Our 10th year... so far

This has been a truly eventful year for the Norfolk Network.

Last April, the Network re-launched acquiring a fresh and colourful look, a sophisticated website and, most importantly, a new managing director, Lucy Marks. The new leadership brought in an improved model and structure to the business and worked hard to bring new members into the NN's vibrant community. Seven months later, we see the membership growing, new partnerships being established, a strong group of ambassadors being created and a new generation of the NN stepping up.

Nevertheless, the cornerstones of the NN still remain the same: to deliver superb events with distinguished, influential speakers and to hold onto a like-minded and innovative member base. Certainly, the key to this unique environment is the meticulous preparation occurring in the background. There, sponsors and partners collaborate with the NN to provide the perfect venue, the captivating content and fine refreshment to accompany professional networking.

The result is the befitting conditions that ease the sharing of knowledge and provide a common ground for cross sector collaboration.

Rapid Enterprise Competition – part two

Norfolk Network issued a great challenge – taken up by 32 schools.

Their brief was to design a remote controlled device and tailor its purpose according to a chosen market. Selecting a target audience from either babies, teenagers, the elderly or families, their understanding of their customers could lead to an exciting and beneficial product.

Throughout the competition, participants had the opportunity to attend workshops, hear lectures and have their product ideas challanged and mentored by leading industry professionals.

The event culiminated at the Open venue in Norwich, where each school showcased their product prototype and its proposed usage. Their work was seen by local businesses, plus the MPs Chloe Smith and Charles Clarke.

The final challenge was to pitch their product – Dragon's Den style. Finally, four winners were selected and each team presented with their Rapid Enterprise trophy.

It was rewarding day for all, hopefully inspiring the career paths for all those who took part.

For more information, see Rapid Enterprise Competition 2009.

Norfolk Network Top Ten Speakers: Sarah McVittie

Sarah McVittie was one of the first digital entrepreneurs to speak at Norfolk Network. But it wasn't Sarah's first visit.

Lucy had first booked Sarah to speak at Norfolk Network's 'Your Future in Digital', a digital careers conference to inspire school students; but Sarah's business story was also ideal for NN's members. Her first business venture was Textperts, the world's first text question answering service. Launching in 2003, it won prestigious awards such as Innovative Company of the Year at the Real Business/CBI Growing Business Awards 2007 and the National Business Award for Best Use of Technology.

Sarah sold Textperts in 2008 then moved on to launch Dressipi, an online fashion styling and recommendation site, ensuring its customers make smart shopping decisions.

Sarah's inspiring story also included advice on raising funds and was a big hit with NN members. Lucy hopes to invite Sarah back to Norwich to see the next fashion degree show at Norwich University of the Arts.

www.dressipi.com

Don't miss NN's 10th Anniversary with guest speaker, Scott Russell – click here to register.

Norfolk Network Top Ten Speakers: Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones – The Black Farmer

Norfolk Network has welcomed many distinguished speakers, so choosing our favourites will be tricky but Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones was particularly memorable.

Wilfred's early career was in television, working as a producer and director and introduced TV chefs such as Gordon Ramsey to the small screen. However, his childhood ambition was to own a small farm and it was here he founded a food and drink company and his 'Black Farmer' branded products.

He had much business wisdom to share, especially his advice to, 'manage the fear' which every business owner and NN member can relate to.

But an amusing highlight of the evening was Wilfred's public attempt to offer a job to Lucy,  NN's events organiser. Bev Hurley, NN's founder made a swift intervention!

www.theblackfarmer.com

Don't miss NN's 10th Anniversary with guest speaker, Scott Russell – click here to register.

Rapid Enterprise Competition 2009

In 2009, Stuart Catchpole and Lucy Marks of Norfolk Network organised the Rapid Enterprise Competition. 

The event was an exciting opportunity for school students to develop their product ideas in a series of industry workshops, then finally pitch their product proto-types to the board of Rapid Enterprise judges – dragon's den style!

Lucy Marks and Stuart Catchpole

More to follow on this event soon.

The Rapid Enterprise identity and trophy design was created by Darren Leader Studio and made by Hethel Engineering.

Cool beans! Scott Russell celebrates with the Norfolk Network

Paddy & Scott

Following tradition, the Norfolk Network has planned a high profile event to celebrate a decade of creating a community of the region's best businesses. 

The celebration will take place Wednesday 20th November at The Forum, Norwich, from 6pm to 9pm. This will be a very special evening open to members and invited guests, including some of our favourite past speakers.

For this important evening, the NN has invited someone who shares equal passion for business and, of course, coffee. Guest speaker Scott Russell, co-founder of Paddy & Scott's, will be joining us to share his entrepreneurial story and insight into the key factors and watershed moments behind the success of Paddy & Scott's, one of the UK’s fastest growing coffee brands.

Register early for this exclusive event.

Let's celebrate!

The time to celebrate is almost here! The Norfolk Network's 10th birthday is happening on Wednesday 20th November '13, so, there is still time to register. *phew*

In anxious anticipation to our exclusive event, we decided to make this celebration long and significant, a bit like indian weddings: they go on for days! So, we will be dedicating this platform to narrating the NN's history and story. The best events, the memorable speakers, their unforgettable quotes, the successful member collaborations - they will be recorded in this space from the members' point of view.

After all, the Norfolk Network has 10 years worth of exciting memories. Also, your contribution to the blog is more than welcome. We would love to read about your thoughts and memories of your favourite speakers, events and moments that defined the Network. If you have any pictures, videos or recordings of your time at the NN do share them with us.

Norfolk Network's 4th birthday

Norfolk Network's 9th Birthday