Business networking news

Exclusive to BNI members in association with thesmallbusinessclub!
Ben Kench “The Can Can Man” is coming to Edinburgh for a one off seminar entitled

YOU DON’T NEED MONEY!
Inspirational ideas session packed with tips to rapidly grow your business without relying upon marketing budgets.

Where:- Ellersley House Hotel, Ellersley Road, Murrayfield, Edinburgh EH12 6HZ.

When:- Tuesday 27th May - 6pm - 9.30pm (Buffet and Refreshments served from 5pm with time to Network)

Who:- Anybody in Business who is serious about growing their business

Cost:- £65.00 incl VAT. (BNI members rate £50.00 incl VAT)

How:- email sales@eventsforbusiness.co.uk stating Ben Kench or telephone 01383 852931
or visit www.thesmallbusinessclub.co.uk for our online booking services
Spaces are limited so don’t delay booking your space at this unique event today.

All delegates will also receive a signed copy of:-

“What They Don’t Teach You At Business School - A Street Fighters Guide To Making Serious Money”.
Ben will be available both before and after for short one-2-one discussions with delegates.

Isaac Hughes, Moebius syndrome sufferer

However happy 11-month-old Isaac Hughes feels inside, it will never show on his face - because he cannot smile.

He has Moebius syndrome, a condition that affects only 200 people in Britain and means he cannot smile, blink or show any facial expression.

His parents, Ceri and Philip Hughes, of Mold, North Wales, spent months seeking a diagnosis for their son, who was unable to feed properly and appeared unresponsive.

“Every parent wants their child to be a happy, smiley person and when we were choosing names we settled on Isaac because it means ‘He will laugh’ in Hebrew,” said Mrs Hughes.

“How ironic that has turned out to be. Every day I hoped to see a smile from Isaac but, despite trying all the usual peek-a-boo games, there was not even a flicker of a smile. He had chuckled a few times and even laughed, although it sounded a bit strange, but no smile lit up his face.”

When Moebius syndrome was finally diagnosed, Mr Hughes, an accountant, and his wife, who is well-known in the Chester business community, discovered that there was no consultant specialising in it and no research programme.

They have now joined other families in the Moebius Research Trust to raise £250,000 to fund research that may identify the cause of the condition and pinpoint possible treatments.

Article courtesy of The Telegraph

Dragons’ Den continues to offer entrepreneurs from across the country the chance to make their business dreams come true. If you’re genuinely seeking investment for your business idea or invention, we’d like to hear from you.

In the most recent series, 15 entrepreneurs received offers of investment in the Den, and plenty more have gone on to find success even without the backing of the dragons.

Previously on Dragons’ Den, Imran Hakim pitched his iTeddy, a teddy bear with an integrated multi-media player, securing an investment of £140,000 from Theo Paphitis and Peter Jones. With the Dragons’ investment and expertise, the iTeddy became one of Argos’ top three selling toys of Christmas 2007 and Imran has recently signed a multi-million pound deal with the UK’s number 1 toy and game distributor.

Brixton based Levi Roots secured an investment of £50,000 for his secret recipe, Reggae Reggae Sauce. Just 3 ½ weeks after his appearance on the programme, his sauce launched in Sainsbury’s’ stores nationwide - and with the help of Peter Jones and Richard Farleigh he now claims to have sold more than a million bottles of his hot sauce.

And only a few months ago, Peter Moule received an investment of £150,000 from James Caan and Duncan Bannatyne for his ‘choc-box’, a simple plastic housing that protects cable connections. Within weeks, the Dragons helped ramp up production from one million to three million units per year, enabling him to secure him a five-year deal with a multi-national distributor which has the resources to export to 150 countries.

Of course, not everyone secures investment in the Den, but plenty go on to find success. After a really tough time in front of the dragons, Rob Law went on to rapidly grow his company – he’s now sold over 120,000 Trunkis. His ‘luggage for little people’ has won numerous awards and the product is available in over 30 countries worldwide.

