What is a Business Crew?

A Business Crew is a networking group in which the participants meet on several occasions over a given period of time to help each other reach their professional goals.

Can two competitors end up in the same group?

Unless otherwise requested, we always try to avoid assigning two competing companies to the same Business Crew. Sometimes, the subtle difference between competition and complementarity can be ambiguous for certain participants. For this reason, if there is any doubt, we may contact you by telephone or by email to validate your sector of activity and get your approval before matching you with certain other participants.

If too many competing companies are registered for the number of groups available, participants will be selected based on chronological time of registration.

Will I be able to choose the group I want to join?

No. We reserve the right to match you with the group of our choice based on an analysis of your profile. We receive hundreds of registrations for each cohort, making it impossible for us to allow each participant to approve the composition of each group. Trust us—the rate of satisfaction among previous participants was 88%.

Will I manage to make sales by participating in a Business Crew?

That is exactly what we hope for you. At the end of the last series of meetings, more than a third of the participants stated that they had been successful in selling their products and services through their group—either directly to other participants or by getting referrals for potential clients. Several participants also mentioned that although they had not yet made any sales, discussions were still underway.

However, your Business Crew is also meant to help you build and strengthen your professional network, with regard to clientele, as well as in terms of suppliers, partners, and other forms of collaboration. Keep in mind that effective networking goes beyond simple business development. In fact, close to 90% of participants in the recent cohorts reported having engaged in useful exchanges with the other participants, either about business issues affecting them, new professional opportunities for their companies, or best practices relating to their profession. You may also learn about new suppliers and meet experts who can help make you stand out among your current clientele.

In short, come with an open mind. You never know where your Business Crew may lead!

What happens if I have to miss one or several of my Crew's meetings?

Quite often, a member may have to miss a Crew meeting due to some unforeseen event or other engagement. This is not ideal, but you can always have a colleague replace you at a meeting you have to miss.

If you have to miss a meeting and you are unable to find someone to replace you, please let us know as soon as possible so that we can invite a participant from another crew to come take your place. That way, you will avoid penalizing the other members of your group by decreasing their networking opportunities.

In any case, no refunds will be issued in the event of absences.

What topics are discussed at the meetings?

The topics discussed are at the discretion of your moderator, based on the profiles and suggestions of the members of each group. The topics are chosen in such a way as to allow the other participants to get to know more about you and, subsequently, to better help you. Also, regardless of the topic selected, at each meeting, you will have time to introduce yourself and to discuss your professional objectives.

Why do I have to complete a questionnaire after registering?

It is imperative that you quickly complete the questionnaire you receive by email after registering. The information gathered will allow us to create your profile based on a variety of points: your specialization, your goals, your interests, your network, etc. We will then use various techniques and matching algorithms to assign you to a group of participants who are compatible with your profile. This will increase your chances of meeting the networking goals you have set for yourself.

What should I do to optimize my chances of success in my Business Crew?

The key to success is in the follow-ups you will make between each of your Crew’s meetings. Experience has shown us that participants with the best results are those who have active exchanges with their colleagues outside of the “official” meetings of each group, whether those exchanges are by email, by telephone, or by videoconference. These follow-ups will allow you to further your relationships with each member and to increase opportunities to assist each other, which can help you reach your professional goals.

Can I register for more than one group at a time?

Yes, you can make a request to do so. Simply mention it on the profile questionnaire you receive after registering.

After I register, is my spot within a group guaranteed?

We strive to match 100% of the people registered for each cohort. However, due to availability, the number of registrations received, and non-competition requirements among participants in certain fields, we may have to refuse some registrations. Please note, however, that this situation has not occurred to date.

“I participated in the spring 2018 Business Crews cohort and really enjoyed the format. My previous experience was limited to a few networking events, so I particularly enjoyed spending more time with people to get to know their personal and professional issues. I was surprised by the wide range of people’s professions and experiences. At the time I was just starting my business and their expertise fuelled my thought process. These meetings allowed me to establish relationships with some members of my cohort and we’ve met a few times since then to share our experiences and successes. I’m very happy to have had these professional and personal encounters.”

– Karine Labrosse, strategic communicator (freelancer)

“I’m going to my third session and I'm addicted to Business Crews. The format is perfect for developing lasting business relationships.”

– Claudia Baillargeon, President, Agence Webdiffusion

“The Business Crews are a great initiative that helped me expand my network, seize opportunities and contribute to the success of the participants I had the pleasure of meeting.”

– Michel-Olivier Bruyère, A.I.B., RIBO, CRM
Vice-President, Business Development Leader, Aon

“Business Crews are a fun and rewarding way to network. The meetings are inspiring, motivating and interesting, thanks to the perfect match between participants and the outstanding moderation of Guillaume Fortin. The relevance of the discussion topics helps foster connections between the members of the group. It’s a real pleasure to be part of it. I’m in my ninth Crew and I still find it relevant and interesting. Business Crews have become an essential way for me to network. Thank you to the CCMM for offering us this opportunity and thank you to PairConnex for matching participants so perfectly.”

– Anne Riby, Director, Strategic Partnerships and Communications, JA Québec