01/11/2010

NETWORK CENTRAL ROUNDS UP BEST OF CITY’S BUSINESS

WHEN Little Bo Peep lost her sheep nobody thought she’d find them in Plymouth’s city centre – but nor would they expect to find Bo Peep at a major business event, alongside a shepherd and a hypnotist....

Yet on November 17 that’s where Bo Peep, from Saltash-based Loopy Look Fancy Dress Hire, and shepherd Chris Farnsworth will be. Both are due to attend Network Central’s business networking and exhibition event at Plymouth’s Guildhall, and they will be busy in the city centre this Wednesday rounding up publicity.

Network Central Plymouth offers a one-day opportunity to make business contacts in every possible sector, beyond the stuffy confines of traditional exhibition space and without any hard sell.

Plymouth City Council leader Vivien Pengelly will open the event on the 17th, and between 10.30am and 3.30pm delegates will take part in speed networking sessions and a series of seminars.

Why? Because Network Central’s Rod Major knows a friendly face is a recession-busting resource.

He devised the Network Central concept at a meeting in Plymouth two years ago and has been testing it at venues across the UK - from college halls to cattle markets - ever since.

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The Devon-based firm has had such success that preparations are underway for 14 similar exhibitions across England and Wales throughout 2011 – including one in Plymouth every six months into 2012. And the business is poised to expand internationally.

Rod says: “A client just wants your expertise, and the Plymouth event allows people to share that with each other without anything superfluous. Business people can get together, talk and build some trust and it’s that, in the long-term, which leads to people growing and doing business with each other.”

“You have to like the business and the person you’re dealing with. People always buy people first, then they buy their product or service.”

With Network Central events elsewhere attracting attendees in their thousands, there will be no shortage of delegates to talk to.

The city’s Chamber of Commerce is responsible for the speed networking sessions; freelance photographers will mingle with representatives of national and international high street businesses and banking businesses.

And the shepherd? He’s a training expert who can make your skills shine whether you are a sheep or a sheepdog.

For Rod Major, who is a marketing professional, aggressive sales are a thing of the past and dedicated communication is the way ahead. Network Central events provide that platform.

He says: “It’s interesting that we are in a time of recession yet businesses like ours are surviving, increasing, gaining momentum and finding new people to talk to because the value in the Network Central events are in the face to face relationship building.”