“This statement is so true ….People buy when they are ready to buy NOT when you are ready to sell. Very informative session.. Its great to keep it to one simple message & it is up to each one of us to implement the suggestions.” – Eamonn Glesson – Glesson’s Townhouse & Restaurant

14 Members attended the May Network Meeting.

Online Brand Expert and Network Facilitator Johnny Beirne delivered a presentation entitled “Nurture your Customers”.

Snipet: People buy when they are ready to buy NOT when you are ready to sell. This presentation will give you an overview on how to automatically keep in regular contact with your customers via email.

The next meeting will take place on June 7th – further details will be announced shortly.

It’s a known fact that people buy when they are ready to buy, not when you are ready to sell.

At the May Network Meeting you will learn how to nurture ongoing relationships with existing and potential customers to increase sales.

You will see how you can regularly engage via email so that when they are ready to buy, they buy from you.

Specific topics covered will include:

- Email subscription service

- Email autoresponders

- Growing your list and Upselling Workshop Facilitator

This workshop will be facilitated by Johnny Beirne

Johnny shows companies how to effectively use the internet to increase profits. Recently, Johnny helped one client treble their online sales. Johnny has also trained over 200 companies in Internet & Social Media Marketing and facilitates both the Leitrim and the Roscommon Business Networks. For more information see johnnybeirne.com

Susan Bourke presenting at Roscommon Business Network

18 Members attended the April Business Network Meeting.

Susan Bourke from Product Launch Method delivered a very informative presentation about how she started 4 online businesses selling e-books that she wrote.

Specific topics that were discussed included blogging, squeeze pages and auto-responder software Aweber.

The May Network Meeting will take place on Thursday 3rd at 7pm. Full details will be posted here.

will take place in The Abbey Hotel,

Roscommon on Thursday April 5th at 7pm.

Keynote Presentation “PROFIT FROM YOUR KNOWLEDGE”

by Susan Bourke – Product Launch Method

Susan set up 4 websites that now generate €45,000 per annum AND she has a full time job, how does she do it?

Find out how Sligo based mother-of-4 Susan Bourke, with no previous experience set up these online businesses from scratch.

Tea/Coffee and sandwiches will be served.

17 members attended last nights Business Network Meeting.

Ann Marie Durkin from Shasta gave an inspirational presentation about her business, how she came up with the ideas from her products and getting them on the shelves.

Ann Marie spoke about the assistance she got from Longford County Enterprise Board in the early days and benefiting from research with Athlone Institute of Technology. She also told attendees to look at getting an Innovation Voucher from Enterprise Ireland.

Louise Ward from Roscommon County Enterprise Board updated members about the proposed changes to Enterprise Boards.

The next meeting will take place on Thursday April 5th at 7pm. More details to follow.

Ann Marie Durkin from Shasta

The March Network meeting will take place in The Abbey Hotel, Roscommon on Thursday March 1st at 7pm.

Agenda:

7.00pm: Member Introduction

7.05pm: Keynote Presentation – Ann Marie Durkin from Shasta – See below

7.35pm: The Furture of the Business Network

7.55pm: Update regarding prospoed restructure of Enterprise Boards

8.00pm: Networking

Shasta is an innovative company based at the Midlands Innovation and Research Centre at Athlone Institute of Technology. We specialize in baby care products and are leading the way in portable baby care sterilization technologies.

Shasta developed and brought to market Steri Soother the world’s first pre-sterilized ready-to-use baby soother

The main product innovation Steri –Ova was developed in collaboration with one of the leading names in the baby care market. Discussions have been held with a number of specialist retailers and firm expressions of interest secured from Mothercare (UK) plc., Petit Terraillon (France), and Tommee Tippee (Jackal International) UK

Steri Ova is the world’s first portable baby bottle steriliser. It is patented in Ireland and has PCT patent pending in 140 countries. The Steri-Ova sterilizes sixteen times faster than steam counter top units and is an impressive fourteen times smaller making it highly portable.

Shasta has this become an Enterprise Ireland Client at the end of 2011 and successfully have raised funds from Enterprise Ireland as a HPSU client and from private investors.

There has been some discussion recently about the time of Network meetings.

Therefore, we would be grateful if you could choose 1 of the options below. If you can not see the survey below please click here.

Please vote when you receive this email.

The meeting will take place in The Abbey Hotel, Roscommon on Thursday March 1st.

John Lyons and Dymphna Connor from RSM Farrell Grant Sparks gave a detailed presentation on the Employment and Investment Incentives Scheme (EIIS).

