The first network meeting of 2012 will take place on February 7th at 6.30pm in The Bush Hotel, Carrick on Shannon.

The theme for the meeting is “Networking to Grow Your Business” with Pat Carroll from Touch Communications.

Pat Carroll

BIO

After more than 25 years working in the traditional sales and marketing world,Pat made the transition in early 2010 into the exciting new area of social media. He worked for over a year as Business Development Manager with Irish social network, ’RendezVous353’.  In this capacity, he established and grew the network of Irish people globally, over this period to over 10,000 members.
During this time, he orchestrated the PR and event management of the network’s official launches in the U.S. and U.K. (in New York & London, respectively).  Though international travel and working with Irish networks, ’on the ground’ was a part of this; most of the growth took place ‘virally’ –online.  He utilized the social media tools of Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter extensively, to achieve the goal of connecting with the vast global Irish Diaspora.(See Global Irish Networkspage)

Recent Article in the Irish Times

Touch Communications

Set up last February, this new company aims to provide a mix between social media, digital marketing and public-relations services in the Irish market. Founder Pat Carroll had previously worked with company RendezVous353, which built up a network of Irish persons globally. Carroll noticed a gap in the market in integrating social media into marketing strategies and Touch Communications was born.

Funding for the business has come from a mixture of government start-up funds and personal savings. “With the current economic climate a lot of people are about reinvention so it is a great time to reinvent yourself,” says Carroll. “It is very liberating to work for yourself after many years of working for other organisations. It is going very well, even though the company is only 10 months old.

“I’m doing a lot of work in London and New York and this year I hope to build on international connections and link up great Irish companies with international markets.”

2 members presented at the November Network Meeting.

Jakki Brannigan from Bagadeal.ie

Damian Brennan from Natural Health Company

The November Network Meeting will take place on Tuesday 1st at 6.30pm in The Ramada Hotel, Drumshanbo.

Meeting Agenda

6.30 – Welcome – Member Introduction

6.40 – 3 x Member Presentations – details to follow.

7.20 – Open forum discussion

7.30 – Close – Tea/Coffee/Sandwiches/Networking

PLEASE BRING BUSINESS CARDS.

21 members attended the October Business Network Meeting.

Kevin Peyton of Electric Mill gave an informative presentation on Apps to Grow Your Business.

There was also a discussion about the upcoming Leitrim Business Expo.

The next network meeting will take place on Tuesday November 1st at 6.30pm in The Ramada Hotel, Drumshanbo

The October Network Meeting will take place during Innovation, Creativity & Enterprise (ICE) Week on Tuesday October 4th at 6.30pm in The Ramada Hotel, Drumshanbo.

Keynote Presentation is Apps to Grow Your Business by Kevin Peyton of Electric Mill.

Everybody wants to grow their business – and now more than ever – services and apps are available online that can help you do this.

This session will give an overview of services that any business can make use of to streamline and improve core activities such as  communication, productivity, finance and marketing. Where possible examples will be given of how these services are being used by real businesses and practical implementation advice and tips will be shared and discussed.

About Kevin

Kevin Peyton is the owner of Electric Mill – a web development company based in Sligo. He has been working in the technology sector for twenty years with experience in the software, healthcare and SME sectors.

Electric Mill offer web development and online strategy services for business. This includes the use of open source platforms such as WordPress as well as advice and guidance on how technology can be used by  business and organisations.

Kevin is also one of the founders of the Open Coffee networking events in Sligo and an organiser of the North West Connects event in 2009.

27 people attended the September Network Meeting including 10 new members.

Anita Hanley delivered an interesting presentation on professional image.

The Business Expo was also discussed and will take place on October 20th in The Landmark Hotel, Carrick on Shannon. More details to follow shortly.

The September Network meeting will take place on Tuesday evening September 6th at 6.30pm in The Ramada Hotel, Drumshanbo.

