David Parrish is the author of the book “T-Shirts and Suits: A Guide to the Business of Creativity”, which draws on his experience of leading and managing creative enterprises. David’s knowledge and experience has been used internationally to help creative enterprises to become even more successful through specialist training and consultancy projects. These training and consultancy projects, together with the information on his website, add value to clients’ organisations by transferring great ideas and effective techniques across national and cultural boundaries. David is also working with UNESCO on a creative industries project to share best practice internationally.

Richard is currently working on the launch of Unheard, which is an online music network for unsigned bands and musicians. He describes himself as “an orb of energy”, and uses his current project and his network connections to push himself to achieve more than those I idealise in business. What tools or resources do you use to keep in touch with people? My top tips are: Be Prepared – have business cards prepared as they save a lot of time and explaining. Relax – Don’t be scared, humbled maybe but not fearful. Embrace the experience. Enjoy It – Meeting people is an essential part of business and as such you should learn to enjoy it. My best links and resources are the growing number of business cards stored around my desk and the internet.

I am co-Founder of Mesh - a trusted network of creative business professionals. Having qualified as a lawyer in September 2006, I yearn to have more time to explore a ‘creative second life’ as a writer or stenciler, but currently have to make do as a blogger (http://www.meshminds.blogspot.com ) and a cultural entrepreneur!

Jonny Emmanuel is a qualified lawyer and co-founder of Mesh, a trusted and private network for creative business professionals which provides online and offline networking opportunities for its members to enable them to share contacts, generate ideas and collaborate on projects. Mesh’s ambition is to break down the City stereotype by attracting a unique community of professionals who have creative second lives. Whether you are a lawyer by day and DJ by night or a banker by day and writer by night - Mesh is the community for you.

A big believer in creating links between people, Dougie is the founder of PopC, the ‘Reality’ company which encourages guests at corporate events to ‘be the entertainment’, see colleagues in a different light, or at least clap a little louder!

Ian Forrester is the senior lead on the BBC’s Backstage project, a developer network providing data and services for the general public. He also runs the London Geekdinners, a monthly social of the brightest minds in London with an invited guest.

Claudie Plen is a Creative Business Coach with a background in print, web, editorial and design and also creates her own work as a visual artist and writer. She set up Creative Alchemy to bring together creative businesses and freelancers for networking in a chilled out environment designed to encourage collaboration and inspiration.

Claire Geddie has held a variety of roles in both film and television production. She runs the UK arm of the Stellar Network (http://www.stellarnetwork.com) connecting and energising a community of creative talent. The network boasts a membership base of over 400 industry professionals and has spawned a number of thriving collaborations.

Tom Norton is the Director of the Producers’ Forum, providing support, training and networking opportunities to producers from the West Midlands.

Clare Molyneux runs the educational theatre group ‘Open the Door’, and is very well connected across the Education Business Partnerships in Merseyside. Open the Door works in many of the Merseyside schools and lots of creative projects within the city.