Following the links to the left you can identify Networking Session programmes from previous years, hosted by Hidden Art for UK designers and designer-makers.
Listed here are Networking sessions which have already taken place in 2009:
All Networking Sessions are held at Hidden Art, and open to all members.
You will need to complete the self-assessment survey for 2009 before you can participate in any of the following.
Marketing Workshop
Wednesday 4 November 6–8pm
Sarah Thelwall - In this session Sarah will focus on the identification of the features and benefits of your products, the clarification of your key customer segments and the selection of the key promotional tools that you'll need in order to communicate with your customer segments.
These elements of marketing planning are drawn from Sarah's Market Day workshop which has a set of accompanying eBooks which can be downloaded, printed and made up (for free).
Aims: This marketing taster session will introduce you to the key stages in the marketing planning process. It will break this process up into individual activities and you will leave the workshop with access to explanatory handbooks and visual tools from the session. This will help you succinctly describe your business, products and service and work out who your key customer groups are. Visit the booking page to register.
Speed Networking
Wednesday 2 September 6–8pm
An opportunity for Hidden Art’s Pool of Specialist and Associate members to network with designers and share expertise and experiences with one another. Aimed at expanding individual networks, highlighting the skills and services available through Hidden Art and raising awareness of training vouchers available to use with all Hidden Art Associates and Pool of Specialists. Visit the booking page to register.
Speakers:
Chris Hall from The Fashion and Textile Museum sharing news and opportunities available through their unique programme of fashion, textiles and jewellery exhibitions; their programme of training and business support courses; how the museum works as a glamorous location for product launches, talks, and other events and its high quality retail shop for young designers www.ftmlondon.org/
Toyin Laketu from UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) and how this Government funded organisation supports UK SME’s to internationalise their business in overseas markets. She will talk about the range of advice and services to SME’s on export development, including: overseas tradeshow funding, market research support, workshops, seminars and sector focused market visits including Design UK mission to Tokyo and the Singapore Design Festival. toyinlaketu@uktilondon.org.uk
Mathew Wilson from With Associates, an independent digital development agency, set up to bridge the often hostile gaps between design and technology. As the names suggests, our key drive is working collaboratively toward appropriate solutions. He will be on hand to help Hidden Art members understand and use the digital world in a more effective way to best help all businesses grow. www.withassociates.com
Jodie Eastwood from Metropolitan Works is the Sector Development Manager of London’s foremost Creative Industries Centre, providing technology, training and workspaces for designers, artists, engineers and other businesses to develop and realise creative and innovative ideas, all under one roof. Prior to this Jodie managed the Design Brokerage Service at Hidden Art and played a fundamental role in the development of Made in London, the London Manufacturers Group for the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry. http://www.metropolitanworks.org/
Peter Ives from Business Dynamix specialises in helping businesses grow by providing Strategic focus on what can be achieve and what resources are needed to do it; a funding package to support future growth; access to innovation management support and will be available to discuss how Business Dynamix can help your business. www.businessdynamix.co.uk
Samantha Clarke from Zukuri Consulting, offers consumer insight and analysis; trend and market research; Strategic brand and marketing development; Design consultancy and creation of partnerships for your business. Clients so far include ButcherCouture (www.butchercouture.com), Absolut Vodka, Lux Eco Ltd and many more. www.zukuriconsulting.com
Handouts and additional information about photography and other support services will also be made available at this event.
Promoting Your Business
Wednesday 1 July 6–8pm
This session explores the main concepts behind how to market yourself and your brand. Discover the lead times for different publications and tips on how to write a good press release. Adopt the right language and style to reach journalists and promote your business through using various internet websites and blogs. Visit the booking page to register.
Speakers
Barbara Chandler has been writing about design and decoration for over 35 years, including articles for many national/international magazines, and books. Currently, Barbara writes for the London Evening Standard. She is on the selection panel for 100% Design, and chairs the judges for the Homes & Gardens Classic Design Award. As a photographer, she has exhibited widely. www.barbarachandler.co.uk; http://twitter.com/sunnyholt
Nicole Bachmann is a masterful coach, facilitator and trainer with a strategic business background and a law degree. Nicole is a highly experienced networker, a motivational speaker and lecturer at the University of Essex. She is the Founder of Brook & Mann, specialists in Confident Communication for Pro-active Professionals, a co-founder of www.beatprocrastination.com, a Networking Strategist with Magic of Networking, an Executive Associate of Fraser Clarke Corporate Development, an Associate of the ROI Academy, of Developing People and 3C Training.
Networking Session – Trade Fairs
Wednesday 25 March 6-8pm
Trade Fairs will present methods to determine which show your work is best suited to. Featuring information on how to create a successful space and stand, effective self-promotion and capitalising on your contacts. Visit the booking page to register.
Product Development
Wednesday 13 May 6–8pm
This session will help you to achieve a greater understanding of working with manufacturers and ensuring that you get the product you want. Includes considerations for health and safety and an explanation of Quality Assurance and how it can help you to advance your product efficiently. Visit the booking page to register.
Speakers
Jodie Eastwood, Sector Development Manager London Metropolitan Works
Jodie Eastwood is the Sector Development Manager of Metropolitan Works, London’s foremost Creative Industries Centre, providing technology, training and workspaces for designers, artists, engineers and other businesses to develop and realise creative and innovative ideas, all under one roof. Prior to this Jodie managed the Design Brokerage Service at Hidden Art and played a fundamental role in the development of Made in London, the London Manufacturers Group for the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Marion Ingle, Business Development Manager London Metropolitan Polymer Centre
Marion started out in product development at Xerox, which involved writing quality plans and managing the quality of UK suppliers to Xerox. She moved on to a technical managers’ role in an injection moulding factory, where she was responsible for developing and manufacturing products that met very stringent requirements for clients like IBM and Motorola. For the last twelve years she has been involved in consulting, solving many problems, disputes and material and product failures, which often result in the lack of a suitable quality management plan.