Networking can be an important avenue for small business owners seeking contacts. In Falcon, business owners can choose between two networking specific groups. Falconís B.E.E.R (Business Entrepreneurs Enhancing Relationships) meets every Friday at 8:30 a.m. at the Antlers Grill in Falcon. PEP-Net (People Empowering People through Networking) meets Friday at 8:30 a.m. at La Mission in Falcon. Brian Swanson, B.E.E.R. founder, said each networking group ìhas its own personality.îPeople want to network for many reasons, but it all boils down to promoting their business. Skot Greene, manager of business development at the Colorado Springs regional business alliance, said advertising is expensive. ìNetworking can be an amazing way to advertise for free,î Greene said. PEP-Net member Bob Parlett cited the tough economy as one reason to network. ìThe group helps pull you through,î Parlett said.Networking groups are based on the same idea but most groups have unique aspects. B.E.E.R is free flowing with some structure. Usually, one member gives a presentation about his or her business at the meeting, and they all provide feedback on how the businesses have helped each other. Swanson said the group is ìrelationship-base.î Itís not about ìpassing around a bunch of business cards,î he said. ìWe donít demand you do one-on-ones (meeting outside the regular meeting). If you build a relationship, you are going to do business with who you need or want to do business with.îLike B.E.E.R, PEP-Net allows about 30 seconds for business owners to plug their business or upcoming events. The group encourages one-on-one relationships.Parlett said PEP-Net keeps track of the amount of money that referrals and networking opportunities provide to all their business owners; year to date the total is $151,626.90Some members of networking groups provide information that benefits everyone. Katie Newbill of ACN, a cable, digital phone and satellite television company; talked about networking doís and doníts. ìBe approachable,î Newbill said. ìHave a pleasant smile on your face. The more approachable you are the more inclined a person will be to talk to you.î She also said ask questions that require more than a one-word response to keep the conversation going. Swanson asked B.E.E.R members how they chose a certain networking group. Valerie Caruso, wine consultant, said she wanted (good) ìgroup dynamics.î She said, ìI want it to be fun.î Others talked about team concepts.When asked why he chose a Falcon networking group instead of a Colorado Springs group, Parlett said, ìPeople here are our friends. I love how this group supports each other.î Liz Dillonaire, Tupperware director in Peyton, chose the Falcon group because she likes to ìkeep business local Ö it puts money into your community.îHelping customers find professional and trustworthy services they need is important. Developing ongoing relationships helps to ensure the customer receives good service. ìWhat is worse than referring someone and then they have a bad experience,î Greene said. Itís important to be ìthat guyî to you clients, Swanson said.Both groups limit membership to one person per business category, and a member can belong to just one networking group. B.E.E.R has no fees, and breakfast is optional. PEP-Net has a $20 application fee and members must pay for breakfast even if they donít eat. The breakfast cost is $9.Networking in Falcon builds businesses, but one member said it also helps the community. Itís about ìtaking care of people,î said Kela Massaro, freelance writer. ìYou are supposed to have a sense of social accountability to take care of your community.îContact information:B.E.E.R ñ Brian Swanson ñ 719-651-5544PEP-Net http://pep-net.com/PEP-Net-3-Falcon.html – Bob Parlett – 719-339-9172Both groups are receptive to non-members dropping in on meetings.
