UK Inflation Rises to 3.1%: Why Strong Business Connections Matter More Than Ever
UK inflation has risen to 3.1%, with rising fuel, travel and energy costs putting renewed pressure on households and businesses. The latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show that inflation increased from 2.9% in July to 3.1% in August. While this is a long way below the peaks seen during the cost-of-living […]
Firefly Hub Is Coming to Manchester: Could You Be a Founder Member of Our New Business Networking Hubs?
Firefly Hub is growing, and we are delighted to be bringing our relationship-led approach to business networking to Greater Manchester. We are currently exploring the launch of three new Firefly Hubs in Sale, Stockport and MediaCity, creating new opportunities for business owners, professionals and tradespeople to build strong local relationships and generate genuine referrals. We […]
Business Networking in Harrogate and North Yorkshire: Does It Really Generate Business?
Harrogate has a thriving business community, but if you are going to give up part of your working day to attend a networking meeting, there is a perfectly reasonable question to ask: will it actually generate business? There is certainly plenty of appetite for business networking in the area. Harrogate District Chamber has been bringing […]
“Just a Bird and Her Two Kids”
Every now and then, something is said in business that stops you in your tracks. Recently, one of our members was invited to a networking group. The networking group in question did not say up front which group it was. They took payment for the ticket and only revealed the night before that it was […]
Why One Business Per Profession Can Create Better Referral Opportunities
One of the biggest questions when choosing a business networking group is whether you want to network alongside your competitors. Some groups allow several businesses from the same profession to join, while others operate on the principle that each professional category is represented by one member. At Firefly Hub, we favour one business per profession […]
Small Businesses That Try To Do Everything – Clever Or A Waste Of Resources?
Small businesses using limited resources badly In this post, we cover how small businesses waste time and talk you through why doing everything yourself might not necessarily be saving you money. Small businesses are the backbone of most economies. They drive innovation, create jobs, and contribute significantly to economic growth. However, many small business owners […]
5 tips For Business Networking
Networking in person This post takes you through 5 tips for business networking and the value of networking in person. Networking in person can be a valuable tool for building connections, fostering relationships, and advancing your career. Here are five tips on why you should network in person: Build a stronger connection Meeting someone in […]
Do You Really Need To Market On Social Media?
Marketing on social media Business owners often ask themselves do you really need to market on social media? Social media has become an integral part of our daily lives, providing us with a platform to connect and interact with people from all over the world. In recent years, social media has also emerged as an […]
7 Ways Business Networking Can Help You Grow in 2026
Running a successful business in 2026 means operating in an increasingly crowded marketplace. Your customers can find hundreds of potential suppliers through Google, social media and AI search tools within seconds, while businesses themselves have more ways than ever to advertise, communicate and generate leads. Against all of that technology, something surprisingly traditional remains extremely […]
How to Build a Stronger Business Network for the Year Ahead
A strong business network is rarely built by accident. You may meet plenty of people through customers, suppliers, LinkedIn and occasional events, but having a large number of contacts is not the same as having a network that genuinely supports the growth of your business. The most useful networks are made up of people who […]