Forum Events – Jack D Wynn

5 Reasons to Make the Most Out of Business Networking

Here at Forum Events, our vast experience of synchronising business has taught us that networking is a highly beneficial method for expanding your knowledge, to become inspired by the success of your peers and to discuss innovative product offerings to potential new clients.

That’s why we’ve decided to detail the 5 key assets of business networking to advance your chances of increasing business, as well as raising your industry profile and building valuable connections.

Endless opportunities

At networking and other business-related events, there is always an abundance of opportunities available for you to get involved with, such as becoming a seminar speaker and building partnerships with like-minded brands waiting to be fulfilled. However, it’s crucial to not forget the reasoning of why you are moving forward with a particular opportunity. Put your business needs first and examine whether the other party will hold their end of the bargain.

Sharing tips

Absorb as much advice from similar-thinking businesses. That way, you’ll easily be able to obtain tips on a number of topics related to your business; maybe even the constant struggle of maintaining a work-life balance.

Raising your profile

Throwing yourself, as well as your business, into the spotlight is pivotal to raising your profile. Make a special effort to regularly attend business and social events that will help you to meet key industry leaders; you will then be able to build your reputation as a supportive and knowledgeable professional with the right tools to optimising business. Furthermore, this will likely generate a substantial number of leads and referrals.

Boosting self-confidence

For some, the thought of approaching a complete stranger at a business networking event can seem somewhat petrifying. However, as a business owner or managing director, it’s really important to have the ability to become a regular industry networker and uphold the self-confidence to strike-up a conversation with anyone. The more you make yourself do this, the more self-confidence you will garner and the more your business connections database will grow.

Positive energy

The people you network with at industry events can remarkably influence who you are and how you handle business deals as a result. Therefore, it’s key to immerse yourself with uplifting and positive individuals that help you to grow and thrive as a business owner.

Originally published here

Attending the Total Security Summit? Here Are Our Top Tips for Security Industry Networking

If you’re coming to the next Total Security Summit (or if you’ve been to one before) you’ll know just how many opportunities there are to network with your industry peers.

The networking areas are where, as security suppliers or buyers, you can follow up on conversations you’ve had during the one-to-one meetings that form the core of the two days.

Or, you know, talk about the football.

Either way, business is more often than not about building relationships.

We create networking environments that are informal and free of any pressure – whether that’s during the plentiful coffee breaks, over the delicious lunches and gala dinner, or playing roulette as part of the evening entertainment.

To help you get the most out of these opportunities, we’ve pulled together a few top tips for becoming the consummate networker at security industry events:

Always be yourself: You’re among friends at the Total Security Summit, so there’s no need to feel nervous about walking into a big room of people. Our staff will be on hand to help with introductions and grease those social wheels (do come and say ‘hello’!), plus the evening entertainment line-up means fun and relaxation are the name of the game (did we mention the roulette?).

Have a think about what you want to achieve: Who’s in the room? Is there anyone you met earlier in the day that you’d like to follow up with? Whether you’re a supplier or a buyer, you’ve come to the Total Security Summit with some specific goals in mind – the networking periods are a chance to help solidify those new partnerships.

Be curious: The Total Security Summit seminars are a great place for developing your industry knowledge and learning new skills. And they always create points of discussion. So why not see what everyone else thought of the talks, or swap some ideas on the latest technological developments and trends in the security? And if you’re new to the industry, there will be seasoned veterans ready and willing to impart their wisdom!

Don’t forget your business cards! You didn’t think we could get through a whole article about networking without mentioning business cards, did you? It’s an old chestnut, but one worth re-roasting. This author has forgotten his cards more times than he cares to remember – it happens. Always keep a few spread between your wallet/purse, pockets and bag – then you’ll be able to produce one when you most need it. But don’t blanket bomb – just because you have 100 cards to give out, it doesn’t mean you have to!

Always follow up: You’ve given your cards out, but hopefully you’ve picked some up too! So make sure that when you get back to the office you log into LinkedIn or fire off a some emails to your new contacts while everything’s still fresh in the mind.

Follow the above tips and you won’t go far wrong. Just don’t spend too long in the bar at the end of Day One – you’ll need to be bright as a button for all the networking we have lined up on Day Two

More bespoke than a security conference and more focused than a security expo, the Total Security Summit is the only security industry event you need to attend.

For more information on the Total Security Summit, call Nick Stannard on 01992 374 092 or email n.stannard@formumevents.co.uk.

Or visit www.totalsecuritysummit.co.uk.

Forums vs Expos – How to Maximise Your Precious Time Out of the Office

With a majority of ‘expert’ advice on Expos being somewhat outdated or, like with many businesses, asserting too much emphasis on easy routes rather than methods that actually work, it’s no wonder people get frustrated and disconcerted when they are looking to effectively network and source new connections without it lessening quality time spent in the office.

Amplified by the dominant presence of social media quick fixes such as: setting up a LinkedIn profile; increasing your Twitter presence; scheduling a large number of email marketing campaigns; and collecting as many business cards as possible at industry events – are key solution in helping you to be astute in intelligently selecting what methods best suit you and your way of working.

Expos can also have a somewhat ‘lazy’ association to it: people picture the huge halls and countless stands as a way of picking up leads and justifying their time out of the office, but realistically a large percentage of exhibitors won’t be of necessary relevance, or the person you need to speak to has decided not to attend at the last minute.

So set aside any previous experiences you may have with networking and Expos, and garner some quality connections by attending one of our Forum Events. Our formula ensures that buyers can increase their knowledge of how, why and where to invest without hanging around waiting for the wrong supplier; as well as ensuring that all suppliers are provided with qualified leads and valuable business is made as a result.

Events relevant to you may include the Marketing Business Forum taking place on November 8, 2016. Contact the team today.