I know there are a few other business owners/decision makers/freelancers on here, just thought it'd be good to do a bit of networking here on BT - see if we can make any decent introductions for each other. I realise there will be a lot of common ground between us, so I think it's important to explain what specific industries/types of clients ("small and medium businesses" is too generic, for example) you work with, to maximise the potential benefit! Let's roll with this format, please say if you think it should be changed: ____________________________________ Your Name Business Name Business description (no more than 100ish words, list your USPs) Who you are looking to be introduced to LinkedIn Profile Website ____________________________________ Let's be open about initial referrals if everyone agrees, I think it will motivate people to get involved if we see it's actually working...along the lines of: And do report back if you get any business!!!
Julian Seers-Martin sm technologies Boutique web agency building web sites and apps that add a layer of functionality to improve business operations, while still remaining a beautiful presence on the web. Currently specialised to the Wine trade and Recruitment trade, however I'm open to most bespoke projects. I'm keen to speak with anyone in the recruitment or wine trade in London and the South. LinkedIn and Website
i think this is a good idea, but not one i can take part in. that said, if i did want a nice website made for something, or if anyone asked me for a recommendation (stranger things have happened) i would now no doubt recommend Julian.
this really has not taken off to the flying start i was expecting. brb going to spend some time in the shower.
If I was any of the things mentioned at the beginning of the thread, I would be over this like a rash. Unfortunately I'm not. So i can't. Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk
It's a noble idea, but I would be a bit cautious about the implementation. For example: would you recommend Julian based on a sampling of his work and your experience working with him or his firm, or would you recommend him mostly because you sort of know his online persona from an internet geek forum? His web sites might be nice, but for all I know he's a chronic networker and building a site takes him twice as long as it should. Just be careful when making business recommendations. You may think you know us, but in reality the vast majority of us are total strangers.
Alex Philp Treasures Small family jeweller/retailer of nineteen years standing, thirteen years in our current premises. We specialise in; rocks, minerals, gems, fossils, costume, dress, and "precious" jewellery. In-house bespoke production, either one-off of limited run items in gold, silver, and in the near future platinum and palladium. (what the hell're USPs?) I'm not really looking to be introduced to anyone... just felt a bit sorry for Mr. Seers-Martin the way this thread was going and thought I'd reinforce his original intent. We have neither a linked in profile... ...nor a website. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Alex Philp (obviously) APA Design I design stuff, basically artistic hand crafted items, a modern day arts and crafts exponent if you will. Anything from jewellery (see above), to small stand-alone installations in timber and etcetera. My formal instruction was in architecture (MArch) however, with the lack of hands on involvement undertaken by architects in the modern construction industry I've slipped behind the wainscoting. A renegade designer if you will, it sounds romantic but it's not really.(sorry, but I still don't know what USPs are.) I'm still not in need of introductions... ...and I'm no more linked-in... ...or web-situated than in my other endeavours.
Ugh. Really? At the risk of threatening what tiny shred of credibility I have in this thread right now - thanks for going absolutely against what I was trying to achieve, and introducing doubt where there really did not have to be any. Let alone suggesting the possibility that my company might be untimely or distrustful (seriously? have you seen our work or testimonials?). ANYBODY that knows the first thing about networking is well aware that it is based on trust. I wouldn't dream of getting a referral from someone unless I had spoken to them first and satisfied their questions - that's friggin' 101 of doing this kind of thing. adrock knows me quite well, funnily enough, and I very much doubt anyone would make the kind of suggestion he did without knowing me as a person or my work, and ideally both. To further labour the point, seeing as this thread isn't going anywhere now with that kind of attitude - the whole concept of "serial networking" and then not following up or delivering is completely and utterly flawed. Networking just does not work for people who can't do what they say they will do, that much should be blindingly obvious. What I find really, really annoying about your post is the inherent lack of trust in our community. We're a rare board with very, very few trolls, and not one hint of deceit as ever come from me, and to be honest, the vast majority of users here. I even have my real name as a username - how's that for being upfront and accountable? The mods questioned me on commercial interests with this thread and whether it was suitable for a forum run by a commercial enterprise - absolutely a valid objection and I should thank them for the reason and graciousness in allowing it. I never thought the straight up decency of us would come into question by post 11. Seriously, thread over, if anyone is actually interested in this, PM me and I'll start a LinkedIn group. Thanks to the few who grasped the spirit of it.
Shame about where this has gone as by now, with the pictures and what not it isn't going to happen. I've send connection to you on LinkedIn Julian as you've given me good advice and been communicative. Thanks (I'm not much of a LinkedIn)
Like I said, it is a noble idea. I'm not questioning your integrity, and I certainly am not questioning whether your company is legitimate and worthy of business. I was just issuing a bit of well-intentioned caution before anyone got too comfortable with the idea that we're all close friends here. Yes, this is a pretty good forum. It's one of the best forums to which I belong, and the usual cast of characters has become familiar over the years. But I always have to remind myself that I've never met any of you in person. I don't actually know any of you. You and adrock might be the best of friends, but nothing about his post gave me that indication. For all I know he was recommending you for no other reason than because you are a fellow bit-tech forum member. If he had included additional information in his post (e.g. "I know Julain personally, and have worked with him in a professional environment as well, and I can attest to his skill..."), then I might not have felt the need to comment. In my opinion, that would be more in keeping with the spirit of business networking. I'm sorry if I offended you, Julian. Offense was not my intent; all I was trying to do provide a bit of friendly caution on the internet.
As aLtikal said: This is why contracts exist. When there is a problem, it gets sorted out by the law, not by some imaginary friendship that transfers between all these people that are on the forum, which you seem so focussed on. A referral here would be Not The presumption of forum anonymity + presumption of there being a problem = high risk is what irks me, as the suggestion then makes the whole idea really off putting when it doesn't have to be, given any sensible businessman does their due diligence! But whatever, party poopers will be party poopers and there is nothing I can do about that. I know what you are trying to warn against, and that is a world devoid of common sense.
Sad to see this thread go the way it did. I think it was a great idea and had some real promise. Oh well, as someone who has been in business for a few years now and still doesn't have a website, I feel you'd be someone useful to have as a contact Julian. I'll send you a connection via LinkedIn (which, incidentally, I have barely used up until now).
