I have mentioned previously to you that I attend a Business Network group, it’s called BNSL. https://businessnetworkingleicestershire.co.uk/. I’ve been going for about a year now and have recently spent some time analysing the results/effects of attending once a week for a year….. (you know me and analysis!)
I had my reasons for joining and the main one wasn’t to obtain as many leads and new customers as I possibly could. The primary reason was personal development. It may shock some of you to read that I am a bit of an introvert, specifically and technically an ambivert but I lean towards the introverted side. So if you’ve seen and experienced me as a chatty jokey chap please take comfort in this, I’m comfortable with you and think a lot of you. However this exhausts me and I need alone time to recharge!
I must apologise to my wife here, because she see’s me being an extrovert around friends and then we climb into the car to come home and I’m quiet, it’s not that I want to be quiet, Emma is the person I’m most comfortable with so should maintain being the extrovert, but I’m just shattered and this feeling was leading me down a misanthropic path, I didn’t want to be that guy, even though I joke about it sometimes. So I joined the group and began working on my personal development.
I’ve never really minded public speaking, I’ve been a best man twice and enjoyed doing both the speeches, but lately I found myself struggling with doing it and even struggling when trying to pitch our services to potential clients and customers, I had to fix it, I needed to ensure I could deliver when it was most important.
The structure of BNSL is as Follows:
- General chat and networking.
- Each member gives a 1 minute presentation/pitch
- Breakfast (A blummin goody at that!) and networking
- One member gives a 10 minute presentation
- Testimonials and recommendations.
As you can see at the very least I’d have to stand up and talk to a group every week and for 10 minutes every so often, a year ago this was daunting as hell, sending my tummy into somersaults. But a year on and my confidence is on the up having stood up and carried out three 10 minute presentations, all using power point which I had to teach myself how to use. (Thank you YouTube). I have also created videos for our YouTube channel (I must get back to that) Last week I even wrote a poem to “perform” to the group. I’d never have had the bottle to do that if it wasn’t for the support I’d received.
Whilst it is the goal for everyone to win new work and build your customer base, it was never the primary goal, but I have received 3 leads from the group which I am very grateful for!
As many of you have read, the wife and I have been through the ringer a bit as of late. The group became the support group I never knew I needed. The personal messages, the visits, the reassurance, the time spent with me checking in and making sure I was OK was another level and I’m eternally grateful. I joined a Network group for personal growth, I got the growth and I also got new mates, top ones at that! Something a Misanthropic ambivert didn’t think he needed, turns out he did!
We are John F. White Cabinetmakers
There is nowher in the country this doesn’t take us
We design manufacture and install
I can safely say, we do it all
From reception desks to nurse bases
And bars to bookcases
Our scope and diversity is vast
And we build it all to last
We meet all your deadlines no matter how tight
And only use our own guys on site
We don’t use subbies, we keep it all in house
Keeping complete control without any doubt
I admit sometimes it’s a bit of a slog
You can read about it in my blog
But one thing’s for certain and of that I am sure
John F. White Ltd builds the best furniture that will always endure.
Have a great weekend, Tek’ it easy!!
Adam.
