What are the opening hours?

Monday 9am - 4pm Tuesday 9am - 4pm Wednesday 9am - 4pm Thursday 9am - 4pm Friday 9am - 3pm

Cognates

Cognates is a collaborative business networking group that is accessible and fun, allowing members t

For any UK SMEs that are serious about growing their business, Cognates is a single seat policy networking group that helps to increase a business's reach, exposure and sales through unmonitored collaboration and teamwork. There are groups across the East and West Midlands, and Cognates is growing all the time. To find out where your local meeting is, or to enquire about running your own Cognates meeting, please send us a message or visit our website for further details.

12/01/2026

And we're back! 🙂

Sharon is looking forward to welcoming everyone to the first Cognates networking meeting of 2026 this week on Thursday, 15th!

👀We’re starting off the year with vision boards – and a conversation about how they can help us focus, stay motivated, and take action throughout the year.

So, before next week, take a moment to jot down your goals, dreams and agenda for 2026.
👉What do you want to achieve?
👉What does success look like for you – personally and professionally?

For those of you who were members in January last year… if you still have your 2025 vision board, bring it along! Let’s see what’s been ticked off, what’s still in progress, and what might need to move over into 2026!

It’ll be a great session to reflect and refocus.
Can’t wait to see you all next week!

22/10/2025

Who's joining us tomorrow?

🚗 This week’s Cognates education slot is in the capable hands of Nick Darlow!

Nick will be sharing the pros and cons of leasing a vehicle, helping us understand what to consider before making the decision - whether for business or personal use.

👉Looking forward to learning from his expertise and having some great discussions around it!
Get those questions at the ready!

20/10/2025

So, following on from our last social media post…..

✨ Who could you connect someone at Cognates with this week?
✨ When’s your next 1-2-1 booked in?
✨Who could you refer someone to? Do you know a client they could help?

Have you read the follow up notes from the meeting on the 9th October?

What action have you taken?

See you Thursday 23rd at 10.00am.😉

16/10/2025

It's all about reflection today Cognates members!... 👇

When our Thursday meeting ends every two weeks - what happens next??

👀Do you stay focused for a few extra minutes after a meeting to see if you can help anyone?
🤝How many 1-2-1s have you had this month with other members?
⌛How do you choose who to have them with - and how much time do you put aside for them?🤔
🧑🏻‍🤝‍👩🏻1-2-1s are the heart of what we do. It’s where real connections are built.

BUT, if you're finding yourself short on time, ask yourself:
➡️ What else can I do to support others in the group?

Here are a few small actions that make an impact:

👉Engage on social media – Are you just liking posts? Try commenting or sharing to expand their reach.
👉Follow members pages – not just as a courtesy, but to stay up to date with what they’re doing. Do you know what they do?🤔
👉Think about your wider network – Who could you introduce someone to? Even a quick message makes a difference.
👉Recommend resources – An article, podcaster, (or podcast) or contact that’s relevant to their industry can show you’re thinking of them.

This group isn’t just about passing business - it's about building a culture of support and awareness. Sometimes helping isn’t about a referral - it’s about showing up, sharing knowledge, or being generous with your network.

What action could you take before the meeting on the 23rd October?

06/10/2025

Tips for networking we thought we'd share. 😉

✔ Show up regularly – stay active so people recognise your name, voice and strapline.
✔ Give before you take – share resources, answer questions, and help others.
✔ Avoid self-promotion too much – contribute more than you advertise, particularly with engaging on social media.
✔ Acknowledge others – thank people, tag them, and highlight their contributions.
✔ Take conversations further – follow up privately when appropriate. Have 121’s. Email each other outside of the group.
✔ Stay professional – keep it positive, respectful, and constructive.

👉Any more to add? Thoughts? Who has any top tips?

03/10/2025

We asked one of our members this week why they joined the Cognates networking group and this is what they came up with!

If anyone wants to join us as a visitor next week (Thursday 9th October) please register below.😉
https://www.cognates.network/visitors-area

22/09/2025

Why Cognates?.... and Why Online networking?

It’s not just about being present - it’s about being engaged and actively looking out for your networking colleagues.