Dymphna Connor addressing Roscommon Business Network Members

John Lyons addressing Roscommon Business Network Members

The Employment and Investment Incentive (EII) provides a tax incentive to private investors to invest medium-term equity capital in companies, which would otherwise find it difficult to raise such funding. Such companies would instead, usually have to rely on loan finance, which in turn can be difficult to obtain.

Provided an investor holds his or her investment for a minimum period of 3 years, the EII provides individual investors with tax relief of 30% in respect of investments of up to €150,000 per annum in companies. Where it has been proven that additional jobs were created or the company used the capital raised for expenditure on research and development, an additional 11% relief isavailable at
the end of the holding period. This additional relief will not be subject to the high earners restriction.

The next meeting will take place on Thursday March 1st with details to follow.

The February Business Network Meeting will take place on Thursday 2nd at 6.30pm in The Abbey Hotel, Roscommon.

There will be a presentation from RSM Farrell Grant Sparks on “Employment & Investment Incentive Scheme”.

There will also be a short discussion after the presentation in relation to the topics to be covered at network meetings for the remainder of the year.

Tea and sandwiches will be served.

23 Members attended the Christmas Network Event in Roscommon Leisure Zone. A great night was had by all with bowling and a raffle. Michael and Aisling provided hot food and other refreshments and were excellent hosts.

The next meeting will take place on February 2nd with details to follow.

The following 3 members delivered excellent presentations about their businesses, lessons learned and challenges they are facing with feedback from members.

Michelle Fallon – Michelle Made This

Teresa Scally – Energy Consultant

Padraic Cuddy – Class Grass Ireland

The next meeting will take place on December 1st and will be the Network Christmas Party. More details to follow.

We are inviting 3 members to present on the night. This is an opportunity for you to introduce your business, practice your sales pitch and get feedback and advice from other members.

The format is as follows:

2 Minutes – Your business

2 Minutes – An improvement you have introduced which you feel would benefit other members

2 Minutes – A challenge you are facing

4 Minutes – Feedback/Suggestions from members

There will also be a raffle on the night for €100 advertising voucher with the Roscommon Herald.

Agenda:

6.30 – Member Introductions

6.40 – Member Presentations

Paraic Cuddy – Class Grass Ireland

Michelle Fallon – Michelle Made This

Teresa Scally – Energy Consultant

7.20 – Open Forum Discussion

7.30 – Networking

There will also be a table at the back of the room for you to display your business cards and/or brochures.

15 members attended the October Business Network Meeting

James Martin from TeamLife Training & Coaching gave a motivating presentation in addition to facilitating a team building exercise with attendees.

Louise from Roscommon County Enterprise Board updated members on a fantastic upcoming networking event in Galway called MeetWest

MeetWest 2011 will be the largest business networking event in the West in 2011.

THE OBJECTIVE…of the event is to bring together 400 companies based in these 3 counties over one and a half days to facilitate the development of greater business between these companies and further business opportunities for them either locally, regionally or internationally.

Tá sé mar aidhm ag MeetWest tacú le gnóthaí líonraí tacaíochta a fhorbairt tríd réimse de cheardlanna oibre, comhdháil agus cruinnithe a eagrú. Is deis é seo do chomhlachtaí san Iarthar, mór agus beag, casadh le lucht gnó eile, páirtnéirí agus custaiméirí nua a aimsiú agus eolas a fháil faoi conas a bheith rathúil ina ngnó uatha sin a bhfuil sé déanta acu cheana.

PARTNERS…Galway City Council, Galway County Council, Roscommon County Council, Mayo County Council, Galway County and City Enterprise Board, Roscommon County Enterprise Board, Mayo County Enterprise Board, Enterprise Ireland and Udaras na Gaeltachta

Deirdre Ó Murchadha from RosWIN brought along information about a new tourism site for Roscommon called WarmWest.ie.

Agenda:

6.30 – Member Introductions

6.40 – Keynote Presentation – Business Growth by James Martin.

7.20 – Open Forum Discussion

7.30 – Networking

About James

James is a strategy consultant for personal and business growth. He is passionate about supporting new startups and business owners to build successful, profitable businesses. James supports clients mainly around mindset, strategy and innovation with a specific focus on harnessing close business relationships and technology to accelerate business prosperity. His business training and coaching company, TeamLife Training, is based in Carrick-on-Shannon, Co. Leitrim.

