Enterprise Week 2017
Cara Taylor, Business Growth Enabler, Ulster Bank( Principal Sponsors)
Ulster Bank’ s partnership with Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council ahead of Enterprise Week is a strong sign of what we all know underpins business success – collaboration, and a culture of sharing the best ideas. As an Ulster Bank Business Growth Enabler, I’ m proud to play my part in building those networks.
When we launched our Business Boost initiative in June, we did so on the basis that we knew that local companies didn’ t just need support with the daytoday activities of banking & finance – what really adds value for them is someone who can credibly signpost them to the right events, networking with people who can provide meaningful insight and showcasing best practice learning resources.
This is grounded in the research that we did to launch the programme with 200 directors or owners of local small businesses, the Ulster Bank Boost Index. It told us that just over one per cent of our small businesses say that they are growing rapidly. Only around seven per cent are selling outside the UK. These are businesses that don’ t necessarily have time to go and seek all that they need to break through to the next level – they’ re concentrating on operational concerns in a competitive trading environment.
As well as partnering with the Council as Principal Sponsor of Enterprise Week, we’ re also hosting a series of events Ulster Bank’ s Boost Bites roadshow – which will take place in Derry / Londonderry, Cookstown, Bangor, Enniskillen, Coleraine, Lisburn, Templepatrick and Newry.
The Boost Bites roadshows will cover exporting, leadership, digital growth and alongside Entrepreneurial Spark, will shine a light on standout examples of individuals and businesses who have demonstrated successful growth and entrepreneurship in local areas – showing that our small businesses can be the standout startups and scaleups of the UK.
Ulster Bank will also, of course, be taking part in a number of events during the council’ s Enterprise Week, including the‘ Ready, Set, Grow’ lunchtime event on Wednesday, November 15th at Craigavon Civic Centre and the key note event‘ Inspire, Innovate and Invest’ at Armagh’ s Market Place Theatre, on Thursday 16th November. We look forward to meeting you there or at any of our upcoming roadshow venues.
For more information or to register your interest in a Boost Bites event happening in your area, visit www. digital. ulsterbank. co. uk / business / boost. html
Jourdan Baird, Craigmore
O
Ulster Bank Business Growth Enablers Lisa McCaul and Cara Taylor
ne of the young entrepreneurs speaking at Enterprise Week is Jourdan Baird, a 22 year old Business Management Undergraduate at QUB who has made a dramatic contribution to her family business.
“ Established over 25 years ago in Craigavon, Craigmore traditionally sold PPE and Industrial Tools & Equipment throughout Ireland. I quickly saw an opportunity in online sales and they grew from £ 5,000 a month to over £ 100,000 a month in less than two years.
“ There are two main factors in CraigmoreOnline’ s success being willing to change and never diluting our successful
traditional business model.
“ Being willing to change to improve is something I learned personally when I left my Architecture course to pursue business. With very little experience my only option was to take more of a trial and error approach. Due to the fast moving pace and ever changing demand of online customers this style worked to my advantage.
“ Since the beginning of CraigmoreOnline I’ ve met with countless people to seek their advice. I’ ve learned that you can sit in 100s of seminars, business lectures and conferences, but unless actual change takes place, whether physical or psychological, you will not find opportunities to grow and improve.
“ I certainly haven’ t got everything right, but I always try to reflect and learn, and change direction at any stage.
“ Diluting a successful traditional business model is easy in ecommerce, quick wins exist and cutting corners is much easier. We’ ve always striven, though, to deliver exceptional customer service – be that online or from our original shop model.
“ CraigmoreOnline’ s success is also down to teamwork. Communication is key when running a growing business. Every day there are more challenges; from staff picking and packing the right order to providing high quality customer advice. We all learn from each other. By sharing experiences we improve our service and ensure that targets are met and exceeded.”
Jourdan is speaking at‘ An Entrepreneur’ s Journey’ at the FE McWilliam Gallery, Banbridge on Monday, 13th November( 6pm – 8pm).
To book your place for this event please visit abcenterpriseweektickets2017. eventbrite. co. uk
www. businessfirstonline. co. uk
35