events

November Dartmoor G12 Business Networking

by Alistair Gleave
July 26, 2023

Join us on Wednesday 22nd November from 9.30 am at The Dartmoor Lodge, Ashburton with the return of our BIG Breakfast meeting.

G12 Business Networking in Devon is aiming to be the best business network you can attend, it doesn’t matter if you’re a startup, sole trader, entrepreneur or a member of a larger team, you’ll love the relaxed, informal environment.

We’ve been to the Dartmoor Lodge before and this time we’re in our own dedicated conference room away from the hotels’ paying guests. So for this event, we’ll have privacy and the same superb standard of service with the help yourself breakfast buffet and bottomless tea and coffees.

As always we will be working to our meeting format that includes three guaranteed 10 min 1-2-1 conversations with people you choose – this unlocks so many great opportunities!

G12 has no membership fees and no compulsory attendance or forced referrals its just great networking and an opportunity to meet lots of other local business people. So why not come along and join this vibrant group, we’d love to meet you…

Click here to book

Agenda for our Dartmoor G12 Business Networking Meeting

Arrive at 9.30am

9.30 – 9.55 Open Networking & 60 seconds

9.55 – 10.10 Breakfast is served

10.10 – 10.20 completion of the 60 second round

10.30 – Our Guest Speakers are Stuart Ashdown from CAP Technologies and Jackie Dawkins from Shine Charity Recruitment

10.30 – 11.20am further networking 1-2-1 opportunity and close

This includes a fabulous cooked breakfast with a vegetarian and vegan option all with ample tea and coffee all cooked for us – what could be better than that!

We’d love to meet you at the next Glorious 12th+ meeting, we always try to keep the costs to a minimum so all members get maximum value hence why there may be a pay online price and pay on the door price which could be different. Also, any refunds will be by request only, the chances are if you’ve said that you’re coming and have paid then we will have paid for your refreshments in advance – we hope you understand.

Click here to book

Note: Right of admission is reserved, registering delegates will be screened to ensure the correct audience is in attendance.

October G12 Business Networking

by Alistair Gleave
July 26, 2023

Join us on Wednesday 18th October from 9.30 am at Teign Valley Golf Club for our October Business Networking event.

G12 Business Networking in Devon is aiming to be the best business network you can attend, it doesn’t matter if you’re a startup, sole trader, entrepreneur or a member of a larger team, you’ll love the relaxed, informal environment.

As always we will be working to our meeting format that includes three guaranteed 10 min 1-2-1 conversations with people you choose – this unlocks so many great opportunities!

G12 has no membership fees and no compulsory attendance or forced referrals its just great networking and an opportunity to meet lots of other local business people. So why not come along and join this vibrant group, we’d love to meet you…

Click here to book

Agenda for our October G12 Business Networking Meeting

Arrive at 9.30am

9.30 – 9.55 Open Networking & 60 seconds

9.55 – 10.10 Breakfast is served

10.10 – 10.20 completion of the 60 second round

10.30 – our 10 minute speaker is tbc

10.30 – 11.20am further networking 1-2-1 opportunity and close

This includes a fabulous cooked breakfast with a vegetarian and vegan option all with ample tea and coffee all cooked for us – what could be better than that!

We’d love to meet you at the next Glorious 12th+ meeting, we always try to keep the costs to a minimum so all members get maximum value hence why there may be a pay online price and pay on the door price which could be different. Also, any refunds will be by request only, the chances are if you’ve said that you’re coming and have paid then we will have paid for your refreshments in advance – we hope you understand.

Note: Right of admission is reserved, registering delegates will be screened to ensure the correct audience is in attendance.

Click here to book

News

Enjoy your summer

by Alistair Gleave
July 24, 2023

As the warm sunshine and summer vibes surround us, we wanted to take a moment to wish you all a wonderful summer filled with relaxation, joy, and lots of memorable moments.  We believe that Summer and in particular August offers a valuable opportunity to recharge, spend quality time with loved ones, and explore lots of new adventures in glorious Devon.

