In an audio programme available on my Facebook Page for anyone who joins the page, I talk about referral cards.

Here is an example of one of the referral cards I have used in the past. Do you use referral cards?

I have taken part of the card off the example as it's no longer the branding used in my organisation. The card was laid out with copy on both sides and had a horizontal fold.

Business owners in County Monaghan and its neighbouring counties, will be given a special opportunity to get connected through networking on December 1, 2010 at a special “Networking Nucleus” event in the Hillgrove Hotel, Monaghan.

This event is being organised by Monaghan Women in Business in association with the 7.30 Business Club.

The event which starts at 9.30am and is designed to incorporate face-to-face networking with two speed-networking sessions and I am delighted to be supporting the group with a short workshop on online networking best practice to boost your leads and sales.

The day finishes with an informal networking lunch.

 ”One of the basic rules of growing your business is to never stop networking, and doubly so during a recession” comments Ruth Daly, Co-coordinator of Monaghan Women in Business. “During these times when traditional marketing budgets are strained, great benefits can be gained from who you know, rather than what you know, so the emphasis for business owners it to keep expanding their network contacts.”

This event is not just for women in business – its open to everyone, so if you are in the County Monaghan area I hope you can join us and what is great news is that the cost for attending is just  €15.00 and can be paid on the day. Booking however is essential for this event. For more information on the event or to book a place please contact Ruth Daly on T:(048) 6773 8462, M: 0044 7811 349586.

P.S. I have an exclusive give away at the event so I do hope you can make it!

How many times are you asked for a short bio, a one page profile or even a CV in the course of your business?  Do you use the same information over and over without really thinking about the purpose and what it is you want to communicate? And what about your online profile? Does it accurately reflect you and your business?

In this workshop hosted by the Independent Consultants and Advisors Group of the IMCA Jackie Prendergast will talk about writing a compelling bio and more detailed profiles.  We will look at format, the use of language and power words, and how to tailor your profile for your audience.  Krishna De will then discuss some useful tips for taking your profile online to your website, LinkedIn and Twitter for effective results.

There will be an opportunity to work on your profile during the workshop so please feel free to bring it along with you.

Venue: The Council Room at Dublin Chamber of Commerce, Clare Street, Dublin 2 **                                 

Time: 6.00 – 8.00p.m

Workshop Facilitators: Jackie Prendergast and Krishna De

Investment: This event is free to ICAG /IMCA Members and Invited Guests

Closing Date: Booking closes at 5.00p.m. Friday 19th or earlier if all places booked

Bookings: Email Jackie Prendergast at jackie@consultingexcellence.ie to confirm your attendance.       

**Parking is available in the Setanta Centre (click here for map) and on-street at Nassau Street, Merrion Square, Molesworth Street and surrounding area.

Calling all young aspiring young 'marketing guru's'....

Junior Chambers Ireland is hosting a free evening event with speaker Colin Lewis on 2 September at 6pm at the Dublin Chamber of Commerce, 7 Clare Street, Dublin 2 - the event is called 'How to be a marketing GURU'.

It is free to attend but it's recommended that you book in advance.

Find details of the event online here.

Find Junior Chambers Ireland on Facebook where they have a Group and on Twitter.

P.S, Apparently you have to be in your 20's or 30's to qualify to join them - so over 40's need not apply!:)

Here is a great free networking event taking place on Friday September 10, 2010, 12:30-2pm at the Digital Court Building, The Digital Hub, Rainsford Street - The Digital Hub Leads Exchange Network is hosting a networking event to coincide with the launch of The Digital Hub’s new flagship building The Digital Court.

The event will be addressed by The Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources Eamon Ryan TD.

The event is free to attend but I would recommend registering as the numbers are limited.

Find out more about the event on LinkedIn.

Follow the Digital Hub on Twitter.

I was so sorry to hear of the recent death of Tricia Murphy a well known and loved trainer in the field of networking and a former President of Network Dublin.

I first met Tricia around 5 years ago and her warm smile and positive attitude lit up any room she was in. She also did a huge amount to encourage people to network in the 'real world' as part of their business development long before 'networking' became 'fashionable'.

