18 June 2003

Networking in the South East

Readers of Action will know that over the past two years or so, we have introduced some new network opportunities for members in the South East Region. Examples are the new London Print Group, the 2002 Regional Conference, the Personnel Practitioners Group, and three workshops on HR issues, not forgetting the recent open evening at Heidelberg. All of these have been well attended and justified the confidence we placed in them as offerings to members. We will continue with these, (or similar) events in the year ahead. Regrettably, however, the South East has not been immune from a general decline in attendance levels at District Association meetings across the country, and at the time of writing we have had to cancel meetings of the Kent and Sussex DA’s . For the same reason, other traditional DA areas within the Region have not had meetings for sometime. Your Regional Director, Chris Patefield is in discussion with Business Link Kent, and Business Link Wessex, (Hampshire/Dorset/Isle of Wight) with a view to organising joint network events for members in these areas. Steering groups of member companies are being established to take this forward. You can contribute to this process by letting us know your views on networking in the Region. Are there ways of organising District Association meetings that will better meet your needs? What topics would attract you to meetings and what other network activities should we be considering? Please let us know your views so that we can make the right decisions on your behalf.