Presentation on IBI, and Olwen Dawe's start-up story, delivered to Sligo Women in Business Network [SWIBN].

1. SWIBN April Meeting
Olwen Dawe
Owner, Irish Business Intelligence
President, Network Mayo
Delighted to speak to the SWIBN group!

2. What I’m going to talk about this evening…
•A little bit about me…
•Irish Business Intelligence – what’s it all
about?
•The Importance of Networking & Building
Relationships
•And Finally…a few tips

3. A little bit about me…
•I’m a hybrid… from Co. Galway, studied in Dublin and live in Co. Mayo [the
beautiful tidy town, Westport].
•My professional background… small business management and
operations, PR, marketing and HRM
•Industrial Relations degree [I learned all about building relationships
thanks to the unions!]
•Small business is what I love… though I’ve worked for MNCs and large
corporates, you can get lost in the machinery of a large company… I like to be able to
make a difference.
•No industry scares me [that I know of, anyway]…I’ve worked
in telecoms, manufacturing, FMCG, retail, design, finance.

4. A little bit about me…
•I knew I wanted to work with people in business… though it
took me a while to navigate my way into my current ‘space’.
•The Corporate World… is an acquired taste and I realised that it
wasn’t for me.
•However… the cut and thrust of big business contextualises all that is
possible for small business.
•I’ve followed a passion for development, ideas and
innovation… into what I do now. It has been scary at times, but great
nonetheless.
•I’m a devotee to the idea of ‘self-actualisation’… keep
searching until you find what fulfils you in your work [you’ll never work a day!]

5. … and what about my business?
•Irish Business Intelligence started in 2010
•Catering for start-ups, small and developing businesses.
•Offering hands-on, practical support and advice to entrepreneurs and
business-owners on getting their business to market and overcoming the day-
to-day glitches in developing the business.
•Working cohesively with enterprise and innovation organisations to
ensure new businesses are given the support they need to grow.
•Our aim is to give businesses the tools they need to confidently and
professionally enter the marketplace and generate sales [and revenue!]
•Services include: one-off development report, monthly coaching and
onsite consulting…

6. … and what about my business?
•What was the thinking behind Irish Business Intelligence? A
little frustration with the oft-ignored areas of small business; a need for
professionalism and standards; a belief that Irish small businesses are majorly
creative and often just need guidance.
•Personal motivations: I had been unofficially doing this type of work
for colleagues and friends for quite some time, and genuinely felt it was what
I wanted to do for a living.
•Good timing: Becoming self-employed was on the ‘radar’ for quite some
time, but I just didn’t know when…
•The Greater Good! A real need to contribute to local / regional
businesses.
•Proud of my country… we produce great entrepreneurs, artists,
scientists – we’re great thinkers! I wanted to contribute.

7. The importance of networking in small biz…
•I joined Network Mayo in 2007, having returned to the West… it’s been an
extraordinary support mechanism. I’ve learned so much!
•In 2009 I was nominated for the first Network Mayo Businesswomen of the
Year awards, winning the Employee category… I also made the national
Network Ireland shortlist.
•2011 President – our theme ‘Inspiring Innovation’.
•Why? Because innovation, and supporting it, is integral in the recovery and
development of our country…
•What’s been on the programme? Q1: Mary Davis [MD Special Olympics],
Avine McNally [SFA], Stuart McLaughlin [Business to Arts]… watch this space!
•Women’s networks are key in nurturing and enhancing female
entrepreneurship…It is up to us to ensure that we do everything we can to
support one another…

8. The importance of networking in small biz…
•Networking is KEY for small business… work just doesn’t come in the door
[in the same way as it might have in the past].
•Relationships are important: ‘pay it forward’ – remember doing good is
good for business…
•KEY! Business-people want to work with people they trust… value, quality
and professionalism are of the essence.
•The strength of weak ties! Remember that you may not benefit from a
direct contact, but their contacts…
•Follow-up is important: Don’t let those business cards gather dust!

9. … and finally!
•These days… it’s all about synergies! Whose business can your service
compliment or vice-versa?
•PAY IT FORWARD… good opportunities to help others are good for business
[however, don’t become a freebie junkie]
•Stay ahead… there’s plenty happening online and offline, keep up to date and
watch the trends… don’t become a dinosaur (remember what happened to them?)
•Know how to sell yourself? PR yourself? Watch at the angles being
taken on Nationwide / in the SBP.
•Go with the gut… sounds cheesy, but it’s true.
•Always be a little scared! The comfort zone isn’t a great place to be
PERMANENTLY.

10. … a few tips in the key of C…
•Cashflow… availability = flexibility…
•Credit… getting your hands on it if you need it to
manage your business’s development.
•Clients… looking after them, going the extra mile
when necessary but not letting them run your
business for you.
•Confidence… in your business / service / product…
and most importantly, yourself.

11. Thank you for your time… any questions?