Leitrim Business Network

• testing twitter with facebook #fb #

There are now 161 members in the LinkedIn Network Group.

I would like to welcome our latest members:

Colly Murray, Network & Sys Admin @ DIT | Owner @ RetroVino.com

Trevor Coen, Sr Analyst-Non Trading Support at Bank of America

Tommy Weir, Owner, Janey Pictures

Damien Gilheany, Sales at Bosch Security Systems

Jonathan Pipe, Computer Engineer at ‘the computer guy”

29 Companies attended the March Network Meeting yesterday evening.

Our new agenda item entitled ‘Member Presentations - learn from your peers’ featured:

1. Fiona McGuire - Fiona McGuire Photography

2. Kevin Callaghan - Kevin Callaghan Construction

3. Oonagh Monahan - Alpha Omega Consultants

Each business owner presented their business, 1 improvement they have introduced and 1 challenge they are facing where other members suggesting ideas and possible solutions.

Some great ideas were shared both by the members presenting and those in attendance.

It is planned that this be a regular feature and we encourage members to get in touch if they wish to present. It is an opportunity to promote your business and get ideas and suggestions around the challenges you face in your business.

We also encourage members to sign up and contribute to the Network Group on LinkedIn.

Further notes from the meeting are available in the podcast below.

**Next Meeting**
**Member Presentations – Learn from your peers**
**Business Network Podcast**
**Introduce yourself with LinkedIn**
**Introduce a business**
**Network Feedback**

**Next Meeting**

The March network meeting will take place on Tuesday next March 2nd at 6.30pm in The Ramada Hotel.

**Member Presentations – Learn from your peers**

As discussed at the last meeting, we would like 3 network members to make a 5 minute presentation about their business.

This is an opportunity to introduce your business to other members in addition to practicing your presentation and sales skills.

We would also like each business owner presenting to cover 1 improvement they have introduced to their business and 1 challenge they are facing where members could suggest solutions.

1 Minute - You and your business
1 Minute - An improvement you have introduced
1 Minute - A challenge you are facing
2 Minutes - Feedback/Suggestions from members

**Business Network Podcast**

I have started the network podcast again and I am looking for members to interview. Again, this is an opportunity to promote your business and practice your presentation/sales skills.

Podcasts will be uploaded to http://www.leitrimbusinessnetwork.com/ and http://www.facebook.com/LeitrimBusiness

**Introduce yourself with LinkedIn**

There are now 156 members in the network LinkedIn group

I have set up a discussion called “Introduce yourself” where you can do exactly that so please do.

**Introduce a business**

Do you know of another Leitrim based business that would benefit from joining the network, if so why not bring them along next Tuesday, it’s FREE?

**Network Feedback**

We continue to encourage you to send up feedback and suggestions about the network, topics for discussions and presenters you feel would be of interest to the group.

• New podcast at http://bit.ly/ct2Kny #
• RT @thedockarts: The Dock’s Spring Programme just about finalised…very exciting…its gonna be a good one folks #

Text Version

“Welcome to the Leitrim Business Network Podcast. It’s been a while since we’ve done a podcast so we’re back now using a new piece of software and we will have more frequent podcasts. Briefly, I am going to discuss the business network itself for those who maybe new to the network. It’s a network for businesses based in County Leitrim and we meet on the first Tuesday of every month at 6:00pm. It’s free to join the network and there is information available at Leitrimbusinessnetwork.com. So I am using today’s podcast to put a call out to Leitrim Business Owners if they would like to be interviewed.”

30 business people from across the county attended this months network meeting. Therese Hackett of Ciúnas gave an informative presentation on Presentation Skills.

Joe Lowe updated attendees about the new financials supports available from Leitrim County Enterprise Board.

Under ‘Sharing New Ideas’ the following 3 ideas were suggested:

1. Enclose an addressed envelope when issuing statements from your business making it easier for customers to send payment

2. Companies should consider applying for an Innovation Voucher from Enterprise Ireland and also introducing a voucher system for their own business as a way to get new customers e.g. free 2 hour consultancy

3. Focus on your own health as well as the health of your business.

The next meeting will take place on March 2nd - Details to follow.

• Poll: Would you subscribe to a FREE text message promotion service for Carrick on Shannon where you rec… http://poll.fm/f/1k0jx #

Leitrim Business Network Meetings in association with Leitrim County Enterprise Board take place on the first Tuesday of every month at 6pm. All Leitrim based businesses are welcome.

Next Meeting - Tuesday February 2nd at 6pm in The Landmark Hotel

Agenda:

6.00pm - Welcome - Member Introduction

6.05pm - Keynote Presentation - Presentation Workshop with Therese Hackett of Ciúnas

The objective of this workshop is to equip members to deliver a 15minute presentation on their business. Therese will discuss the mechanics of delivering a powerful presentation. It will cover:
• Rapport, i.e. Body Language, Tone, Language
• Identifying your intention for the presentation, i.e. what is your focus and how do you communicate that?
• Preparing Presentation content – what does your audience want to hear? How do you ensure you get your message across?
• Feedback techniques

6.35pm - Sharing new ideas - Open Discussion

6.55pm - Update from Nicola - Leitrim County Enterprise Board

7.00pm - Networking - Tea/Coffee/Sandwiches

Lough Allen Sailing Centre
Put yourself in the picture…

Lough Allen is the first of the big lakes on the river Shannon. It is a great, wild lake, 10km long by 4km wide and lies between the Sliabh an Iarainn mountains to the east and the Kilronan mountains to the west, 10 km north of Carrick on Shannon.

Why not visit our centre and enjoy our facilities.

Canoeing
Paddle the most scenic stretches of Lough Allen in kayaks or canadian canoes.

Sailing
Our aim is to provide you with a fantastic sailing experience in a professional, friendly, safe and fun
environment. We look forward to sailing with you.

Lough Allen Angling Club
Take advantage of our local knowledge, for your choice of the best spots. Fishing trips by arrangement for pike or trout. You can also rent a boat and enjoy Lough Allen at your own pace.
Study the mighty Shannon from source to sea at our centre, eco walks by arrangement.

Lough Allen Education Centre has achieved the EU Flower.

Accommodation
Caravan and camping facilities and a 42 bed hostel. Hill Walking on Sliabh an Iarainn by arrangement
We believe that everyone has a valuable role to play in helping to protect our environment for future generations. As environmental problems become increasingly more urgent, so must our commitment to finding solutions. We are working together with communities around Ireland to learn real environmental problem-solving skills.

Lough Allen Sailing Centre Contact Details:
www.allen.ie
Email: alleninfo@eircom.net
Tel: 071-9640588 Mobile: 087-6312708