FREQUENTLY ASKED
QUESTIONS
Thinking about attending our hub networking as a guest?
Here are some of our most common questions that might answer yours or give you more insight.
You’re welcome to visit Fresh twice in total. You can visit the same Hub both times or try two different Hubs. After that, if you’d like to keep coming, it’s time to put a ring on it and become a member.
Fresh Networking offers a range of membership options to suit different networking needs. For current membership packages, inclusions and pricing, visit freshnetworking.com.au/membership-packages.
To see which Hubs have a vacancy for your business category, check the Business Categories Available listing on our website’s home page. If your preferred Hub doesn’t have a vacancy, Fresh Starter is another way to join the Fresh community while you wait for a place to open up.
No. Each membership belongs to one person because networking relationships are built with the person, not the organisation. If you can’t attend a meeting, a colleague can come in your place occasionally. If a colleague would like to take over the membership permanently, they’ll need to go through our normal application process.
That depends on your membership:
- Fresh Starter members receive two Hub guest passes per quarter.
- Alumni members receive 12 Hub visits per year, with a maximum of three per quarter.
- Café and Corporate members can visit any Fresh Hub as often as they like.
If you visit a Hub where another member is in the same business category, please be respectful of their place in that Hub.
The hub you join will depend on: a) where there is a vacancy for your category b) whether you want to join a cafe or Fresh National hub c) if you’re planning on joining a cafe hub, a location that you and your guests can get to for meetings every fortnight. Note members are required to be a member of their hub for a minimum of 12 months before requesting a transfer out of respect to the hub members who invest time in building relationships with a new member.
You can pay by electronic funds transfer or credit card, whichever is easiest for you (there is a surcharge for credit cards).
To assist with cashflow, you may choose a payment plan option of 3, 4, 5, 6 or 8 months which is paid via direct debit. (Note surcharges between 5-25% apply – more details on the application form).
Our Café and Corporate memberships have a 12 month commitment. Networking takes time: you need to get to know the people in your Hub, and they need time to get to know you. We’ve found that six months is usually too short to build those relationships and start seeing the benefits.
If you’re not ready for a 12 month commitment, Fresh Starter offers a month to month option. Alumni membership is also available month to month for eligible former members.
We’re all busy running our businesses. That’s why a successful Hub needs everyone to contribute, rather than leaving the work to a few people. If you’re a Café or Corporate Hub member, we ask you to:
- Attend your Hub meetings and take part.
- Aim to bring one guest to your Hub each month.
- Get to know fellow members through one to one catch ups.
- Stay active between meetings and come ready to share at least three Fresh activities, such as making an introduction, giving a referral, visiting another Hub or attending an event.
- Do your part to make the Hub work, including stepping into a leadership role when your Hub leadership team asks you.
Everyone brings something different to the table. When everyone steps up, everyone benefits.
Fresh protects your business category within your Hub. We will not place another member in the same category, but category protection does not give one member exclusive rights to an entire industry.
Many businesses offer services that overlap. A residential mortgage broker may also arrange commercial finance, or an accountant may also provide bookkeeping and CFO services. When you apply, we look at the main focus of your business and the area you want to be known for. You choose one category, and that is the category you represent and promote at Hub meetings.
Members in related categories must respect each other’s place in the Hub. For example, residential mortgage brokers, commercial finance brokers and asset finance brokers can belong to the same Hub. A member in one of those categories must not use Hub meetings to promote services assigned to another member’s category or try to prevent that member from joining. The same principle applies to areas such as law, accounting and marketing.
Fresh determines category placement. Protecting a category means you have your own clear place in the Hub. It does not mean you can reserve every service your business is capable of providing. Bringing complementary specialists together gives members more people to meet, more connections to share and more opportunities to collaborate.
If you cannot attend a meeting, you are expected to invite a substitute to take your place. Your substitute delivers your one-minute pitch and represents your business.
Yes, absolutely. We encourage anything that expands your network and develops your networking skills. Other networking groups are a great source of guests for Fresh too! Just remember to provide referral opportunities to your fellow Freshies if you are expecting same.
Firstly, you complete an application form. Then the facilitator (or co-facilitator) of the hub you’ve applied to will contact you for a ‘Fresh Audition’. Don’t worry, there’s no singing involved, it’s simply a set of questions about your expectations and experience of networking, what you’ll bring to the hub and how.
Yes. If you change your mind within 10 calendar days of joining Fresh Networking, you can cancel your membership and receive a refund of the amount paid, less a $110 administration fee including GST. Please email us within those 10 days to request cancellation.
After 10 days, we do not offer refunds if you simply change your mind. Your rights under Australian Consumer Law still apply.
Come ready to introduce yourself and your business in 30, 45 or 60 seconds, depending on the Hub’s agenda. You don’t need a polished pitch. Just tell us what you do and who you’d like to connect with.
Please arrive on time, order a meal where the Hub meets at a café or restaurant, and stay for the full meeting. Listen when others are speaking, join the conversation and take the opportunity to meet people before and after the meeting.
Most of all, be yourself, be curious and come ready to make a few new connections.
There’s no charge for your first two guest visits to a Fresh Hub. You do need to purchase a meal at the venue, as our venues provide the meeting space on the understanding that everyone attending orders food. The meal cost depends on the venue.
There’s no minimum. Fresh has members who are just starting out and others who’ve been in business for years. What matters is the quality and professionalism of your work, your approach to building relationships and your willingness to contribute.
When you join a Hub, think about what you can bring to it as well as what you hope to gain. That includes making introductions, referring business where it’s a good fit, and inviting guests who could become valuable members of the Hub. A strong Hub grows when everyone plays a part.
Fresh meetings have enough structure to help everyone take part, without making every Hub feel the same. Hubs use different agendas and activities, so there’s room for conversation, a bit of fun and the unexpected.
We focus on getting to know people, sharing knowledge and making useful introductions. You’ll have a chance to talk about your business, but you won’t be expected to deliver a hard sales pitch or produce a referral on demand. The best opportunities come when people get to know, like and trust one another.
Business Networking
The lowdown on business networking—the why, how, and all the questions you might be asking yourself as a business owner or leader.
Business networking is the practice of connecting with like-minded business professionals to grow their network and form trusted relationships for referrals and business support. An example of business networking is when businesses gather to meet through formal or informal groups in their local area on a regular basis, sharing ideas and meeting new people.
Networking grows sales through the engagement of connections that are known and are trusted.
When the business needs to generate referral based sales and nurture potential future customers.
A simple business networking google search will deliver networking events in your local area.
- Networking groups such as Fresh Networking
- Online/Social Media Networking such as LinkedIn
- Trade or professional groups
- Community clubs
The most important criteria for networking with entrepreneurs is to be genuine and to have a giving mindset.
Business networks are formed by like minded individuals who take the time to get to know each other so they can have a trusted network that refers to and receives referrals.
Small & Local Business Networking
Are you a small business owner wondering if networking is right for you? Let us answer your questions and help you decide if small business networking is the right move for you.
In most metropolitan areas you can attend a local networking group as a guest where you can meet businesses from your local area by scheduling one to one meetings and or catch ups.
For most small businesses, networking is the cheapest and most effective marketing strategy because you are meeting interested and engaged potential customers or referring parties.
By being an active and giving networker that ‘gives to get’. Being active is about attending and contributing to meetings while a giving mindset builds engagement and trust.
Small businesses network in their local area in organised groups. You can also find local area networking groups on social media that are great to build connections with.
Networking groups are the perfect way to connect with local businesses because everyone is there to do the same thing. Inviting non members as a guest is also a great way to show value for local businesses.