Better Business Breakfast Networking

Thanks so much for being part of the BBN Community and helping us expand our impact as a network. We’ve shared below some useful information, assets and tools for you to make your event as amazing as possible.

If there is anything we haven’t covered below, or you need some clarification, please don’t hesitate to contact us

  • Better Business Breakfast is a breakfast networking series from the team at the Better Business Network.

    It is a 90 minute event which brings business leaders and change-makers together breakfast and networking.

  • The events run monthly for 90 minutes between 09:00 - 10:30.

    Attendees arrive and are greeted by the event host(s), who checks them in using the Ticket Tailor app. Coffee, tea and pastries are provided with attendees are able to help themselves. Hosts will be provided a list of question prompts which if people are unsure where to start a conversation can be used, these are inspired by Nature and are updated each month.

    There is no formal talks,* exhibitions or screenings. These events are an informal meet up where attendees drive the conversation.

    *Hosts will say a short welcome and we do have an offers and asks section but there are no designated presentations or speakers

    The format is as follows:

    • Arrive for 9am, settle in with a drink, and get talking for 15 minutes

    • Speed networking for 30 minutes to meet and chat with five other people

    • 2 offers and 2 asks from attendees - fastest hand up gets to share

    • BBN news and updates for the network and new members 

    • 30 minutes of relaxed networking to carry on conversations 

  • The events will be attended by a mixture of BBN members and non-members. There will always been a BBN host in attendance at the event.

    The event is free to attend so feel free to invite anyone along. Non-BBN or non-workspace members are invited along twice before they become a member so they can get a feel for things.

  • The events are advertised in several places in order to reach as many people as possible including:

    Ticket Tailor: We advertise and organise our events on Ticket Tailor. All of our events can been see on our ticket tailor page.

    BBN Website: All of events can be accessed on the Better Business Network website. Navigate to ‘Join’ → ‘Events’ in the top right hand corner to see all of our events.

    LinkedIn: All of our events can also be seen on our company LinkedIn page as LinkedIn events. We often post about these events, show highlights and shout out our hosts and venues here. We also invite all of our hosts to be ‘speakers’ on each LinkedIn event, allowing them to invite relevant individuals to the event.

    BBN Community: All of our events are available on our BBN Community page (this page is only accessible to BBN Members - to become a member, click here!). We use this platform to promote our events to our members, share pictures and continue conversations post-event.

    Newsletters: We have several newsletters which go out to different groups of people, including BBN Members, and the wider business community. BBB events are always promoted in these newsletters.

    Other Promotion: We constantly ask our venues, hosts and other BBN members to shout about our events and invite members of their network along.

  • Invoicing from venues or catering companies will be directly to the BBN.

    VAT: 311 2831 49
    Company Number: 11350481

    The Better Business Network C/O betternotstop, X+Why, 100 Embankment, Cathedral Approach, Manchester M3 7FB

  • Each event description has a section in which hosts and venues can describe their own business. This section will contain links to your LinkedIn and website.

    To change these descriptions, simply contact us with an updated description and we will make the relevant changes.

  • We are supported by Bird & Blend Tea.

    Bird & Blend Tea Co. is an independent, people-focused, award winning B Corp on a mission to spread happiness & reimagine tea. They have always tried to keep people & planet at the forefront of their decision making as they’ve grown to over 22 stores since 2012. Tea is their TEAm’s passion so whether you’re browsing the website, chatting with them on social media or popping into the store, they are happy to help you explore the magical world of tea!  

    Regional Sponsors:

    Many of our events have their own sponsors. If you would like to sponsor one of our BBB events reach out on Contact Us page.

    Manchester: BBB is sponsored by Open Kitchen.

    Open Kitchen work with a range of food businesses to stop good food from being wasted, and also purchase ingredients, working only with local, sustainable, and ethical suppliers. Their chefs use this ever-changing mix to produce nutritious, seasonal menus that offer the lowest carbon catering possible, while maintaining great quality.

  • We want all of our hosts and venues to join the BBN Community.

    If you are not already a member, you can get Ambassador Tier membership as a valued host/venue. Simply click on the link, or contact us to find out more about this.

