20 April 2016

Looking for Small Business Networks

| ace2279
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I have a relatively young small business and am looking for any small business networks in the ACT/Queanbeyan.

I’d like to get to know others in small business and make some professional connections etc. In the past I’ve been to network breakfasts but have been out of that loop for a while.

I’ve Googled and found the BEC in Canberra/Queanbeyan which is great but I’d like to get your advice as well.

Would really appreciate any information on some other networks and services I could check out for small business owners. Cheers!

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Thanks for all the tips, really appreciate it and have plenty of places to explore

Bypass the local networking organisations including the ACT Chamber of Commerce as they are a waste of time for a small business. The best way to grow your business is to set up cyber offices in all capital cities with your head office being in Melbourne. Have a website that reflects style and have a connection with an AFL team. This impresses ACT Government procurement people who have a cringe mentality about dealing with locally based businesses. Become a Defence contractor as well.

How to know your business is going well? ……. You’re too busy to join a small business network

Snarky said :

There’s also Schmooze.

(Been thinking of joining – never got round to it)

They have a great system of matching your requirements for specific events, so that you get to go to events that are relevant to your business, not a scattergun approach of attending all events.

The schmooze team can assist you in promoting your business to the network as well.

johnny_the_knife3:19 pm 25 Jul 11

Check out:

Schmooze
BNI
Canberra Business Point/Lighthouse Innovation Centre
CRBEC

Be prepared with a lot of business cards. This is a style of promotional marketing that requires a significant investment of time and energy, but has a low monetary cost.

neanderthalsis3:11 pm 25 Jul 11

go for the ACT Chamber of Commerce and Industry, they have fairly regular business networking events as well as providing advice on IR, OH&S etc.

There’s also Schmooze.

(Been thinking of joining – never got round to it)

I am suspicious of these networks. I don’t want to meet people who are running their own completely unrelated business, I want to meet successful people in my own industry and find out what they are doing right, who they are working with, etc! Are there any groups for that?

Queanbeyan Business Council is very good

http://www.queanbeyanbusinesscouncil.com.au

The ACT have a Chamber of Commerce…but it’s a bit of an old boys network.

http://www.actchamber.com.au/

screaming banshee1:32 pm 25 Jul 11

Flying solo

Try http://www.flyingsolo.com.au/

Also, if you’re not listed on LinkedIn, and the small business groups therein, you’re missing out.

Hope this helps.

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