BUSINESS networking in Gloucestershire is going from strength to strength since Abid Naser joined forces with Mike Prissick to inject new life into the face2face business networking group.

"Networking is simply getting to know people and building relationships over time," says Abid, who has built his business by constant networking with other small businesses.

"Word of mouth is the most powerful form of promotion. People prefer to buy from people they know and trust and are then happy to  refer and recommend them. What better way to get to know someone than to sit down and share a meal with them?"

At face2face, more than 60 local businesses get together every month for a three-course  dinner.  After each course, participants change tables and get the chance to talk about their products and services to a new group of people.

"The big advantage of an evening networking event is  that many small business owners cannot take time out during their working day to network." says Abid.

"Another benefit of networking," says co director Mike Prissick, "is that many small business owners work alone or from home. Getting together to meet other people in similar circumstances enables you not only to do business but to generate new ideas and discuss the issues all small businesses face."
 
Abid and Mike are committed to making face2face the premier business-to-business networking rganisation in the region and to maximising the power of networking to help local companies grow their businesses.

Reprinted by courtesy of the Federation of Small Business and Glosmedia .