Networking to hit £1m target

FORMED less than 12 months ago, the Dovestones networking breakfast club is on a fast track to success.

The members have set themselves a business target of £1 million referrals and are clearly not daunted by the prospect.

Chairman Kevin Sanders, who has just taken on the role, is determined to put his stamp on the Breakfast Network International chapter and he outlined a series of goals for the 30-plus members — including increasing membership.

The club, which meets at Saddleworth Golf Club each Friday morning, already has a healthy atmosphere.

I have been to any number of these groups, in their various guises and brands, and while there is an air of mutual benefit prevalent at each and every one I had the feeling that these guys were genuinely enjoying themselves.

The one-minute round, whereby each member — and even guests — get to pitch for business revealed a huge cross-section of skills and organisations.

The club has already achieved business referrals totalling £200,000 since July last year when it was established — and the £1 million target does not seem unreasonable given the amount of referrals sorted out over coffee and chocolate muffins.

Bacon sandwiches were available, too, but as Mr Sanders, business director at Pradoray IT Solutions, in Grasscroft, pointed out, the members are there to help each other grow and the food is a bonus.

Too many of these breakfast clubs flourish at the outset but ultimately flounder through a lack of membership. Dovestones has set itself some challenging targets in terms of membership, but with everyone pulling in the same direction, there is no doubt it will meet all of them.