Polly BNI

Members of the Irish Business Women's Forum may be aware that I was recently invited to attend a meeting of the newly formed Offaly Chapter of Business Network International (more commonly known as BNI).

Of course being both curious and cynical I went along to the meeting. I'd done a little bit of research, ie Googled BNI; but still wasn't quite sure of what it was I was going along to! The early morning wake-up call was a bit of a shock to the system. Offaly members of the Chapter get up early every Thursday morning for a meeting which commences at 06.45am...

The mere fact that I woke up before the alarm had sounded at 06.10am bode well; and by the time the members of the chapter had started their meeting, I was washed, brushed and dressed. With eyes bright and an open mind I approached the meeting in much the same way I'd gone to the famous Bridal & Debs Exhibition the other week. I had little to loose, apart from a couple of hours sleep that is; and oh so much to gain.

For starters I met a girl I'd been friendly with as a young teenager in the village of Geashill. My fondest memories comprise of the two of us dancing to John Travolta and Olivia Newtronn-Bomb in a spare room above her aunts public house. Of course our energy flagged and we abandoned the black vinyl disc in search of rest and probably a coke or two! The following day the sunlight buckled the disc out of all recognition, resulting in a somewhat bumpier ride for our two hero's...

I know that my friend, with whom I'd lost contact many years ago; had pursued similar career interests to myself and took comfort from her enthusiasm and her firm handshake. There were one or two other faces which I recognized; all of which made it easier for me to integrate myself into the group comprised predominantly of men.

I even had the courage to stand up and introduce myself and my business to the meeting; for sixty seconds I took the floor while my business cards and artists trading cards circulated around the room. Phew! Sixty seconds can be a long time; but there's nothing like nursing to help you through it...

By the end of the meeting, which included a typically Irish Breakfast my only concern was the joining fees. Admittedly they are not cheap; in fact they are anything but! They do however accept Visa/Mastercard and the monthly fee can be taken by standing order...

Compared with the cost of regular advertising BNI is cheap. At a cost of €164.00 a week, I wouldn't get much change out of €2,000 per year, would I? The only problem is that it is difficult to quantify how much an investment of that type would return in terms of new business.

My investment with yourlocal.ie has proven to be an expensive mistake - after one month I haven't had a single click through as a result of advertising through them. Regarding my three month agreement; I was guaranteed business which has so far not been forthcoming, so I'm not going to worry about the other two months of the trial. There's no point in throwing good money after bad...

So; with regard to BNI, where do I stand? I'm sold on the principal; but I am very concerned about the cost involved. Also, the annual fee is non-returnable! Can I really expect a middle aged concrete pre-cast manufacturer to promote my handmade wedding stationary to his customer's? Well, maybe I can - afterall; he does run a golf club too!!!!

I do have the opportunity to visit one other meeting before committing myself. I wonder though, if I will be able to get up so early next Thursday? No doubt you'll find out later in the week; whether or not I did!!!

Polly Pierce
Vinca Hand Made Greeting Cards & Wedding Stationary

Scrupulous Polly

Boys, oh boys! What a day I've had. For starter's I didn't go to bed until some ridiculous time after 4am this morning. Having been advised by a number of IBW's, I decided to create a brand new VINCA Cards Wedding Album at very short notice leaving me exhausted and sleep deprived this morning.

Thank goodness Ms T turned up with caffeine, wax flower and a bundle of energy to actually place the new range of cards properly on the album pages for me. How I'd have managed without her goodness only knows...

The inexpensive satin covered volume of off-white leaves and tissue interleaving really fit the bill and set everything off beautifully. In the cool light of day I was able to stand back and congratulate myself on the humongous achievement of last night. More importantly; almost all of todays visitor's and some of the exhibitor's did so too. Talk about good for the ego!

Do you remember my slightly neurotic post of earlier this week? The one where I thrashed out my anxieties about this weekends Midland Bridal & Debs Exhibition ? I am so pleased to be able to report that the event has huge potential and was extremely impressive. Ms Yvonne Delaney of Linzdel Bridal Fashions certainly knows how to wow the crowd.

Despite a somewhat pricey entrance fee of €15.00; parking was provided F.O.C. with a complimentary shuttle bus ferrying visitors to the castle every five minutes. Admittedly the Honeymoon & Wedding Show at the RDS is only €12, but when you chalk up the cost of all the stress and additional expense of travelling to the venue, finding parking and then paying for it I think visitors to The Midland Bridal & Debs Exhibition are quids in. Frankly; this was a stroke of genius on Yvonne's part and she is to be congratulated for it.

The exhibition itself was small but splendid. With two florists, two bridal & debs gown suppliers who put on a spectacular catwalk show, candle engraving artist, accessories and jewellery suppliers, make up and hair artists, wedding dj's, fabulous cake supplier's, men's formal outfitter's, ladies formal wear outfitter's, wedding venue organisers, chauffeur's, photographer's, videographer's and even a fortune reader; who could possibly want for more? Apparently, the fine folks of Tullamore!

I think it is just a case of unfortunate timing, ie the event in the RDS this weekend; and a similar affair at a local hotel last week. It was certainly a fine day outside and that always has a deleterious effect on these things; despite the fact that there was a food court and entertainment provided for the children. But why; I have been asked, for the children? Go figure!

Personally; I have acquired a number of contacts, ie potential clients and also provider's of wedding services, so I am relatively happy. Not only that I survived the day; without a hitch. Excepting the fact that one of my fellow exhibitor's rudely borrowed one of my props without so much as a by-your-leave!

To 'borrow' this item the perpetrators of this ill deed had to nip in behind my display, remove a huge cushion from one of the armchairs that I'd purloined for the two days; all of which was labelled with a note asking them not to do so! If you'll excuse the language; they've got a bloody cheek!

Anyway; I know who the perpetrators are, but they don't know that I know who they are! The last laugh however; is on them. I found a voucher in a tiny bag of handmade truffles at the time of my discovery. For one third of the normal cost of a sample wedding dinner, (ie only €29.00) it will mean a nice day out and lunch for two next Sunday. The venue? An exclusive location; which will for the sake of decency remain unnamed! At least one of us has scruples...

Did I mention the fact that I have no intention of getting married?

Heh, heh, heh!

Polly Pierce
Vinca Cards