    If you are already a member and have questions, check out our FAQs section. We recommend that you spend some time filling out your members directory, posting an introduction, submitting an offer & discount, and begin using the community chat space!

  • If your question hasn’t been answered, please reach out to our events team via molly@thebetterbusiness.network who will be happy to help.

GETTING STARTED

  • Catering will be provided by either the venue or an external catering company.

    Pastries and fruit will be provided. We recommend that at least 20% of these are vegan options to ensure all participants are able to access the breakfast.

    Each event will be provided with a Bird & Blend tea box which contains 50 single serves of tea as well as 2 Tea Gift Cube for the event hosts. This will sit in addition to any tea and coffee provided by the venue/catering company.

    Hosts are not expected to provide or cover any catering costs.

    In order to invoice the BBN for catering costs please send an invoice directly to the BBN. Please see the Invoicing section for more details.

  • Teas and coffee will be always be provided by the venue. We ask that all venues have access to non-dairy based milks (e.g. oat, soy, almond), to help accommodate all attendees.

    Every event will also have a Bird and Blend Tea Box for attendees to take from. This will be sent to the host/venue prior to the event. After the event this box will be stored at the venue, or taken away with the host. After each event, the Bird and Blend Tea Box should be checked to see if it needs replenishing. If you Tea box is in need of a restock, please reach out to Meg Fenn (meg@birdandblendtea.com) and she will assist you. You can send this template email:

    “Hi Meg,

    I am the Better Business Network Better Business Breakfast X People Planet Pastry host for [LOCATION].

    My Bird and Blend Tea Box is beginning to get low on teas and I wondered if it would be possible to be sent some more?

    Please could a top-up be sent to [ADDRESS] and I will make sure that the box is refilled.

    Many Thanks”

    It is the hosts responsibility to check on the levels of, and top up teas at the end of each Breakfast Networking session.

    If you Tea Box becomes broken or damaged for any reason, please reach out to Meg Fenn (meg@birdandblendtea.com) and explain that you require a new Tea Box.

  • Invoicing from venues or catering companies will be directly to the BBN.

    VAT: 311 2831 49
    Company Number: 11350481

    The Better Business Network C/O betternotstop, X+Why, 100 Embankment, Cathedral Approach, Manchester M3 7FB

  • You will be checking attendees using the Ticket Tailor app. Please download the app to your mobile or tablet. A link will be sent to your email from the BBN. Please click on this link and log in. This should give you access to all of the events you are hosting.

    Click on the event you are hosting. On the bottom bar panel, there should be three options (Dashboard, Scanner, Doorlist).

    Dashboard: This allows you to see how many attendees are signed up to the event. It will also let you see by ticket type (e.g. BBN Member, Non-Member)..

    Scanner: When people arrive you can scan their tickets using this feature. Each attendee should have received a QR code when they bought the ticket. Scan this QR code and the attendee will be checked in.

    Doorlist: This lets you see a full list of attendees. You can also check them in this section. Click on the tick in a circle on the left-hand side of each persons name. The circle should turn green to confirm they have been checked in.

    It is essential that you check all attendees into the event, this enables us to know who has arrived, and also in the event of an emergence, who needs to be evacuated from the building. It is your responsibility to check everyone one in as they are arriving.

    If you have any issue accessing any of your events then please contact a member of the BBN team and they will be able to re-issue links, and assist.

  • The events are promoted in several places in order to reach as many people as possible including:

    Ticket Tailor: We advertise and organise our events on Ticket Tailor. All of our events can been see on our ticket tailor page.

    BBN Website: All of events can be accessed on the Better Business Network website. Navigate to ‘Join’ → ‘Events’ in the top right hand corner to see all of our events.

    LinkedIn: All of our events can also be seen on our company LinkedIn page as LinkedIn events. We often post about these events, show highlights and shout out our hosts and venues here. We also invite all of our hosts to be ‘speakers’ on each LinkedIn event, allowing them to invite relevant individuals to the event.

    BBN Community: All of our events are available on our BBN Community page (this page is only accessible to BBN Members - to become a member, click here!). We use this platform to promote our events to our members, share pictures and continue conversations post-event.

