This year, the Made in Group adapted their staple Breakfast Morning events to reflect the situation we find ourselves in, and to keep members and their staff safe by moving to a virtual breakfast morning model, but what tips would members share with the Made in Group family?
With more Virtual Breakfast Mornings happening, we asked those members who have attended a Breakfast Morning what value they got from them as well as what tips they would share with other members.
So, what did our members say?
“It's good to discuss the current working environment with other industries and see how other companies have handled the transition from office to working at home and then hopefully back to the office. It’s also very interesting in how different companies have seen very different pressures over the last few months and how they have handled them.
It’s the small things I have come across when joining these and other virtual meetings such as the light and background noise where you are. You need to be very open to participating especially in the breakout rooms when there are a small number of people as you will only get something out of these calls if you put something in. They have been a great idea and long they continue even when normality returns.” - Simon Marsden, OutoKumpu Stainless Distribution
“The value I get out of the virtual breakfasts is that you can speak to a number of different companies in a variety of sectors. There’s lots of potential clients and customers, and much to learn from such a diverse group.” - Alexander Bordino, CadSpec
“The feeling of not being alone. The chance to talk to others as to how they are dealing with business. Networking, and the ability to create new contacts in a less pressurised environment, as well as having a captive audience and finding out about other companies.
My advice is not to try and sell to others, instead listen to others, and ask others questions about their business, then ask them what you can do to help and support them moving forwards. Offer suggestions as to how they might get what they seek, even if it is not from you, but from other MIM contacts: it is a community after all!” - Edward James, Citizen Machinery UK Ltd
“My tip would be to exchange ideas, share experiences, learn about other members products and services, and get known in the manufacturing community. You should look for opportunities either directly or by referral, offer help and assistance where possible.
To understand that you are playing a long game, therefore don’t have too much expectation on one meeting, think about how you can further your experience and progress further in upcoming meetings. Be open to assisting and helping others first where eventually any good deeds that you’re able to do will come back eventually. We reap what we sow.” - Charles Boneham, Boneham & Turner
“These events provide an opportunity to meet new contacts in a ‘safe’ environment. I view them as an opportunity to break the ice and establish reasons to continue a dialogue with individuals once the Breakfast meeting is over. They are also an opportunity to listen (not necessarily speak) learn and absorb new ideas and of course, share your own
Be prepared to make a fool of yourself, be prepared to push to the front and get yourself noticed if you don’t someone else will. Contribute, give the event your full attention. It is easy to let your attention slip when you aren’t physically fact to face with people. Share and inform, try not to sell – particularly to people you don’t yet know.” - Guy Charteris, Ashcom Technologies
“At these events, I get to meet like-minded people and to introduce our company and product to local manufacturing companies in an easy-going friendly environment. It is good to see what other companies are up to and what issues they are facing as it helps me keep up to speed with the people I speak to daily, wherever they are in the country but also local to where I live.
Don’t be shy. Get involved and talk to people. Don’t try to sell. Have a succinct and informative introduction prepared for the intro part of the meeting.” - Steve Whitehouse, WinMan 
“The events are a way to keep positive and keep moving forward in a challenging time. We all have learnt lessons during this pandemic, and therefore we all have something to learn off one and other!
There are a lot of people on a call and you never know who may be a useful business connection to you. Make sure you keep a pen and paper close by in the introductions so you remember who you wanted to speak to in the 10-15 min break out rooms.” - Katie Andrews, CBE+
“My experience of the Virtual Breakfast Networking events has been nothing but good. I had previously been unable to attend the actual face to face meetings due to time or prior commitments, but the online events gave me a great opportunity to see how they would benefit my business.
I have now met and spoken to businesses I didn’t previously know existed, everyone is very friendly and accommodating, willing to listen and learn about my own products & business as well as introduce me to theirs. There is more often than not, some synergy between our businesses which can be investigated together after the meeting at our convenience.
Have a background or banner behind you with your company name on so everyone can see who you represent and associate with your name (which is always displayed on the screen after login).
Technical tip, mute your microphone so there is no background noise from your computer in the meeting, when you want to speak just hold down the space bar and the mic is un-muted, release to put it back on mute.” -Ian Vaughan, Mantech Geometrics
“For me, virtual events are a great way to get an understanding of how other companies are operating. This allows us to look at ourselves as a company and improve.
Personally, it increases my network of people that may be able to support our customer, offering a full level of service. Plus the added benefit of possibly coming across new clients and growing business through sharing knowledge.
Be yourself, listen more then you talk, that is when you learn and don’t do the hard sell. People are there to share knowledge and grow not to have someone push a product down there neck.
Build a proper network and think about not how the people you meet might benefit you but your customer base as well. Its call the Mim Family for a reason.” - Zack Baker, Acoustafoam
