Women only networking groups

[AJEKLimited]

I think the whole 'young' entrepreneurs, 'olderpreneurs' is a bit strange to be labelled separetly as it is.

Now if its divided along, your over 40 you cant be in our club, or vice versa then obviously therein lies the problem, your being selective based on age and discriminating against certain folk based on their age.

If meetings or gatherings are held for 'new' entrepreneurs then it cant be based on age as both young and old are in this group regardless of age.

Basically i think that if people want to set up these selective groups then they are probably doing themselves more harm than good by excluding those who may have a wealth of knowledge that they could have tapped into; young gaining knowledge from older 'preneurs experience and old in gaining fresh ideas from the young coming through.

Scottish Entrepreneurs? In Scotland theres no problem, if you are Scottish/live in Scotland then you can join the club, everyone meets the set criteria; however if you go into England and then set up the same group with the same criteria (or even for example, those who have moved south from Scotland) then you are discriminating against those who dont meet the criteria.

An easy but very rough way to decide if something can be classed as discriminatory is to ask yourself this question;

Can everyone join in?

[Virtuo]

I think I used to have an issue with it but on reflection, no longer have. The purpose of business networking is to grow your business as profitably as possible and we would be naive to think that discrimination or nepotism does not take place when making a business decision (not always but certainly often).

Passing business to a friend at rugby or a ladies NCT group is no different in my opinion to a men only or ladies only event. If I turned up at a ladies only event it may be classed as discriminatory but it would also be business suicide to protest. I have however encouraged ladies who work in my business to attend these meetings as they often make good strong contacts and in that way it benefits me.

Anyway, after dipping my toes in the water here I am now bowing out of this topic before I drown in a sea of conflicting opinions! (Stuart I think your cards are marked)