    Newsletters: We have several newsletters which go out to different groups of people, including BBN Members, and the wider business community. BBB events are always promoted in these newsletters.

    Other Promotion: We constantly ask our venues, hosts and other BBN members to shout about our events and invite members of their network along!

  • We like shouting about our incredible hosts and want to promote them on our BBN Website and Community. If you are happy to have your picture and profile listed on our ‘Meet the Team’ page then please send over a short bio, profile photo and LinkedIn page link and we will get you added.

    If you are already on the BBN website and wish to edit your profile, please reach out to us with an updated bio, profile photo nor LinkedIn page link and we shall update accordingly.

  • We love our hosts/venues to shout about the event (both before and after)! We will soon be adding a link to social assets which you can use to promote the event. Please revisit this page soon for new social assets.

    You can also find copies of the BBN logo which you can add to your website, email signature, and social media here

THE EVENT

  • The events run monthly for 90 minutes between 09:00 - 10:30.

    Attendees arrive and are greeted by the event host(s), who checks them in using the Ticket Tailor app. Coffee, tea and pastries are provided with attendees are able to help themselves. Hosts will be provided a list of question prompts which if people are unsure where to start a conversation can be used, these are inspired by Nature and are updated each month.

    There is no formal talks,* exhibitions or screenings. These events are an informal meet up where attendees drive the conversation.

    *Hosts will say a short welcome and we do have an offers and asks section but there are no designated presentations or speakers

    The format is as follows:

    • Arrive for 9am, settle in with a drink, and get talking for 15 minutes

    • Speed networking for 30 minutes to meet and chat with five other people

    • 2 offers and 2 asks from attendees - fastest hand up gets to share

    • BBN news and updates for the network and new members 

    • 30 minutes of relaxed networking to carry on conversations 

  • Each event will be provided with BBN collateral to be displayed and used. You should have:

    • A BBN pull-up banner

    • BBN branded table toppers

    • BBN Business Cards to display on tables

    At events, these items should be placed in positions where attendees will see them. For example, on tables, at the food and drink stations, in the entrance ways.

    At the end of each event, it is the hosts responsibility to collect these back in and pack these away. These items may ether be stored by the venue or taken away with the host (prior agreement dependant). It is your responsibility to ensure you have these at each event.

    If for any reason these break, or you are running low. Please contact us, and we will send you additional collateral materials.

  • You will be checking attendees using the Ticket Tailor app. Please download the app to your mobile or tablet. A link will be sent to your email from the BBN. Please click on this link and log in. This should give you access to all of the events you are hosting.

    Click on the event you are hosting. On the bottom bar panel, there should be three options (Dashboard, Scanner, Doorlist).

    Dashboard: This allows you to see how many attendees are signed up to the event. It will also let you see by ticket type (e.g. BBN Member, Non-Member)..

    Scanner: When people arrive you can scan their tickets using this feature. Each attendee should have received a QR code when they bought the ticket. Scan this QR code and the attendee will be checked in.

    Doorlist: This lets you see a full list of attendees. You can also check them in this section. Click on the tick in a circle on the left-hand side of each persons name. The circle should turn green to confirm they have been checked in.

    It is essential that you check all attendees into the event, this enables us to know who has arrived, and also in the event of an emergence, who needs to be evacuated from the building. It is your responsibility to check everyone one in as they are arriving.

    If you have any issue accessing any of your events then please contact a member of the BBN team and they will be able to re-issue links, and assist.

  • BBN was the third company in the UK and fourth in the world to put Nature on the board. To honour this and Nature at our networking events, we let Nature guide the conversation prompts. We have some evergreen prompts below, but a member of the BBN team will reach out with some seasonal prompts to use, too. These can be used to guide the speed networking rounds and to encourage further conversations in our casual networking section.

    • How does your business connect with Nature

    • How does your business honour the changing seasons of Nature

    • How does your business give Nature a voice

    • Where in Nature would your business spend time if it were a person?

  • As part of the event, we ask that hosts give a small (under 5 min) speech to the attendees.