Through her small business TIG Alliance she also hosted a very popular programme called the Simply Networking Salon - an eclectic evening where you didn't know who you might meet! And Tricia generously funded these herself.

And when asked what TIG stood for she simply answered "Well it's Tricia Is Great" - not in an arrogant way but with the confidence that seems to elude many small business owners.

Over the last 2 years  she suffered with cancer - but even then she turned her bad news into something to help others - she shaved her head of her beloved hair and raised over €12,000 for charity.

Her work inspired others, and I wonder how many new business contacts were initially made possible by her teaching or active facilitation.

She has certainly left her footprint on the world.

Did you have the opportunity to meet Tricia? What impact did her work or knowing her have on you?

Are you an aspiring entrepreneur in Ireland who would value assistance in launching your business in the next 90 days?

Then you will be interested in the new First Step initiative funded through the Labour Market Activation Fund as a great opportunity for people who wish to set up their own business to access finance, mentoring, coaching and ongoing support.

I was contacted yesterday by Joanne Hession of QEDtraining.ie who are one of the networks of providers of this programme for First Step. They are actively looking to recruit the 20 participants for their programme by Friday 9 July so that they can support businesses in launching ideally in September (currently they have 15 places open). 

20 potential start-ups will be able to access the support of specialist trainers, coaches, mentors and a panel of experts who will work with them to assess their strengths and weaknesses and provide them with practical, tailored and one-to-one assistance to get them up and started in business. 

The programme of coaching/mentoring/support will last approximately 15-20 weeks and during this time there will be an entire suite of workshops, networking events and coaching sessions, tailored to each individual participant.  Joanne tells me it will be intensive, utterly practical and very hands on.

Importantly, access to start up loans will be provided through First Step -  and there will be a rigorous selection process is in place as the programme has limited places.

For further information or to apply for participation on the network contact Joanne on 0872882688 (joanne@QEDtraining.ie) or Steve on 085 1175452 (steve@QEDtraining.ie)

Participant profile:  The ideal candidate must satisfy 3 criteria.  They must be unemployed for the past 3months (in receipt of unemployment benefit or unemployment assistance), and they must require funding support and have a business idea that they are driven and hungry enough to set up in 2010 (with a business plan started or completed). 

First Step: First-Step was set up in 1991 as a not for profit organisation by Norma Smurfit and a group of like minded individuals. The objective of First-Step is to provide microfinance loans (i.e. loans less than €25,000) to start up or expanding small and medium enterprises for job creation or protection.  Loans are targeted at people who have difficulty securing finance from traditional banking sources. To date First-Step has assisted 1,500 projects. It is estimated these projects have created in excess of 3,000 employment opportunities.

Date: Friday 18th June
Time: 11.00am  - 5.00pm
Venue: Clontarf Castle, Clontarf, Dublin 3
Speakers: Marian Finucane; Dr. Ivan Misner; Rob Brown, Brian Moore
Fee: Members - €25.00, Non-Members - €75.00

Here is one social networking event I won't be missing this year - frankly to hear one person and one person alone speak. and yes it is in person not online!

The event is being hosted by Network Dublin and the speaker I am particularly interested in hearing is Ivan Misner of BNI.

He  is the Founder and Chairman of BNI, the world's largest business networking and referral organisation which was founded in 1985 and started in Ireland 10 years ago. The organisation has over 70 chapters in Ireland and approximately 5,500 chapters worldwide and last year alone, BNI generated over 5.5 million referrals resulting in over €1.65 billion euros worth of business for its members.

It's in my diary - will you be there?

Are you looking for support in finding a new role? I have just been sent a copy of this new book by Eoghan McDermott of the Careers Clinic to review (I also contributed and my guidance is featured in the book - see chapter 3).
 
Chapters include tips for interviews, communication skills and networking.
 
After I've read it I'll post a review either on Biz Growth News or in my podcast.
 
If you want to check it out now the ISBN is 978-1-85607-982-2.