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When the speeches had concluded, the speed networking event commenced. There were 4 tables and roughly 120 attendees, each of whom had 3 minutes to exchange information with others in the interests of forming new business relationships.  Each individual got the opportunity to speak to about 13 other business people, before time ran out.

Everyone I spoke with was very upbeat about the event, and most had gained valuable new contacts and potential sales leads. Joan Kelleher of the NCEB was widely praised for playing a key role in ensuring that the event went off without a hitch.

Pat has grouped together with other product and service providers who cater to Weddings as part of their business. They allow only one type of business, for example, one photographer, one videographer, one dressmaker, one baker, one car hire, etc. The group is called Elite Wedding Services.

They have benefitted from forming this group in the following ways:

• ­Natural Referrals - Due to their natural connection (weddings), their business referral rates are higher and of better quality.
• ­Power in Numbers – They have more leverage to negotiate with their service and product suppliers, requesting reductions in price as a group of individual customers.
• ­Advertising Under a Group Name – Online and in print, advertising under their group name ensures additional exposure at a vastly reduced cost as each business pays a portion of that cost.
• ­Raising the Bar – Being part of a group can raise the profile of each of those businesses (so long as the quality of the members is carefully vetted!).
• ­Industry Support – Members can support each other more effectively due to having similar industry knowledge and experience.

Synergetic Networking can work for any business – in some cases it make take some imaginative thinking to come up with the common connection.

Niamh Ni Chearbhaill

Current chair of BEN.ie
and Partner in Spiralli.ie

The North Cork Enterprise Board in association with the North Cork Business Alliance will hold a Business Information and Speed Networking Evening for local Business Owners, on:

Tuesday, 1st December 2009
In
Springfort Hall, Mallow
At 6.30 p.m.

Admission:    Free
****************

Guest Speaker:

Gareth Fitzgerald C.E.O.
Munster Rugby

Our Evening will include light Refreshments , Speed Networking, Socialising and… Recital by Duhallow Choral Group

If you would like to book a place please contact The North Cork Enterprise Board on 022 43235

All businesses and business network members are very welcome to attend.  Please spread the word.

Forget manual labour, office work has been named the top back breaking profession by an International Chiropractic Association.

Research conducted amongst practitioners overwhelmingly found that sedentary PC posture is likely to be causing more back problems than excessive lifting and carrying. The poll was conducted to coincide with World Spine Day, on Friday 16th October 2009.

Those most at risk from back pain are:

1) Office Worker – Long periods of time sitting in awkward positions, often slouched over computer keyboards, or maybe sitting at chairs not properly adjusted for their needs.
2) Nurse – Long shifts, often on their feet all day as well as lifting and carrying.
3) Driver – Hours a day spent at the wheel, sitting in a poor position, along with limited movement.
4) Labourer – Repeated strain from lifting heavy weights and often twisting in awkward positions.
5) Teacher & Nursery Staff – Continuously bending down to a child’s height and lifting children can cause back problems

56% of Chiropractors involved in the survey highlighted that those who work in an office were more vulnerable to becoming victims of back pain.

This survey has highlighted what practitioners have known for some time. Lack of exercise and sedentary lifestyle is taking its toll. It is assumed that those most at risk from back pain are the ones who have very physical jobs however, as this research has unveiled, whilst lifting and carrying are still common triggers for back pain, it is those with less physically demanding jobs and who are often seated for the majority of the day that could be most prone to back problems.

For many who work in an office environment, it is the day to day, mundane routines that are at the root of most back problems. Hunching over computer keyboards and cradling the phone between the ear and shoulder can all contribute to lower back and neck stiffness, not to mention the fact that many office workers sit for hours at a time with very little movement.

In fact, recent consumer research carried out by the BCA revealed that 59% of the working population sits down all day at work and nearly 50% of those who work refuse to leave their desks: even for lunch! It is not surprising that come the weekend, it is the office workers waiting in Chiropractors clinics.

World Spine Day is an international day aimed at raising awareness of the importance of making sure we all take care of our backs. Even though our lives are increasingly busy, we need to make time for our health.

World Spine day is part of the Bone and Joint Decade (BJD) Action Week. The Bone and Joint Decade is an international multi-disciplinary initiative to improve the health-related quality of life for people with musculoskeletal conditions and will be active between 2000 and 2010. Blackwater Chiropractic shares the BJD’s objectives to raise understanding, awareness and cooperation in tackling the problems of musculoskeletal conditions including back pain.

A third of the population is suffering from back pain at any one time, causing thousands of people distress and discomfort. The good news is that it is avoidable.

For more information please feel free to contact Ivan Danne at Blackwater Chiropractic on 022 57715 .