    This should cover the following:

    • What the event is

    • Who are the BBN

    • About the workspace we’re hosting in

    • How attendees can sign up to BBN

    • Thanks for coming and see you next month

    An example of what can be said is:

    “Hello everyone and thanks for coming down to Breakfast Networking at [LOCATION], it’s really great to see so many people here.

    For those of you who don’t know who were are, we’re the Better Business Network (or BBN for short) and we’re an inclusive nationwide community for purpose driven businesses that want to make the world a better place. We work to create a world in which all businesses are a force for good, advocating for sustainability, government support and creating regenerative practices.

    We run these events monthly in cities across the UK including in London, Manchester and Brighton to bring people together with intentional connection.

    If you want to know more about the BBN then scan one of our QR codes or come and speak to [HOST] and we can tell you all about it.

    Use this as a chance a chat to someone new and don’t forget to eat all the pastries or they’ll be coming home with me!

    Hopefully see all again next month!”

  • There is unlikely to be official photography at most Breakfast Networking events. We rely on hosts taking photos of the day to help us promote the events and shout about your hard work.

    Where possible please take between 5-10 photos of the event and share them with the BBN team after the event.

    There is an expectation that this will occur at every event so if you feel unable to do this for any reason please let us know.

    All attendees have confirmed that they are happy to be photographed during the event through the T&Cs when they signed up. If you or any attendee would not like to be featured in any photographs then please get in contact with us and we will not use any photos containing you.

  • The events will run from 09:00 - 10:30 in the morning.

    We recommend that hosts/venues arrive at least 30 minutes before an event so that they have time to set up and welcome attendees. There is an expectation that hosts will also stay 30 mins after an event to help clear down, and look after any attendees who need assistance.

    Please make sure that when you arrive at the venue, those on the front desk know where to direct people and the details of the event.

    When leaving the venue, please make sure you either have all BBN Collateral (including Bird and Blend Tea box), or have left this with the venue. Please ensure you tell the venue you are leaving to prevent any confusion.

  • After the event a member of the BBN team will be sending follow ups to all attendees. Please ensure that all attendees have been checked in by the end of the event (10:30am) to assist this process.

    Follow ups will include:

    • A thank you for attending the event

    • More information about the BBN

    • Invitation to next months Breakfast Networking

    • Links to social assets so that attendees can post about the BBN. (Please see social assets here)

    If there is any specific information which you would like included in the follow up, please contact a member of the BBN team during/immediately after the conclusion of the event.

    There is no expectation for the host / venue to send follow ups. This is the responsibility of the BBN Team.

  • We want all of our events to be accessible to everyone.

    Every event is hosted in a wheelchair friendly location.

    All of our events will have a selection of vegan and vegetarian food section and we will endeavour to accommodate other dietary requirements.

    The BBN is an inclusive community and we do not discriminate based on race, age, sex, gender, religion or any other demographic characteristics.

    If you have any accessibility issues and require additional support please don’t hesitate to contact us and we will provide these as soon as we can. Similarly, if you have suggestions on how to make our events more accessible then please let us know and we will make relevant changes where appropriate.

  • We love hearing feedback about how to improve our events!

    At the end of each event a BBN Team member will reach out asking how you found the event and if there were any notable moments. Please use this as a chance to feedback any changes you would like to see.

    Similarly, if you have any ideas or changes you would like to see then please contact a member of the BBN Team at anytime and we will review if these changes can be implemented.

  • The Better Business Standard is here.

    The Better Business Standard is a simple framework to make being a Better Business easier.

    It brings all of the good you’re doing as a business into one place, with one benchmark, and one stamp of approval. 

    Developed by the Better Business Network, this accreditation is focussed on UK business and SMEs, to help them prove and improve their impact. 

    With seven pillars to work through, businesses will achieve foundation accreditation for awareness, with the option to evidence their impact to recieve bronze, silver, gold, or platinum accreditation that can be displayed and recognised across the UK. 

    The accreditation is based on a learn, task, evidence model and available as part of the Better Business Network membership. 

    Head to https://www.betterbusinessstandard.com/ to find out more.

  • If you have a question, please reach out to the events team via molly@thebetterbusiness.network