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Frequently Asked Questions
1.
What are the benefits of membership?
Full members will have access to all available products and services which include:
- Full page profile on the Swans website which has a high volume of traffic and links to other high profile organisations (e.g. One NorthEast), with the ability to upload logo and videos and link to own website.
- Access to members only area of Swans website and downloadable resources
- Opportunity to contribute news articles to the Swans website
- Monthly e-newsletter
- Individual introductions to potential customers/business partners and exposure to many other businesses
- Introduce a member scheme – 1 month’s free membership
- Resources pack, including “How to get the most from networking” CD, business card holder, conference folder, pen and pin badge
- Membership to Business Clubs North East - entitled to attend meetings of other business clubs across the region
- Quarterly business magazine with the opportunity to contribute articles, editorials, advertising and business news
- 20% discount on all Swans events
Full members will have access to all available products and services which include:
- Full page profile on the Swans website which has a high volume of traffic and links to other high profile organisations (e.g. One NorthEast), with the ability to upload logo and videos and link to own website.
- Access to members only area of Swans website and downloadable resources
- Opportunity to contribute news articles to the Swans website
- Monthly e-newsletter
- Individual introductions to potential customers/business partners and exposure to many other businesses
- Introduce a member scheme – 1 month’s free membership
- Resources pack, including “How to get the most from networking” CD, business card holder, conference folder, pen and pin badge
- Membership to Business Clubs North East - entitled to attend meetings of other business clubs across the region
- Quarterly business magazine with the opportunity to contribute articles, editorials, advertising and business news
- 20% discount on all Swans events
What are the membership costs?
The monthly costs are £5 per month, regardless of the size of your organisation and are excluding VAT:
The monthly costs are £5 per month, regardless of the size of your organisation and are excluding VAT:
What are the costs for attendance at monthly events?
Monthly events are charged at £8.00 per person for members and £10.00 per head for non-members (ex VAT).
Monthly events are charged at £8.00 per person for members and £10.00 per head for non-members (ex VAT).
Why pay for events?
Following a recent survey, we asked members and interested parties how we could improve our offering to give the best possible value for money to our members. To keep monthly membership fees as low as possible, we have excluded the costs of attendance at monthly events and have, therefore, had to put a nominal charge in place for the events.
Events are offered at a 20% reduction to members.
Following a recent survey, we asked members and interested parties how we could improve our offering to give the best possible value for money to our members. To keep monthly membership fees as low as possible, we have excluded the costs of attendance at monthly events and have, therefore, had to put a nominal charge in place for the events.
Events are offered at a 20% reduction to members.
What does the monthly event fee cover?
The fee covers the cost of refreshments, room hire and fees for presenters, where applicable.
The fee covers the cost of refreshments, room hire and fees for presenters, where applicable.
What do I have to do at networking events?
Come along and get involved as much or as little as you like! We want everyone to feel at ease so that they can participate. To help facilitate this, we can assign you a \"buddy\" prior to your first meeting who will contact you beforehand and will introduce you to other members.
Your buddy will be with you for as long as it takes you to feel comfortable to begin networking with others. The events are informal and there is no \"hard sell\" expected. Ideally we want members to get to know each other well enough to build strong business relationships, but the number of referrals you get or pass on will not be strictly monitored.
Come along and get involved as much or as little as you like! We want everyone to feel at ease so that they can participate. To help facilitate this, we can assign you a \"buddy\" prior to your first meeting who will contact you beforehand and will introduce you to other members.
Your buddy will be with you for as long as it takes you to feel comfortable to begin networking with others. The events are informal and there is no \"hard sell\" expected. Ideally we want members to get to know each other well enough to build strong business relationships, but the number of referrals you get or pass on will not be strictly monitored.
Do I have to attend every meeting?
No.
The venues meetings are held at is expanding and we will be running different event formats on a 3-month rolling programme. You can attend any of the meetings at any of the venues.
As you only pay for the events you attend, you can choose which ones best meet the needs of you and your business. The more events you attend, the stronger your relationships will become and the more business referrals and opportunities for collaborative woking you will gain.
We welcome guests so if there is a meeting you think a friend or colleague may be interested in, please feel free to invite them to come along.
No.
The venues meetings are held at is expanding and we will be running different event formats on a 3-month rolling programme. You can attend any of the meetings at any of the venues.
As you only pay for the events you attend, you can choose which ones best meet the needs of you and your business. The more events you attend, the stronger your relationships will become and the more business referrals and opportunities for collaborative woking you will gain.
We welcome guests so if there is a meeting you think a friend or colleague may be interested in, please feel free to invite them to come along.