]]> http://www.roscommonbusinessnetwork.com/october-business-network-meeting/feed/ 0 http://www.roscommonbusinessnetwork.com/dragons-den-in-co-roscommon/ http://www.roscommonbusinessnetwork.com/dragons-den-in-co-roscommon/#comments Tue, 13 Sep 2011 08:44:28 +0000 Johnny http://www.roscommonbusinessnetwork.com/?p=327

Roscommon’s own version of Dragon’s Den is coming to town, led by renowned RTE Dragon, Bobby Kerr. Taking place at the end of September, participants with new business ideas will have the opportunity to present their proposals to a panel of experts.

This initiative is part of Roscommon LEADER Partnership’s Enterprise Creation and Development Measure, aimed at encouraging and supporting rural enterprise in the county. Eligible projects will benefit from constructive feedback from the expert panel, along with follow-up advice and support with business planning and preparing funding applications to Roscommon LEADER Partnership. Up to €150,000 of non-refundable grant aid may be available for eligible projects. In exceptional circumstances this may be raised to €200,000 subject to Department approval. Additionally, successful proposals may have the opportunity to access private investment, particularly through Business Angel Partnership, which will also be represented on the expert panel.

All eligible participants, including those with new business ideas as well as those considering innovative expansion of their existing enterprises, will have the opportunity to present their business idea to a panel of experts, led by renowned Dragon Bobby Kerr. Bobby has a particular affinity with Co. Roscommon through his investment in the infamous ‘illuminated handbag’ project as depicted on RTE’s Dragons Den. Along with the direct feedback and assistance available, projects will also be signposted to other possible sources of support, such as Roscommon Innovation House, Innovation Vouchers through Enterprise Ireland and the WIN Atlantic programme to explore international opportunities that may exist. This initiative builds on other recent initiatives aimed at encouraging and assisting new enterprises in the county, including Roscommon Enterprise and Innovation week and Roscommon Innovation House, developed in association with Roscommon County Enterprise Board.

The Dragon’s Den event is co-ordinated by WESTBIC on behalf of Roscommon LEADER Partnership. Potential participants should contact James Donlon at WESTBIC on 090 6625196, email jdonlon@westbic.ie for further information. Places are limited so participants are advised to contact WESTBIC as soon as possible.

Application form for Dragons’ Den

Topics discussed included the advertising in the Roscommon People in addition to ideas/topics for meetings.

Topics included:

• Motivation
• Cutting costs
• Bank Loan Application
• County Enterprise Board Grants
• Roscommon Integrated Development Company Funding
• Presentation by a successful entrepreneur (and lessons learned from some failures)
• Social Outings
• PR with local press
• Attending other business events

It was also suggested that a table for business cards and brochures be set up at the back of the table for each meeting.

If you have any further suggestions, please drop an email to info@roscommonbusinessnetwork.com or leave a comment below.

The next meeting will take place on Thursday October 6th

Agenda:

1. Member Introductions

2. Brainstorming ideas for the network for next 12 months

3. Press Release quotes from members placing an ad in Roscommon People. Paul Healy from the Roscommon People will attend the meeting.

Network Member Cahal Mahon of Accounting Matters contacted Paul Healy in the Roscommon People regarding a group discount advertising special for Network Members – see sample image above.

There are 18 ad spaces available on a first come first served basis and the cost is €50 + VAT.

There will also be a page of editorial spread including photographs about the network including quotes from members who place an ad. These quotes will be an additional opportunity to promote your business which Paul will ask for.

This is a great opportunity to promote both the network and member companies at a very reasonable price.

To avail of this opportunity please email info@roscommonbusinessnetwork.com with the following details.

Business Name:

Tag Line: e.g. for all your …. needs

Address:

Telephone:

Website:

16 members attended the July Business Network Meeting.

6 local food producers laid out a wonderful selection including:

Brendan Allen from Castlemine Farm not only brought steaks, burgers and sausages but he also cooked them on the BBQ.

Declan Molly from Molloy’s Bakery & Fine Food Emporium provided the burger buns in addition to a huge selection of tasty desserts.

Ann Maire Carroll from the Old School Of Holistic Therapies brought along a selection of her chutneys.

Mary & Eamonn Gleeson from Gleeson’s Townhouse & Restaurant supplied fresh salads and wine and of course the venue for the night.

Karen Gordon from the Roscommon Chocolate Company spoiled us with a huge selection of tasty chocolates.

