Collaborate MK at a CMK Gold Members workshop hosted by local charity, Medical Detection Dogs (MDD). Sue reports on what was an unforgettable and fun networking morning :
As a business owner, I’ve always felt there’s nothing like a good networking event. As a dog owner, I know there’s nothing like a dog! So, imagine my excitement as, on a bright sunny June morning, I found myself making my way to Great Horwood, home of the Medical Detection Dogs (MDD) charity. The occasion? The monthly Gold Members workshop of Collaborate MK networking – one of CMK owner Tim Lee’s suite of ‘something to suit everyone’ events.
Over 30 business owners were present, enjoying the hospitality of Emily Richardson, Operational Support Department Administrator. Emily explained in fascinating detail how MDD’s training focuses on two types of dogs – medical alert assistance dogs and bio-detection dogs.
The event gave us all plenty of time to find out about the wonderful work of Medical Detection Dogs, as well as to catch up with our networking colleagues – both familiar and new. Emily and her team also laid on a fabulous array of coffee and cakes, all of which disappeared in no time!
These Collaborate MK Gold Members workshops are genuine ‘networking gold’. They’re not only great events, but they provide a terrific opportunity to learn about each other and about business. At this event, for example, we broke out into ten different groups over two sessions. In each group, we heard from dedicated subject matter experts. The breakout sessions gave us the opportunity to learn about topics ranging from business finance to marketing to electric cars to exhibitions. In my case, the only problem was knowing which topics to attend.
The session experts encourage lively discussions and pose real-life scenarios. Never a session goes by without us taking away new information and ideas for our own businesses – both from the experts and our fellow networkers.
A stand-out performance 
The highlight of the morning, we all agreed, was the ‘odour demonstration’ performed by two-year-old cocker spaniel, Archie, just three weeks into his bio-detection training. Before he started came the warning that Archie might become distracted by the presence of so many excitable business owners. If he did trot across to say ‘hello’, we were to ignore him and let him get back to his training duties. Archie, however, took it all in his stride and nailed every single one of his training exercises. Following each successfully completed task, he received an enthusiastic round of applause, although he seemed somewhat more impressed by the treat his trainer gave him.
As the event drew to a close, a number of members lined up in the car park for what was surely the world’s weirdest mass COVID testing session. Two medical detection dogs, Storm and Willow, walked amongst us, sniffing away. There were a couple of hairy moments when the dogs would pause in front of one or two of our members to give them an extra suspicious sniff. However, both dogs deemed us all 100% COVID-free in the end.
Come along – we’d love to meet you
How would I sum up this event? That’s easy. Fun, enlightening and engaging. Medical Detection Dogs is a fantastic local charity, working wonders with their amazingly intelligent and friendly canine charges. I know that every single Collaborate MK Gold Club member is hugely grateful for the kindness and attention shown to us by Emily and her colleagues.
Does this event sound like your kind of networking? Then come and join us at our next Collaborate MK event. We’d love to meet you!
Sue Pardy runs face2faceHR in Milton Keynes and takes care of HR so you can take of business. Sue enjoys building relationships with business owners and gaining an understanding of their industry so that she can tailor her advice and support and make a real difference to clients.
Sue said:
“I want the support I give clients both with their employees and with their risk management will help them to sleep more easily.”
To find more about Collaborate MK Gold Membership contact Tim Lee at tim@collaboratemk.co.uk
“The Gold member workshops are always great events, but yesterday’s was inspirational. I was in a dilemma about recruiting my first employee, but the expertise and advice gained in the breakout sessions gave me positivity to make this important strategic move for my business.”
Richard Jackman – ST&L Consultancy
“It was a pleasure to welcome everyone to our centre today for the Gold Members Workshop. For a long time, we’ve been a closed shop so it’s great to be able to host visitors and showcase what we can do!”
Emily Richardson
