'Staged' Successes Celebrated

A Belfast entertainment business is looking to better its own 'performance'.

Having set up a stage for the U2 concerts in Dublin (singer Bono, pictured) recently and providing crew and production services to major concerts and corporate events across Ireland over the last 20 years, Stage Crew is now looking forward to even more success after taking part in a business development programme, run by Belfast City Council.

Stage Crew's owner Damian Cullinan participated in the council's Strategy in Business Initiative last year.

The programme helps small businesses in the city develop the practical skills to think strategically and plan for future growth.

Delivered by TIME Associates, on behalf of the council, the programme includes interactive strategy workshops and business mentoring from experienced business consultants.

Damian said: "Being on the road a lot with my work and in different towns and cities across Ireland and the UK, I sometimes don't have the time to sit down and look at important aspects of the business like planning ahead, marketing the business and more effective time management," he said.

"However I found the Strategy in Business Initiative to be very beneficial in that it provided me with a mentor who came in and gave my business a 'health check' – casting an independent and critical eye on all its workings.

"I was given advice on areas of the business that could be improved such as doing market research to analyse my customer base, taking a look at the work of competitors and creating further opportunities for my business," the businessman continued.

"I gained valuable tips on promoting my business by developing a mini-marketing strategy – updating and developing Stage Crew's website and producing flyers and other literature about the business to deliver to potential clients and events' organisers," he said, noting that he now realised that no matter how busy he is with work, by devoting five minutes every day to look at the administration, you can make your business even more of a success.

Councillor William Humphrey, Chairman of Development for Belfast City Council, said: "The Strategy in Business Initiative is an excellent business development programme for small businesses and social enterprises across Belfast.

"It offers local companies the chance to develop new strategic thinking and planning skills. By supporting this programme, we are encouraging local companies to plan for the future and take advantage of the opportunities the marketplace offers," he said.

(BMcC/KMcA)