Thirty-seven local small businesses keen to find out how to beat the recession attended an evening seminar on “Effective Marketing” co-hosted by Business in the Community and DARD Rural Enterprise on Thursday 8 December at CIDO Innovation Centre in Portadown.
Sponsored by ESB Electric Ireland and delivered in partnership with CIDO, Craigavon Borough Council, Southern Regional College, Women in Business along with Lurgan and Portadown Chambers of Commerce and Industry, the event was designed to help combat the recession and boost small business growth with tips on how improve marketing impact and reach more customers.
Delegates were presented with a wealth of practical marketing tips by Charles and Melanie Fulton of Fulton AMC and advice on how to build brand and profile through social media and e-marketing capability by Daithi Conlon of Website NI.
Lynda Willis of Customer Sense Training and Consultancy presented a visual and informative guide to what makes a good local business news story and the benefits to small businesses of securing coverage in the local press. Speakers from Logon NI, CIDO Innovation Centre, Southern Regional College and DARD Rural Enterprise also gave delegates information about further advice, support and funding opportunities available to small businesses.
“The speakers were interesting, easy to listen to and very informative”, commented Brian Rafferty from Torrent Marble and Granite Limited, one of the small business participants at the event. “I was impressed with all the information and advice given during the seminar and we look forward to implementing some of the ideas within the business.”
“Effective marketing is pivotal in reaching more customers and generating more business,” explains Heather Major, Business in the Community. “This marketing seminar was one in a series being delivered across Northern Ireland as part of our Connections best practice initiatives to help businesses improve communication with existing and potential new customers, get to grips with e-marketing and increase sales.”
“We are delighted to play our part via the Connections programme, helping to nurture economic growth within the small business community,” explains Susan Kinane, Managing Director of ESB Electric Ireland. “The Northern Ireland economy has great potential and we believe that the business community must pull together to provide every competitive advantage for the SME sector.”