The GTB group — which is part of Business Networking International (BNI), the world's largest referral organisation — brings together more than 30 local businesses every Thursday for a breakfast meeting at the Hilton Hotel at Stansted Airport at 6.45am. Far more than just a talking shop, every member has grown their businesses by more than £30,000 since the start of 2012, despite the challenging economic conditions.
This year, the GTB members aim to break an annual record by generating £2 million worth of business through a combination of internal and external referrals. This will be achieved by growing GTB to 40 members over the next couple of months, and local business owners and managers are encouraged to visit on 13 September.
With only one business in any one sector able to join, becoming a member of BNI locks out the competition, and the GTB group is currently looking for florists and video production companies who want to grow their businesses and become part of the area's premier networking and referral organisation.
Jeremy Rose, GTB membership co-ordinator and owner of Creative Solutions, said: "I've been a member of GTB BNI for over 10 years, and regularly add £40,000 to my bottom line because of my participation within the group. I'm here to champion my business, pass on qualified referrals to business partners we like and trust, and build a secure base of suppliers we can depend on.
"GTB BNI has helped Creative Solutions develop into the corporate communications business we have today. BNI has taught me to ask the right questions to grow my business, helped me create the right corporate image and enabled me to work with big, or small, organisations with equal effectiveness."
Duncan Hart, owner of local PR company Cameron Communications, who is also a new member of Gateway-to-Business noted: "It's often said that when one door closes another one opens. With GTB BNI doors only open — and lots of them! It's a great way to become part of the local business community quickly and efficiently and creates the opportunity to extend your network to many new sectors.
“Without GTB BNI I would not have been able to meet the many dynamic business people on my doorstep who display such enthusiasm, creativity and entrepreneurship at every weekly meeting. And quite apart from the potential to grow my business, the BNI community is incredibly friendly and supportive — which is also extremely valuable and hard to find anywhere else.”
The Gateway-to-Business Visitors' Day will take place on 13 September, 6.45am at the Hilton London Stansted Airport, Round Coppice Road, Stansted, CM24 1SF.
To book a place please visit: http://www.gateway-to-business.co.uk/visitors_day_060510.php or for more information please contact Alan Brown, GTB Director, on 01279 437710 or email sales@brownandtiney.com
Over £2 million up for grabs for local businesses
6 September 2012
Gateway-to-Business (GTB) networking group, which has generated an impressive £1.4m worth of business for its members since the start of this year alone, is inviting more local companies to share in this success by coming along to its Visitors' Day on 13 September.