Member Article

Converge: the new kid on the networking block

It’s commonly known that business networking is a really valuable way of connecting and building relationships, which have a multiplicity of functions. From the opportunity to develop business to business and business to consumer opportunities, networking also provides an opportunity for organisations to learn and the valuable social connectivity that can offer camaraderie and friendship.

There is a multiplicity of membership and networking organisations around. All of them have the intention of promoting business. Some meet on a weekly or monthly schedule, an ad hoc basis or around specific events to support the networking activity.

But there is a new networking “kid” on the block, and according to one North East business leader, is definitely one worth watching.

David Cliff, top coach and Managing Director of Gedanken Ltd based in Houghton-le-Spring asserts: “Converge stands as the great new experiment in business networking. Its central point, Engage, is a combination of magazine, social network, formal networking meetings and member generated networking opportunities that would on the face of it, appear peerless in this combination. It is a progressive and exciting new format within which business networking can develop, we are happy to join and be one of the early adopters.”

The Engage magazine will be distributed quarterly and allows members to promote their activities, share content, and make special offers as well as attracting a multiplicity of writers who can provide informed commentary on business activities. Networking meetings will be convened across the region, often in novel format with a range of themes, modes of delivery and diversity of approach very much at their heart. The Converge website will contain a full member directory, supported by blogs and other activity as well as, uniquely, an opportunity for members to contact other members and arrange their own events.

All in all, it’s an interesting combination and certainly one that is worth participating in. Emirates Airline and The Regus Group have signed up and at Gedanken, we are happy to be early adopters of the Converge concept and have been pleased to work with Converge to develop some of the thinking around the offerings available.

James Tennant, who developed and manages Converge, said: “Converge breaks the mould with traditional business networking. We hope to offer a diversity of approach that has a broad appeal to the business community and complement, rather than conflict with businesses’ other networking affiliations. We have been very pleased to work with Gedanken as we have been bringing ideas into action.

“Converge will be ready to launch soon, with the website and the first networking events arriving in the next month. To register your interest in joining Converge then visithttp://www.converge.today . There are only 300 memberships available in the first year.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by David Cliff .