“It’s true to say that business networking is about making contacts, not only with customers and clients”, says Granny Mouse Country House & Spa General Manager, Sean Granger. “It’s also a way to create connections with others which may at some point become turn into a business relationship,” he added.

Although many people associate networking with gaining something, that is not always the case. It’s really important to note it is about developing trusting relationships and, sometimes even lifetime friendships, with other like-minded folk in business.

Effective networking enables you to help each other, especially in these trying times during COVID which have effectively closed down many small businesses.

Admittedly, 2020 was really difficult to be able to interact with others, however, we are able to do so now, albeit with some social distancing rules in place. And bearing in mind, we don’t have tons of time to attend seminars and the like, so grabbing a coffee or catching up over a lunch helps you stay abreast of new developments and practices in your field.

Below are some networking guidelines that the Granny Mouse GM follows:

• Attend Business Networking Events – The first step in successful networking is knowing where you should go to make connections. Find out what events, even if online at the moment, are in your field, or in your area.
• Choose a goal – It’s hard to get what you want out of your networking endeavours if you don’t start with a clear goal.
• Get Social in your off hours – Just because you’re “off the clock” doesn’t mean it’s time to stop networking. After some conferences hosted at Granny Mouse, Sean Granger has seen delegates go on a mountain bike ride together after their “meet and greet” as well as outside on the Granny Mouse lawn, networking during a pilates class.
• Know your worth! – It’s not enough to provide your clients with a great product or service. If you can’t articulate what it is you do, then you can’t hope to convey that information at networking events.
• Identify conversational ice-breakers – If you want to overcome initial awkwardness and make a good first impression, consider opening with a compliment, or, similarly, asking a work related question which gives that person the chance to talk about themselves and what they do.
• Bring a buddy – Sometimes starting conversations with strangers is easier if you have a familiar face by your side. If you have a friend or co-worker who’s also looking to expand their network, consider attending professional events as a two-some.
• Overcome introversion – If you’re naturally shy, having success in networking can be a challenge. Fortunately, there are some strategies for overcoming introversion and making connections. First, consider brainstorming ice-breakers before a networking event, so you don’t have to come up with ideas on the spot. Second, feel free to take a breather if you get overwhelmed. Go to the restroom, take a walk, or grab a coffee.
• Find a reason to follow up – Making connections is only half the battle; you also have to take steps to keep the relationship going. Even if you aren’t currently job hunting, strive to reach out to your contacts a few times a year to follow up. You could forward a relevant article, invite them to a seminar or conference, or even just send a friendly note during the holidays.
• Don’t be negative – When searching for conversation starters, avoid speaking negatively about former companies or co-workers or what’s going on in the news – always try and find that “positive thought or topic”!
• Don’t be selfish – Whether you’re chatting at a chamber of commerce event or attending an informational meeting, it’s important to remember that networking is about give and take. If you’re always the person asking for favours, the relationship is unlikely to last.
• Don’t be afraid to ask for what you want – We all need help now and again. If you want your networking efforts to be a success, you have to be bold enough to ask for assistance. Before attending that next meet up or seminar, make sure you can articulate what it is that you’re seeking and what you can offer in exchange! Both parties must mutually benefit.

So, when you’re at Granny Mouse for your next networking session or hosting a conference, by all means, use the above guidelines that suit you and help grow your business back up!

Whether you’re a vegetarian or are inviting non-meat eating guests to your wedding, having a vegetarian-friendly menu is your choice as a bridal couple. Just because dishes don’t include meat doesn’t mean that they can’t be flavoursome and super tasty.

The Granny Mouse Country House & Spa culinary team can, from start to finish, create a vegetarian, vegan or pescetarian wedding dinner that will wow your guests—no matter what they’re used to eating.

Don’t be afraid to think outside the box. Often vegetarian meal options are seen as inconveniences or are after thoughts. But a well-thought out vegetarian menu will impress guests and leave them wanting more, and possibly even take to eating more vegetarian meals going forward.

Creating a beautiful vegetarian menu is possible and there is no shortage of veggie friendly dishes available. Vegetarian and vegan cuisine has come a long way from the days when a vegetarian dish simply required removing any meat from a standard dish.

When planning the wedding menu, from plated dinners to buffet style or whether it’s a breakfast, lunch or dinner service, the food you select is super important and you must take into consideration the flavours of the seasons. Some fruit and vegetables that are in season during autumn are apples, avocados, beetroot, beans, lemons, naartjies, oranges, pears, etc.

Really good ideas to kick start the eating process could be to have grazing tables, or even set down a family style centre piece where you get to share the meal. This can be a starter or even the main meal with an array of side dishes that guests can select from.

The team highlights that it’s also a wonderful idea to move away from the traditional. Serve great hunks of homemade bread and locally-sourced, artisan cheeses served on wooden platters, or a locally-sourced platter or charcuterie plate.

Also, support local where the food on the plate has a story, locally sourced, handmade signature dishes labelling where they come from and how they are grown.

Some great ideas below, to include on the menu:

• Starters – Beetroot parfait & goat’s cheese shortbread, beetroot caramel, rosemary & goat’s cheese mousse & rosemary salt / confit brown mushroom salad with rocket & slow roast tomatoes / pan seared halloumi beet puree and pickled slaw, medley of mushrooms, herbed vodka & cranberry reduction

• Main Course – Chickpea & lentil curry, green thai paste & coconut cream, poppadum, sambals, chutney & basmati rice / creamy mushroom gnocchi (V) served with slow roasted tomatoes, rocket & pecorino cheese

• Dessert – Orange cointreau dark chocolate mousse with dark chocolate shards, peppered dark chocolate soil, raspberry sorbet & raspberry gastrique / chocolate & coffee torte served with butterscotch crème fraiche & honeycomb shards / deconstructed banoffee pie served with banana parfait, caramel, chantilly cream & banana / baked cheese cake with roasted pineapple compote & toasted coconut flakes

“Remember, it’s your wedding day and a healthy happy vegetarian menu doesn’t need to be boring”, reiterates the Granny Mouse’s team.