Business Development & Networking

There are some fantastic DJs out there who are excellent at doing their job. However, this is a trade that has so many people who are very poor businessmen or businesswomen.

There is a definate skill to entertaining and not everyone can do it successfully. Some people think they can do it, but that's a totally different story.

In order to broaden my business knowledge by learning new skills and networking with other small businesses.

For example, just this week, I have been on a training course in association with SASDA (http://www.sasda.info/) and Business Link (http://www.businesslink.org/) to hone my marketing skills. These agencies provide training and assistance to businesses, but many companies are too complacent to take up their services.

It is this complacency that will play a major part in whether a business survives these lean times and I would rather not become complacent and risk my company.

I also attended a meeting at The Enterprise Agency (http://www.theenterpriseagency.co.uk/) because this organisation has received numerous awards for their efforts towards small to medium sized businesses.

Local business people from all trades and service sectors attended a meeting with Margaret Fay, Chairperson of One North East. The former Managing Director of Tyne Tees Television gave a speech on the current economic climate and took questions from the attendees.

This gathering was a perfect opportunity for seeing what is being done to help and assist local businesses improve and expand their company. Organisations like the Enterprise Agency can help setup a support network for companies to come to for the training of their workforce and advice, but the support is only there if the business is open-minded enough to seek their help. Sadly, not every company wants to take up this opportunity.

The meeting also gave myself and a colleague the chance to meet and network with other professionals from many different businesses. We had the chance to talk about various topics and what each company does. It was also good to speak to some of the people who recently attended an event at Auckland Castle - see previous Blog messages for further information.

My advice to other small businesses is to seek out the help and advice that is out there - it will help you through these tough times.

John Forbes
Professional DJ
http://www.johnforbes.net/