That does not, however, mean that all small businesses will know how to network.

Or even that they will recognise the sorts of advantages that networking brings. Like the shy child in a classroom, sometimes a company will have neither the wherewithal nor the capabilities to meet new people. Which is why it sometimes takes a party, or similar social event, to bring that shy child out of his or her shell.

It is the same in the business world. Give people a forum to network, and even the most inexperienced person in the room will eventually end up talking to someone. But, outside of special events (usually organised by such support organisations as Chambers of Commerce, ISME or IBEC), there are few dedicated networking opportunities available in Ireland.

Until now.

Biznet has been created to provide an online and offline networking platform for Irish business owners and managers to buy and sell, find partners, outsource contracts, get referrals, share knowledge and generate new business.

And, kicking off the whole Biznet programme will be a major launch event on Friday, September 7, which will bring together delegates from all industry sectors to experience a day of inspirational speakers.

It will also offer them an opportunity to meet and discuss opportunities over a three course lunch in Fire restaurant.

This event will be the first "off-line" forum for networking to be organised by Biznet . . .and, although on-line activity will form the basis of the concept, equally important are the physical opportunities for networking.

"Off-line days are about bringing people together, getting them to shake hands, and basically allowing them to meet in person so that it makes it easier for them to go onto the website and continue this relationship, " said Caroline Malone, managing director of Biznet. "The benefits of networking are not too different in business to what they would be in the rest of life. You are meeting people who you get along with, you are dealing with companies who have the same suppliers. It's about building relationships, and that's why we have created this forum."

Biznet has a number of key partners which provide services for businesses . . . these could be telecommunications or energy providers, managed IT solutions, banks, any type of service providers which are used by the business community. Biznet members will be able to access savings opportunities offered by these partners, savings which will go further than those which would be offered to individual companies. It is akin to the benefits of bulk buying.

Even outside of availing of savings, members can use the networking service to generate new leads and new business, outsource short term projects and share ideas on how to move their businesses forward.

As with any new idea, it is important to get the message out to the business community, which is why the launch day at the Mansion House will consist of a number of highprofile speakers, including an interactive audience with Kristina Grimes, runner-up in this year's BBC 1 show "The Apprentice". Grimes will run through the networking tactics she has developed during her years as a successful sales manager, and she will also talk about how her time working with Sir Alan Sugar has impacted her approach to business.

Other speakers will include Maria Mahon of IrishJobs. ie, and topics will include information on e-tenders, and how interactive and digital media is continuing to impact the way we do business and shape new business opportunities.

The afternoon session will kick-off with a short presentation from each of Biznet's partners and this will lead directly on to an informal networking session where delegates will also have the opportunity to meet on a oneto-one basis with these partners to discuss individual requirements or queries. Partners include Magnet Business (broadband) and The Business Shop.

While events are key to the success of Biznet, and will take place across the country (one is scheduled for Cork in January), it will be on-line where the bulk of the activity will take place.

"Our members will dictate how our website will change, " said Malone. "But already we have designed a number of features, including an "opportunities" feature, which will allow companies to explore what is out there. They might be looking for a designer on a short-term contract, or they might be selling office furniture, but they can go to the Opportunities section and network with other members to find what they are looking for."