So please note that our regular monthly business networking meeting will not be held in August. Take this time to unwind, enjoy the sunshine, and create lasting memories with your friends and family, whether you’re lounging by the beach, embarking on exciting travels, or simply taking a well-deserved break, we hope you have an incredible time.

Rest assured, we’ll be back with renewed energy and enthusiasm in September! Our next networking event is scheduled for 20th September – more details on our site here.  We can’t wait to reconnect with you, hear about your summer adventures, and continue our journey of building meaningful business relationships.


Until then, make the most of the sunshine, soak up the positive vibes, and come back in September feeling refreshed and ready to tackle new business opportunities together!

If you have any questions or need assistance during the summer break, please feel free to reach out to us via email or through our socials – links at the bottom of the page.

Wishing you a fantastic summer break filled with happiness, relaxation, and abundant sunshine! See you in September!

News

Quickbooks Training in Devon

by Alistair Gleave
July 6, 2023

Simpkins Edwards is running a free-to-attend QuickBooks Training workshop at Dainton Park Golf Club on 27 July 2023 and we would like to invite members of G12. Our friendly team of experts will walk you through QuickBooks Online cloud software and provide tips and hints on how to use the software effectively and efficiently.

The workshop is aimed at QuickBooks users of all levels, though those considering cloud software as a potential solution for Making Tax Digital for Income Tax and those who wish to keep on top of their businesses financial health would also be welcome.

During the workshop, we will be covering:



  • Setting up sales invoices
  • Posting purchase invoices
  • Bank reconciliations
  • Reporting
  • Connecting to associated apps
  • VAT Submissions

The workshop will be held at Dainton Park Golf Club, Totnes Road, Ipplepen, Newton Abbot, Devon, TQ12 5TN and will start at 9:00am, finishing at 12:30pm, with a light lunch included.

To reserve your space, you can do so by emailing [email protected] or by calling 01626 200124.

Business Tips, Networking

Five suggestions for what you can do when attending your first business networking event

by Alistair Gleave
May 26, 2023

Here are five suggestions for what you can do when attending your first business networking event:

  1. Set Clear Goals: Determine what you hope to achieve from the networking event. It could be making a specific number of meaningful connections, learning about industry trends, or seeking potential collaboration opportunities. Having clear goals will help you stay focused and make the most of your time at the event.
  2. Be Prepared with Business Cards: Carry an ample supply of business cards to exchange with other attendees. Your business card should include essential contact information and a brief description of what you do. Hand out your cards strategically to individuals you have engaging conversations with and want to stay connected with.
  3. Engage in Active Listening: Networking is not just about talking about yourself and your business. Actively listen to others and show genuine interest in their work. Ask open-ended questions to learn more about their experiences and challenges. Listening attentively will help you establish rapport and build meaningful connections.
  4. Introduce Yourself with Confidence: Prepare a concise and compelling introduction about yourself and your business. Clearly communicate your value proposition and what sets you apart. Practice delivering your introduction in a confident and engaging manner to make a positive impression on others.
  5. Follow Up After the Event: Networking doesn’t end when the event concludes. Take the initiative to follow up with the contacts you made within a few days. Send personalized emails or connect on professional networking platforms like LinkedIn. Reference something specific from your conversation to jog their memory and express your interest in staying connected.

Remember, networking is an ongoing process, and your first event is just the beginning. The more you attend and actively engage in networking events, the more comfortable and effective you’ll become at building relationships and expanding your professional network.

May Bovey Tracey G12 Business Networking

by Alistair Gleave
March 9, 2023

Join us on Wednesday 24 th May from 9.30 am at The Dolphin Hotel in Bovey Tracey with our Spring Breakfast meeting.

G12 Business Networking in Devon is aiming to be the best business network you can attend, it doesn’t matter if you’re a startup, sole trader, entrepreneur or a member of a larger team, you’ll love the relaxed, informal environment.

We’ve been to the Dolphin Hotel at Christmas and we’re in our own dedicated conference room away from the hotels’ paying guests. So for this event, we’ll have privacy and the same superb standard of service with a fabulous breakfast and bottomless tea and coffees.

As always we will be working to our meeting format that includes three guaranteed 10 min 1-2-1 conversations with people you choose – this unlocks so many great opportunities!

