Graham Miller of Media-Vu chats to Tim Lee, founder of the region’s fastest-growing business networking group. Their topic of conversation? The extraordinary first two years in the life of Collaborate MK – the successes, the challenges and Tim’s plans for even greater collaborative business success for the years to come.
GM: Now, Tim, it’s been an extraordinary two years for you. What started as a conversation has developed into one of the largest, busiest and most successful networking groups in the region. So, how have you done it? Talk us through the past 24 months.
TL: Well, Graham, it feels like a bit of a whirlwind. Everything has just clicked into place like a jigsaw. I couldn’t be more pleased. At the start, everything was quite challenging. But we pressed on throughout lockdown, kept going with Zoom events, then live events last September.
That’s really where things started to rocket as people got to go face to face again. To be honest, it’s been all about planning, which I just love.
GM: Can you pinpoint a single reason for the runaway success of Collaborate MK?
TL: The clue’s in our name – Collaborate MK. No doubt, our success is down to the wonderful, mutually supportive attitude among members. Across the group, everyone recognises the value of helping each other – even those who might be natural competitors seem to appreciate the value of working together, even if it’s helping out on social media with a few likes here and comments there. Or maybe one of our members is going through a business ‘wobble’ and a touch of friendly support is never far away.
From the financial angle, members are always eager to support with sponsorship of events. The result? I can fund them at the best venues, keeping prices really low and the value high!
GM: What about the future? What plans do you have to take things to an even higher level?
TL: So many plans. Breakfast and brunch events at the Caldecotte Pub and Grill have all been really popular. Now we’re launching partnership events, fully sponsored, in nearby towns. We started with Leighton Buzzard, and in October we’ll be at Olney Rugby Club, followed by the University of Buckingham in November. Local, niche events for 12 to 25 people who may want to network on a localised, smaller scale.
GM: What about the different levels of membership? What’s in the Bronze package?
TL: The Bronze package gives members two virtual events a month – on Tuesdays from 10.30am to 12.30pm. Plus one large, early-evening face-to-face event, usually with well over 80 attending. All members receive a smart name badge, giving everything a nice professional feel. There’s also a very active WhatsApp group too, which is always buzzing with referrals and support.
GM: What about Silver? What are the benefits of this package?
TL: Silver’s really popular. As you’d expect, everything that’s in the Bronze package but with the option to do a five-minute talk at a large face-to-face event or a 10-minute presentation at a virtual event. Or you could have 100 words and a headshot in All Things Business. If those aren’t right for you, then instead, you can come along to two breakfasts, for instance, or two brunches.
GM: And those that want to go Gold, what’s in store?
TL: Of course, you get all the bronze and silver benefits. Plus a once-a-month workshop. We meet monthly on a Tuesday morning, always at a different venue. We break out into groups of six or seven, with an industry leader at each table. We then discuss points relating to that particular industry. The leader is on hand to support the discussion and answer questions relating to their specialised expertise. We get as many as 40 or 50 to these events.
GM: With your open-door policy, it sounds as though Collaborate MK has something for everyone – start-ups or established businesses.
TL: Oh, definitely , that’s so important. I want every type, scale and age of business to feel comfortable sharing information, giving referrals and supporting each other. No pressure, minimal sales pitches, just friendship and, of course, collaboration, my favourite word.
GM: Tim, thank you for your time. Congratulations on a remarkable two years, and let’s wish you every success for the future.
To find more about Collaborate MK contact Tim Lee at tim@collaboratemk.co.uk
