Better Business Breakfast Networking

You're now part of the team that brings BBN to life in your city and we're genuinely grateful for it. This page has everything you need to run a great event, from checking people in to making sure everyone’s well fed. Bookmark it and come back to it whenever you need. Any questions not covered here? Email us at community@thebetterbusiness.network

Before your first event

✅ Download the Ticket Tailor app and log in
✅ Send us your photo and bio for the website
✅ Introduce yourself in the BBN Host Community space
✅ Accept your invitation to the Host Quarterly calls
✅ Join the Hosts WhatsApp Group
✅ Promote the event on your social channels and invite your network (use our Social Assets)
✅ Check you have your BBN collateral (banner, table toppers, business cards)

At Every event

✅ Ensure you assign at Host to checking in all Guests on the Ticket Tailor App
✅ Keep to the BBN Event Format
✅ Take pictures and encourage people to connect on the BBN App
✅ Post in the BBN App regional space and on Linkedin tagging BBN
✅ Update BBN on how the event went and if you need any further assistance.

GETTING STARTED

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.
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 LTD , 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.
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.
Information on joining BBN can be found here.
Membership Tiers
Whether you're just starting out or ready to lead, there's a place for you in BBN. Every tier builds on the last, and because larger members' fees help subsidise smaller ones, joining is already an act of impact.
🌱 Guest — Free
The no-barrier way in. Explore the BBN community, come to events and see what membership looks like before you commit. No credit card, no catch.
What you get:
- Access to BBN Guest spaces on the community platform
- Ability to attend BBN events
- BBN newsletter
🤝 Community — £95 + VAT/year
For individuals and smaller organisations ready to be properly part of the movement.
That's less than £8 a month.
What you get:
- Full access to the BBN platform and community app
- Member directory — find and connect with other BBN businesses
- Regional spaces on the app to connect with businesses near you
- Online and regional networking events
- BBN newsletter with news, resources and opportunities
🚀 Growth — £500 + VAT/year
For growing businesses that want the full BBN experience. Learning, visibility and community.
What you get:
Everything in Community, plus:
- Carbon Literacy Training for your entire team
- B Corp Bootcamp access
- Unlimited monthly workshops
- Full online training library and resource hub
- Free co-working space at BBN regional hubs
- Free promotion of your events in the BBN newsletter and social channels
- Free promotion of your offers and discounts to the full BBN audience
- Access to the BBN affiliate scheme — earn by referring other businesses
- 20% off Better Business Summit tickets
🏢 Corporate Partner — £POA VAT/year
For larger organisations who want to lead, not just participate.
Corporate Partners get a seat at the table on BBN's direction, amplified visibility across the entire network and community, and the credibility of a public commitment to better business. This isn't a passive sponsorship, it's active leadership of a growing movement.

THE EVENT

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.
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.
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.
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)!

Here is a folder containing our Logo and Pictures to promote your 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.
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 1-5 photos of the event and share them in a LinkedIn post and tag our company page.
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.
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 please use this as a chance to feedback any changes you would like to see in the Host Community Space.
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
community@thebetterbusiness.network