Feedback from 1st PNPAG Meeting
The first Power Networking and Practical Action Group (PNPAG) breakfast was held on the 19th of June 2013, and was attended by a total of 33 participants (paid-up and non-paid up members), including two affiliates. The list of attendees together with their industries can be downloaded by clicking here.
The forum enabled participants to engage and find out more about each others' businesses, and enabled us to come up with our first power networking groups which are based on bringing together people in similar industries. The attached list (PNPAGs) shows those group structures.
Some of the action points raised were:
- Attendees unanimously agreed the forum was useful, and there was an urgent need to set up the industry groupings. It was therefore agreed that the next meeting be held on Thursday 27 June 2013 where these groups would be put in place, and action programs agreed upon for specific groups/sectors.
- The Association's secretariat should record and give feedback on the amount of business that would have been transacted between members as a result of the PNPAGs.
- In subsequent meetings, we should set aside more time for free networking sessions in the breakfast meetings. Specifically, it was recommended that the formal program be carried out between 8 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. and then the last 30 minutes be reserved for open networking.
- The Association should produce certificates and give members some form of identification that shows that one is a member of the association.
- The secretariat to send notifications to everyone detailing major points coming out of the core group meetings, and to give feedback to keep the whole group informed.
- We need to arrange for (a) professional(s) in strategic planning to provide a brief workshop on global markets and how to carry out processes like patenting, so as to protect our intellectual properties.
- Circulate the attendance register after meetings
Actions implemented
In response to the issues raised above, we have done the following:
- All those who participated at the first meeting have been placed into groups as indicated in the attendance register.
- All paid-up members (including those who did not attend the first meeting) have likewise been allocated to relevant groups. Click here to download list of attendees and paid up members now in cluster groups.
- We have arranged to hold the next meeting on Thursday 27 June 2013. Full details are included below. Please note that as a result, we will not be having the month-end networking cocktail. All those who had intended coming to the networking cocktail should instead attend this breakfast meeting, which we are confident will yield better results in terms of getting actual business.
- We have further defined the roles of the groups, and of the Association, which will be outlined at the next meeting.
- We will be having frequent group meetings (weekly or fortnightly as agreed within each group), as well as one overall meeting once a month which will be open to all groups. Seating arrangements will be optimised so that people likely to do business with each other are seated together.
Selling and buying
In addition to the above, we have realised that there are common goals between the PNPAG forum, and the barter exchange system (click here for details on the barter system). Most people come to networking forums highlighting only those things they want to sell, but not those things they want to buy. As a result, everyone wants to sell into the network, and no-one is buying from it. Yet everyone buys something, even if it is just computer consumables, motor vehicle spares or stationery.
We would therefore like you to come to the next meeting armed with two lists: one of the things you sell, and the other of the things you buy. We have attached a spreadsheet on which you can do this exercise (Click here to download). You can e-mail the completed spreadsheet to us ahead of the meeting, or you can simply bring it to the meeting. We are introducing a system whereby credits will be given for you buying from other members, which will then influence the amount of marketing that your business will get to ensure others also buy from you.
Where possible, we will also be using the barter system to enable transactions between members, even without cash moving.
Transaction recording
We would like to record all transactions carried out between participants, so that we have a quantitative measure of how useful the forum is. We strongly urge that all transactions be recorded and be carried out via the Association, particularly if you are going to be dealing with a counterparty for the first time. Reasons for this are:
- We primarily would encourage transactions with paid-up members of the Association, as we visit each and every paid-up member in order to understand what they do, and how they perform.
- We are also obtaining testimonials and third party ratings and reviews for all paid-up members, so that we have independent confirmation of their ability within a stated business area. Testimonials will be sought for all transactions done through the Association, so that we build up a history for each participant in the forum.
- In the event of poor performance, the Association can follow up, and take the necessary corrective measures to ensure that your interests are safeguarded. We are working on getting insurance to compensate buyers in the event of unsatisfactory performance from a member.
- If you are the buyer, there is no cost for you to do the transaction through the Association (see below) but we ensure that you are protected, and are getting the best deal.
Commissions/Transactions fees
For transactions carried out through the Association, we will be charging a fee of 2.5% of the value of the transaction for the seller only, for non-paid up members. Paid-up members will only pay 1.5% on the sell side for their transactions. There will be no fee charged to the person buying, and hence it will be to the buyer's advantage to transact via the structures of the Association, as it does not cost them anything, but gives them added assurance with regards to counterparty risk.
Buyer credits and Referor bonuses
To incentivise buying from other Association members, and also to incentivise participants to refer business to others within the network, we have introduced buyer credits and referor bonus points, which will work as follows:
- Whenever you buy from the network, you will get a buyer credit equivalent to the amount for which you have purchased. This credit will be offset against sales that you subsequently do through the network, so that they are commission-free. For example if you buy goods worth $1 000 from another member, your next sales up to that $1 000 mark will be free of commission.
- Where your rate of accumulation of buyer credits exceeds the level of sales you are doing to the network, the Association will market your services/products for free via the mail-shot facility, distributing your marketing materials to other members so that you get more sales coming through and utilising all other available marketing channels at its disposal.
- Where you refer someone and they buy from another member, you will be entitled to an equivalent amount of their purchase as a Referor bonus for the first transaction, and to 25% of the value of their transactions for the next six months. Referor bonuses shall act in the same way, and shall be treated the same as Buyer credits.
These have been introduced primarily to cater for those in the services industry, who may not be able to buy as much as those who are in manufacturing and/or trading. They can simply earn their credits by referring others into the network. Referor bonuses will, of course, apply to everyone regardless of sector.
If you have existing suppliers you would rather continue using, you can also ensure your transactions are recorded, and you receive your buyer credits by simply encouraging them to join the Association.
Next meeting
Details of the next meeting of the Power Networking and Practical Action Groups (PNPAGs) are:
Date: Thursday 27 June 2013
Time: 8:00 a.m. for 8:30 (Please note that Barbours Department Store opens at 8:00 a.m.)
Venue: The Terrace Restaurant, 3rd Floor Barbours Department Store (Corner First Street / Jason Moyo Avenue)
Breakfast charge: $7 per person paid up members
$8 per person non-paid up members
(We have added $1 for paid-up members and $2 for non-paid up members to the breakfast cost to cater for the administrative overheads of organising the breakfast.)
All are welcome to attend this event, whether paid-up or non paid-up members, and whether or not you are already included in the attached lists. If you are not included yet, please send us your details, as well as details of your company so that we know in which group to place you.
Please note that the breakfast charge needs to be paid in advance for The Terrace Restaurant to work with accurate numbers. You will need to book your place, and pay before end of day on Wednesday 26 June. You can either come to pay at our office, or you can deposit directly into our bank account (bank details available on request). You can also pay via Ecocash to 0772 901080 (please send e-mail confirmation to
For payment details, please contact Emeka on 0772 901080 or
Thanks and regards
SMEAZ Team