Members of the St Colmans Business Network International Chapter, Claremorris, had cause to celebrate recently after they were recognised as being among the top BNI chapters in Ireland. The group of local business people were announced as the most improved BNI chapter in Ireland south and west, and were also awarded first place in Ireland west in a European wide competition which focused on “Doing the basics brilliantly”, a word of mouth marketing programme which ran throughout the summer months.
The St Colmans Chapter meet in the Business Centre, Dalton Street, each at 9.30am and consists of more than 20 local businesses and trades which help each other develop and promote their businesses.
All members of the St Colmans chapter act as a sales force for each other by passing new business and giving referrals. BNI is a professional business organisation established 27 years ago in the US and 14 years ago in Ireland. Today it is Ireland’s leading business referral organisation, with its members having generated more than €100m in the last three years, more than €4m of which was generated in County Mayo.
Speaking of the success of the chapter, Sandra Hart, executive director of BNI, Ireland south and west said: “It is no surprise that St Colmans is one of the top performing chapters in the country at present as the dedication of its members is clearly visible. I am delighted to present them with their awards and look forward to witnessing the continued success of this group into the future. We have many successful chapters throughout the south and west and we welcome all business people to come to a meeting as a guest. If you would like to grow your business you can visit www.bni.ie to find out how.”
Also speaking of his delight at being recognised as one of Ireland’s top networking groups, Brendan Halligan, chapter director and local businessman, said: “We are thrilled with being recognised as the most improved chapter in Ireland west and I credit each member in the group for their role in getting us to where we are today. Being a member of St Colmans makes you realise that there is no end to the yield word-of-mouth networking can offer when you decide to make it work for you and our chapter is proof of that. The reason we are successful is that we have high calibre members who are driven in growing their own business and the business of all members. I would encourage any local business people to come along to one of our meetings as a guest to witness first hand the difference being a member of BNI can make to your business.”
Those interested in visiting St Coleman’s BNI Chapter can contact Brendan on 086 640 7002.
