PLATO: Make Networking Your 2011 Business Resolution
People buy from people, and this is particularly true in the small business sector and most particularly in the services sector.
Being one of Ireland’s premier business development organisations in the SME sector, PLATO has worked with thousands of businesses all looking for the same thing, how to build a better business.
Some would be experiencing significant sales opportunities but have inadequate management structures or skills to successfully develop such opportunities.
Others may have a more pressing problem, i.e. how to generate more sales or reverse a falling sales trend.
In working with its members, the one common factor that continually presents itself to PLATO is that more business is generated through word of mouth and referrals than any other single method, and it costs nothing or very little.
This does not negate the need for strategic marketing, branding or advertising when and where appropriate, but when operating on a small budget, results from such activities alone tend to be minimal or at best sporadic for small business.
People buy from people. The key is networking. So what is it? Basically it revolves around making connections on a personal basis with as many other relevant business people as possible.
This does not necessarily have to be confined to your own particular business sector, but could initially be targeted at that sector.
Networking works and has always worked. Business people have been naturally networking for generations. Being a good networker is both an attitude of mind and a skill.
During 2011, this is one of the areas that PLATO will be increasingly focusing on with its members to develop this critical aspect of their business.
For more information about the new 12-month PLATO Small Business Development Programme, which starts in January 2011, please contact Marion Walshe on 086 8234309.
PLATO is supported by the four County and City Enterprise Boards in Dublin, including the Dublin City Enterprise Board.