G12 has no membership fees and no compulsory attendance or forced referrals its just great networking and an opportunity to meet lots of other local business people. So why not come along and join this vibrant group, we’d love to meet you…

Click here to book

Agenda for our Dartmoor G12 Business Networking Meeting

Arrive at 9.30am

9.30 – 9.55 Open Networking & 60 seconds

9.55 – 10.10 Breakfast is served

10.10 – 10.20 completion of the 60 second round

10.30 – Our Guest Speaker is tbc

10.30 – 11.20am further networking 1-2-1 opportunity and close

This includes a fabulous cooked breakfast with a vegetarian and vegan option all with ample tea and coffee all cooked for us – what could be better than that!

We’d love to meet you at the next Glorious 12th+ meeting, we always try to keep the costs to a minimum so all members get maximum value hence why there may be a pay online price and pay on the door price which could be different. Also, any refunds will be by request only, the chances are if you’ve said that you’re coming and have paid then we will have paid for your refreshments in advance – we hope you understand.

Note: Right of admission is reserved, registering delegates will be screened to ensure the correct audience is in attendance.

News

2023 Nudge Ideas Festival

by Alistair Gleave
February 21, 2023
The 2023 Nudge Ideas Festival in Exeter, Devon is set to be a standout event for entrepreneurs, business leaders, and professionals alike. Hosted by MC Chris Bentley, the day will feature a range of keynote speakers and immersive workshop sessions to help attendees learn, grow, and connect.
The day kicks off with a welcome from Chris Bentley, before Dave Birss takes the stage to share his expertise on how to release happy chemicals in people’s brains. This engaging keynote will explore the science behind happiness and provide practical tips on how to cultivate it in our daily lives.
Next up, Shola Kaye will speak on empathy and inclusive leadership at work. In this thought-provoking keynote, Shola will explore the role of empathy in leadership and how to create a more inclusive and equitable workplace.
After the first two keynotes, attendees will have the opportunity to choose from five immersive workshop sessions. These sessions will cover a range of topics, including getting investor ready with Andrew Gerrard of C2 Capital, designing an innovation culture with Sawsan Khuri of Collaborative Capacities, growing in love with your business with Andrew de Groot of ActionCoach, coaching for a better tomorrow with Trayton Vance of Coaching Focus Group, and using neuroscience to boost your brand with Alistair Banks of Optix.
After the workshop sessions, attendees will have the chance to take a break for tea and coffee, as well as networking and getting their professional headshot for LinkedIn.
The second half of the day will feature more keynotes, including Adrian Brown on the Power of Management and Flavilla Fongang on brand psychology and Neuro Marketing. Attendees will also have the option to grab lunch at the Phoenix bar and café or at a local restaurant in Gandy Street.
In the afternoon, Simon Leslie will speak on creating magical moments, followed by Kate Davis on employee engagement and sustainable business growth. There will be another networking break with the opportunity to get a professional headshot before Sarah Ellen O’Farrell takes the stage to discuss the role of behavioural science in public health.
The day will conclude with the highly anticipated PitchFest, powered by Tech South West. This will provide an opportunity for startups and small businesses to pitch their ideas and potentially secure investment. Companies featured in the PitchFest include Lighthouse and Weave.
The day will wrap up with a roundup and thank you’s from Chris Bentley, leaving attendees inspired and equipped with new knowledge and connections, followed by an after party on the roof of the new Hotel Indigo. The 2023 Nudge Ideas Festival in Exeter is not to be missed.
Business Tips, Networking, News

10 reasons why you should go networking

by Alistair Gleave
August 31, 2022

So business networking, what’s it all about, and why should you go networking and go to any of the numerous well-run business networking events?

Well, I’ve been attending networking events for years and also I’ve run my own business networking events in Devon for many years and these are my top ten reasons why you should get out and go networking.