How can Swans help me to start a business?
We can help you write your business plan, including market research and financial forecasts and present a robust business case which is vital for acccessing funding and even for opening a business bank account.
We can work with you to determine relevant funding options for you depending upon your geographical location, age and stage of business and help you prepare a proposal for accessing these funds.
We offer a wide range of training options which are ILM accredited, from a Level 2 Award in Exploring Business Enterprise to Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management or Coaching and Mentoring.
We also have a mentoring programme (WINGS) which can help you through start-up to business growth. We have mentors spanning a wide range of sectors and business types and you will be assigned to a mentor who can help you with your particular needs.
Additionally, through attendance at monthly events you will be able to access and benefit from the knowledge and experience of current members who will be able to give advice and guidance every step of the way.
Swans (North East) are on the North East England Service Provider Register so many of our programmes are eligible to part funding through Business Enterprise North East (Business Link).
We can help you write your business plan, including market research and financial forecasts and present a robust business case which is vital for acccessing funding and even for opening a business bank account.
We can work with you to determine relevant funding options for you depending upon your geographical location, age and stage of business and help you prepare a proposal for accessing these funds.
We offer a wide range of training options which are ILM accredited, from a Level 2 Award in Exploring Business Enterprise to Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management or Coaching and Mentoring.
We also have a mentoring programme (WINGS) which can help you through start-up to business growth. We have mentors spanning a wide range of sectors and business types and you will be assigned to a mentor who can help you with your particular needs.
Additionally, through attendance at monthly events you will be able to access and benefit from the knowledge and experience of current members who will be able to give advice and guidance every step of the way.
Swans (North East) are on the North East England Service Provider Register so many of our programmes are eligible to part funding through Business Enterprise North East (Business Link).
Why the change to the original format and fee structure?
Swans (North East) launched in February 2008 and we promised that it would be member-driven in terms of its service offering. As we approach our first birthday, we asked members and interested parties to give us feedback on what we could do to provide more value for money – something we are all interested in given the current economic climate.
The responses have prompted changes to our pricing structure, meeting format and venues. In the future, membership of Swans will provide businesses with a high profile web presence and discounted access to an increased range of events. We will be adding additional venues, including Washington/Sunderland and the Borders, and will be running a rolling programme of events including business support clinics, business-to-business networking, and our current interactive problem-solving activities.
Swans (North East) launched in February 2008 and we promised that it would be member-driven in terms of its service offering. As we approach our first birthday, we asked members and interested parties to give us feedback on what we could do to provide more value for money – something we are all interested in given the current economic climate.
The responses have prompted changes to our pricing structure, meeting format and venues. In the future, membership of Swans will provide businesses with a high profile web presence and discounted access to an increased range of events. We will be adding additional venues, including Washington/Sunderland and the Borders, and will be running a rolling programme of events including business support clinics, business-to-business networking, and our current interactive problem-solving activities.
What format do the monthly meeting take?
Current Format
Informal networking opportunities are built in before and after the main session. Each event has a central theme with a presentation by a guest speaker. We then build in interactive problem-solving activities linked to the theme for the session. This way our members and guests work together to solve problems and help each other relate them to their individual businesses.
Business Support Clinics
These will be themed events and experts will be at hand to answer your business related questions. If you have a specific issue which you do not want to discuss in front of other attendees, please advise us of this in advance so a private appointment can be arranged.
There will also be the opportunity to showcase your own business with mini market stalls available.
Business to Business Networking
These events will be structured networking evenings, for example safaris and speed networking. There will, of course, be the opportunity for informal networking before and after the main part of the evening.
Current Format
Informal networking opportunities are built in before and after the main session. Each event has a central theme with a presentation by a guest speaker. We then build in interactive problem-solving activities linked to the theme for the session. This way our members and guests work together to solve problems and help each other relate them to their individual businesses.
Business Support Clinics
These will be themed events and experts will be at hand to answer your business related questions. If you have a specific issue which you do not want to discuss in front of other attendees, please advise us of this in advance so a private appointment can be arranged.
There will also be the opportunity to showcase your own business with mini market stalls available.
Business to Business Networking
These events will be structured networking evenings, for example safaris and speed networking. There will, of course, be the opportunity for informal networking before and after the main part of the evening.
Member of the Month
Jen Howell
Books in Boxes
Books in Boxes
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Swans (North East) is an independent not-for-profit membership organisation working to inspire, nurture and grow enterprise across the North East region.
A great way of reaching out to possible new clients.
A great way of reaching out to possible new clients.
