Guide
How to choose the right one
corporate network
The best business network isn't necessarily the biggest, most expensive, or most well-known. It's the network where you meet the right people, in a way that suits you, often enough for the relationships to actually become valuable.
First an important question
What do you really want to get out of a network?
It sounds obvious, but many people start at the wrong end. They look at what networks are available, what they cost, and which companies are already on board before considering why they want to join.
Do you want to find new customers? Build a stronger local network of contacts? Meet other business leaders? Gain knowledge and inspiration? Find partners or people who can open doors to other contexts? The answer affects which network is best suited.
Different goals, different networks
What are you looking for?
New business
Look at networks where referrals, recommendations and concrete business opportunities are a clear part of the model.
Local relations
Choose a context where the same people meet regularly and where the participants are located in the region where you do business.
Knowledge & inspiration
Seminars, lectures and exchange of experiences may be more important than the actual networking if development is your primary goal.
Growth & capital
Entrepreneurs seeking investors, expertise, or capital can gain greater value from specialized growth networks.
Before you join
Six things to compare between business networks.
1. Who is involved?
Look less at the number of members and more at the types of companies and roles you actually come into contact with. A smaller network may be more relevant than a larger one if the people are a better fit for your business.
2. How often do you meet?
Relationships are rarely built in a single meeting. If the network is built on trust and long-term relationships, there needs to be enough natural opportunities to meet.
3. What do the matches look like?
Breakfast meetings with presentation rounds suit some. Dinners, activities, company visits or more informal mingling suit others. The format affects what conversations actually occur.
4. What is expected of you?
Ask about attendance requirements, referrals, exclusivity, sales targets or other expectations. There is no right or wrong approach, but it needs to fit how you want to network.
5. What does it really cost?
Look at the annual fee along with what is included, how many meetings you can attend and what additional costs are involved. Cheapest per year is not always cheapest per relevant meeting.
6. Can you test first?
A membership list doesn't tell you what a network is like. If possible, attend a meetup before you decide. It's often the quickest way to understand if the people and culture are a good fit for you.
A simple rule of thumb
Don't choose the network with the most people.
Choose the network where you want to get to know the people.
It's easy to be attracted by large membership lists, well-known companies, or lots of events. But business relationships are rarely created by being in the same room with as many people as possible.
If you leave a meeting and feel like you would have liked to continue the conversation with several of the people there, then that is often a much better signal.
Common mistake
Assessing the network after the first meeting.
An initial meeting can give you a good sense of the culture, but it rarely says anything about the business value the network can create over time. The most valuable relationships often start out quite undramatic.
It is only when people have met several times, understand what the others are working on and begin to trust each other that introductions, recommendations and collaborations become natural.
An alternative in northwestern Skåne
Vasatorp Business Club is suitable for those who believe more in
relationships than sales pitches.
Vasatorp Business Club brings together over 80 companies from Helsingborg and northwestern Skåne and arranges around 25 meetings per year. We have no presentation rounds, no requirements for reported deals and no requirement that you play golf.
Instead, the approach is based on giving people many different opportunities to meet through breakfasts, company visits, dinners, golf and other activities. The idea is simple: get to know people first and let the business come when there is a reason.
More help on the way
Compare networks and costs.
Read our guides about business networks in Helsingborg, business networks in Skåne and what a business network actually costs.
Form your own opinion
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