Agenda:

1. Member Introductions

2. Keynote Presentation “The Four Minute Sell” with Image Coach Anita Hanley. Anita will deliver a 40 minute presentation covering ‘Make yourself More Marketable’ – ‘Create a Powerful Presence’ – ‘Build your own Personal Brand ‘

“Sloppy dress or clothing, with potentially offensive images or words, gets in the way of the message, and can have a potentially negative impact on your business. Your visual image comprises 93% of the message you convey to others. What you say is only a small percentage of what others perceive you to be.”

3. Update from Leitrim County Enterprise Board

4. Tea/Coffee/Sandwiches & Networking

Leitrim County Enterprise Board are hosting a Breakfast Workshop on Friday August 19th

Topic: Social Media for Business Owners – Have your questions answered.

Facilitator: Johnny Beirne

Date: Friday 19th August.

Time: 8am to 10am.

Location: The Landmark Hotel, Carrick on Shannon.

Cost: €10 payable on the morning. Light breakfast included.

Number of places available: 35 (these workshops have booked out in the past).

To book your place please click here. Your ticket will be emailed to you when you register.

Topics will include but not limited to:

1. Facebook

2. Twitter

3. LinkedIn

4. Blogging

5. YouTube and online video platforms

To make the most of this event you should consider your questions in advance.

19 members attended the July Business Network Meeting.

3 members deliver excellent presentations on their business, useful tips and got feedback and suggestions from other members.

3 Members that presented on Tuesday were Mike Afford – Mike Afford Media, Katherine Williams – MyKidsTime.ie and Brent Adsley – Leitrim Life Magazine

There will be no network meeting in August but there are some tickets left for CruiseCamp

The July Network Meeting will take place on Tuesday 5th at 6.30pm in The Ramada Hotel, Drumshanbo.

Meeting Agenda

6.30 – Welcome – Member Introduction

6.40 – 3 x Member Presentations

Katherine Williams – MyKidsTime.ie

Brent Adsley – Leitrim Life Magazine

Mike Afford – Mike Afford Media

7.20 – Open forum discussion

7.30 – Close – Tea/Coffee/Sandwiches/Networking

PLEASE BRING BUSINESS CARDS.

Thursday August 4th at 7pm. Tickets €20.

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

25 members attended the June Network Meeting.

Eamon McGrenaghan from websuccess365.com delivered a comprehensive on Google Ad Words and how they can be used to increase sales.

The next meeting will take place on Tuesday July 5th at 6.30pm in The Ramada Hotel, Drumshanbo.

More details to follow.

The June Network Meeting will take place on Tuesday June 7th at 6.30pm in The Ramada Hotel, Drumshanbo.

Meeting Agenda

6.30 – Welcome – Member Introduction

6.40 – Google Ads that get you business with Eamon McGrenaghan from websuccess365.com

7.20 – Open forum discussion

7.30 – Close – Tea/Coffee/Sandwiches/Networking

PLEASE BRING BUSINESS CARDS.

Leitrim County Development Board in association with Leitrim County Enterprise Board and the Leitrim Business Network are hosting a FREE Event open to anyone working for themselves on how to get the most from your customers, employees and yourself.
Keynote Speaker: Kevin Kelly

Internationally acclaimed speaker on leadership, sales, creativity and personal excellence.

Venue: The Bush Hotel

Date: Tuesday May 17th.

Time: 6pm.

This workshop is open to people who are working for themselves in County Leitrim, whether you are a member of Leitrim Business Network or not please feel free to attend this event and pass on this email to anyone whom you think may be interested in attending.

Please confirm your attendance by return email to nicola@leitrimenterprise.ie as we need to confirm numbers with the Hotel.

We look forward to seeing you there.

12 network members attended the May Network Meeting.

3 groups of 4 brainstormed ideas that might help improve each others business.

The next meeting will take place on June 7th at 6.30pm in The Ramada Hotel, Drumshanbo.

