Research indicates that business networks play an important role in the development of clusters' of technology firms. Particularly for knowledge-intensive firms, formal and informal relationships with suppliers, customers, research institutions and even competitors can be an important asset for successful bioscience, ICT, engineering and media businesses.

However, many technology companies are looking for new ways of building these networks of contacts.

When it comes to business networks, Oxfordshire is well catered for.

The plethora of breakfast and lunch clubs, membership networks, sector groups, industry alliances, conferences and events organised by Government agencies, professional service firms, research commercialisation departments, science parks and business incubators means there are plenty of networking opportunities available for the technology business leader.

According to research currently being carried out by Oxfordshire Economic Observatory, there are at least 70 networks in the county, including more than 40 breakfast and lunch clubs.

Some have suggested the serial networker could attend a business networking event in Oxfordshire every working day.

However, there are some indications that we might have gone too far.

Anecdotally, some technology entrepreneurs have expressed bewilderment at the range of organisations and initiatives that aim to help or represent them, and have responded by not getting involved with any.

Also, Oxfordshire has seen some formerly successful sector networks struggle to attract the resources necessary to continue, possibly because there are an increased number of initiatives competing for the same membership fees, or Government funding.

It is an ongoing challenge to find ways to reduce duplication of effort and effectively co-ordinate Oxfordshire's many business networks.

The activity of business networking is itself undergoing change. As part of our range of initiatives to support the growth of Oxfordshire's technology economy, The Oxford Trust has recently completed a survey of what support technology businesses want.

One of the topics was business networking, and the research revealed a clear interest in more structured ways of making business contacts.

Where formerly the standard pattern was for a diverse group of business people to be abandoned in a room with some canaps, there is now considerable interest in ways to make connections that take less of a scatter-gun' approach.

This is perhaps due to a desire to be more efficient in finding people who are actually relevant for your business, but also because the act of unstructured business networking is a personal skill that can be quite daunting for the inexperienced.

Much of the information exchange that formerly took place face-to-face is now happening online, which means business networking is more about developing relationships than ever.

But it also means companies want to get beneath the surface and learn from each other's experiences.

One way that businesses are digging deeper is through initiatives such as the Oxford Trust's Peer Mentoring Programme.

A small group of technology business leaders are meeting over breakfast once a month to learn from each other on topics such as sales, staff development and marketing.

Although the group includes companies from different sectors, the focused environment and ongoing commitment means these generic topics can be explored in some depth.

Non-executives and mentors from outside the business can also provide a structured way to extend a contact network. However, finding someone with the appropriate experience is not always straightforward.

A further initiative from the Trust aims to meet this need by organising short, scheduled meetings between a company and a series of potential mentors - speed dating' for companies.

Other more structured networking events are now becoming more commonplace, such as meet the buyer' events and speed networking'.

It is also well known that Oxford's universities are increasingly proactive in engaging with the business community.

Extending beyond the world of commerce, many technology firms are now recognising the long-term value of establishing relationships with schools and with the general public.

These links can help with recruitment, staff retention and marketing, as well as more altruistic corporate social responsibility.

Again, this is an area in which the trust is active, and it has a comprehensive list of initiatives that link businesses with schools on its website at www.oxtrust.org.uk/business/withSchools The changing face of business networking in Oxfordshire should increase the attractiveness and the efficiency for technology companies to get in touch with people relevant for their business, and hence improve their performance.

In terms of supply, being innovative in providing networking opportunities will help lower the barriers to participation and ensure Oxfordshire's continued economic success.

Contact: Rob Eyre, 01865 728953.

This page is complied by the Oxford Trust www.oxtrust.org.uk