One of the great things about operating an independant business networking organisation like proNet is that we don’t have to answer to a larger brand or company.
So when it comes to listening to what our members want, what they feel isn’t working and what they feel is; then we’re ideally placed to make the appropriate changes for the benefit of our everyone without having to cow-tow to a tiered management structure.
After all, proNet is a networking group, run by its members for the benefit of its members.
Rolling Out the Changes
So having taken on board your requests we’re now in a position to roll out some positve changes on how proNet operates. Part of our evolution if you like.
Success Slips
Whilst business is being passed around the table at proNet’s meetings, it’s not visibly apparent to other members and visitors at our group meetings. Making sure transactions are more visible to people would illustrate more clearly, the benefits of joining proNet and emphasise the value of being a proNet member.
Therefore it has been decided to introduce a referral or lead slip passing type of system into our meeting formats. This will be called the “Success Exchange” and will use formal slips of paper, called “Success Slips” to demonstrate the passing of business and ideas between members. proNet’s ethos is not to put pressure on our members to perform and as such, members will not be targeted or pressurised to bring leads or referrals in case you are worrying.
Visitor Hosts
The voluntary position of Visitor Host will be appointed within each group. The person working in this role will be tasked with making sure visitors to our meetings are made to feel welcome. They will also be responsible for following up by telephone, visitors to each meeting in order to ascertain feedback and their thoughts on re-attending or joining as a member.
Single Category
The number of business types allowed within each group will be reduced from two down to one. This gives each business type exclusivity within a group and further promotes a sense of ‘belonging’ amongst our members.
Nomadic Membership
A member that is based at one group, may continue to attend meetings at other proNet groups for a £10 on the door fee. Such attendance must be pre booked through this website or by email to membership@joinpronet.com However the business type of the visiting member to a group must not conflict with that of an existing member’s of the group they intend to visit.
Member Offers
Members will be asked if they want to provide a special or exclusive offer to other members of proNet. This could be in the form of a discount on services or a free consultation etc. Such offers will be presented to new members in the form of an “offer sheet” enclosed with their acceptance letter and will be announced within the AOB section of proNet’s meetings on a regular basis.
Membership Fees
It is felt that the current membership scheme and costs are a barrier to many people joining proNet in that the perception is that our tiered (ad-hoc, 3 month, 6 month and 12 month) membership levels are too complicated are too “expensive” in the eyes of many. In reality, proNet’s membership costs are highly competitive against other breakfast networking groups, particularly as they include the cost of the meetings; however be that as it may, the perception is what it is and it is proving to be a barrier to new member recruitment.
Therefore, to make it easier and more affordable for new members to join a proNet group, a revised, simplistic and more affordable membership scheme will be introduced. This will take the form of a simple, flat £30 per calendar month membership fee.
No other fees will be payable as this will include the member’s breakfast. This is to be paid by Standing Order. Guests may continue to visit up to two times with a £10 on the door cash fee before they need to make a decision.
Furthermore, as the membership fee will be paid monthly, a person’s membership commitment will be on a rolling monthly basis. Therefore, if a member no longer wishes to attend proNet meetings then they can simply cancel their membership without penalty by giving one month’s notice. At which point their business category will be opened up to their competitors.
Omitting this need to commit to a long term membership is deemed to be an attractive concept to new members.
This new membership charging scheme takes place with immediate effect and applies to all new applications and membership renewals.
Evolve
proNet will continue to revise how it runs its meetings and is always open to suggestion as it evolves. It is hoped that these modifications will help enhance our meetings even further and stimulate new member recruitment.
