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Business Networking Groups Dorset

Local networking groups who welcome new businesses.

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Dorset Business Category

Dorset Business Networking

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Business Networking is a great way to make new friends and business contacts

If you are self employed or run a small firm in Dorset, we would strongly recommend that you consider adding networking to your marketing strategy. Not only does it widen your circle of business contacts, it can keep you in touch with what is going on in the local business world, and potentially bring in more trade!

You will find a list of business networking clubs in Dorset below, but if you want to learn more about networking, please visit our national Business Networkingsection.

Business Networking is a great way to make new friends and business contacts

Can you help start-ups in Dorset?

If so, your logo, company details and link to your site could be here!

If you are based in in Dorset or offer a product or service which could help existing local businesses and start-ups, we would love you to help you reach them. Our aim is to increase the chances of every new business's success by highlighting the help that is available in the area.

You are able to add a free listing or act as our recommended local partner for only £10 per year!

Local partners

We are happy to promote anyone who is prepared to offer friendly support to local start-ups.

Our local partners have been kind enough to help us and are keen to help you too.

Free startup guide

Start Your Own Business in 2021

Download the 2024 edition of our Free guide

An interactive step-by-step guide which also includes all of the most important subjects covered with links to useful articles and relevant contacts.

The idea of starting your own business can be incredibly exciting and who can blame you for being tempted?

However, the sad truth is that far too many new enterprises fail in the early stages. Our aim is to make sure that you don't become one of them.

This guide explains the key start-up subjects in simple English and points to where you can find help and support.

More Information and instant download

Latest Articles

What is business networking?
Networking is about making long-term contacts and friendships.
How to network successfully.
Some useful tips to help you get the most out of your networking.
Do I Need to Join a Business Networking Club?
A summmary of areas to consider, when deciding which group to attend, or join.

How to Network - Free Factsheet

Free Guide to Business Networking

A simple to follow guide to networking written by Stef Thomas, author of 'Networking for Dummies'.

Attending your first networking event can be quite intimidating if you do not know what to expect. This factsheet outlines the most important "dos and don'ts" to ensure that you get the most out of every gathering. Even if you are a seasoned networker, it may serve as a useful reminder of how to get the most out of your networking.

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FREE business listing in your area.

We are delighted to promote suitable businesses and organisations completely FREE of charge. Your coverage can contain: logo, company name, brief description, special offers, telephone number and link to your website.

