Alan Bell's Blog

We all liked this reaction which I got during a telephone conversation recently. So what was it about...?

I picked up the phone to someone from a design company who my colleague Fergal had helped out with a technical problem (on behalf of a shared client). I figured it was a good opportunity to explain further how we work in partnership with design companies.

The reaction was to seeing the prominent 'Web Builders To The Design Industry' statement on our website. The timing was good - after a brief explanation, and drawing attention to a particularly successful joint project (www.rennicks.com) we did with another design company, we got talking about some specialist web requirements he had himself right there and then. 10 minutes later (more like 7 actually) I had an email with a well-thought-out outline spec to propose for.

..or did I?

This mushroom image is great, I'm sure you'll agree.

Myself and a client / networking colleague considered using it on her website, but ultimately it didn't really have a part to play (Annette of Jikijela - a company WELL worth a look at).

Then we considered it might have a place on our own recently updated website, so I went ahead with the download from iStock, the online stock image resource. That cost like a whole dollar. Just before going live, we decided to use a different image. So. I had a cool, paid for image, in danger of not being displayed online anywhere - I DON'T THINK SO.

Here's one of my favourite websites:
http://www.bni-citywest.com/

I've been a member of this group for over 3 years, acting as designer and editor of the website along the way. The function of the site is to support the activities of a highly effective Business Networking Group.

If you're not familiar with the whole idea of business notworking, or if your experiences have been with the many sub-standard versions of the idea, it's hard to explain just how important it can be to your business:

• There are times when all, and I mean ALL our business has come from the activities of this group
• It can transform you from a 'whatever' business person, into the real thing
• You get to build relationships with, and learn from top professionals in over-lapping businesses
• You get to build relationships with, and learn from top professionals in EVERY type of business

Focusing just on the communications industry for now (I'll get back to the others another time), here are some of the people and companies I've been lucky to have worked with as a result of joining BNI Citywest;

• Gerard Tannam, Islandbridge Brand Development >>>
  (Gerard approached me originally to put this website in motion, and has had invaluable input throughout).
• John Redmond, Photographer >>>
• Kevin McSherry, Illustrator >>>
• Denis, Adept Advertising >>>
• Hugh, Dcoy Graphic Design >>>
• Valerie and David, Acorn print >>>
• Dara Creative (a significant referral to Adnet throught BNI) >>>

BNI is a worldwide network. Among the other groups I have visited is the BNI Civic Center Chapter in San Francisco. It's one of my favourite business stories that as a result of my visit there, our company was contracted to build the website for this group as well (www.bniciviccenter.com), based on the success of the BNI Citywest website.

Further to recent internal company discussions, my colleagues and I agree it's time to start using blogs. For all sorts of reasons.