Business Networking Strategy

This was the question just asked at the end of a BBC London news report into a new marketing initiative in the Capital City. London taxi drivers, famed for their ability to chat throughout your journey on any subject under the sun, are now talking about the sun. Around 60 Black Cab drivers are being flown out on all-expense paid holidays and then asked to come back and wax lyrical about the destinations to their captive audience. Others are being briefed on the companies behind the adverts carried outside their cabs so that they can promote their products.

In his Nesta Connect Blog at the end of January, Roland Harwood talks about the importance of the 'reputation economy'. " I believe that we are moving from a knowledge economy", says Roland, ..."to being a networked economy, where organisations and individuals create value primarily through their relationships and networks." This transition should be a key area of focus to business and organisations of all sizes.

Tim's comment on my last blog raises a very interesting question. When it comes to taking networking opportunities,as Tim put it, "So we all have time (168 hours per week), energy, and money. The question is 'how should we spend it?'" So, where can you go to network and connect with people?