Tom Flanagan from My Healthy Choc Store also brought his wonderful healthy chocolates.

CruiseCamp 2009

CruiseCamp is a fun and informal business networking event with a difference. Setting sail on the fabulous Moonriver Pleasure Cruiser at 7pm from the bridge in Carrick on Shannon you will meet business owners from around Ireland while cruising on the river Shannon.

Hot food will be served during the cruise and there is a full bar on board. Please bring approx 70 business cards.
Ticket Price = €20*

The word FREE is beside each ticket because we cannot accept Credit Card Payments at this time.

CruiseCamp 2009

CruiseCamp 2009

CruiseCamp 2009

16 Members attended the June Network Meeting.

We broke into 4 groups of 4 and each group member had the opportunity to discuss their business and get feedback and ideas from group members.

The next meeting will take place on July 7th at 7pm in Gleeson’s Townhouse & Restaurant, The Square, Roscommon.

Meeting Agenda

6.30 – Welcome – Member Introduction

6.40 – Idea Generation Groups

Groups of 4 will work together to brainstorm ideas about their business with a view to getting some fresh perspectives from other business owners.

7.20 – Open forum discussion

7.30 – Close – Tea/Coffee/Sandwiches/Networking

PLEASE BRING BUSINESS CARDS.

15 network members attended the event and found the whole evening very enjoyable.

George Lee and Network Facilitator Johnny Beirne

There is a big networking event taking place in Athlone next Thursday night, the same night as our May Network Meeting. A network member suggested we attend and organise a bus from Roscommon.

Event Details.

‘The Business with George Lee’ networking event will be held in the Radisson Blu Hotel in Athlone 7.00 – 8.30pm. There’s no admission charge and tea and coffee will be served on the evening.

George Lee will be speaking in addition to a number of guest speakers.

Please email info@roscommonbusinessnetwork.com by 5pm Wednesday April 27th  if you would like to attend.

Cahal Mahon from Accounting Matters delivered a FREE Masterclass before the main network meeting.

3 members who presented at the April Business Network Meeting, Tom Flanagan - My Healthy Choc Store, Maggie Heylin - Gilligan Meats and Chris Burke - Fingers Count.

15 members attended in total.

Each member who presented suggested some useful ideas for other members to consider for their business in addition to valuable feedback on some challenges they were facing.

Would you like to present at a meeting? If so, please drop us an email to info@roscommonbusinessnetwork.com.

The next meeting will take place on Thursday May 5th at 6.30pm – Venue to be announced.

There are also some interesting discussions ongoing on the LinkedIn Network Group.

]]> http://www.roscommonbusinessnetwork.com/notes-from-april-network-meeting/feed/ 0 http://www.roscommonbusinessnetwork.com/april-network-meeting-plus-free-masterclass/ http://www.roscommonbusinessnetwork.com/april-network-meeting-plus-free-masterclass/#comments Mon, 04 Apr 2011 13:39:10 +0000 Johnny http://www.roscommonbusinessnetwork.com/?p=271 The April Network Meeting with take place on Thursday April 7th at 6.30pm in Hannon’s Hotel, Roscommon.

PROMOTE YOUR BUSINESS BY REGISTERING AT http://rbn-april.eventbrite.com

There will be a FREE Masterclass delivered by Cahal Mahon from Accounting Matter starting at 5.30pm.

Cahal will work through a practical example of keeping manual books of accounts (Purchases, Sales & Cash books) and bank Reconciliation for a VAT reg. business – to include a practical look at the VAT3 return.

The main network meeting will take at 6.30pm:

Agenda:

6.30 – Welcome – Member Introduction

6.40 – Member Presentations

The 3 members presenting are:

Maggie Heylin - Gilligan Meats

Tom Flanagan - My Healthy Choc Store

Chris Burke - Fingers Count

7.20 – Open forum discussion

7.30 – Close

If you would like to present, please let me know by close of business Thursday next, 31st March.

Members Presentations.

It is an opportunity to introduce your business, practice your presentation skills/sales pitch and get valuable feedback from your business peers.

The format is as follows:

2 Minutes – Your background and your business
2 Minutes – An improvement you have introduced which you feel would benefit other members
2 Minutes – A challenge you are facing
4 Minutes – Feedback/Suggestions from members

March Network Meeting

29 network members attended the March Network Meeting.

Sinead Devine of Ahern & Company gave a comprehensive presentation on Taxation.

The next meeting will take place on Thursday April 7th at 6.30pm. More details to follow.