“Invisible threads are the strongest ties." Friedrich Nietzsche

“Invisible threads are the strongest ties." Friedrich Nietzsche

By Ian Jackson Business Network Member ~ Website Design

Go To Web

In this week’s 10 minute network presentation Ian Jackson of Web design company “GoToWeb” discussed the benefits of having an effective and working website for your business. He highlighted how this along with networking your business are a killer combination attracting new business opportunities and creating more income while in turn creating a better presence on the web.

Ian stressed how mobile devices are now driving our internet browsing habits. We can all relate to this, nowadays most business owners are closely attached to their iphone, tablet or mobile device, allowing them to be connected to potential opportunities and keeping up with business as well as networking and what’s going on in their area of expertise. Google analytics figures inform us that as much as 50% or more of the traffic to many websites is either via a smart phone o mobile device.

This round the clock connection to business and the internet means by extension we are becoming a lot more discerning in what we view and how long we view it for. Google highlight that if a site or link does not open in less than 5 seconds now people will turn off, return to the previous page and hit a further link. So it’s competitive to say the least.

Having a responsive site means you are in the competition, are professional and up to date and take into account customers feelings when they click the link to your site. This also means that potential customers will most likely view what you offer and consider you for business.

Ian went on to stress that mobile and PC devices can produce different views of the same content. He also underlined that figures suggest that the mobile visitor can spend half the time on a lot less pages that when viewing on a PC.

Having a call to action is vital on any website but even more so now with immediacy and making sure business contacts can find you means having your maps and locations up to date. Ian stressed that every business now needs a responsive website further highlighting that the life of a web designer is one that comes in contact with anyone from a carpet layer to a professional services company.

So if you need a professional website service savvy with today’s requirements call Ian on “Go to Web” today.

"What I hear, I forget. What I see, I remember. What I do, I understand." Confucius

What I hear, I forget.
What I see, I remember.
What I do, I understand.
- Confucius

Peter O’Connor Performance Partner

Team development training and Executive Coaching

In this week’s 10 minute networking talk at the Dublin Business Network, Peter O’Connor from Irish based training company Performance Partners informed the group on what he does for companies.

His experience which he has gained over a 30 year period lends itself effectively to challenge leaders who cannot lead, poorly thought-out strategies that don’t inspire staff, a lack of team work and bad communication. He also highlighted disengaged workforces, ill-fitting roles for individuals and sales people and others who aren’t performing and fail to reach targets and potential.

Peter stressed how the role of training and executive coaching is intended to deliver on the performance objectives of a company by supporting people to be the best they can be and by supporting leaders to get the best from their people.

It was underlined in the presentation that problems that arise out of this situation do so due to a lack of continued support once the training has been executed. Peter reiterated the importance of coaching and how it can solidify and support what has been looked at and learned in training bringing the performance to a more magnified and effective level. Research was mentioned that supported the benefits of coaching staff and workers in this area.

The network presentation was concluded by Peter highlighting that Performance Partners.ie have a range of change oriented training courses available including business skills building and coaching for leaders and people who own the business problems.

Check out www.performancepartners.ie for more.

Tell them what you do not how you do it!!

I was reading an article recently about networking mistakes and it struck me that we often fall in to traps that can hinder our networking potential.  This article will highlight a few mistakes that you yourself might be guilty of.

While we are busy telling potential customers what we provide I noticed that instead of focusing on the solution or the results networkers and those pitching for business start to inform listeners of the process and how they go about their business. Before you know people have switched off and you have lost them.

Most people or customers are consumed by their own situation; they don’t have capacity to listen to you and have only a certain level of interest in how you do your job rather than what you will provide them with.

The key to an effective pitch is to highlight to customers what they will end up with once they have hired you. Inevitably this equates to more money, more sustainability, more publicity, MORE!!

Are there changes you can make to your pitch that can impact here.

Frequently highlighted as a networking mistake is focusing on any networking rather than targeting those who will most benefit you. Seth Godin talks of tribes and these groups that are like small complementary subgroups that can evolve in your networking circles, can be golden for you.  In general if you are trades person you will most likely get a referral from a similar individual while if you are a trainer or recruiter your referral base will be similar or complementary positions within one of these tribes.

Likewise an interior designer can benefit from an architect while a plumber can too, so know which roles in your networking group will help most when drumming up potential business. Focus on those individuals by getting to know them a bit better and making sure they know you and what you can do for them.

Another area where some networkers fall down is they forget just how many people they actually know and come in contact with. Just the other night while I was celebrating a family occasion 3 different potential referrals for colleagues came my way. Previously I might have been closed down to these whereas  now I was asking questions like…. do you have someone to do that for you, I know a good guy can help you with that.


You don’t have to refer business contacts; everything is open to you and when you realise how many people that is, it will be no time before you are exchanging referrals. So don’t forget to listen and keep the big picture in mind.