Geri wants local network
‘The way of the world is meeting people through other people.’
That’s a quote from one Robert Kerrigan, and is probably the most user-friendly description of ‘networking’ in a sea of jargon around the idea, of which ‘developing an interconnected web of mutually beneficial relationships’ is just one example.
And it is that kind of user-friendly networking that Kilcullen businesswoman Geri Dineen wants to get going in Kildare and Carlow. One that isn’t high-falutin’ and high expense.
Geri runs a company formations business which she set up herself a couple of years ago, and she firmly believes that -- particularly in times like now -- the whole idea of networking with the people involved in other local enterprises is the best way to beat the dreaded ‘R’ word.
She is herself a natural networker, and through her own business has an ever-growing circle of acquaintances in enterprise in the county and further afield. She is also involved with other established networking groups, including national and regional ones. But she feels there’s opportunity out there to facilitate small business and traders meeting their more local counterparts, and in the process provide business opportunities for each other.
“For instance, I used to use an IT provider based in Dublin, for the special services that I needed,” she says. “But I recently found one based in Carlow that could give me exactly the same level of service.
“I think we need to do more to get local businesses using each other, and that way we can help each other get over the current economic difficulties.”
To get the idea kicked off, she sent an email a couple of weeks ago to a group of local businesses, outlining the notion, and was frankly astounded with the results.
“I got hundreds of replies. I hadn’t realised there was that level of interest out there. So I’m trying to organise a time and a venue where we can all get together and see how we can take it further.”
Geri has no problem with there being women-only networking groups, and is involved herself in a number of them. “But I feel that cuts in half the marketing opportunities for everyone involved, and there’s a need for something more general.”
Her aim is to set up a group around Kildare and Carlow, rather than just one in a single county, as this opens more opportunities while at the same time being a manageable size.
Conscious of the fact that many national networking groups can involve what she terms as ‘huge’ fees, the local group she wants to set up will be low-cost and simple.
“It’s a case of just having enough money to pay for the room where we would meet. At the moment I’m brainstorming with a number of local businesspeople about an agenda, and expect to be coming up with some definite date and location soon for the first get-together.”
It’s one of those ‘watch this space’ situations at the moment, but going by Geri’s infectious enthusiasm, the space won’t be vacant for very long.
Brian Byrne.
