Member Article

Record turnout for Liverpool Business networking event

Liverpool’s entrepreneurial set were out in force last week, with more than 80 people attending a networking event hosted by one of the UK’s leading start-up support specialists, Blue Orchid.

The event took place at the heritage listed Bluecoat Chambers, and presented a unique opportunity for local businesspeople to meet others working within their community, as well as to form connections for the benefit of future business projects.

Two guest speakers addressed the gathering, offering first-hand advice to an audience of pre and post start-up businesses. Sole trader Jean Clough spoke about the importance of due diligence when extending credit to new accounts.

Based on the experience of launching her own company, Credit Matters, Jean’s sage advice served as a forewarning for those just starting out, as well as a timely reminder for established businesses not to become complacent.

Ian Read, founder of Total Bathroom Restorations and a Blue Orchid post-start client, also spoke at the event. He shared tips on leveraging free web and mobile applications in business, as well as highlighting the benefits of a virtual office and other support services that can enhance the customer experience.

As a business owner looking to franchise and grow, Ian detailed the process of hiring his first apprentice through Blue Orchid and the benefits this has brought.

One of the key aims of the event is to provide a friendly environment for business networking, with a focus on welcoming first time attendees.

The quarterly event encourages attendee participation and this time helped business owners to practice their ‘elevator pitch’ – a short summary used to quickly and simply define a business and its proposition.

Karen McKean, project manager based at Blue Orchid’s Liverpool offices, said: “A formal networking meet-up can be quite intimidating for first-time business owners, so our aim is to always host a relaxed and social event that is actually enjoyable as well as beneficial.

We want Liverpool business people to collaborate with other Liverpool businesses, and the feedback so far is that we had the right mix of new and established businesses, as well as relevant services in the room to make that happen.“

The next free business networking event takes place on Wednesday 4th December.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Blue Orchid .