"Don't sell to people you've just met," is the advice

A recent business growth event left delegates plenty of food for thought with some top tips on how to network more effectively.

One of the key messages arising from Info2Grow: A New Beginning was "Don’t sell to people you’ve just met" as it is better to build good relationships with contacts. You will then gain their trust and the rewards will follow later.

At the event, organised by Stewart, Fletcher & Barrett chartered accountants (SFB), Lloyds Bank, Nuneaton & Bedworth Borough Council, Cambron Limited, Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce and the Federation of Small Businesses, the networking presentation was delivered by SFB Director, Jon Sargent.

He offered delegates tips for introducing themselves and also spoke about the GAINS approach to networking, which provided a useful insight into what you should talk about when networking.

Stewart, Fletcher & Barrett's marketing manager Cheryl Stanley said: “Networking is a vital element of any firm’s marketing strategy. So, it was fantastic for delegates to hear some top tips for making it more effective.”

Anyone interested in attending future business growth events in Nuneaton should email events@sfb.uk.com to be added to the Info2Grow event mailing list.

Meanwhile , SFB are celebrating a special anniversary with managing director Paul Carvell having joined the company 25 years ago. It was June 1, 1990 when Paul arrived at the group.

“When I joined SFB, I couldn’t have imagined that in 25 years time I would be standing here as managing director of the firm," he said. "I am extremely proud of how the firm has grown over the years and a large part of that is down to the team I have around me.”

At a presentation to mark the milestone, Paul spoke about what SFB was like when he first joined in 1990. The firm had just one computer while staff members used typewriters and gave shorthand dictation.