DEFINING A DECADE
ADVERTISING FEATURE
BUSINESSWISE CELEBRATES MORE THAN A DECADE OF POSITIVE NETWORKING
BusinessWise , the Swindon-based independent , not for profit business referral group is one of the most established in the town and the county with a history dating back more than ten years .
Chairman Dave Southby , of Dave Southby Financial Planning said : “ I ’ ve only been in business a short-time so BusinessWise is much older as an organisation that my own business . “ Originally it started as a branch of a well known networking brand and after a few years the members decided to go ‘ independent ’ and run the group their way . Since then , members have come and gone over the years however we ’ re still a mix of social and formal , we still are a single-seat group and we are almost at capacity . Currently if a new business owner wants to join and that ‘ seat ’ is available we have to carefully consider if they are the right fit within a larger membership .” The group , which meets at Basset Down Complex just off j16 of the M4 , has a variety of committed and active members , several of whom have been members for five years or more .
Ten of our members share their thoughts on why this group has worked so well for them .
Lewis Kidd , is the co-founder of drone specialists Sims Parker and Kidd .
“ When we launched the bulk of our activity was based on inspection-related work . Now this has expanded from commercial and industrial as well as residential properties as well as film work . The size of our drone fleet has grown and there is no doubt Businesswise played a large part in this .
“ Over the years I have had the pleasure of working with several fellow members including TLC Estate Agents as well as Moore Photographics .
“ The word ‘ networking ’ doesn ’ t justify and capture the real benefits . Try these words as well : friendship , problem solving , relationship building , raising of your profile , staying up to date , opportunities , maintaining relationships and improving motivation .”
“ Almost every meeting I walk away with a little nugget ”
Liza van Zyl , who runs Priory Heating has been a member for four years .
“ Almost every meeting I walk away with a little nugget , something someone else mentioned or spoke about at the meeting , whether it ’ s how to manage your Microsoft account better , Linkedin , Will writing or just an experience they ' ve had that week as a small business owner , that I can relate to . This all helps me deal with that situation better next time when I ’ m in that position .
“ It ’ s been absolutely priceless . I ’ ve developed close working relationships with several members where we have businesses which are aligned , I have had the opportunity to be on BBC Wiltshire and have had more than one article published in a local business magazine . This exposure has made me a better business owner , giving me the confidence to speak about my business and of course , it ’ s great PR !
“ I don ’ t know of any other networking group that offers so much for such an affordable investment . I ’ m just a heating engineer yet BusinessWise has helped me grow into my role as a business owner .
John Lewis is a more recent member and runs J L Mindset Performance . He ’ s a performance coach and qualified mental health first aid trainer and has already worked with several BW members and their clients and contacts .
“ BusinessWise doesn ’ t feel like networking ! I feel we are all friends who just want to help and support each other personally and professionally and it ’ s fun .
“ In general , I ’ ve built my business through networking and now I feel my profile is growing and those relationships are truly blossoming . By talking about me and my business , week in , week out , I think networking has helped me grow as a professional person , and this has actually meant that I believe more in myself and my offering to clients .”
Media and PR consultant Fiona Scott has been a member of BusinessWise for many years and is now one of the ‘ older ’ members of the group .
“ BusinessWise members are the core of my business ‘ family ’ as I believe it ’ s very easy to underestimate the need for support and friendship in business . I ’ ve gained clients , ad hoc work and also formed fantastic relationships with suppliers . We have a mindset of helping each other even if we don ’ t ‘ do ’ business together . The investment set against the benefit is frankly miniscule and I ’ m proud to be part of this group .”
Dave Southby of Dave Southby Financial Planning , has been a member for his whole time in business .
“ I found BusinessWise before I even formally started my business and I realised it was a group where I would be supported as I took the step to become self-employed . I knew networking would be important to my business and that it was a long game so I joined ready for that moment when my own business was ready for launch . I ’ ve never regretted that decision and see these fellow business owners as my advocates and friends .”
“ BusinessWise doesn ’ t feel like networking ! I feel we are all friends who just want to help and support each other personally and professionally and it ’ s fun .”
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