About Schmooze
Established in 2003 by its founder and owner, Phillip Jones (left) with a premise of collaboration between professionals, Schmooze has evolved into one of the most innovative and dynamic professional communities in the country.
It offers a comprehensive program and resources for our members and guests through a unique combination of the social and professional in a sophisticated and welcoming vibe. Our philosophy is outward looking and collaborative - so we often work with many other kindred organisations such as professional associations, government departments, initiatives like Canberra Business Point, or the Live in Canberra campaign, and tertiary student associations.
It has grown thanks to the generous support of many sponsors and volunteers who have generously donated their time, expertise and in-kind support.
Schmooze offers a personalised way for members to meet their peers, create new contacts, gain access to decision makers and promote their expertise, events or services.
Our aim is to create the environment that are conducive to establishing rewarding relationships. We eschew the in-your-face business networking model, understanding that that our members and guests prefer to get to know each other first and over time move onto talk of business if that suits.
We attract professionals from a wide spectrum of organisations making for a fabulous mix of outgoing and friendly people to meet.
We also enhance the professional and social opportunities of our members through of a range of exclusive events, services and benefits.
More than a network, Schmooze is a professional community that is constantly evolving to create new opportunities for everyone involved to evolve their professional and social life.
Organisation
There is a separate program of events for each of the branches of the network: the Schmooze Professional Network, Schmooze Young Professional Group and a Social Branch. In addition, we offer a range of special interest groups for members, and several professional development seminars and workshops for members and guests.
Schmooze members can attend several events per month often for free.
The network is administered and developed by an enthusiastic mix of staff and volunteers who you can meet here.
The diagram outlines the organisational structure of the network and our key activities.
Membership
You can read inforrmation about membership here, and view the list of members who joined in 2009 here.
Summary of Activities
Throughout the year we offer over 80 events hosted ranging from intimate dinners and lunches for six, to cockatil functions for over 100, in addition to the events hosted by our members. You'll find out events calendar here.
Our range of activities include:
Professional Development
Schmooze offers seminars and workshops for our members and guests for small groups of 12-30 people based on a particular expertise. The events are presented to by members of Schmooze enabling them to showcase their expertise and provide insights that participants can apply in their professional lives..
In the past we've heard from experts on a range topics ranging from managing relationships with Minister's offices, how to develop a public affairs career, the evolution of the Air Force's branding, presentation from the ABS, issues management, engaging Indigenous audiences, measuring effective communications and the challenges in communication with security issues to name a few.
We also offer frequently a invitation-only member Master Classes. These are presented in small groups and members are personally invited by Schmooze and provide an exceptional opportunity to learn from leaders in their field.
In addition to comunication related topics, we also we drew on our members expertise such as marketing consultants, financial advisors, mortgage lenders, insurance brokers, accountants, web designers, graphic artists, magazine advertising specialists, business coaches or mentors etc for our presentations.
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Schmooze Concierge Service
A service that is unique to Schmooze. Have you attended a function wanting to meet a particular contact or someone from a certain organisation but spent the evening talking to everyone else but? Or want to make a connection, but in a confidential and discreet way? The team at Schmooze can assist you!
All you need to do is contact us prior to an event with your request or who you’d like to meet and at the event one of the Schmooze team will make the introduction for you discreetly and then the rest is up to you.
Alternately you can contact us about what sort of contact you’d like to make from the Member database and we can make recommendations for the best person to contact A Member Pass is spent for each introduction/contact made.
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The Monthly Schmooze
These events are the flagship event hosted by a Schmooze member each month. Low on formality and high on great contacts, these networking evenings are staged in venues that provide a sophisticated and welcoming environment to cultivate new professional relationships.
These events are held in the last Wednesday of the month from 5.30 to 7.30pm. There are also lucky door prizes and some 80-105 members and guests attend from a wide range of professions and sectors. The atmosphere is more like a sophisticated cocktail function rather than the usual staid networking function!
You can see footage of recent events here.
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Networking Training and Mentoring
Schmooze offers several ways to develop networking skills and capabilities including a Professional Networking Course and personalised training and mentoring. Members can receive one on one training and networking mentoring from Schmooze’s founder Phillip Jones.
We also have a range of resources on this site including articles and podcasts.
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Tailored Events
Members can stage through Schmooze, invitation- only events such as workshops or special presentations which are offered to members on an exclusive basis. A service fee applies as we facilitate these events for our members and act as the go-between so no cold calling is involved.
SCHMOOZE INTEREST GROUPS
These member only activities are informal gatherings that provide the space for conversation between peers to foster the sharing of ideas and collaboration, insights and opportunities. There are several groups based on sectors and interest including Leadership, Sustainability, Marketing, PR and Communications, Young Entrepreneurs and Small Business Owners.
The groups provide the opportunity for peers to meet and talk about common interests and issues in a relaxed setting.
At times there discussion may be structured around a particular topic of common interest, othertimes its a good way to make new contacts and share ideas or leads. Read more about the Groups here.
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Networking Dining Events
Every month we offer members a range of dining options for networking in style at one our fellow member restaurants and venues. We stage member lunches, dinners (following the monthly Schmooze) and we have a table at one of the National Press Club lunch time addresses each month.
In addition, there is also invitation-only lunches for members who are senior in their organisations or own their own company.
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Social BRANCH
Schmooze members are an active lot, they host a range of activities including fundraising, social, charity, lifestyle, training and professional events each month. Members can advertise their events through the network free of charge via the website and e-news.
We also offer events for our members featuring a wide range of events and servicess including wine dinners,fashion events and much more. It offers the perfect way for our members to enjoy exclusive events, services and activities from the best venues and services in the region. Read more here.
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Schmooze Young Professional Group (SYPG)
This branch of Schmooze is for any young professional in their 20’s from any profession or background and has the widest diversity of membership of any young professional group in the region. Each month we offer workshops on key skills like public speaking, personal style and grooming, confidence in the workplace, interview skills and of course how to Schmooze!
The SYPG hosts a monthly Schmooze which includes speed networking ice-breaker session and are often held in partnership with other young professional groups to give our members and guests the perfect way to meet and polish their networking skills. The SYPG is run by a Council of young professionals and we also work with other young professional groups to stage joint activities- please see this page for more info.
Mentor pronto!
Schmooze offers several times each year a free mentoring program that is results focused! The program is a four week model where participants focus on a couple of key outcomes. You can read more about it here.
CONTACT US
- Phone: 02 6243 3698 during business hours
- Email: info@schmooze.net.au
- Post: 30 Gunn St, Yarralumla ACT 2600
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