The May Network Meeting will take place on Tuesday May 3rd at 6.30pm in The Ramada Hotel, Drumshanbo.

Meeting Agenda

6.30 – Welcome – Member Introduction

6.40 – Idea Generation Groups

7.20 – Open forum discussion

7.30 – Close – Tea/Coffee/Sandwiches/Networking

PLEASE BRING BUSINESS CARDS.

22 Members attended the April Business Network Meeting.

Keynote Presentation – Stand Up and Fight For Your Business – Pearce Flannery, Pragmatica

Pearse gave a great ‘no nonsense’ presentation covering tips and techniques on how to improve your business.

Some key points were taken from Pearce’s Book – Grabbing the Oyster

Some points that stood out for me included:

• [BOOK] The Inner Game of Tennis by Timothy Gallway
• Begin with the end in mind
• Attitude is everything
• Surround yourself with positive people – avoid negative people
• Success leaves clues
• Go for a brisk walk (get a dog)
• Use positive words – try to avoid saying ‘not too bad’ when asked how you are.
• Measure – how else will you know how you are doing?
• Quality of thoughts leads to quality of life
• Write down your goals otherwise they are aspirational
• [Book] Eat that Frog by Brian Tracy
• Plans involve change
• Change your habits
• [BOOK] Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl
• Set your own bar

The next meeting will take place on Tuesday May 2nd at 6.30pm in The Ramada Hotel, Drumshanbo. More details to follow.

The Leitrim Business Network was established to exploit the power of business networking. To join for FREE visit www.leitrimbusinessnetwork.com/join

Connect on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/LeitrimBusiness and Twitter at http://twitter.com/LeitrimBizNet

Leitrim Business Network Meetings take place on the first Tuesday of every month at 6.30pm.

The Leitrim Business Network is supported by Leitrim County Enterprise Board – www.leitrimenterprise.ie

The April Network Meeting will take place on Wednesday 6th at 6.30pm in The Ramada Hotel, Drumshanbo.

Meeting Agenda

6.30 – Welcome – Member Introduction

6.40 – Keynote Presentation – Stand Up and Fight For Your Business – Pearce Flannery, Pragmatica – See below.

7.20 – Open forum discussion

7.30 – Close – Tea/Coffee/Sandwiches/Networking

PLEASE BRING BUSINESS CARDS.

Pearce Flannery

Pearce will explore how we need to readjust our mindsets in order to affect the national approach to doing business in order to overcome the international pressures facing all functions in business today. As drivers of our immediate environment each of us as an individual holds responsibility for changing the paradigm, economic or otherwise.

No business can thrive if the business driver is not in a position to devote the necessary energy, time and expertise to its development. Pearce will explore how each of us as individuals can increase our personal effectiveness through effective personal and time management. Pearce will aslo provide some interesting and provocative ideas on how to successfully develop a winning attitude and beat the current challenging environment. We hold the key to the door of economic recovery.

His presentation promises to be both insightful and topical and will no doubt be delivered in his trademark energetic motivational style.

In short the session is devoted to getting better and radically improved results from the same resources, namely oneself.

There will be a FREE 1 hour Masterclass before the March Network Meeting tomorrow evening (Tuesday).

Starting at 5.30pm in The Ramada Hotel (where the network meeting is being held at 6.30), it will cover the subject which gets the most votes in the poll below. You may also add a subject you would like to see addressed in the future.

26 Business people from around the county attended the first meeting of 2011.

The theme of the meeting was speed networking giving attendees a chance to introduce there business.

FREE to join, The Leitrim Business Network was established to exploit the power of business networking.

NEXT MEETING: Tuesday March 1st at 6.30pm in The Ramada Hotel, Drumshanbo.

The first meeting of 2011 will take place on Tuesday 1st of February at 6.30pm in The Ramada Hotel, Drumshanbo.

