About Essex Business Forum
What is Essex Business Forum (EBF)?
Essex Business Forum is an association of professional business people and owners of established and reputable SMEs based in Essex and the surrounding areas which represents every trade and profession, and with the addition of an extended network of businesses in highly specialist fields.
Essex Business Forum, as an organisation, exists to facilitate the meeting of it’s members for the promotion of it’s members’ businesses and to promote its members to the public and to the local business community as a full range of ‘trusted’ suppliers in order to generate commercial opportunities for its member-businesses.
The purpose of Essex Business Forum is to provide the means by which its members can promote their own and each others’ businesses for their mutual benefit; to provide business support for each other; to generate business referrals and create new commercial opportunities for each other; and to help each other to develop and grow their individual businesses.
“Better business by referral “
EBF provides a variety of promotional opportunities for the benefit of its members, including networking, forums, presentations, organised referral-exchange sessions, exhibitions and other events at which members can meet or be recommended to potential new associates, suppliers, or customers/clients; plus structured external online and offline marketing activities for ongoing promotion of EBF member-businesses to the public and the local business community.
EBF is open to reputable and professionally-run SMEs from all business sectors whose owners/managers are aiming to develop and grow their business in the Essex area.
Membership is not simply by request – we will ask for business references and these will be checked. Your application will also be reviewed by our committee and if approved you will be allowed to join. We aim to keep the standard of members high within our group so that each of us can refer other members without worry.
Essex Business Forum is an association of professional business people and owners of established and reputable SMEs based in Essex which represents every trade and profession, and with the addition of an extended network of businesses in highly specialist fields.
We run weekly business networking groups every Thursday morning in Brentwood, plus other regular events and networking meetings.
We're always looking for new members to join, so if you are interested then come along to one of our meetings.
Average Business Passed Between All Members Each Month
By joining, and attending our weekly business networking meeting, you’ll benefit from:
Regular business referral opportunities – on average each member receives more than £30,000 worth of new business each year because of their membership
Ability to expand your network, and connect with like-minded business professionals
Promotion of your business on our high traffic website
Opportunity to become an accredited EBF Mark of Excellence business
Promotion of your business via our popular Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and other social media channels
Weekly business development, education and training sessions
Plus business training events, social gatherings, and much much more…
As well as providing an important and consistent source of new business, the group is a valuable resource of support and advice which has been vital to the development of our firm.
The trust and respect that builds between members has a direct influence on business growth.
Not only has it already more than paid for itself with the business I have gained but meeting with fellow professionals from all walks of life has given me a new energy.
To help build and cement relationships and to learn about members interests outside of their working environment, social events are held throughout the year culminating in the grand Christmas dinner.
All members act as salesmen for each other and apart from the enthusiasm and good fellowship generated at the meetings I receive good quality referrals, all of which enhance my business.
I Joined Essex Business Forum a few months after I started by business and have been a member ever since. In the past six years I have not only obtained quality business leads that have led to me carrying out work for a variety of clients but have also fostered an excellent network of business contacts who I am happy to recommend and do so on a regular basis.
In addition I have a great support network in that the other members are happy to give me advice and guidance when needed and I hope I provide that to them as well.
I was introduced to Essex Business Forum by an existing member, and honestly at the time I did not know, nor understand what to expect. 2 years later, I can say EBF is beyond business referrals.
When I first started in business my biggest concern was the ability to get new clients.
I have no doubt that the biggest factor in the success of my business has been joining the group. I cannot recommend it highly enough
When I joined EBF I had recently gone into business by myself, as a freelancer. With just a few clients under my belt, I hoped membership would help me to grow, and to become established. It has certainly done that. I’m now collaborating regularly with fellow members on new business, and have a regular flow of high quality referrals. This is my No.1 focus for business growth.
Setting up your own business is very different to being employed and I have found the group to be invaluable in terms of support, advice and assisting me to attract new clients.
If you are a new business I strongly recommend you join.
Our meetings are dynamic and friendly. To learn more, take a quick Meeting Walkthrough. Written by fellow members, it’s designed as a simple step-by-step guide to the meeting format. Helping you to feel at ease from the moment you walk through the door.
It’s free to attend your first Essex Business Forum meeting, and visitors are under no obligation to join.
