The more you network, the more you’ll grow!

By Donegal Woman • 3 years ago

Oct
2021

Women from around the county, around the country and around the world logged on for the Donegal Women in Business Network’s virtual Meet The Member event on Tuesday.

It was a night to learn about what being a member of the Network can do for new and existing members.

The event brought current and prospective members out in force. From Canada, Mayo, Dublin, and Donegal there was an air of positivity and overwhelming support for all the women who came along. Jo Daly the President of the Network spoke about how her earlier years gave her an understanding of the challenges that women in business can face and how the support she received has encouraged her to help others. Caitriona Sinnott, the Network facilitator spoke about what encouraged her to work with the Network and how her links with the Local Enterprise Office can help the members in accessing those supports.

We were delighted to be joined from Toronto by Christine Meehan, where she works for Google. Christine joined the Network as she hopes to relocate back to Donegal to set up her own business. She can see the benefits of building a strong network before she makes the move home and certainly this is an area that the DWIBN are keen to help with, supporting our Diaspora as they return to work in Donegal.

After the presentation, the group stepped into networking zoom rooms, with many new connections being made. Ann Conlon from All About Sales explained that being a member of the Network is like having a key that you can use to unlock the door. A network of 2 people isn’t very successful, but a network of 200 people can create access to new contacts, knowledge, and support from people experiencing the same successes and challenges. It encourages you to put yourself out there and meet new people, you’re effectively stepping outside your comfort zone and building invaluable social skills and self-confidence that you can take with you anywhere. The more you network, the more you’ll grow and learn how to make lasting connections and in turn, increase growth in your business.

Evelyn Mc Glynn, network PRO spoke about the exciting calendar of events that the Network have planned for the year ahead. There will be in-person networking opportunities with member led event and links to external organisations such as Donegal ETB, Inishowen Skillnet, and Údarás na Gaeltachta.

Business Focus Events have been planned in association with the Local Enterprise Office (LEO). LEO will present 4 seminars on key business areas that will help members grow their business. The seminars will be tailored toward small business with the aim of providing information relevant to the Network members. Members will also get a chance to meet with LEO Business Advisors and see how they can help you.

There are ambitious plans to run yet another sold out International Women’s Day event as part of Donegal Local Enterprise week. The promotions team have the difficult task of creating events and themes that fit in with the members needs and allowing them the opportunity to speak at the events that are organised.

Speaking at the event Evelyn Mc Glynn said “ 2022 will be a showcase year for the network and its members, after the last 18 months we are looking forward to in person events and welcoming members from Donegal and beyond to join us.”

The membership of the Donegal Women in Business Network is open to all. You do not need to own a business to become a member, many network members are employees or you just need to have an interest in business and be willing to take part.

To benefit from all that the Network has to offer, make sure you contact Caitriona Sinnott at caitriona@donegalwomeninbusiness.com or click to join. You can find out more about us on the following platform