Month: September 2025

At Get Ahead, we know there are many benefits of networking.  A strong understanding of networking is key for anyone who wants to buy a Get Ahead franchise. We also love supporting our clients with everything from business cards to confidence so they can get themselves out there.

But we know that not everyone likes networking. Some people say it doesn’t work. Others feel it’s not worth the time away from their desk. And some people find the social side difficult. 

If you know you should be networking but you can’t bring yourself to go, this blog is for you. We’ll share our top tips and mindsets to help you break down whatever barrier stands between you and networking. 

• Do your homework

Think about what kind of networking group would work for you. Would you like a drop-in, like a Get Connected event, or something more structured? Would you like membership to make sure you go every month, or would you like more flexibility? Breakfast events? Daytime? Evening? Not all networking events are the same.

See what’s available in your area and sign up for the one that meets your criteria. 

• Go with a business friend

If walking into a room full of strangers fills you with horror, take a friend with you. Go with a friend who also runs a business, or someone you know professionally and get on well with. Just remember to talk to other people once you’ve found your feet! 

• Set expectations

You probably won’t leave your first networking event with ten new clients, or even one! But that doesn’t mean that networking doesn’t work. You might get a call a few days later, or pick up some work at the next event because people have had a chance to think about it. 

Don’t underestimate the value of just turning up – every time you say your business name, you reinforce your brand. 

• Set goals

Set yourself networking goals, like finding someone who could give you an introduction in another relevant industry. Networking isn’t just about you finding your next client – maybe you’re looking for an accountant to get your books in order, or another service to help your business level up. 

If you’re a start-up, networking means that you’ve told people about your business who have never heard of it before. You could make it your goal to tell three people about your business.

Set yourself a goal – see if your networking becomes more focused. 

• Keep going! 

It’s easy to think that networking doesn’t work if you’ve only been to one event. But – trust us – keep going. The more people get used to seeing your face over coffee on a Wednesday morning, the more they’ll learn to like and trust you. It’s these deeper connections that make our network work. 

Benefits of networking

At Get Ahead, we believe in the benefits of networking. We’re here to help you with networking too and we hope you’ll come along to your local Get Connected event. And if you’re not ready to network yet, we can help you with your brand and marketing collateral, so you can talk about your business with confidence. We can even introduce you to business coaches from our own network.

See you at networking soon! 

Networking is a great way of to get your business out there, tell others what you do and take your business to the next level. However, it’s very important to talk to the right people so that every connection is worthwhile. In this blog, we talk to regional director Lisa Middleton about how to be strategic and build a network with people to grow your business.

Why is it important to be strategic at networking?

Lisa: When we go to a networking event, it’s really easy to focus on attracting new clients who will book our services directly. There’s nothing wrong with doing that, especially if it turns into regular business. However, it’s also worth making the effort to talk to people who can support us in an ongoing way, rather than pay us for a one-off service. This is how to make these events more worthwhile and more sustainable. 

When I’m at a business event, I always make myself available to potential clients, in case they want to book a call with me and use Get Ahead’s services to support their business. But I also make sure I connect with others who offer a service – this can often create more opportunities for future work. For example, I might make a point of connecting with an accountant. It’s a great starting point for me – the accountant might have clients who need other outsourced, back-office services like the ones Get Ahead provides. And if the Get Ahead finance experts are at capacity, I have another accountant I can invite to join the team. 

How could I put strategic networking work in practice?

Lisa: Think about what conversations you would like to have that would grow your business. For example, talking to others in your sector could give you insights into industry developments so you can adapt your offering accordingly. You can also find the differences and connections between what you both offer. Maybe your services complement each other and you could combine forces to provide an even better service. 

You can also talk to others outside your sector who might be able to give you an introduction to a wider group. If you have a product that would benefit a particular market, networking could give you a valuable inroad.

It’s a good idea to think about this before you leave for the event. Networking is time away from your desk and you should use it as efficiently as possible. 

Networking in your local area

Get Ahead hosts regular networking events at Metrobank. These events are great ways to meet other local businesses, expand your business family, make connections and find more work. Explore our events page to find out more – we’d love to meet you!