  1. increase profile
    Who knows about you, what you are, who you represent, and what you stand for? If you regularly attend networking events far more people will get to know more about you, you will by default increase your profile, people will get to know you more and that has to be a good thing doesn’t it?
  2. deepen business connections
    The thing with networking is the more people you meet the more you’ll get to widen and deepen those business connections, instead of being just a business card someone has collected, we’ve all got lots of these haven’t we? If you’re a regular networker you’ll make yourself something more, people will learn more about you and that makes it easier for anyone to refer future opportunities to you.
  1. increase your confidence
    I have spoken to so many nervous networkers who are unsure as to whether they should attend events I run, they contact me for almost a pre-brief as to what happens and what’s expected of them. So what do I do, well I try and reassure them that it’ll be fine and we’ll support them, you have no need to be nervous. The one thing I know is that attending networking helps everyone I’ve met increase their confidence.
  2. develop you as a person
    You never know who you will meet when you’re networking, I personally have met the widest variety of people you can possibly imagine, and therefore similar to point 3 you will improve as a person in more ways than you can imagine, things like your presentation skills, verbal skills, and sales skills will all benefit.
  3. learn more, increase your knowledge
    At lots of networking events, you quite often have a speaker or someone giving some kind of talk about their business or specialty so you’re bound to learn more about them and their business which in turn, of course, helps you learn more.
  4. build your confidence
    If this is your first event you’re bound to be nervous, it’s only natural. Make no doubt after you’ve been to 2 or 3 events you’ll be recognized and welcomed like a long last friend (at least you should be) and that will seriously help build your confidence.
  5. gain mentoring
    People often overlook this, but I think it’s one of the most important. So say you attend a regular monthly event, you’ve got a question in one meeting I guarantee that next month you’ll be asked about the answers you were given, ‘how did that work out for you it’s mentoring where you are supported in the group and by the group. It can even be as straightforward as being asked how your month has been, highs lows, etc, this all rolls into supporting you and your confidence.
  6. get answers and help
    I’ve seen this quite a few times when someone attends a networking event with a question or in need of help, the best way to think about this is it is like crowd sourcing an answer. I know that asking the audience may get a few different answers but you’ll get answers and the same goes for help, if you’ve built your profile and worked to deepen those connections then you’ll also find networking as a great environment to get help.
  7. develop new business relationships
    In a similar way to point 2 where you develop new personal relationships, this is where you develop new business relationships, maybe meeting a new supplier or a business who is in need of what you’re offering or knows someone that needs your help — focus on the business and those relationships will develop.
  8. look at things in a different way
    The great thing about meeting different people who work in and run different businesses is that we all look at things differently and given time you’ll being to see that as well.

Ten reasons why you need to go networking, hopefully, compelling enough for you to make that first attempt if you haven’t already and go networking. If you’re based in or near Devon then do check my business networking group out, you’d be most welcome to attend.

Business Tips, Networking

Why you need to build your network

by Alistair Gleave
August 5, 2022

It does amaze me that some people just don’t want to talk to others unless it comes with a sale guaranteed, they ask why I spend time every week speaking and meeting new people — the truth for me is that I actively make space and time every week to meet and have conversations with someone new, it’s my fuel, its what drives me on and its what has helped grow and develop the Exeter digital marketing business and the business networking group that I run.

Consequently, during the lockdown, I spoke to the widest variety of people possible, through the networking group I’ve made time to contact every member and I’ve also tried to contact all past attendees where I can, just to touch base with them. These calls have had no agenda, they’ve simply been about making contact and keeping that relationship we had when we could meet face to face alive as well as we can in the unknown Covid times we found ourselves in.

So how do I plan this you may ask? Well, I keep a schedule in an online calendar that blocks out time for me every week — clear time when I can make that effort to call a group of people one after the other. This way I know that I have time in my day blocked out for the task and if I have a list I can work as far through that in the time before I stop and move on to another business task. As for any agenda or plan, for me I try and keep this as simple as possible, really I want to have a conversation with no agenda or plan. I ideally want to learn more about who I’m calling, what’s happening with them, and also if can learn more about what makes them tick, I’m aiming to build a bond. It’s quite simple, I believe that the world runs on relationships — so I take time to build some.

Let me summarise, in easy and simple terms people buy from those they know, like, and trust so I spend some time every week on building that relationship as I know if I do this then the referrals and sales will follow…

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