The first in our series of Seminars for Success took place yesterday. We were really pleased with the turnout and would like to thank those of you who supported this event.
Paul McAnallen from Shift Control produced and presented this seminar and has been kind enough to provide us with a copy of his presentation to share with you.
We are currently working on our next seminar and hope to have some information on it for you soon!
Thursday, 16 February 2012
Wednesday, 15 February 2012
Why an Answer Phone Message is not the best first impression.
People no longer leave messages on answer phones if they are sourcing a new supplier, they just ring someone else.
This is something we are all guilty of. Whether we find a potential supplier through the internet or an old copy of yellow pages, if we telephone and get an answer phone, we hang up, instantly dismissing that company as not suitable.
No business can afford this to happen in the current economic climate, but if you work on your own, spend most of your working day on the road, in meetings or at client’s premises what is the alternative?
You can keep interrupting the person you are with to answer your mobile, you can apologise to the caller due to the fact that you are driving so cant take down their details to call them back, or you can arrange to have your calls answered by experienced, local staff in the Belfast Business Centre.
The Business Telephone Answering Service is £40 per month plus VAT. You receive a unique Belfast Telephone number to divert your calls to or to issue to customers. All calls are answered in your company name, the callers details are logged and emailed to you on completion of the call so you have a record to refer to, and enable you to call them back when you are in a position to devote the attention needed to win their business.
There are no call limits on the service and no message charges.
We have many clients who take advantage of this service to win new business and organise their working day.
Our clients include Photographers who can not take calls while at photo shoots, weddings or functions; Cleaning companies, who are working at client’s premises every day; Chiropractors and appointment led professionals who can not interrupt a treatment to take a call; and Estate Agents who attend viewings and valuations throughout the day.
Why not try the service which operates on a monthly basis* and see the benefits for yourself?
Clients can also take advantage of the many free services provided by the Belfast Business Centre to help market your business.
*Clients need give just one month’s notice at any time.
Elaine
This is something we are all guilty of. Whether we find a potential supplier through the internet or an old copy of yellow pages, if we telephone and get an answer phone, we hang up, instantly dismissing that company as not suitable.
No business can afford this to happen in the current economic climate, but if you work on your own, spend most of your working day on the road, in meetings or at client’s premises what is the alternative?
You can keep interrupting the person you are with to answer your mobile, you can apologise to the caller due to the fact that you are driving so cant take down their details to call them back, or you can arrange to have your calls answered by experienced, local staff in the Belfast Business Centre.
The Business Telephone Answering Service is £40 per month plus VAT. You receive a unique Belfast Telephone number to divert your calls to or to issue to customers. All calls are answered in your company name, the callers details are logged and emailed to you on completion of the call so you have a record to refer to, and enable you to call them back when you are in a position to devote the attention needed to win their business.
There are no call limits on the service and no message charges.
We have many clients who take advantage of this service to win new business and organise their working day.
Our clients include Photographers who can not take calls while at photo shoots, weddings or functions; Cleaning companies, who are working at client’s premises every day; Chiropractors and appointment led professionals who can not interrupt a treatment to take a call; and Estate Agents who attend viewings and valuations throughout the day.
Why not try the service which operates on a monthly basis* and see the benefits for yourself?
Clients can also take advantage of the many free services provided by the Belfast Business Centre to help market your business.
*Clients need give just one month’s notice at any time.
Elaine
Wednesday, 8 February 2012
Why is Location so Important to a Customer’s Perception?
The old saying ‘Location, Location, Location’ is still as applicable today as it was when it was first quoted, and makes Cathedral House in Belfast City Centre THE location for any business.
Personally, when sourcing a new supplier I look at their address to see if they are local or on the mainland and I would also consider if it is a commercial or residential address before deciding whether to contact them.
The local aspect would relate to the ease of obtaining the service I was interested in and the customer service backup I would deem necessary.
Being aware that the business was trading from a residential address may make me wonder if they are a serious business and if they have the capability to handle my business.
Since becoming Manager of the Belfast Business Centre, I understand how wrong this perception is, we have many clients working from home who run very successful businesses and provide a service second to none, but to remove this doubt, they use our Business Address Service for marketing and correspondence.
In the past, for small and start up businesses, having a Belfast City Centre address was something to dream of , now for £30 plus VAT per month it is not only affordable but realistic.
One such client, Savvy and Shine, providing Exclusive Italian Hair Colours to the Hairdressing Industry have found that since availing of the Business Mailing Address Service,Hairdressers from throughout Northern Ireland have been in contact, prior to taking our service, only Hairdressers local to their home town had enquired.
Many of our clients in the IT and Web Development Industry have also found their customer base has expanded throughout both Northern and Southern Ireland since using our City Centre address.
First impressions do count and they also help potential customers decide on whom to contact.
Elaine
Personally, when sourcing a new supplier I look at their address to see if they are local or on the mainland and I would also consider if it is a commercial or residential address before deciding whether to contact them.
The local aspect would relate to the ease of obtaining the service I was interested in and the customer service backup I would deem necessary.
