If you are a nursery professional, you are probably a people person: you have to be when you spend most of your day communicating with children, parents and colleagues. But how often do you go and meet peers outside of your setting?
There are many benefits to be gained from forming new relationships, not least the opportunities to learn something new and to raise the profile of your business. Although it may sometimes seem like extra effort, I strongly recommend booking in specific time to make new connections.
It is always worth it.
Give and get in return
I was recently asked to present to a group of local tech professionals. The slot was after hours and I had to put in some extra work to prepare a presentation, as well as steel myself for audience questions.
In return, I met a lot of people in a similar field with some great ideas and was fed plenty of food for thought. As some sort of karmic reward, I managed to generate leads from two people in the audience who had children at local nurseries that don’t yet have any nursery management software!
Massive thx to @wwwfoecouk @astecEY @folklabs @richardjpope for amazing #southlondontech #techhubsouth talks last night. See you next time!
— Therese S (@midatlantictez) March 31, 2015
Even if you are not comfortable putting yourself on stage, there are others ways to make valuable connections.
Connect locally
You can gain a lot from engaging with people who run other local businesses. Entrepreneurs can be a great source of information and can be an even better support network. You may be able to band together to cross promote services or gain favourable terms – such as reduced local rates from your council – or you could even find a local partner to work with. (Come and see us at our next event to see our podiums designed by a local carpenter!)
Furthermore, word-of-mouth is the single most effective marketing method for your nursery. Owners and managers of local business are in contact with lots of people in the area and, as trusted people, can be a great source of referrals.
Connect with the sector
There are a number of national organisations and forums that you can join, such as the NDNA and PSLA, that provide opportunities to connect with peers in the sector. The regional forums and training courses that they provide can be great places to meet people and to continue your professional development). You’ll also be pleasantly surprised to see how willing people in the same field are to offer their insight and to mull over concerns you have.
These organisations are also a great place to get your voice heard and serve to amplify the sector’s collective voice. In fact, through our membership at a national forum, we were recently invited by the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) to discuss the potential benefits of incorporating richer data in childcare related funding. It is great to know that we are respected for our approach and we can make a positive contribution to improve efficiency across the sector – enhancing efficiency is, after all, a key benefit of our nursery management software.
A new favourite place for the Early Years consultant!
If you are an early years consultant (or in a related field), a great place to connect with peers is through NEYTCO. Launched just last year, the organisation is already the place to be for consultants in the sector and I can’t recommend enough becoming a member. Just from popping along to their stand at the recent Nursery2Primary, I was able to catch up with some peers and make some new connections with people with complementary expertise.
Make that connection!
Whether you’re looking to raise your profile, for opportunities for professional development, support or a simple chin-wag, go ahead and make a connection. You never know where it might lead.
If you want to connect with me, please do just get in touch. I’ll cover connecting through social media in another post, but until then I look forward to meeting you soon in person!
Richard Duddy
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