you regularly updated at our Thrive meetings, enabling you to Thrive! Email us on [email protected] for more information. See more at: ​​http://www.thrive.buzz

How We Can Help You Are you based in East Anglia? Are you looking to make valuable connections to grow your business? Are you growing your business brand? Are you looking to get better results? Your business could Thrive by ­ Thrive Connections ­ Thrive Networking ­ Thrive Marketing (with online and social media marketing between meetings) ­ Thrive Events ­ Thrive Training Are you looking to gain new leads and build friendships, all in an environment where businesses are looking for you? We provide the meetings and other outlets to help you develop these relationships. Cold calling and social media not working for you? We have been involved in the local business community for many years. Are you making new connections on a regular basis? We keep the numbers low, so that we have time to help you develop those connections for growth. Do you want to increase your visibility virtually or online and reach a wider audience? Our Thrive Social Engine (system) helps you raise your profile. Do you want to get better results and good quality generate leads. If the answer is “yes” to this question and any of the above,then Thrive is for you.

Everyone’s needs are different, so if you’re looking to grow your business and you would like to learn the secret of how Thrive businesses work together to successfully grow their businesses, or if you are already making connections to grow your business but want to keep up to date or pick up more tips, then why not join us to find out how you can Thrive. Email us on [email protected] for more information. See more at: ​​http://www.thrive.buzz