Businesses in Northern Ireland can manage change by focusing on the fundamentals of business, according to Gavin Kennedy, Director of Business Banking NI, Bank of Ireland UK.
In recent years, he said, local companies had become accustomed to dealing with change in an era of globalisation and rapid technological growth and were well equipped to cope with periods of uncertainty.
"The key for all businesses facing competitive pressures remains unchanged - providing leadership, innovation, entrepreneurship, investment and above all a focus on customer needs. Getting the fundamentals of business right is the best way for Northern Ireland to cope with change and take advantage of new opportunities and new markets.”
Mr Kennedy was speaking at the launch of Bank of Ireland UK's Enterprise Week, which will take place from 11th to 18th November, with the theme of ‘Connecting for Growth’.
"Enterprise Week is an initiative that demonstrates that as a leading business bank we can provide much more than finance to local companies who want to develop new products and explore different markets. With the experience that our business advisers have gained in helping companies in all sectors to grow, we are uniquely placed to offer a broad range of support," he said.
During Enterprise Week, Bank of Ireland UK will host a series of events providing opportunities for businesses to network, share experiences of managing change and learn of the range of support available from the bank to help them deal with the challenges of growing their businesses.
With its strong focus on supporting businesses on a growth path, Bank of Ireland UK is a passionate advocate of the expanding tech sector in Northern Ireland. Its support is evident in the services it provides to the multi-disciplinary consultancy, Blue Clarity Design Services, which through its team of technical expertise and its cost effective approach to service delivery, can carry an array of projects through from conception to completion.
Comprising a team of expert telecommunications, utilities and construction professionals, the business has trebled its turnover in the last seven years, opened offices in London and Dublin and secured a client portfolio that includes some of the world’s biggest brands in mobile communications.
Darren Fenton, Projects Director at Blue Clarity Design Services, says: “Bank of Ireland UK was keen to take us on as a new business customer. We knew our potential from the get-go but there was an air of uncertainty from other lenders given that we wanted to expand into new markets. We invested heavily in technology that has revolutionised our ability to deliver client updates in real time via live portals. This innovative approach to service delivery means that no matter where our clients are situated, whether that's in the UK, Ireland, the US or Canada, they can be kept fully informed on the specifics of their project.”
The support offered to the Newcastle-based firm included Bank of Ireland UK’s tailored range of financial services and products ranging from working capital solutions to help with cash flow and access to the expertise of its Global Markets team to help trade successfully in the global market place.
Darren added: “Our local business manager was approachable, she understood and supported our business objectives and placed huge trust in our management team to deliver on our targets - it’s the way you want a banking relationship to be.
“She provided access to local experts who provided Commercial Finance which was the game changer that has allowed us to grow at the rate we have. Traditional overdrafts are too restrictive and we simply could not have taken on the big value contracts without the facility. It has been instrumental in our expansion. The innovative and forward looking Enterprise Week is just the kind of approach we’ve come to know and trust at Bank of Ireland UK and we’re delighted to be part of it."
Enterprise Week will assist a wide range of businesses in various sectors across Northern Ireland. For the first time, the bank is offering 20 businesses the opportunity to trade at the award-winning Twilight Market in Belfast City Centre with an expected footfall of nearly 20,000.
The bank's popular Show Your Business initiative, which enables small businesses to have a high-street presence and to display their goods and services in Bank branches, will also return. Businesses on either side of the border will be able to use branches in either Northern Ireland or the Republic of Ireland as a shop window.
