Chapters are local branches of the Metal Business Club that meet (at least) once a month to discuss a set agenda, giving everyone a chance to contribute. It’s a structured way to network, work on your business, and develop personally.

Important to note: we don’t like obligations ourselves. That’s why participation in a chapter is not mandatory for anyone and never will be. It is optional and intended as a supplement to all our other activities, for those who want it.

Why participate in a chapter?

The Metal Business Club offers plenty of opportunities for networking: national meetings, company visits, meetings at and around festivals, BBQs, and so on. These are often large, busy gatherings where you can meet lots of people.

Chapter meetings are smaller and quieter and offer you completely different opportunities to work on your business and personal development. You talk to the same people every time (supplemented by guests and new members), so you quickly get to know each other much better.

This is a huge strength, because people you know are very well placed to introduce you to others. You automatically become a kind of ambassador for each other’s companies.

In addition, and perhaps even more importantly, mutual trust grows. You surround yourself with a group of people with whom you dare to share things you are unsure about. Things you need help with. Problems you are experiencing.

People you trust and who dare to tell you the truth

Many entrepreneurs find themselves in a position where the number of people who dare to tell you the truth is not particularly large. Almost everyone who has an interest in cooperation, such as your suppliers, customers, and employees, will always have some reservations.

And then there is also a group of people with whom you yourself may prefer not to speak your mind, such as friends and family. Hopefully, you have enough of them, but there is still a good chance that you would like to expand that group. A chapter is a good addition for this, because fellow members often experience exactly the same things.

Everyone has knowledge, you learn from each other

Within the structure of the meeting, there is room at every meeting to share knowledge and expertise. This allows you to get to know your fellow members even better and quickly find out who you can turn to with specific questions. Your chapter becomes a kind of knowledge base. Even with more complicated questions, there is usually someone who has an immediate answer or a contact person who can help you further.

Mutual exchange

In the Metal Business Club, you are guaranteed to get to know members from other corners of the world who are in other chapters. You can always visit them during their meetings and ask for help there too. This can be very useful if, for example, you are looking for input from companies in certain regions, or more information about a customer or supplier you have in that region.

Agenda and structure of the monthly meeting

We designed the structure of the monthly meeting based on the various networking clubs we have been members of and researched ourselves. Below, we will discuss the agenda items in more detail.

The agenda is as follows:

  • Welcome, introduction to MetalBC and the chapter (5 min)
  • Short networking session, to be provided by one of the members (3-6 min)
  • Round of introductions by everyone at the table with questions for help (1 min per person)
  • Music and concert tips from anyone who has something to say (2-5 min)
  • Theme speech or company presentation by one of the members (10-15 min)
  • MetalBC agenda and possible concerts and festivals (2-5 min)
  • Feedback session and What’s Next at the Table (WVTTK) (5-10 min)
  • Information about the Metal Business Club for guests and visitors (2 min)
  • Closing and free networking

Normally, even with 20 people at the table, you can work through the agenda in 60-90 minutes. Of course, that depends on how strictly you stick to the schedule.

Why we added these sections

At the start of the meeting, the chair welcomes everyone and briefly introduces the Metal Business Club.

Then comes the first opportunity to share knowledge. One of the members can talk about his/her field of expertise in a way that is useful to the rest of the group, or give a training session on a topic such as public speaking, creating a PowerPoint presentation, or something similar (we have a whole range of topics available if you need help with this).

For the person giving the training, this is also an opportunity to improve their public speaking skills. In a safe environment, where people can give you respectful feedback.

An introduction every time

Of course, it is not necessary to introduce yourself to your fellow members every month. At least, not in the same way every month. If all goes well, there will be little need to keep explaining a brief aspect of your business and/or work. This will make it even clearer who you are and what you do.

We also recommend always thinking about a request for help. For example, are you looking for employees? Or customers in a specific segment? Suppliers? Partners? Or do you need help with something else? Anything can be discussed.

The intention is not to respond to each other directly during this part. The feedback round will take place later in the program.

The 1-minute time limit ensures that everyone gets a chance to speak. This allows the more reserved people to speak and the extroverts to keep their contributions more concise.

Tips for music and concerts

We obviously share a passion for music and would like to give you the opportunity to share that with your fellow members. Tell us about your favorite album from the past month or the concert you are going to attend soon. Who knows, one of your fellow members might join you and you can go together. For some members, this is actually a reason to join MetalBC.

Theme speech or company presentation

You can fill the theme speech with questions that arise in your chapter. You can invite an expert to speak, who can be a fellow member, a guest, or a member of another chapter, but you can also hold a group discussion.

In addition, the intention is that each member regularly presents his or her company to the group. This can, of course, be done in the way that the member finds most suitable, with or without a presentation or props.

To keep things interesting and moving along, the time limit for this part is basically 10 minutes, followed by 5 minutes for questions.

MetalBC agenda and any concerts and festivals

A brief look at what is being organized in the near future, both by the Metal Business Club and (local) concerts and festivals that may be of interest to the people at the table.

Feedback round

The classic question and answer session and the opportunity to respond to the help and search questions from the proposal round.

Information about the Metal Business Club for guests and visitors

There are usually guests or visitors, and hopefully the meeting has made them enthusiastic about the MetalBC. In this section, you briefly tell them what else we have in store for them, and who knows, we may have a few new members!

Closing and free networking!

No further explanation needed here 🙂

Do more with your chapter

In addition to the monthly structured meetings, you can of course also organize other things with your chapter. Whether it’s small outings with your fellow members, fundraising for charities, or events aimed at recruiting members for your chapter, anything is possible. You are completely free to take the initiative, and you can always contact us for ideas.

We offer support and also have a budget available for (the marketing of) your events.