Support
Support
We believe that as small business owners, the best support you can get is from people in the same situation as you. That's why networking is so important at BEN. Each meeting offers a great opportunity to network with other sole traders and small business people.
Pat O’Hara at the Charleville Show 2008
Referrals and Testimonials
Most small businesses rely to some degree on word-of-mouth advertising. Giving referrals is a more formal and pro-active version of this process. Sometimes it is not enough to simply do a good job, sometimes it is necessary to actively get people talking about that good job for you. Your BEN members can bring your message to their clients, their vendors, their friends and their families. It may take a while to generate the trust fellow members need to have in order to refer you. By actively taking part in meetings, regularly attending, working with fellow members, getting testimonials from them and giving referrals yourself your referral rate should climb within the group and sales should follow.
BEN Members at Tir na nOg
Education and Training
A good businessman never stops learning. The BEN network has an abundance of expertise within the group itself and many external contacts for exceptional presenters and teachers. We have in the past heard from a nationally renowned journalist, a sales trainer, a networking specialist and a tax adviser a few. We will continue to organise valuable presenters at our formal meetings.
BEN at Mullingar Trade Show organised by Enterprising Westmeath Network
Resources and Experience
The best person to get advice from is someone who’s been there before you. The BEN Network has many members who have been in business for a long time or who have experienced many different kinds of challenges. We encourage one-to-one meetings, on-site meetings, mentoring and buddy systems between meetings and can help to organise this if necessary.
BEN’s BDL Officer
Thomas Bibby works as an Enterprise Officer at Ballyhoura Development. He attends BEN meetings to support the group and individual members. Thomas can offer BEN members advice on getting grant funding for their business, training courses to gain new skills, and advice on how to expand a business and make it more profitable.
Socials
All work and play too!