Chat from the Chair (June 2025) – Why Network?

 

Why do you network with other business owners? Knowing your reason why you do this is important.

 

Reasons for Networking

So, what are the reasons for networking?

1. Bring in leads and work
2. Form close connections with fellow business owners so they confidently signpost your business
3. Share frustrations with one another so you know you are not alone
4. Signpost business ideas, training, innovation, grants and funding
5. Find business-to-business links to support the work of your business

These are just some reasons for networking, but what is your reason? We need to get clear on what we are looking for and find the right place to find it. For example, if you are looking to bring in leads and work quickly (no 1 in the list above) at each meeting, then attending one of the Stowmarket Chamber networking events might not be the best place. We are geared to help with 2, 3 and 5 and a little bit of 4 whenever we can.

We always get lots of comments that Stowmarket Chamber is a friendly, supportive group. This may well start from the Chamber’s Committee focusing on that, but it is also because all members are engaging in that approach. You see, we get out of networking what we put in.

• • If we want to form close relationships so that other businesses signpost us, we need to signpost them.
  • If we want other businesses to tell others on social media about us, then we need to tell others on social media about them.
  • If we want people to listen to our frustrations and reassure us, we need to listen to their frustrations and reassure them
  • If we want people in the network to use our business, then we need to use others in that network

 

The Power of Networking

I have been running my business for 8 years now and as a micro business, I have learnt the power of connecting with local business, not for what you can get from it, but what you give. The more you give it can often lead to receiving lots too!

One of the things we will consider in our 2025/26 development plan is how we can all endorse one another. This is such a simple example of what we can all do. How about over the next few weeks you give it a try in your social media? It works as simple as:

• • Post on social media about a Stowmarket Chamber business that has helped you/ delivered a great service to you.
  • Tag in Stowmarket Chamber so we can share/retweet it.

Imagine what that could do to help us meet our aim of championing one another.
It could certainly help with the number 2 reason for networking.

What’s your reason for networking? Let’s model what we want.

 

For the Future

Chairman Colin Tapscott is always happy to receive any suggestions for what members want to see the Chamber doing in the future. Please send your ideas (and your wish lists) to [email protected]

 

Dates for your diary:

Please check the website in case of any last-minute changes.

Coffee Morning	Chamber Breakfast
Hosted by Moss HR Stable Yard, Middlewood Green, IP14 5HG	The Mix Stowmarket 127 Ipswich Street Stowmarket IP14 1BB
Friday, 1 August 2025	Friday, 18 July 2025
10.00 am to 12.30 pm	7.15 am to 9.00 am

For more information contact Keely Taylor by e-mail: [email protected].