back to news listThe business networking meetings on the first Friday of every month start at noon for 30 minutes of networking, followed by a two-course meal – hosted by Mary Arshadi at the Folly Upstairs, College Street, Petersfield – and finish with a speaker or event.
"First Friday aims to secure speakers of interest, who can help us influence our decision-making in our businesses,"says Gareth Gammon, from Navigate, who organizes the speakers. "We may not have contact with them in in our normal capacities or roles."
| (from l to r) Gareth Gammon, Simon Jay, Mary Arshadi, Mike Kirby (Antrobus), Maureen Page |
Given the economic situation, the First Friday speaker on 2 March ticks all boxes! Chris Piper joined the Bank of England in 1975, and spoke at First Friday in 2008, at the start of the downturn.
The Bank of England has 12 agencies around the UK with some 600-700 business contacts each, representing their region's economic profile. They also liaise closely with key business groups such as the Chambers of Commerce and CBI. Agents analyse the confidential information contacts provide to them and report their assessment to the Bank's Monetary Policy Committee each month to help build a picture of overall business conditions.
A summary of the overall assessment is published monthly. For contacts, the Agents in turn explain the Bank's view of the UK economy and outlook as well as arranging for Committee members themselves to meet with them and explain their monthly interest rate decisions at first-hand.
In April, First Friday takes place on a Thursday because 6 April is Good Friday. So, on 5 April, which is Maunday Thursday, the Petersfield Chaplaincy will explain how it supports business.
On 4 May Damian Hinds comes to First Friday Petersfield for the second time to share his observations, his hopes, plans and responsibilities for our area, and to answer our questions. He was elected MP for East Hampshire at the 2010 General Election. Following in the footsteps of Michael Mates, he is the first new representative for this area in 30 years!
He will talk about role and impact of Government policy, which is felt more strongly by business than ever – Budget cuts, spending reviews, defence reviews, abolition of SEEDA, red tape, taxation, PAYE, VAT etc. They all impact on our daily, professional lives.
Use this opportunity to meet with your MP. Find out how he can best represent the views of local business to central Government.
On 1 June Speed Networking is back by popular demand, So if you are based in the town or the South Downs area and would like to connect with other businesses, please attend this lunch. This could be the start of a great, long, celebratory weekend for the Queen's Jubilee.
Attendees will have 60 seconds to discuss their business with another attendee, before returning the favour for another 60 seconds. Then, with a quick rotation, people will move on to the next potential client or supplier...
Bring your business card and a memorable statement about you and your business. You should leave the meeting with at least 20 new business cards and with 20 businesses knowing all about what you do.
Speed networking is Fun, informal and enormously productive. Numbers are limited to 44 for this lunch, so book now to confirm your place.
After a break for the holidays in August, First Friday returns on 7 September with An inside view of the Olympics from local resident and businesswoman, Tracey Richardson, who has been selected from 100,000s of applicants to join the Olympics Media Team, based at the Olympic Park, working with the world's media during the games.
Tracey Richardson, a First Friday regular, is secretary of the Association of Petersfield Businesses. She will let First Friday know all about this wonderful event and share some stories from the 'inside.'
We can't say too much about the event on Friday 5 October yet, as we don't want you to prepare too much in advance. At this First Friday lunch you are likely to learn a great deal about yourself and how you relate to clients and colleagues! A fun, informal session that will fascinate you, facilitated by Jo and Janet from www.learnjourney.co.uk
For full details and to book, go to: www.first-friday.org
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