Established six years ago, the Cyprus Business Group has grown into a trusted business community, offering a platform for meaningful connections and collaborations for professionals in Cyprus and beyond. The group fosters a safe, high-quality space where "Your Network is Your Net Worth" is more than a motto—it’s a way of empowering businesses and professionals in Cyprus’ vibrant economy.

Ahead of the highly anticipated CBG Seminar & Networking Event on December 5 at the luxurious St. Raphael Resort in Limassol, we had the privilege of speaking with Tom Britton, the founder of the Group. In this interview, he shared insights on the evolution of CBG, the philosophy driving its success, and the significance of milestones such as CBG’s expansion into Abu Dhabi and surpassing 5,000 authenticated members. Tom also revealed how this year’s event will celebrate these achievements, offering a red-carpet experience, dynamic speakers, and unparalleled networking opportunities for professionals across industries.

Well, Cyprus has always been an avid user of Facebook. Even while the rest of the world has seemingly moved on to other social media channels like TikTok, everyone (whether as a consumer or professional) is still on Facebook. It’s true that LinkedIn is the place to be for business, especially in B2B markets, but that always felt like such a waste of potential to me. After all, everyone is on Facebook.

Seeing Facebook as the Coca-Cola of social media, I wondered what we could build within Facebook to empower professionals and appeal to the wider B2B market. Thus, the Cyprus Business Group (CBG) was born. My theory was that Facebook groups had untapped potential. At the time, most groups seemed to value quantity over quality of members, resulting in spam and scammers. Plus, there was little-to-no effort being invested in MRM (member relationship management) or offering any USPs (unique selling points).

From the beginning, six years ago, we’ve manually reviewed every member’s account history, friends, and location and banned potential threats (e.g., fake accounts or users from high-risk locations). We also regularly engage with our members. Based on these conversations, CBG has evolved—leading to a custom-built platform, strategic partnerships with esteemed event organizers, and, most recently, our expansion into Abu Dhabi.

In my opinion, relationships are the cornerstone of both personal and professional success. Through CBG, I’ve not only helped others grow their networks but also expanded my own by fostering authentic, value-driven connections. We focus on quality over quantity, prioritizing meaningful conversations and collaborations over superficial interactions.

I embody this philosophy by actively connecting people, sharing opportunities, and investing in relationships that drive mutual growth. Whether attending events, engaging with CBG members, or meeting new partners, I approach each interaction with genuine interest. As a self-proclaimed business nerd, I thrive on discussing ideas, hearing about new plans, and exploring possibilities.

For me, that’s what networking should be—an opportunity to exchange value and inspiration. It’s not about collecting contacts or forming cliques; it’s about building a thriving community where everyone’s success contributes to collective growth.

Last year’s event was a massive milestone for us, and this year, on 5 December, “CBG2024” promises to take things to the next level. But we had to learn some big lessons to get here, for sure. One of the biggest takeaways from last year was learning to trust our instincts.

While we were grateful for the flood of ideas and suggestions from our members about what our first official in-person event should be (e.g., a conference, a festival, an awards show), in the end, we trusted our gut and focused on delivering a short, elegant experience that celebrated the close of a new year together.

This year, we’re building on what we started, inspired by our experiences working with events like the Cyprus Diaspora Forum and TEDx. These partnerships taught us invaluable lessons, and we’re excited to bring that energy and expertise to CBG 2024.

We take member verification seriously, and it’s a simple three-step process. First, we check the basics—account history, connections, and location. If someone claims to be an influential figure or a high-net-worth individual (HNWI), we dig a little deeper, checking search engines and platforms like LinkedIn. For anyone wanting to advertise in the group, no matter where they’re based, we make it personal with a one-on-one verification meeting, either online or in person.

It’s all about keeping our community genuine and trustworthy. As we get closer to 5,000 authenticated members, it’s incredible to see that over 30% of our members aren’t even based in Cyprus—they’re tuning in from places like Belgium, Germany, and the UAE.

In five years, we want CBG to be a global network—deeply rooted in Cyprus but reaching far beyond. Strengthening the ties between Cyprus and the UAE is a great first step and a big focus for us; we see so much potential there.

At the same time, we’re working to expand the network internationally, helping SMEs in Cyprus break into new markets. It’s not easy for smaller businesses to find opportunities outside the island, and we want to change that.

We’re also doubling down on developing our digital platform, transforming it into more than just a networking space. Our goal is to make it a powerful business tool that optimizes how members connect and collaborate.

The vision is simple: to build a community that empowers businesses to grow locally and globally while keeping CBG authentic, valuable, and accessible.

What: Cyprus Business Group

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Who: Tom Britton is a marketer, entrepreneur, and the founder of Cyprus Business Group (CBG), a global community connecting vetted professionals and businesses. With over a decade of expertise in marketing and business growth, Tom brings a sharp edge to fostering authentic relationships and empowering leaders. A self-confessed "business nerd," he has propelled CBG to nearly 5,000 members by championing quality over quantity—ensuring every connection adds real value. Now, alongside CCO Isabel Uson Tirone, Tom is expanding CBG's impact and making waves in Abu Dhabi.