FAQ | Talk Business UK

FAQ.

Find out more about Talk Business.

Take a look at our FAQ's below to find out more about Talk Business's history, where we hold meetings, our membership model, our different sector meetings, our charity engagement and how to get the most from a Talk Business membership.

Anything else you would like to know? Please contact us.

About Talk Business:

what is Talk Business UK?

Talk Business UK is an established business networking community that has been connecting businesses since 2010. Founded by Cathy and Jonathan Smith in Stratford-upon-Avon, the network now operates across Warwickshire, Worcestershire, Gloucestershire, the Cotswolds, Somerset and surrounding areas.

Talk Business brings businesses together through regular face-to-face networking events, including business networking, Talk Business Café networking, BIG Breakfasts and specialist communities such as Talk Property and Talk Business Women Leaders and The Women's Table.

how long has Talk Business been established?

Talk Business UK was established in 2010, when Cathy and Jonathan Smith founded Stratford Business Forum in Stratford-upon-Avon. They went on to create Leamington Business Forum and Cheltenham Business Forum.

Stratford Business Forum was the original business networking community founded by Cathy and Jonathan Smith in 2010. As the network expanded into other areas and developed new event formats, it evolved into the wider Talk Business UK network.

Over the following years the business expanded into new areas and developed different networking formats, eventually becoming the Talk Business UK network that operates today.

Talk Business Events:

what is Talk Property?

Talk Property is a specialist networking community within the wider Talk Business network, created for people working in the property and related industries. It provides opportunities for property professionals to meet, build relationships and develop business connections through regular face-to-face events.

what is The Women's Table?

The Women's Table is a networking community within Talk Business UK, providing opportunities for women in business to meet, build relationships and support the development of their businesses through face-to-face networking events around one table.

We also offer Talk Business Women Leaders where a curated group of women in leadership roles meet each moth to discuss issues and give support, swap ideas and make connections.

what is UNO Networking?

UNO is a separate business networking community founded by Cathy and Jonathan Smith, who also founded Talk Business UK. UNO provides a more focused networking environment, while Talk Business UK offers a broader community with a range of events and locations. The two businesses have a shared history and founders but operate as distinct networking propositions.

what is Talk Business Café?

Talk Business Café networking is an informal style of business networking held in cafés and similar venues. It provides a relaxed setting for local business people to meet, have conversations and build relationships without the more formal structure of some traditional networking meetings. It is FREE to attend.

what is the BIG Breakfast?

The Talk Business BIG Breakfast brings businesses together around the Breakfast table. The format is designed to encourage conversations between businesses that may not normally meet at smaller networking events, while retaining the relaxed and relationship-focused approach of Talk Business. Open to ALL Talk Business members and visitors.

Membership:

who can join Talk Business?

Talk Business UK is open to businesses and business professionals from a wide range of industries. The network is designed to help businesses build relationships, increase their visibility, generate referrals and develop connections with other local businesses.

can I try before joining?

Yes. Businesses can attend two Talk Business events as a visitor before deciding whether membership is right for them. This gives you the opportunity to experience the networking, meet other members and see how the Talk Business community works before joining.

We know that the real value of networking comes from regular attendance and relationship-building over time

why do I pay membership and sometimes an event fee?

Your Talk Business membership gives you access to the network, events and opportunities across the all the regions we cover.

Some events also include a separate meeting cost where hospitality is provided. This is simply the direct cost charged by the venue and is passed on to attendees.

Why? This keeps membership affordable while allowing us to host events in a wide range of quality venues. We believe in supporting the venues we use, so that they benefit from the event financially.

We always make this clear before booking, so there are no surprises.

is membership for me personally or for my business?

The business is the member.

This means different people from your business can attend different events, helping your company stay visible across the network without needing separate memberships for each person.

This gives you much more flexibility and better value.

which membership option is right for me?

If you want access to all Talk Business UK events across the region, Full Annual Membership is the right choice. this annual membership can either be paid up front (best value) or split into monthly payments to help with budgeting.

If you’re mainly looking for directory visibility and access to Talk Business Café networking only, Directory + Café may suit you better.

If you only want a business listing on our website, without attending events, Just Directory is the simplest option.

If you’re unsure, we’re always happy to help you choose the best fit for your business.

can I attend events in different locations?

Yes! Once you’re a FULL Talk Business member, you can attend open networking events across all the regions we cover. You do not need separate memberships for different locations.

can charities get involved with Talk Business?

We warmly welcome charities to become members of Talk Business networking! Charities can attend our networking events and can even hold the dedicated charity seat within our UNO networking groups.

At our monthly BIG Breakfast Networking event, we provide a member charity the opportunity to give a short presentation, allowing them to share their mission and connect with local businesses. Additionally, we often organize fundraisers to support a chosen charity, helping make a meaningful impact in our community.

how can I get the most out of my annual membership?

Talk Business Networking provides you with the facility to meet people and connect with business. The rest is up to you. Below are a few pointers to what makes for successful networking:

Attend as many events as possible to maximize your networking opportunities and visibility.
Set clear goals before each event - consider what you want to gain from attending.
Prepare your introduction in advance to make a memorable first impression.
Be authentic and genuine in your interactions to build trust and rapport.
Schedule one-on-one meetings with members you’d like to connect with outside of events.
Listen actively to others and take time to understand their businesses.
Bring business cards and flyers to ensure people remember you after the event.
Consider giving a short presentation with visuals to showcase your expertise and engage the members.