Business Links

About This Project

BRIEF

The development and delivery of a networking organisation designed to provide an interface between private sector businesswomen and Business Link services to stimulate business development and entrepreneurship amongst women, particularly hard-to-reach groups who did not participate in mainstream business activity or seek mainstream business support.

STRATEGY

Based on an original business women’s network concept we first developed in Nottinghamshire, we went on to create similar award-winning projects in four different counties for Business Links across the East Midlands. Turn-key approach including ongoing management of CRM, full development and management of up to 20 events per annum, combined with a marketing communications programme to stimulate member communications and supported by a media relations campaign.  For each county-based network, an initial scoping phase of research and development was undertaken, creating a co-operative approach with other providers/stakeholders.  For example, in Leicester it was important to elicit support from a diverse range of ethnic groups.

OUTPUTS

Standing room only at each launch event, high numbers of committed and active members for each county, delivery of key messages and an effective conduit for these businesswomen into existing Business Link  services