Moving to Portugal Forums

Re: Networking

Jamesie — Thu Nov 05, 2009 4:38 pm

Author: Jamesie

Posted: Thu Nov 05, 2009 4:38 pm

Hi John
Will you be arranging any networking sessions in the future ?

Regards
Jim.

Re: Networking

Jamesie — Tue Nov 03, 2009 12:36 pm

Author: Jamesie

Posted: Tue Nov 03, 2009 12:36 pm

Hi John
Business is going OK but of course we have seen a downturn this year, who hasn't !
We have an office here in Portugal and one in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire which my sons run. So we are registered in both countries which I think gives potential clients some comfort as they can call or visit the UK office. It's also a cheaper phone call for them !
Setting up the Joint Venture with our Portuguese partners also gives us access to the Portuguese market which works very differently from the UK property scene. It also helps me improve my Portuguese of course !

Networking

jjnorty — Tue Nov 03, 2009 12:19 pm

Author: jjnorty

Posted: Tue Nov 03, 2009 12:19 pm

Hi Jim

It sounds like you have found the right balance between being involved but also having the right partners on board. I think thats important in Portugal. We run networking because it allows us to talk to other businesses, network both for business and socially but also expand and extend ones relationships. I have found that just networking purely in the expat space does not really allow one to grow new relationships in Portugal. Its also helped me to learn more Portuguese and pick up some of the colloqual phrases like - Ate Logo - etc...see you later...

There are hundreds of networking sites online and offline and I have been part of some of them, but with networking its about building real , trustworthy relationships that work both ways and grow and develop with time and thats the hard part as lots of people are happy to chat but not many are prepared to put in the hard work especially if things go wobbly.

But all in all networking is low cost much cheaper than advertising, because effectively for a tenner you can put yourself in front of 15-30 new business prospects. There is no way advertising can deliver this.You know what the cost of advertising is in newspapers, magazines, radio etc...

Additionally in spite of business people flocking to online sites and forums lets be honest unless you know exactly what you u r buying I know I still need to look a person in the ye to see whether they are for real or not.

Networking is not for everybody, some people dont like it while others do so I guess it also depends on whether you enjoy the experience or not. Its certainly not for the faint hearted. There are also many misconceptions about it, I had a client who I took to networking and they said to me - well I got no business out of it - actually its about building new relationships not selling products and almost everybody confuses the two concepts.
You might appreciate that unless you are buying food most people develop some sort of rapport with a person or brand before purchasing unless as I say you need to pay a bill or buy food and even then the supermarkets have to fight it out on the high street for market share to attract people in. But ultimately we aim to buy from trusted sources and that is the same in networking.

Well enough from me, how is your business developing.. Jim?

Re: Networking Central Portugal

Jamesie — Tue Nov 03, 2009 9:56 am

Author: Jamesie

Posted: Tue Nov 03, 2009 9:56 am

Hi John
Thanks for your reply.
It sounds like you have been very successful in bringing people together.
I have been living in Serpins for the past 2 years.
I bought a company called Homes For Sale In Portugal and set up a Joint Venture with the Portuguese imobiliaria Cidade XL in Lousa. We carry out all the advetising and marketing side of the business and they are estate agents.
We find the partnership arrangement works very well.
I am keen to learn more about networking.

Regards

Jim.

Networking Central Portugal

jjnorty — Fri Oct 30, 2009 2:45 pm

Author: jjnorty

Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2009 2:45 pm

Hi JIm

I have hosted 2 networking events , both in Ansiao as its central to a good few people who live and work here. The first was in May this year and we had 25 businesses attend. The second was also hosted by me and my business Partner Dot Bekker, who also runs PortugalFriends a social web site in central Portugal. This was done with the Portuguese Bank Credito Agricola. We had 27 businesses attend and it gave a lot of local people and expats a chance to mix and network. The second was held at the Centro de Negocios in Ansiao which is an excellent new business centre on 7 Oct this year both were well attended and successful.

Where are you based and do you undertake networking yourself?

Cheers

JOhn

Re: Central Portugal Network

Jamesie — Thu Oct 29, 2009 3:41 pm

Author: Jamesie

Posted: Thu Oct 29, 2009 3:41 pm

jjnorty wrote:

Hi, I'm putting together some networking for Central Portugal and wondered if there are any Entrepreneurs out there who would like to join. The point is to get to know others in the area, as we have found that many are quite insular.
The main centres are well served by networking but there is nothing here. If you are interested, I have organised an event in Ansiao on 21 May, contact me - not just restricted to business people All are Welcome - English, German, Dutch, French, Portuguese or other.
thanks
John

Hi John
I have only just joined the forum and saw your post.
How did you get on with this ?
I would be interested in joining in if it is still available.

Regards
Jim.

Central Portugal Network

jjnorty — Thu May 14, 2009 12:26 pm

Author: jjnorty

Posted: Thu May 14, 2009 12:26 pm

Hi, I'm putting together some networking for Central Portugal and wondered if there are any Entrepreneurs out there who would like to join. The point is to get to know others in the area, as we have found that many are quite insular.
The main centres are well served by networking but there is nothing here. If you are interested, I have organised an event in Ansiao on 21 May, contact me - not just restricted to business people All are Welcome - English, German, Dutch, French, Portuguese or other.
thanks
John