Meetings
Walking into a room of people you don't know at quarter past seven isn't most people's idea of fun. So here's exactly what happens, and the good news is it's a lot more relaxed than you might think.
Running order
Someone from the committee will say hello and introduce you to a few people. Nobody's going to corner you with a sales pitch.
The chair runs through club news and a few thank-yous between members. Then we go round the room and everyone, guests included, gets 60 seconds to say who they are, what they do and their answer to the question of the week.
We move through for a cooked or continental breakfast. This is where most of the real conversations happen.
Usually a guest speaker, a member talking about their business or an "expert in the spotlight", where the room quizzes one member on their specialist subject. Some weeks it's a group discussion where members bring a problem and the room helps solve it.
You're on your way with a full stomach and, more often than not, a couple of useful contacts.
Away days. Every so often we swap the venue for an away day, like a walk around Haldon Forest followed by breakfast, a morning at Darts Farm or a visit to a member's premises.
The 60 seconds
It's not a pitch competition. Each week the chair sets a question, and everyone, guests included, gives their name, what they do and their answer. You learn far more about people than a job title tells you, and nobody's ever stuck for something to say.
If you're feeling nervous, keep it simple: your name, what you do and a quick answer is plenty.
Recent questions of the week
What book can't you put down at the moment?
Who in this room would you swap jobs with, and why?
Practical details
The ISCA Centre, Summer Lane, Exeter EX4 8NT, next to Exeter Arena in Whipton.
Free on site, with plenty of spaces.
Business cards if you have them. Otherwise, just wear whatever you'd normally wear for work. Some members come in suits, some in jeans, and nobody minds either way.
Your first two visits are free. Your third and final guest visit is £15, breakfast included, paid by bank transfer before the meeting.
FAQ
No. You can come as a guest up to three times to see if it suits you. If it does, you can apply to join after your third visit.
We only have one business per profession, so check the member directory first. If something overlaps, we'll have a quick word with the existing member before your visit. Sometimes businesses with a specialism can sit side by side.
Most members come most Fridays. The minimum is one meeting a month, because we know business gets busy. If you can't make it, you can send someone from your business instead.
Yes. Plenty of our members are sole traders or run small teams. What matters is that you're the owner, manager or one of the people who makes the decisions.
One person represents each member business, but a colleague can come instead of you when you can't make it.
Yes. As well as cooked or continental, there are gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan breakfasts. Just mention it in the booking form so we can order the right one for you.
Fill in the booking form and our membership secretary will confirm your date. Please book by 5pm on the Tuesday for that Friday, as we order breakfast first thing Wednesday.
Your first two visits are free. Your third and final guest visit is £15, breakfast included.
Book your first visitFriendly, member-run breakfast networking for local businesses. Meeting every Friday in Exeter since 2010.
Book your first visitFridays
The ISCA Centre
Summer Lane, Exeter EX4 8NT
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Arrive from 7:15am
Meeting 7:30am to 9:00am
Visits by booking only.
Your first two are free.