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.

On October 20th next, Leitrim County Enterprise Board and the Leitrim Business Network will be hosting a Business Expo in The Landmark Hotel, Carrick on Shannon from 4pm to 7pm.

The purpose of the expo is to highlight and promote to consumers and business owners alike,  the extensive range and quality of businesses in Leitrim. Admission is free.

Business owners will have the opportunity to display and promote their products/services and perhaps offer some discounts on the day. Cost per business stand is €30.

FOR BUSINESS OWNERS

UPDATE – BOOKED OUT – All 38 stands are now booked. See full list here.

Business Network members will be given first refusal as it was within the network that the Expo idea first originated.

You must book by 5PM FRIDAY 23RD SEPTEMBER.

We are not taking ticket payment online and that is why FREE is beside the ticket on the website. The cost to exhibit is €30.

Please send a cheque made payable to Leitrim County Enterprise Board to Leitrim County Enterprise Board, Dublin Road Business Park, Carrick on Shannon.

Please mark payment “Leitrim Business Expo”.

You can also leave payment at the County Enterprise Board Reception. Again, Please mark payment “Leitrim Business Expo”.

YOU WILL BE EXPECTED TO ASSIST WITH MARKETING THIS EVENT BY ASKING CUSTOMERS, FRIENDS AND FAMILY TO ATTEND.

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