A new local business development group has taken off.
Business Network International’s (BNI ) Luan - Athlone chapter was set up only a month ago with a core group of 28 local business members.
The business categories are wide and varied, ranging from accountants, cleaning companies, solicitors and kitchen manufacturers to tyre specialists, business phycologists and a signage companies.
The group’s president, Diarmuid O Leochain, said: “We have brought together a strong cross section of quality local business people around Athlone. The demand for referral based business growth is significant in the area, and we are delighted with the calibre of business people who have become part of the team. Already we can see a lot of business is being generated and we are determined to help and support the local community.”
BNI executive director, Tim Oates, said that the success was the result of members’ enthusiasm and proven approach to business generation.
"Clearly this shows that business people in the Athlone area are keen to work together and generate business for themselves and other members," he said. "Already there’s an impressive range of businesses on board and we’re looking forward to even greater success, both in terms of new members and the amount of business generated. Local business people looking to generate new opportunities are always welcome to come along and see how it works.
"The structured approach of BNI in generating referrals for new business has been demonstrated time and time again,’ he added. ‘We’re seeing a huge amount of interest with plenty of business referrals identified."
Already, almost 150 new business referrals have been shared between members of Athlone’s BNI chapter since it was set up only a month ago.
BNI is celebrating 20 years in Ireland in 2018 and was founded in 1985 by marketing guru, Dr Ivan Misner. It has grown into a hugely successful global business network. The organisation has more than 1,000 members in Ireland who benefit from a structured, positive and supportive environment for networking and referrals.
Chapter members work together to provide business referrals for members of the group, using the philosophy of ‘Givers Gain': by generating new business for you, you will generate new business for me. The model works on the proven basis of word of mouth referrals and a unique, structured approach to networking and business generation.
The BNI Luan – Athlone chapter meets weekly on Thursday mornings at 6.45am in the Shamrock Lodge Hotel.
For more information visit www.bni.ie or call Diarmuid O Leochain on (087 ) 7751152.
