Meetings - structure

The network structure encourages a practical learning environment for Profitnet members. Groups are either sector specific or mixed with 15 to 18 members. Each group establishes a code of conduct and its own development plan with the assistance of their facilitator.

The facilitator guides, rather than leads the meetings, ensuring all members have the opportunity to get the most from every meeting. The three-hour monthly meetings are divided into three sessions and follow an agreed time and format:

Business planning

At each meeting, one member presents their business plan or strategic vision. The group then gives constructive and critical feedback and suggests possible future actions. The outcomes from this session are regularly reviewed in later group meetings. All members benefit from discovering what did and didn’t work, and gain a wider perspective of formulating and implementing strategy.

Action learning

Group members discuss topical and pressing business issues with their peers. The reassurance of working in a confidential environment is particularly important here as members often share sensitive commercial information. Trust built on confidentiality is the cornerstone of Profitnet.

Specialist workshops

Specialist workshops are delivered in the last session of the Profitnet meeting by specially invited experts and cover a wide range of business topics from business planning and strategy to social marketing and innovation. Topics are chosen by the group, enabling the facilitator and project manager to set up a series of workshops based on the needs of the members. The sessions are practical, members learn new skills and receive valuable information.

Workshop subjects have included:

• Branding

• Business planning and strategy

• How to apply for grants and funding

• How to work with the University of Brighton

• Human resources

• Legislation

• Marketing, telemarketing

• Motivational skills

• Negotiation and closing the deal

• Networking, customer and lead creation

• Emarketing and ecommerce

• Pricing

• Public relations

• Social networking

• Tax

• Time management

• Website optimisation

Meetings - frequency

The meetings are held once a month for three hours on the same day each month.  To get the most value and to help all the other members, it is important to attend every meeting. The time and day of each is agreed by the membership at the first meeting so that the dates can be put in the diary in advance for the whole programme.