February networking lunch – doesn’t February fly past?

14/02/2013 by 1 Comment

Of course February is a short month, and our next lunch meeting is next week, 22nd of February, and we will be meeting at our usual place, well at least for Barnstaple, we will be meeting at the Chichester Arms, in Bishops Tawton!

We get to use the pubs “Den” bar which most months we get all to ourselves, and we have a special menu organised which is a selection of meals from the main menu, which the pub will pretty much guarantee will be available. This suits us a lot better than trying to get the meals pre-ordered!

We book the table for 12:30pm with the aim to sit down to eat around 1pm, although we do encourage people to come along from midday so that they maximise the opportunity to network. After all, that is what we do!

We are an informal networking group, and we always resist the temptation to have that 30 second elevator pitch. I always say, if you do your pitch & no one wants your business they won’t come and talk to you, but if they don’t know what you do, they will!

We are a great bunch, a very welcoming group – I know, I would say that – and I also know for a fact that business is done between members, referrals are passed between ourselves, and what is most important…..

….we keep in touch with each other between lunches.

We advocate the use of social networking, we tweet with one another, we are friends on facebook, or at least like one anothers pages, are part of the same group on Linked In and even get to be part of circles & communities on Google+.

Lunch finishes whenever, some have to disappear back to work, others have the time to hang around and network some more – we have an all in price of just £20 which includes, drinks, food & coffee afterwards!

Why not join us – contact us via the contact page on this website & book your slot!

I for one look forward to meeting you!

Filed Under: Networking, North Devon Business Tagged With: , , , ,

The power of the #ndevon network

25/05/2012 by Leave a Comment

When there seem to be so many obstacles, regulations, procedures holding back enterprise, it’s so uplifting to be reminded of the power that people have within themselves.

Today I’ve been to two events – the NDBA blogging workshop in Barnstaple and the monthly NDBA lunch at Westward Ho! Apart from being among friendly, open, positive people, I think what I found so energising is how everyone is working on developing their businesses at a time when there are so many challenges, not just here in North Devon but nationally and internationally.

This morning our group were very keen to discover how blogging can help their  businesses and we’re hoping to see more dipping their toes in the water and entering our blogging competition. Come on, everyone.

At lunch too it was good to chat in a relaxed environment, taking time to enjoy the glorious sunshine and the view out to sea. Perhaps it’s the open, welcoming atmosphere that makes me – and I hope others – look forward to them so much.

Whatever the reason, it’s had a powerful effect on me so that I’ve pulled into a layby to write this blog. It had to be done.

So thank you everyone. Keep working at your businesses. And let’s look forward to more workshops and lunches.

Enjoy your weekend.

Filed Under: All Blogs, Networking Tagged With: , , , ,

January #NDBA #NDevon lunch

27/01/2012 by 2 Comments

What a great turnout, we had 23 attendees for our first lunch of 2012.

A few mentions – it was great to see both Polly & Molly from Pollyclinics in Mill Road who were enthusing over the infrared heating panels that have been installed for their hot yoga classes!

It was also good to see our accountants finding time from their January 31st deadlines to pop in for a bit of relaxation, Sadie Procter, James Hellyer & new member Kate Parsons.

It was also good to see Ian Starling from The Voice North Devon’s own radio station – currently online and soon to be on FM.

A good turnout of twitter folk – star attraction was Taxi Anne – attending her first ever business networking event – go on give her a follow – I hope we didn’t put her off coming back.

Some of our regulars deserve a mention too – Lance Rice, Graham Lofthouse, Barbara Fryer, Robert Zarywacz, Jimmy Jewel, Gloria O’Connel, Elaine Isaacs to name a few!

To find out what these people do, and to network in an informal atmosphere, why not come along to our next lunch – at Serendipity in Bideford on 24th February. It is important to book first as numbers for this event will be limited to 20!

It really is informal, no elevator speeches to give, as it is all about talking to people to find out what they do, rather than being told! It all adds to the atmosphere!

Contact me, Kevin the number on our home page to book your space.

If you would like to receive our monthly newsletter please also contact me, as it will remind you each month what is happening in and around North Devon, and where each month’s lunch will be!

I hope to see you there

Kevin

 

Filed Under: Networking, North Devon Business, North Devon Events Tagged With: , ,

NDBA Christmas lunch will be…

17/11/2011 by Leave a Comment

..on 16th December at Saunton Sands Hotel!

We thought long and hard about having it at various other places, particularly hoping to have it in the Bideford area, but we decided that whilst we are in economic tough times, it wasn’t up to us to ask you to spend your money on an expensive slap up meal.

To that end we are keeping our cost to £20 per person for this event, and this will include the meal at the Saunton Sands as well as drinks on us as usual.

We are awaiting for the chef to issue the menu for this event and as soon as it is available I’ll be posting it up for all to see! In the meantime, numbers will be limited to a maximum of 20 people, so please book now, don’t wait until the last minute.

Just let me know – by email to kevin@kvassociates (dot) co (dot) uk or by phone 01237 451848 or indeed just leave a comment here!

Filed Under: All Blogs, Networking, North Devon Events Tagged With: , ,

This is business networking . . .

01/10/2011 by Leave a Comment

Yesterday was the September monthly North Devon Business Alliance networking lunch. I always look forward to it as it is a great way of ending the month, especially when things have been busy, but yesterday it seemed to really buzz.

The food and service at the Chichester Arms in Bishop’s Tawton were superb and so was the company. We welcomed both NDBA members and new faces from all parts of North Devon: Barnstaple, Bideford, Braunton, Chulmleigh, Ilfracombe, Lynton, Northam, North Molton and more places.

One of the aims of the NDBA is to bring together businesses from across the area, breaking down some of the barriers that sometimes build up. Yesterday’s lunch was a good example of this in action.

We also had some useful conversations on the high cost of parking throughout North Devon, renewable energy, training for businesses and this new NDBA web site.

Sometimes it can be hard to assess the value of networking events and, with time at a premium, there has to be a good reason for attending. Yesterday I came away thinking that the time had flown by as everyone chatted to each other. Yes, I did a brief presentation on the NDBA and new web site (we don’t usually have presentations), but what was most important was the one-to-one conversations to create business relationships.

I can’t wait for the next one at the Pack of Cards in Combe Martin on Friday 28 October.

Filed Under: All Blogs, Networking Tagged With: , , ,