Business networking generates €2m in West Clare

JUST two years in existence, members of the West Clare-based Armada chapter of Business Networking International (BNI) have already passed the €2 million mark in new business generated through their early morning meetings.

The group, which holds a breakfast meeting in the Armada Hotel, Spanish Point each Wednesday morning, has succeeded in generating sales and new business for their fellow members by promoting each other through word-of-mouth marketing and referrals.
The achievement of Armada BNI chapter was recently acknowledged by the group’s Irish executive director, Sandra Hart who made a special presentation to current chapter director, Sharon Cahir to mark the €2m sales figure.
The Ennis-based solicitor, who is the current chairperson, is about to be succeeded by Kilrush businessman Gerard Kelly. Heading into its third year, the group is in good shape and very optimistic about business in the area.
Their success comes despite the current economic climate and the tough trading environment for small business.
In fact, Sharon claims the severity of the recession is in some ways a factor in the success of the networking group.
“At the height of the economic meltdown, local businesses saw the value of coming together, looking for business for each other, identifying opportunities and working as a team to stay positive and focused in difficult economic times,” she said.
“The positivity and camaraderie built up over the last two years has given the chapter members a new unity of purpose and sense of confidence. Business owners are the best people to know what new opportunities they are looking for and when working with a like-minded group you can be on the look-out for specific introductions and business they are seeking to develop,” Sharon Cahir added.
The advantages of a formal business networking group are also highlighted by incoming chapter director, Gerard Kelly who says referrals and endorsements have significant benefits for everyone but the formal training for networking and business opportunity recognition brings it to a higher level.
One of his first duties as chapter director is to welcome business owners to an open night on October 19 at the Armada Hotel to mark Mid-West Enterprise week and to showcase the benefits of BNI membership.
“There is a lot to be said for the networking and word-of-mouth marketing as a strategy; you reap what you sow. During my time with the Armada chapter, I have come to realise there is no end to the yield word-of-mouth networking can offer when you decide to make it work for you and working with a positive, forward-thinking group of people in these times is a rewarding experience,” he says.
Sandra Hart, executive director of BNI Ireland South and West, added, “This is a fantastic achievement by the Armada Chapter of BNI. They have proven that by working together and supporting each other, they can ward off the recession and continue to build their business. We have many successful chapters throughout Clare and the Mid-West Region and we welcome all business people to come to a meeting as a guest and see the power of networking in action,” Gerard Kelly added.