The Dragons also chose not back Anne Hempstock’s Chocolate Orange Cream Liqueur, Cream Cutie. Nevertheless, it’s now available in 33 branches of Asda-Walmart in Scotland and she plans to launch a new drink in the range, ‘Fruitie Cutie’ over the next few months.
The rules are simple: entrepreneurs can ask for any amount of investment in return for equity in their business. However, they must get the amount they ask for or they will walk away with nothing. The Dragons are prepared to listen to a pitch for any kind of business but they must be convinced that it will make money.

As demonstrated by the investments in the last four series, ideas, businesses and products that meet some or all of the following criteria stand a good chance of securing the Dragons’ interest:

• The Unique Selling Point: a product that serves a need like nothing else.
• Scalability: something that can be up scaled to make real money.
• Route to Market: the clear way the product can be sold and marketed.
• Mutually Beneficial Arrangement: just what will the Dragons get out of it?
• Exit Strategy: a plan of how the entrepreneur/Dragon will exit and make money.

The BBC is currently searching for Britain’s best entrepreneurs and will be auditioning throughout the coming months. We want to hear from anyone who thinks they’ve got what it takes to enter the Dragons’ Den.

If you would like an application form please send an e-mail to dragonsden@bbc.co.uk, telephone 0871 200 3003 (Calls cost 10p per minute from a BT Landline, other operators and mobiles may be higher) or visit www.bbc.co.uk/dragonsden

Networking Scotland 2008

THE NETWORKING EVENT FOR 2008 WITH FOUR OF THE COUNTRY’S TOP BUSINESS GROUPS WORKING TOGETHER

Business Owners and Decision Makers know that networking is one of the most effective ways to effectively grow a business. Whether you are a sole trader or a multi-national, networking is an invaluable marketing tool. In fact many businesses have become highly successful by using networking as their prime marketing strategy. The most effective networkers belong to more than one group or association and make a commitment to network on a regular and continued basis. Around this business phenomenon, many different types of networking groups are now available and up until now, you would have to visit each group - a time consuming and costly business.

It is International Network Week starting 5th February 2008 and four of the country’s leading business groups have initiated a unique networking event where you can talk to the best clubs, groups and associations under one roof.

This unique event offers you

*

Time to talk to all the networking groups in your area to help you make informed choices for your business
*

Two speed networking sessions which won’t leave you with a headache and dry mouth but with up to 50 new contacts
*

Informal networking opportunities with around 150 business owners and decision makers in relaxed and convivial surroundings
*

Enjoy a buffet lunch and welcome tea, coffee and biscuits.

The cost for the event is only £20.00 incl VAT and must be booked and paid in advance to guarantee a place. Once booked there are no refunds. Payment must be made in full before the event.

When:- Thursday 7th February 2008 10.00am - 4.00pm

Where:- Boroughmuir Rugby Club, Meggetland, Colinton Road, Edinburgh, EH14 1AS with plenty of parking at the site

How: email to joan@eventsforbusiness.co.uk stating Networking Scotland 2008

tel - 01383 852931

If you wish to take part in the Speed Networking please state preferred time of morning starting

at 11.00 for 90 minutes

or afternoon starting at 2.00pm for 90 minutes. You do not have to take part in the Speed

Network sessions.

This is a NOT FOR PROFIT event and the organising partners have agreed that any profits will be donated to The Princes Scottish Youth Business Trust to encourage tomorrow’s young entrepreneurs.

If you run a business networking group and want to take part, please email janet@eventsforbusiness.co.uk for more information about availability

Moebius Reasearch Christmas cards are available for purchase online

To place your order online click here

2 new Assistant Directors join the team:
Steve Hudson and Sam Walker.

Steve and Sam are on board to develop BNI in and around the Glasgow area we wish them well and if anyone knows of business people in this are please contact Steve or Sam.

If anyone would like more information on becoming an assistant director please contact iain@bniscotland.co.uk

On Sunday 16th Sep 2007 Fairways BNI member Tony Laduss taking part in Pedal for Scotland - Glasgow to Edinburgh - on a push bike. Tony says “Yes – it really is me that is taking part, not my doppelganger fresh from the Tour de France and I really would appreciate your support for a great cause – Leukemia Research.
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This month’s story comes from Thomas Chalmers of Ideal Life International, BNI Enterprise. Thomas says… (more…)