Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!
Freelance Friday Anyone?
A few years back I helped to set up the Bowes and Bounds website. Now I'd like to nick one of their ideas.
The website has been used as a channel to set up an event that seems to have become a staple in the local calendar. Freelance Fridays are aimed at people who freelance, work from home or are involved with a local small business.
The event listing says:
Use this group to tell others about your work, share ideas, swap contacts, or just get out of the house and speak to other people.
A year or so back, Matt Gamble set up a local business network via HoL, which seemed to work well for the quite small group it attracted.
Just this week I was referring a bit of business to a Ladderite I met through that group. I've got some commercial photography work through it and apparently others from the group have also got some good slugs of work.
In spite of this and despite the efforts of Matt and Geoff to keep the group going it didn't ever quite take off. I'm wondering if the format was wrong.
The Freelance Friday concept is much simpler. It's just an informal networking opportunity (I think). Bowes Park is further than I want to go for a drop-in, but I'm attracted to the concept. It's both social and commercial.
Is anyone else interested? I'm not going to volunteer to organise it, but all it would take (I think) is a posting on HoL every now and again and some initial chats with a cafe owner.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Justin Guest on
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I would be interested to come along for a coffee and a chin wag Hugh, not sure I can commit much time to it, but something as simple as once a month in Blend at a set time?
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Permalink Reply by Ian on
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the HOL small business group was a good idea and brought together a number of small businesses that met informally. I attended a few and enjoyed the social aspects but I had concerns from the start that being too informal without a strong purpose and incentive to members, people would just drift away slowly after time. I have since been to another business networks (BNI), that has been going for years with chapters all over the place and in comparison is a different spectrum to HoL, extremely formal with a clear plan in regards to the purpose of the network, the rewards for members, what is expected of them and of course it cost money to join. It was however not to my liking and I did not join for various reasons but it worked well for other people and they have very sound methods and processes.
I personally think that somewhere between the HoL small business network and the BNI network would be an ideal compromise. A hybrid group combining elements of both but without the penalties and strict rules imposed by BNI membership but members still having some obligation to commit to the group and contribute in an effective and measurable way. I think such groups exist for a purpose and the purpose needs to be clearly defined as my gut feel is that most people originally joining HoL was looking to improve and grow their business by getting more work as a result of joining such a group. It is a shame it expired but I still believe that a HoL business group is still doable but in a different format. Matt, do you want to attempt to reborn the group but first design and brainstorm a process with contributions from potentials members. The people that joined the group are probably still listening and again my gut feel (could be wrong) is that people/business on the original list would still be interested especially if business was done as a result of the group.
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Permalink Reply by Matt on
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Hi Ian,
I just don't have the time to rejig the old group around at the moment. But I do really like this more relaxed drop in idea and we can see where that goes after some discussion.
Thanks,
Matt
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Permalink Reply by Karen Fugle on
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Hi Matt, Ian,
I am definitely up for the more relaxed cafe meet up for freelancers and will be attending Hugh's first event on the 4th.
However I agree with Ian that there may be a case for revitalising the business group: just doing an initial poll on what the members (and potential members) want from a group will give a clear direction as to whether it's justified or not. I realise you don't have the time to do this but I am happy to poll the group and see where it can lead? It would be a shame to let it fade and I am pretty committed to establishing a business group in north London.
If you (and Ian, others interested?) come to Jam in a Jar on the 4th perhaps we can discuss?
Karen
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Permalink Reply by Hugh on
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I'd missed the fact that Karen was there well before me with the local cafe networking idea. She posted here last month. I'm not snubbing Blend. I just happened to have the conversation with Quto yesterday. For my money I'd be happy meeting wherever folks want to meet.
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Permalink Reply by Chrisandsally on
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I like the idea of dropping into eg Blend or Moka for a coffee one Friday a month about noon and knowing I could chat to whoever is there, without any particular agenda.
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