Women In Business
Welcome to this months Ezine.

I hope you enjoy reading it and find it informative. I would like to receive your comments and feedback on any issues you may have including any articles or features you would like to see in future ezines.

Many Thanks!

Diary Dates for 2009
Join us at our final event before the summer break for an evening of networking, fun and golf!!!

VIRTUAL GOLF - REAL NETWORKING!
Thursday 4th June 2009 6.30 - 9pm
Citigolf, Cromac Avenue, Belfast

Join us for our summer networking event in Ireland's first virtual golf centre. Have a laugh, good food enjoy the networking

To register click here »
invest northern irelandWIB events are supported by:
Invest NI
WIB Survey
As we all know feedback and customer knowledge is crucial to any business, so our Annual Members Survey will be emailed to all members within the next few days. We are very interested in learning more about the type of business you operate and what type of support you value most from WIB. This information will help us to develop our on-going business strategy. Look out for this survey in you INBOX and please help us to help you by completing this survey. We value your support.
Newsletter – Promote your business
We are in the process of planning our next Newsletter so start thinking now about how you can use this opportunity to promote your business. I will be sending an email shortly asking you for your input. So please have your articles, photos, logos etc ready. We want to hear from you.
Member to Member Discount
In the current economic climate, everyone is looking for value for money. Let's keep the business within the network and offer each other discounts. We are re launching our Member to Member Discount Page to facilitate this activity. This is an innovative way for you to promote your business and offers real value to WIB members. Make this a benefit to your business and email your discounts to nicki@womeninbusinessni.com
Sponsorship Opportunity

Women in Business have a great sponsorship opportunity on the WIB Website. "Buttons" are available to help you promote your business and provide a direct link to your website.

The cost is only £500 for 12 months (less than £10 a week) or £300.00 for 6 months. This represents great value and is available exclusively to WIB members. The website has approximately 30,000 visitors per annum. Not only will sponsoring the Women in Business website increase your brand visibility but it will also direct focused and qualified web traffic to your site. This is a terrific cost-effective way to promote your business to other members - but act quickly, there are only 4 buttons left!
2 Minutes of Fame
Following the success of our "2 minutes of fame" at our recent events, we are offering members the opportunity to address the audience to promote their business, products or services. Anyone interested in this opportunity should contact Michael Lyons at Redhead on 0845 3264179 or email michael@redheadni.co.uk
WIB Member – Alison Armstrong goes "barking" mad!!!
Alison has taken diversification to a new level. Petchek is a new fully insured dog sitting and pert caring service, with an animal ambulance/pet taxi. Read and find out more »
WIB member - Andrea Kirkpatrick from Travel Counsellors
has an interesting article on how her business appears to be "bucking the trend" in this economic downturn. Take a look and read this interesting article.. and maybe you'll could book your holiday with her company this summer !! More »
WIB Member Deidre Brady from Tiny Life
In conjunction with the New Lyrics Operatic are presenting "Songs from the Shows" in The Market Place Theatre Armagh on 5th June. More »
WIB Member - Gillian Revill
She poses the question - Are you thinking of Fathers Day yet? "For keeps" is a creative jewellery design company specialising in bespoke jewellery and has some great ideas. More »
WIB Member - Arlene Creighton from Action for Children
WIB Member Arlene Creighton from Action for Children invites you to attend "Looking Good Feeling Great" An Inspirational and Empowering Evening with Northern Ireland's acclaimed Life Coach Jenny Grainger & leading Fashion Stylist Anne Rowney. Find out more »
Members Note:
Have you a really interesting story? Something to celebrate in your business, a news story that you may wish to share, a success story to lift our spirits during this "economic downturn" ..If so submit an article to appear in the next ezine. Send an email to me at nicki@womeninbusinessni.com

Food for thought at the Ormeau Baths Gallery
What a great success this event was. Speakers from various food companies gave us an insight into each of their businesses. Tracey Hamilton from Mash Direct gave us inspiring delivery of how they chose this innovative product of prepared vegetables. Not only that, the tasting of the mash, vegetables and sausages was delicious. Graeme Finnegan of Grounded Coffee was enthusiastic in his delivery, showing his passion for coffee and determination to be successful. Gareth Grey told us the story of his determination to succeed and deliver delicious tasty ice cream (Tickety Moo Ice Cream) from his farm in Fermanagh to the shelves our multi national supermarkets. Jane McSherry from Calamity Cupcakes also had a stand offering yet another great tasting. None of this good for the figure but enjoyable!

Networking Success with the NI Chamber of Commerce
Women in Business hosted a joint networking event with the NI Chamber of Commerce in the Baby Grand at the Opera House. This was a great triumph and members participated in a networking lunch, a series of speed networking sessions and a networking master class, designed to create new business opportunities and relationships across both business networks.
Read full article here »
Belfast City Council
As part of the response to the economic climate are organising a series of workshops aimed at tackling issues facing businesses. These are free and open to businesses in the Belfast City Council area. To register and find our more click here »
The nibusinessinfo.co.uk
Read interesting articles offering help with finding a grant or support scheme to help your business. How to compete in markets dominated by big brands and help with exploring ideas on the type of business you are thinking of starting. For more info click here »
Your business can qualify for financial support
During 2009 DETI has been compiling a matrix of the different types of financial support that have been made available to Northern Ireland SME’s in order to help them through difficulties arising from the economic downturn. More »

Download the Matrix here »
InterTradeIreland All-island Seedcorn business competition 2009
Are you an early stage/high growth company? Do you need new equity funding to help your business take-off? InterTradeIrelands all-island Seedcorn Business Competition has a new record prize fund of €360,000 and offers budding entrepreneurs the opportunity to read more »
The Princes Trust
The Princes Trust are hosting coffee mornings for business mentoring. More »
The Northern Ireland Economy will remain fairly flat until 2010.
An article written by Mike Smith from the University of Ulster and printed in the latest First Trust Bank Economic Outlook and Business Review (EO&BR) states that the economic forecast will remain fairly flat until 2010. More »
The Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce
The Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce is holding an in camera breakfast on the 10th June 2009 provides NICC members and guests the opportunity to network and engage with Arlene Foster, Minister for the Department of Enterprise, Trade & Industry. More »
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