You may recall 1992 was the depths of recession and companies were struggling to survive. There was very little help and advice available, particularly for smaller businesses.
So we created The Business Club to help companies with Sales and Marketing advice and support.
It soon became obvious that it was equally (if not more) important for business owners and managers to meet with like minded people who had the same problems and issues.
It was also obvious that many of them had little or no management training. So although winning new business was their biggest issue, they also needed help with areas which resulted from poor sales revenue – areas which were important to survival such as: cost reduction, increasing efficiency, low morale, marketing skills, selling skills, managing people etc. etc. etc. The Club grew rapidly and started attracting larger companies who saw Club members as a market for them. Also they wanted to help and support the local economy.
So that’s a little of where we came from. Today The Club is thriving with over 600 member companies in North Cambridgeshire, South Lincs.
In fact The Club is so successful we are now franchising the model throughout the UK.
Prior to starting my business in August 2009 I had never been to any networking organisations so when I was asked to attend The Business Club as a guest in October I was more than a little apprehensive about saying “yes”. On arrival at Brampton Golf Club my “knee and voice trembling” fear completely disappeared after the very warm welcome I received from Mike Willis and others who were signing in. Members and guests who spoke to me during the networking reception were all so friendly and supportive of my new venture. I became a member of The Business Club Shortly after this guest meeting and now look forward to attending each of the three meeting venues.
Since joining I have secured business from members or via their referrals and continue to meet quality contacts at every meeting.
Being a sole trader my daily contact with any other human beings is limited and may only be generally only via a phone. The Business Club greatly helps with this as the members and guests one meets at each event gives me my “fix” of like minded positive people who are all so willing to talk.
Therefore not only has my membership of The Club given me access to a string of quality and enthusiastic people to help increase my business but also a route to human contact therapy. So if you are a guest and wish to think about joining, don’t think too long, you will be miss out big time.
Rob Adaway Structural Solutions – Structural Engineers