Being aware that the business was trading from a residential address may make me wonder if they are a serious business and if they have the capability to handle my business.
Since becoming Manager of the Belfast Business Centre, I understand how wrong this perception is, we have many clients working from home who run very successful businesses and provide a service second to none, but to remove this doubt, they use our Business Address Service for marketing and correspondence.
In the past, for small and start up businesses, having a Belfast City Centre address was something to dream of , now for £30 plus VAT per month it is not only affordable but realistic.
One such client, Savvy and Shine, providing Exclusive Italian Hair Colours to the Hairdressing Industry have found that since availing of the Business Mailing Address Service,Hairdressers from throughout Northern Ireland have been in contact, prior to taking our service, only Hairdressers local to their home town had enquired.
Many of our clients in the IT and Web Development Industry have also found their customer base has expanded throughout both Northern and Southern Ireland since using our City Centre address.
First impressions do count and they also help potential customers decide on whom to contact.
Elaine
Tuesday, 24 January 2012
The Evolution of The Belfast Business Centre
When I walked into Cathedral House seven years ago it was an empty building full of possibilities and lots of hard work.
The refurbishment and furnishing was the easy part, the telephone system was a minefield but defining the product is something that has been ever changing due to advances in technology.
With no industry experience to fall back on, the business was established on a “yes” basis. A client asked if the Business Centre provided a service, our answer was “yes” and from that point onwards it was a service available to all our clients.
We have seen these services evolve most noticeably in the areas of IT. In comparison to 7 years ago, the use of the internet and emails is unrecognisable and continual upgrades and client requirements have brought the Belfast Business Centre to install a BT premium Net Fixed Line 10MB Broadband provision, fully segmented and protected.
The changing work practices of our clients have also seen new services introduced such as mail scanning and emailing, electronic archiving of clients closed files and projects and the electronic sending of client’s invoices to their customers with a full back up copy produced for accounting purposes.
A locally and independently owned, single business centre, the Management Team have been with the centre since day one. Establishing working relationships and friendships along the way, the team have been privileged to work with some internationally renowned companies.
Amey Ventures and Aegon –Scottish Equitable are two clients of the centre who moved in day one and are still clients today.
We have been part of some fabulous success stories, including our involvement with the Amey Ventures Team and their successful £100m contracts and with Bell Lawrie who went from zero to £150m Under Management in the weeks they were with us at their start up stage.
Supporting Daniel Loughlin, creator of Export Technologies, move from a one person office in stages to occupying a full suite of offices before outgrowing the centre, has given us a great sense of achievement and he is not alone in growing within the centre.
Louise Cahoon, owner of Access Recruitment started as a Virtual Office Service client, quickly moving into Office Space within the Centre and expanding as her requirement changed to larger and larger offices until her present move into a suite of offices which was specifically designed and furnished to meet her staffing requirements and working practices.
The constant in The Belfast Business Centre is the staff, they build the business, welcoming and understanding each new client and adapting the service provision to individual needs whilst creating a great working environment, in a centre maintained to my own personal high standard.
Empowerment, building loyalty and involvement in marketing and operations has enabled the Belfast Business Centre staff to continue to drive the business forward in a busy and professional location and has made us truly unique.
Elaine
The refurbishment and furnishing was the easy part, the telephone system was a minefield but defining the product is something that has been ever changing due to advances in technology.
With no industry experience to fall back on, the business was established on a “yes” basis. A client asked if the Business Centre provided a service, our answer was “yes” and from that point onwards it was a service available to all our clients.
We have seen these services evolve most noticeably in the areas of IT. In comparison to 7 years ago, the use of the internet and emails is unrecognisable and continual upgrades and client requirements have brought the Belfast Business Centre to install a BT premium Net Fixed Line 10MB Broadband provision, fully segmented and protected.
The changing work practices of our clients have also seen new services introduced such as mail scanning and emailing, electronic archiving of clients closed files and projects and the electronic sending of client’s invoices to their customers with a full back up copy produced for accounting purposes.
A locally and independently owned, single business centre, the Management Team have been with the centre since day one. Establishing working relationships and friendships along the way, the team have been privileged to work with some internationally renowned companies.
Amey Ventures and Aegon –Scottish Equitable are two clients of the centre who moved in day one and are still clients today.
We have been part of some fabulous success stories, including our involvement with the Amey Ventures Team and their successful £100m contracts and with Bell Lawrie who went from zero to £150m Under Management in the weeks they were with us at their start up stage.
Supporting Daniel Loughlin, creator of Export Technologies, move from a one person office in stages to occupying a full suite of offices before outgrowing the centre, has given us a great sense of achievement and he is not alone in growing within the centre.
Louise Cahoon, owner of Access Recruitment started as a Virtual Office Service client, quickly moving into Office Space within the Centre and expanding as her requirement changed to larger and larger offices until her present move into a suite of offices which was specifically designed and furnished to meet her staffing requirements and working practices.
The constant in The Belfast Business Centre is the staff, they build the business, welcoming and understanding each new client and adapting the service provision to individual needs whilst creating a great working environment, in a centre maintained to my own personal high standard.