The more familiar your face, the more trusted your name becomes. That’s one of the key reasons groups like Cognates work so well. We don’t just log in and go through the motions - we show up ready to listen, support, and contribute.
In every meeting, members genuinely look out for each other. If someone shares a challenge they’re facing in their business, it’s not ignored - it’s met with suggestions, ideas, introductions, and encouragement.

It’s this kind of active, supportive culture that turns a networking group into a real community - and that’s where the value lies. We also have two charities in our group – Bright Hope in North West Leicestershire and Charity Link and we actively support them too.
So:
✅ Be consistent
✅ Be curious
✅ Be helpful
Networking is all about being in the right room, that suits you.

17/09/2025

Ever wondered what a supportive, no-pressure online networking group feels like?

At Cognates, we combine regular referrals with real relationships. We meet every other Thursday morning and we’re growing!

Fancy a visit? We'd love you to join us!
Please share with your network 😉

19/08/2025

When networking, your strapline is your introduction with a purpose and we often talk about how we could have a good one whether we are on line or ‘in person’.

So, in essence, it should tell people:
👉 Who you help
👉 What you do
👉 Why they should care

It's part of your branding....

Here's an example: - For a Financial Advisor:
“I help people make smarter decisions with their money so they can enjoy life now – and in the future.”
Or:
“I take the stress out of finances so you can focus on what really matters.”

Have a think about yours……try it out at the next meeting. 😉

14/08/2025

Another fantastic Cognates networking meeting today as we merged from two groups into one for the very first time!

🙏Thank you to Sarah for hosting in Sharon’s absence, and to Alex and Bev for a brilliant education slot - some interesting info there on omega 3 in the first instance, and we’re looking forward to hearing more about this in the future so please follow up with them folks. Intriguing......

There were lots of valuable takeaways from today’s session, and a follow-up email with meeting notes has been sent to everyone.

It’s so encouraging to hear and see how much business is being passed around the group, with members genuinely keen to support one another and share opportunities both inside and outside of the network.

We’re looking forward to learning more about Anthony’s business in two weeks – until then, have a great couple of weeks and don’t forget to schedule those all-important 121s!

07/08/2025

What does a Productive 1 2 1 Meeting Look Like?

If you're planning a one-to-one meeting with someone for business or networking, here's some tips for a productive one!

✅ Preparation
Book a time that suits both of you and is it applicable to set an agenda? What do you want to discuss? Anything in particular?
✅ Be On Time
Respect each other’s time. Check the day before that they are still ok to go ahead.
✅ Focus on Listening
Ask open-ended questions like “What’s your current priority?” or “What challenges are you facing?”.... like we do sometimes in meetings.
✅ Share Who You Are
Share your job/employment history briefly. There may be someone you have worked with you can connect them with. Offer a quick rundown of your work and what motivates you.
✅ Create Value
Offer meaningful help and introductions, courses/tips you find useful.
✅ Agree on Next Steps
Wrap up with clear takeaways: what action each of you will take and when. Ensure you leave time to follow up and you are not going straight into another meeting.

👉Allocate time to follow up, like you do as a member of Cognates and reading the meeting notes on email.😉

👂Remember to listen as well as speak. Timing is important and if you have an hour booked, allow half an hour each.

If you have any best-practice tips for 1 2 1s you’d like to share, drop them in the comments!

31/07/2025

Thanks to all Cognates Online Networking members this week for your contribution at both of the Tuesday and Thursday meetings! (and Adrian Croft for joining us in his wild shirt all the way from Holland!!.)👌

Some great conversations are being had by all, lots of people working together and some great 121's within the group coming up. We can't ask for anything more but to keep these going.😉
You never know who people may be able to connect you with in their network until you start talking on a 121 basis!

The Tuesday and Thursday groups will ,now merge into just a Thursday group so sorry for those who already have commitments and can't join us on a regular basis but please feel free to join us when you can or things change.🙂

So, see you all on the 14th August at our next meeting, 9.45am for a 10.00am start (please be prompt) and if there are any visitors you would like to bring along, please let Sarah know and she will get in touch with the link and how things will work.

👉Have a great couple of weeks folks.....

Address

7 Charter Point Way
Ashby De La Zouch
LE651NF

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 4pm
Tuesday	9am - 4pm
Wednesday	9am - 4pm
Thursday	9am - 4pm
Friday	9am - 3pm

Telephone

+441530560177

Website

http://www.cognates.network/

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