20 May 2015
Bank of Ireland UK Enterprise Week 15th – 22nd May
Bank of Ireland UK welcomed local businesses from across Omagh as part of its latest Enterprise Week initiative with guest speaker’s international social media expert Bill McCartney and Shauna McCarney Blair from Heavenly Tasty Organics.
Enterprise Week supports business growth through networking events, seminars, business clinics and Show Your Business opportunities in bank branches across Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland. This week’s programme of events is the eleventh Enterprise week to be run over the past six years.
Hilary Nelson, Commercial Manager at Bank of Ireland UK Omagh branch said:
“Bank of Ireland UK wants to see enterprise encouraged, supported and helped. Initiatives such as our Enterprise Week ensure that local businesses can get access to the type of support and advice that will help them flourish.
“The theme of this Enterprise Week is ‘Let’s Connect for Growth’ and we’re aiming to give businesses opportunities to connect with expertise they might not otherwise have access to. It’s been great to hear from local international social media expert Bill McCartney and Shauna Mc Carney Blair, who’s family run business, Heavenly Tasty Organics have been a customer of Bank of Ireland UK since 2009 and whose products are now being stocked by outlets including Ocado.”
Bill McCartney spoke to guests about the advantages of social media for businesses and in particular how it can increase sales and develop brand awareness. Speaking after the event Bill said:
“Many small businesses recognise the importance of using social media, however not everyone is sure about how to go about it. At the event this morning I shared a simple, effective strategy supported by key tactics which businesses may want to consider. I spoke on the importance of brands listening to what is being said about their business online and in particular how they can use the advanced search option on Twitter and LinkedIn to generate sales leads.”
Shauna McCarney Blair, founded Heavenly Tasty Organics in 2009 when she was struggling to find suitable baby food for her two young children who had food allergies. She recognised a gap in the market for fresh, natural baby food and as a result set up her now flourishing business Heavenly Tasty Organics. She said:
“We didn’t know anything about marketing before we began the business, so we have had to learn as we go what works for us. We have found that engaging in PR activity with bloggers and using Facebook advertising and competitions to promote the brand have worked well for us with consumers. I also use Twitter for Business to Business and keeping up to date with what competitors are doing. Today’s event was a great opportunity to share our story, learn from Bill, and hear about the experiences of other local businesses.”
Enterprise Week is a week-long series of events held by the Bank of Ireland UK to support the growth ambitions of small and medium sized businesses throughout Northern Ireland. Some 1000 small and medium sized businesses are taking part in over 40 events where they will receive practical support and guidance which could help their businesses grow.
For more information head to bankofireland.co.uk/business
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Catherine Agnew at Smarts Communicate
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E: Catherine.agnew@smartscommunicate.com
