Networking is a great way to grow and develop your business. A business network is a type of social network using connections to extend business interests.
Many business people believe networking is a more cost-effective method of generating new business than advertising or public relations efforts.
Monash has a number of business related networks.
Women’s Business Network (WBN)
The Women’s Business Network provides opportunities for participants to further develop their business skills. This network is open to all businesses. Although attendees are predominantly women, there are also men who attend on a regular basis.
For further information, please see: Women's Business Network
Home Based Business Network
This is a new initiative that provides opportunities for people who are based at home to meet on a regular basis, learn from each other and connect. For many, working from home is a great option but sometime home based workers can find the lack of face-to-face interaction difficult.
More than 80% of businesses in Monash don’t have employees (or have less than four) and there are many people who have chosen to work from home. This bi-monthly network provides face to face contact as well as giving support and information to small businesses.
For more information, please see: Home Based Business Network.
Other Networks
There are a wide variety of networking organisations that may provide opportunities for you to connect with others.
Monash area
Fresh Networking
We’re focused on doing business together and expanding each other’s networks within a regular and structured meeting format.
freshnetworking.com.au/hubs/chadstone/
Glen Waverley Rotary Club
A large and thriving club always keen to hear from community-minded professionals who want to make a difference.
www.glenwaverleyrotary.org.au
Glen Waverly Toastmasters Club
Challenge yourself - improve your confidence in public speaking, communication and leadership
glenwaverley.toastmastersclubs.org
Monash Business Awards
Whether you are based at home, manage a large national head office, a retail outlet or a manufacturing organisation there is a place for you at the Monash Business Awards. As well as additional networking functions, support programmes and social events, the MBA committee would love you to join our community.
monashbusinessawards.com.au
Monash Enterprise Centre
The Monash Enterprise Centre (also known also as the Monash Business Incubator) is located in Mulgrave and provides office space and administration services at competitive rates to its tenants. The Centre also provides a valuable service to virtual tenants to develop a corporate image in some instances, participate in networking opportunities, and to use the meeting room facilities provided at the Centre, among other benefits.
www.monashincubator.com.au
Monash Rotoract
Monash Rotoract - 18-30 year olds who have a passion for serving the community.
monashrotaract.org.au
Rotary Club of Monash
Join leaders, exchange ideas, take action, change lives, achieve and experience the extraordinary
rotarymonash.org.au/home
Rotary Club of Mount Waverley
Rotary is an organisation for business and professional men and women who are prepared to give of their time and expertise to help those less fortunate
mountwaverleyrotary.org
South East Melbourne Manufacturers Alliance
SEMMA is a peak industry group representing more than 200 leading manufacturers based in South East Melbourne.
www.semma.com.au
Melbourne wide
Asialink
Helping Australian businesses looking to develop their Asia capability
asialinkbusiness.com.au
American Chamber of Commerce
AmCham’s events program gives members the chance to network with people from across Australian business. With events covering all different sectors, and in a variety of formats, AmCham events are a fantastic environment to expand your business network.
www.amcham.com.au
Australia China Business Council
The Australia China Business Council (ACBC) is the premier business organisation dedicated to promoting business and trade between Australia and the People’s Republic of China.
www.acbc.com.au
Australia Malaysia Business Council
AMBC Victoria is a dynamic, business focused member based organisation that was established to foster, support and promote business and investment opportunities between Victoria and Malaysia.
www.ambcvic.org.au
Australian Retailers Association
The peak industry body representing retailers ensuring retail success by informing, protecting, advocating, educating and saving money for members
www.retail.org.au
BNI Australia
The worlds largest business networking and referral organisation. BNI provides a positive, supportive, and structured environment for the development and exchange of quality business referrals. It does so by helping you build relationships with dozens of other qualified business professionals.
www.bni.com.au/en_au/index
Business and Professional Women Australia
BPW actively promotes personal development, provides a forum for the exchange of ideas, knowledge and experience and lobbies on issues affecting women.
bpw.com.au/victoria
Business Chicks
We believe that every woman is capable of achieving brilliant things – but we also know you can’t do it alone. When you’re part of a community like Business Chicks, there’s not just one woman who has your back, there are thousands. Together we encourage each other, learn from each other and help each other give back.
businesschicks.com
Committee for Economic Development of Australia
CEDA provides thought leadership and policy perspectives on the economic and social issues affecting Australia. We achieve this through a rigorous and evidence-based research agenda, and forums and events that deliver lively debate and critical perspectives.
www.ceda.com.au
Eastern Innovation Business Centre
The EIBC is a place for dynamic and passionate people with entrepreneurial flair who want to commercialise their innovative ideas. The Eastern Innovation Business Centre team invite you to be a part of a collaborative community that creates, innovates, incubates, accelerates, learns and thrives and cordially invite you to attend one of our community events.
www.eibc.net.au
Match Alliance
The Match Alliance is a network of like-minded individuals who meet to build their contacts and share Qualified Personalised Referrals.
www.matchalliance.com.au
Meetup
Discover local meetups for all the things you love. Meetup brings people together to create thriving communities.
www.meetup.com
Skal International Melbourne
Skål is a professional organisation of tourism leaders around the world, promoting global tourism and friendship. It is the only international group uniting all branches of the travel and tourism industry. Its members, the industry’s managers and executives, meet at local, national, regional and international levels to discuss and pursue topics of common interest.
melbourne.skal.org.au
Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry
The Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry is the peak body for business in Victoria, informing and servicing more than 15,000 members, customers and clients around the State.
www.victorianchamber.com.au