Dorset Networking Groups

Ribbons
The Ribbons Network is for you if you run your own growing business and understand the need to create a support network around you to learn and grow with.We run welcoming and respectful events in Hampshire, Berkshire, Surrey, West Sussex & Dorset which are always a no-clique zone. Our events are run for you, to help you grow your network, your business, and yourself. You will gain support, friendships and knowledge in a family feel environment. All enabling you to grow your business.
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Networking Mummies Dorset
Networking Mummies is a dynamic, local business community created to support and encourage entrepreneurs and self-employed people. Our understanding of the challenges involved in juggling family life with starting or building a business mean we are especially focused on offering accessible opportunities for mums (or dads!) who work for themselves to share skills and ideas and get recommendations and endorsements. Membership is free, as are many of our events. We welcome new members at any stage of their business.
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The Lonely Middle Club - From Startup Hive
Starting a business is exciting, and succeeding is rewarding, but what about the bit between? You know, that bit that’s full of self-doubt, endless repetition and feelings of being out of your comfort zone? We call it ‘The Lonely Middle’ and it’s one of the hardest parts of creating a successful business. We know, we’ve been there. So, we created The Lonely Middle Club to help you through it. Each month you get exclusive content to help give you the knowledge and inspiration to succeed. Plus, you get access to a private members-only Facebook group where you can get advice and network with small business owners who are going through similar challenges to you. If you want even more, you can download our 51 worksheets, guides, and journals all designed to do one thing, and one thing only… help you get through ‘The Lonely Middle’ and achieve your business goals. Visit our website today to join the club and benefit from our members price lock and full no questions asked money-back guarantee.
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Dorset Chamber
Being part of Dorset Chamber enables you to Protect, Promote & Connect your business. All members receive £1,000,000 of Legal Expenses Insurance, discount AA membership and access to over 500 online training courses. We have one of the largest online business news portals covering members news exclusively & the Dorset Business Focus Magazine. We Connect businesses with likeminded contacts at our extensive networking and training events.
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Dorset Chamber of Commerce & Industry
Our aim is to focus entirely on our members, Delivering first class services to help businesses grow and prosper. Our aim is to lead business in Dorset.We offer Business Foundations and Training Tuesday workshops, aiming to develop skills in essential areas Address: Acorn Office Park,Ling Road,Tower Park,Dorset,BH12 4NZ
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BNI Dorset
Over 100 BNI members attend 5 networking meetings across Dorset every week to work together to find more business for each other. Would you like more business, right now?
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Boardroom Network
Let’s face it, business networking can be a bit hit and miss. There are a lot of networks, but some suit personalities or sectors better than others. We think our networking Business Club is the best you’ll find, simply because The Boardroom Network is all about decision-makers, an audience comprising business owners, directors, and managers, all of whom can buy and sell, whether an entrepreneurial start-up or established company. Each month we meet for a regional breakfast which blends the best aspects of other networks with an engaging new format.
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Business & Management Wessex
We are a not for profit peer and professional network of business owners, managers and professionals across Dorset. We support each other with information, guidance, resources and services within the network and to the wider marketplace, in almost all aspects of funding and finance, business & management support, marketing and networking.
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BUSINESS BISCOTTI
Business Biscotti is about meeting and forming business relationships with like-minded people. We like to think we provide an antidote to formal networking. Theres no limit on who can attend - all professions and any number of the same - men and women, are all welcome.
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Dorset Entrepreneurs Network
The Dorset Entrepreneurs Network is a non-profit organisation run by local volunteers, bringing together the fresh ideas and enthusiasm of entrepreneurs across Dorset in a friendly and dynamic meetup group. We get together every month to share our knowledge and experience with each other to better our businesses. We invite local entrepreneurs to visit and speak at our meetings, to run a workshop or presentation that will benefit our members.
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Dorset Hour
#dorsethour is an informal gathering of Dorset businesses that takes place on Twitter every Monday, from 7.30pm to 8.30pm. To join in, get online from 7.30pm on a Monday, search on the #dorsethour hashtag and start joining in the conversation.
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Dorset Social
Dorset has a vibrant business networking scene. A large number of groups and events are focused on Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch, and there is plenty of networking activity in Dorchester and Weymouth. The smaller towns, such as Blandford, Bridport and Sherborne, also have reasonably active networking groups. This list is to help you discover the networking opportunities in Dorset.
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Dynamic Women in Business
Designed by local business women for women in business across Dorset and beyond, our events are always fun – and having a good laugh together has proved highly conducive to some brilliant networking opportunities! We run breakfast and lunch events at lovely venues in Wimborne, Bournemouth and Poole with up to 40 ladies attending each one.
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Meetups (Dorset)
Meetup brings people together in thousands of cities to do more of what they want to do in life. It is organized around one simple idea: when we get together and do the things that matter to us, we’re at our best. And that’s what Meetup does. It brings people together to do, explore, teach and learn the things that help them come alive.This link highlights the Meetups that are available in Dorset.
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Trade2Business
Trade2Business Forum is a networking group with a clear agenda: to promote its members’ businesses. That’s it ... it really is that simple! Every meeting is full of professionals and traders meeting together to learn more about each other’s businesses so that we can promote each other to our friends, family and customers. Networking has been proven time and again to be the #1 method of growing your business with quality customers quickly and affordably.
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Young Executive Club
The YEC is an alternative to some of the more traditional marketing events which younger professionals may not find as beneficial, and which are often dominated by those who already have an established reputation and a wide network of contacts.
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Local help for startups

There is plenty of help for startups in Dorset but where can it be found?

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