Agenda

6.30 – Welcome – Member Introduction

6.40 – Networking Workshop

7.20 – Open forum discussion

7.30 – Close – Tea/Coffee/Sandwiches/Networking

PLEASE BRING BUSINESS CARDS.

The December Network Meeting will take place in The Ramada Hotel, Drumshanbo on Friday December 10th at 6.30pm followed by Christmas Dinner at 7pm.

Cost per member for dinner is just €10.

Agenda

6.30pm – Member Introduction

6.40pm – Facilitated networking session

7pm – Dinner (further networking)

Please send an email to info@leitrimbusinessnetwork.com by close of business tomorrow Friday 18th if you wish to attend.

James Martin – TeamLife Training

16 business people attended the November Network Meeting.

James Martin – TeamLife Training, Colin Haynes – eBooks International and Brian Dolan – CleanSlate Coaching shared information about their business, good ideas and also challenges they are facing.

Colin Haynes – eBooks International

Brian Dolan – CleanSlate Coaching

**UPDATE**

3 Network Members presenting at Tuesday’s Meeting are:

James Martin – TeamLife Training

Colin Haynes – eBooks International

Brian Dolan – CleanSlate Coaching

FREE to join, The Leitrim Business Network was established to exploit the power of business networking.

NEXT MEETING: November 2nd at 6.30pm in The Ramada Hotel, Drumshanbo.

We are looking for 3 members to present at the next network meeting – no PowerPoint slides required.

It is an opportunity to introduce your business, practice your presentation skills and 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

We have had members present in the past (see March, April, May) and feedback was very positive from both the members presenting and attending.

If you would like to present, please let me know by this Friday October 22nd.

25 people attended the October Network Meeting. Elaine Negi Breslin delivered a very informative presentation on The Importance of Brand and the slides are available to view and download below. The next meeting will take place on November 2nd with details to follow shortly.

FREE to join, The Leitrim Business Network was established to exploit the power of business networking.

NEXT MEETING: October 5th at 6.30pm in The Ramada Hotel, Drumshanbo.

Agenda

6.30pm – Welcome – Member Introductions

6.35 – Keynote Presentation – The Importance of Brand by Elaine Negi Breslin (more details to follow)

7.25 – Update from Leitrim County Enterprise Board

7.30pm – Tea/Coffee – Networking

FREE to join, The Leitrim Business Network was established to exploit the power of business networking.

NEXT MEETING: October 5th at 6.30pm in The Ramada Hotel, Drumshanbo.

Agenda

6.30pm – Welcome – Member Introductions

6.35 – Keynote Presentation – The Importance of Brand by Elaine Negi Breslin

Elaine has spent more than 14 years in London and Sydney implementing brand strategies for some of the most respected and iconic brands in the world.

Most recently, Elaine worked for Coca-Cola where she spent more than five years supporting the local brand teams across Europe with strategic and tactical brand extension activations. Some of the projects Elaine was responsible for were the Coca-Cola t-shirt collection for Zara, the Signature Collection to support the ultimate drinking experience, the launch of the Coca-Cola MP3, and maximising the sponsorship of UEFA’s Euro 2004 event.

See more information below.

7.25 – Update from Leitrim County Enterprise Board

7.30pm – Tea/Coffee – Networking

Prior to Coca-Cola, Elaine worked for the Beanstalk Group, one of the leading global brand licensing agencies. In this remit, Elaine was responsible for implementing brand strategies for Andy Warhol, Crayola, James Bond, Jaguar, and many more.

Elaine also spent time in Sydney working for Proctor and Gamble on the print and point of sale element of brand management for Max Factor and CoverGirl cosmetic brands, and was part of the team that launched Lipfinity into the ANZ market.

Elaine started her career in marketing with Walt Disney Consumer Products in London. Throughout the five years she spent there, she worked on leveraging all character brands and film launches in multiple categories and channels.

Today, Elaine is a self-employed consultant offering a practical, tailored and hands-on marketing service to SME’s and start-up’s in Ireland.