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Business Networking by Jane Horwood

In April 2005 I launched the Cambridge Women's Lunch Club, a business networking group for self-employed women. The atmosphere is relaxed, informal and welcoming but the primary aim is to get and give business.

I see the lunches as a launch pad for women to expand their business and personal contacts. For just £15 a month you can find yourself in a room with around 40 other business women. These women are all potential clients, potential suppliers, potential partners or potential friends. They come from a wide range of professions but the majority are self-employed, working alone or running small businesses.

There are also those women just starting out in business or considering if it's the right thing for them. I know from talking to some of these people that attending the lunches has been inspiring and of practical help to them.

Others either work on their own and often feel isolated, or are new to Cambridge and need to establish themselves (as I did).

Or course, it's not possible to meet everyone at one lunch. But whether you're there for work or pleasure you need to get to know people, build up relationships and trust. It doesn't need to be a hard sell. It's true, the lunch club started out very much oriented towards business. However, despite the fact that this is its primary aim, I know that I and lots of others have got so much more out of it than that.

On a business level, it's important to bear in mind that it's not just about networking with the people in the room, but also the contacts they have outside. If they like you, can empathise with you and feel you are honest and reliable they'll recommend you to friends and colleagues.

Attending regularly in order to build these relationships is crucial. There are lots of different networking groups in Cambridge so it's good to explore them, find out what suits you and then make it a regular gig.

Plan who you want to talk to. We produce an attendees list which you can pick up when you arrive. If there is someone you haven't met before or someone you feel could be helpful to you or your business find them and introduce yourself.

At each lunch there are always 4 or 5 women attending for the first time. This means there will always be someone in that room that you haven't met before.

Make a conscious effort to sit next to someone you don't know each time. I realise this becomes increasingly difficult if you are a regular attendee but having a meaningful and relaxed conversation with 2 or 3 people sitting near you is far more fruitful than snatched conversations while grappling with a wine glass, plate of food and your business cards.

Carry the networking out into the big wide world. As I said, the lunches are a launch pad. Make a date to meet for longer chat, visit someone's workplace or invite them to yours. If you didn't get a chance to sit next to them at this lunch, tell them you'd like to be on the same table as them next time.

Networking is not a quick fix and it cannot all be done on one day in the month.

Finally, feel free to bring information about events you are organising, special offers related to your business or new products and services. We want to know about you!