Networking is a valuable and productive activity for owner/managers. Networking puts you in contact with like minded people whose experience an­d knowledge can help greatly in helping you solve the day-to-day problems of business and exploit the opportunities.  Within networks, there are shared experiences, friendships to be made and also new opportunities to develop your business, make sales or find new suppliers.

Craft & Creative Cluster

• To sign up to the Craft & Creative Cluster, please complete this form - https://submit.link/r9 

Flavours of Kildare Food Cluster

• To sign up to the Flavours of Kildare Food Cluster, please complete this form - https://submit.link/de

Kildare Women in Business Cluster

• To sign up to the Kildare Women in Business Cluster, please complete this form - https://submit.link/ra

Focus on Tech (Mid East Tech Cluster - Kildare, Wicklow and Meath)

• Get in touch joinus@merits.ie

Kildare Chamber of Commerce	Women in Business Network
The Kildare Chamber of Commerce provides networking events, training, export documentation, trade information and other business support services. The network also provides opportunities to share experiences, learn from other SME owners.	Network Ireland Kildare branch is an organisation supporting the professional and personal development of women. The network provides opportunities to share experiences, learn from other women and network.
www.countykildarechamber.ie	https://networkireland.ie/page/KildareBranch

Networking Tips

• Swap business cards with everyone you meet – you never know how you will be able to help each other in the future
• Write specific details about the person you meet on their business card (best times to call, information about their products or services, where you met and when)
• Repeat the person’s first name several times in the conversation – as they say, repetition is the best way to remembering
• Arrange to meet the person within a month of your first meeting – even if this meeting is to ‘meet’ again, it will mean that you will have got to know more about each other and possibly find reasons to do business together or recommend each other to clients or acquaintances
• The next time you wonder how you can make your business a success and be the best at what you do, take some time to contact those people who you have met recently. Update them on what you are up to and see how you can do business now or in the future.
• If you want your business to succeed then you need to ensure that others believe in you and your business. If you want to promote how great your product or service is then make sure you know how to network well too!
• People like yourself are certainly an answer. People who will share their experience and expertise; knowledge that is relevant to your stage of development. And, networks are great for making sales contacts and finding suppliers who appreciate your business.