Empowerment, building loyalty and involvement in marketing and operations has enabled the Belfast Business Centre staff to continue to drive the business forward in a busy and professional location and has made us truly unique.
Elaine
Friday, 20 January 2012
The Rationale behind the Belfast Business Centre’s Seminars for Success
Having met Paul McAnallen, Director of Shift Control during 2011 at a training event, I extended an invitation to visit the Belfast Business Centre and we have since established a strong working relationship which has benefited both our companies.
As a result of a recent meeting with Paul, February 2012 will see the launch of our series of Seminars for Success. Designed to benefit the Belfast Business Centre’s Clients these seminars will be presented by a variety of business owners from different sectors. These business owners are also clients of the centre who have successfully started and grown their own businesses and will discuss their experiences and provide tips and advice.
This innovative programme is just one area where the Belfast Business Centre is striving to provide added value of genuine benefit to the centre’s clients by building strong links between businesses and creating opportunities to grow.
Details of the first Seminar will be available shortly and Belfast Business Centre clients will receive their personal invitations!
Elaine
Elaine
Tuesday, 17 January 2012
Do you need an affordable and professional venue in Belfast City Centre?
The Belfast Business Centre has specialised in Training and Meeting Room Hire for over 7 years and provides a modern and well equipped venue for events.
Combined with our ‘beat your room hire quote’ discount offer, we would like to invite you to use our facilities.
For full details of our services or to arrange your meeting contact us.
Combined with our ‘beat your room hire quote’ discount offer, we would like to invite you to use our facilities.
For full details of our services or to arrange your meeting contact us.
Tel 02890 43 93 93
Friday, 9 December 2011
The Road to the Belfast Business Centre through the Power of Social Media!
Belfast Business Centre's latest client proves Social Media is 'Good for Business!'
We would like to welcome Stephen and Big Wet Fish to the Belfast Business Centre and thank him for the testimonial below!
Big Wet Fish was established as a hobby when I was Head of IT in Carrickfergus College and rapidly grew into a company hosting over ten thousand websites for local, national and international clients.
In late 2010 I knew the time was right to move into this full time as managing a team of contracted employees and teaching full time was becoming impossible. Initially I worked from home with a ‘Virtual Office’ in Belfast. A medium term goal of the company was to move some of our 24/7 remote contracted support ‘in house’ and this could only be achieved through having office space locally.
While having a conversation with a local Carrickfergus Councillor on Facebook to ascertain if he had any contacts in the local area for office space. Sarah Brownlee Deputy Manager of the Belfast Business Centre, a mutual Facebook friend of the Councillor sent me some details of the Business Centre
So I made an appointment to look at the available spaces in ‘Cathedral House’ and I signed to take an office. Been a week so far and I have absolutely no regrets. Through the power of Social Media and especially Facebook this came about...as a business we have embraced the power of Twitter with 1600 twitter followers and finding this office space through a Facebook Wall post shows the power of Social media.
We are a full service hosting company offering a range of hosting solutions tailored to every budget - visit www.bigwetfish.co.uk or call into Cathedral House and talk to Stephen any time:
• Shared hosting plans starting at £2.49 per month or £21.99 per year
• Business hosting plans starting at £9 per month or £75 per year
• Reseller hosting plans
• Virtual Private Servers
• Cloud Servers
• Dedicated Servers
• SSL Security Certificates
• Backup Accounts
We would like to welcome Stephen and Big Wet Fish to the Belfast Business Centre and thank him for the testimonial below!
Big Wet Fish was established as a hobby when I was Head of IT in Carrickfergus College and rapidly grew into a company hosting over ten thousand websites for local, national and international clients.
In late 2010 I knew the time was right to move into this full time as managing a team of contracted employees and teaching full time was becoming impossible. Initially I worked from home with a ‘Virtual Office’ in Belfast. A medium term goal of the company was to move some of our 24/7 remote contracted support ‘in house’ and this could only be achieved through having office space locally.
While having a conversation with a local Carrickfergus Councillor on Facebook to ascertain if he had any contacts in the local area for office space. Sarah Brownlee Deputy Manager of the Belfast Business Centre, a mutual Facebook friend of the Councillor sent me some details of the Business Centre
So I made an appointment to look at the available spaces in ‘Cathedral House’ and I signed to take an office. Been a week so far and I have absolutely no regrets. Through the power of Social Media and especially Facebook this came about...as a business we have embraced the power of Twitter with 1600 twitter followers and finding this office space through a Facebook Wall post shows the power of Social media.
We are a full service hosting company offering a range of hosting solutions tailored to every budget - visit www.bigwetfish.co.uk or call into Cathedral House and talk to Stephen any time:
• Shared hosting plans starting at £2.49 per month or £21.99 per year
• Business hosting plans starting at £9 per month or £75 per year
• Reseller hosting plans
• Virtual Private Servers
• Cloud Servers
• Dedicated Servers
• SSL Security Certificates
• Backup Accounts
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