LEVEL UP: How Entrepreneurs Use Their Network to Become More Than They Are

By Nigel Brookes — CEO, BforB UK

If you grew up in the 80s or 90s, you’ll remember the golden age of platform games — bright colours, pixelated ladders, cheesy sound effects, and characters who somehow had blue spiky hair and muscles bigger than their heads.

Every level had the same pattern:

• obstacles

• power‑ups

• hidden tools

• a boss battle

• and a gateway to the next stage

  
  

Entrepreneurship is no different. Networking is no different. And BforB is the platform you’re playing on.

But here’s the truth most people miss:

You don’t level up by turning up. You level up by picking up the tools around you — and wielding them to full effect.

What Levelling Up Really Means

Levelling up isn’t a badge. It’s not a title. It’s not a moment of luck.

Levelling up means you’ve advanced your skills — and more importantly, you’ve implemented them.

When you do that:

• your business grows

• your confidence grows

• your network grows

• your opportunities grow

• your community grows

  
  

And because BforB is collaborative by design, when you level up, the people around you rise too.

That’s the beauty of a shared platform.

The Power‑Ups You Gain When You Use the Group Properly

In every classic game, power‑ups changed everything:

• a speed boost

• a stronger weapon

• a new ability

• a temporary shield

  
  

In networking, the power‑ups are real:

• more sales

• more visibility

• more influence

• more introductions

• more collaborations

• more confidence

• more opportunities

  
  

But you only get them if you play — not if you stand still.

The Level 1 Trap: Thinking Turning Up Is Enough

This is the biggest mistake new members make.

They arrive. They sit. They watch. They wait.

They treat networking like a spectator sport.

But the platform is full of tools, allies, and opportunities — if you actually use them.

As a kid I remember sitting with my mum watching an episode of the original Star Trek where Captain Kirk is stranded on a planet with a reptilian warrior who’s stronger, faster, and armed. Kirk has nothing.

Except he doesn’t.

All around him are:

• sharpened diamonds

• bamboo tubes

• sulphur

• charcoal

• potassium nitrate

Everything he needs to mix gunpowder and build a rudimentary cannon is right there — but only if he picks it up, wields it, and uses it to full effect.

Networking is the same.

Everything you need is already around you:

• the people

• the introductions

• the expertise

• the opportunities

• the support

• the visibility

  
  

But you have to pick it up and use it.

The Boss Battle: The Personal Demon You Must Defeat

Every level has a boss.

In business, the boss isn’t a giant turtle or a pixelated monster. It’s internal.

Your boss might be:

• fear

• inactivity

• ego

• indecision

• perfectionism

• self‑doubt

  
  

The moment you defeat that boss, you unlock the next level.

And the next room.

And the next opportunity.

And the next version of yourself.

Because if you’re the smartest person in the room, you’re in the wrong room — and your job is to level up until you reach the next one.

The Aha Moment: Networking Is Deeper Than You Think

Networking isn’t:

• turning up

• waiting

• hoping

• watching

• collecting business cards

  
  

Networking is:

• inviting guests

• having 121s

• making introductions

• adding value

• collaborating

• following up

• staying visible

• building momentum

  
  

It’s a slow burn — but the energy you apply determines the speed of your results.

When you level up your effort, you level up your outcomes.

 Your Call to Action: Pick Up the Tools and Play

Everything you need to grow is already around you.

Your group is the platform.

Your network is the toolkit.

Your metrics are the milestones.

Your identity is the controller.

Now it’s time to:

• bring guests

• book 121s

• make introductions

• track your metrics

• use the tools

• defeat your boss

• level up

  
  

Because the next version of you is waiting on the next platform.

And the only way to reach it is to play the game.