Proud Shropshire Chamber Patron Chrisbeon, a family run business specialising in quality office furniture and stationery supplies, has turned networking into a powerful driver of growth. Through our campaign The Connect Effect, Shropshire Chamber explores the true power of networking by sharing members’ experiences and the benefits of showing up and making genuine connections.
Chrisbeon knows office furniture isn’t an everyday purchase; most companies tend to refresh their workspaces every 5 to 10 years. By staying visible through networking, they remain top of mind when those connections made at events decide it’s time for a change, or even a quick stationery top-up to keep the team supplied.
Craig Hughes, Partner at Chrisbeon says, “Networking for us is a long-term relationship. It gives you credibility because you know the person you’re buying from won’t stitch you up – they’ll see you again at future events”.
The ‘daunting’ 60 second pitch
Newcomers and even seasoned networkers often find the 60 second pitch slightly nerve-wracking. But remember, you’re not alone; everyone else is likely rehearsing their own pitch in their heads too.
Richard Hughes, Partner at Chrisbeon admits, “Standing up in front of 60 people isn’t my favourite thing. We often take an unscripted approach and keep it authentic, rather than scripted. For us, it works best when we focus on the benefits of creating productive, stylish workspaces, rather than hard selling. We also bounce off what others say to make it conversational and memorable”.
How long it took Chrisbeon to see results
Networking results can vary for every business. For Chrisbeon, customer buying decisions can take time, so the impact wasn’t instant. After about 12 months of consistent networking, they saw real results, and projects for office refurbishments and stationery supplies started to come through. Over time, walking into a room became much easier, with plenty of familiar faces making conversations with new people far less daunting.
Preferred style of networking
There are many styles of networking, and all are beneficial, but each business has its preferences. Craig Hughes said “We prefer informal events like Chamber Expos or social gatherings. These allow us to have longer conversations and personally connect with peers, creating those potentially long-term relationships that strengthen over time”.
Tips for others who want to reap the benefits of networking
- Stand by the coffee machine or food. You can always guarantee people will be there to ease into a chat.
- Be authentic – don’t over-script because people can tell.
- Commit for the long term – you won’t see results instantly, so give it a chance to work its magic.
- Buddy up with someone experienced to ease introductions. LinkedIn is a powerful place to find networking pros.
Follow up or let it brew?
Opinions differ on whether you should follow up after a networking event. Chrisbeon aims to stay memorable, so they don’t have to follow up and risk pushing anyone. They let connections develop naturally.
Richard Hughes explained, “Our approach is about staying visible and nurturing relationships over time, and being there until the client needs us. We don’t want to force anyone.”
Gradually, Chrisbeon recognised that networking isn’t about quick wins, it’s about building a trusted circle of people from all kinds of industries, ready to help when you need them, and there for when they need Chrisbeon.
Find out more about Chrisbeon, or if you’d like to revamp your own office with stylish furniture, contact them at
Shropshire Chamber offers a wide range of networking opportunities designed for all preferences. If you’re unsure where to start, would like to buddy up with someone, or simply want to learn more about what’s available and how it could open doors for your business, get in touch at
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