WORD of mouth has proved a powerful sales tool for a group dedicated to generating more business for its members.

The Business Networking Forum was only formed in January last year, but already has 15 members, who have all directly benefited.

The group, which claims to be the first and only true networking organisation in Cumbria, meets every fortnight with the sole purpose of finding business.

Membership is restricted to one person from each profession or trade, but you need to be an early bird to catch the proverbial worm meetings start at 7.30am and take place over breakfast at the Garden House Hotel, Kendal.

"We decided to set it up to have a forum where businesses could meet to help one another by referring business to members," said Stuart Jones, of Kendal chartered accountants 3CA, who was one of those instrumental in forming the non-profit-making group.

"We network between one another. It's not necessarily one member giving work to another member. It's more often a member coming across somebody they know who wants a service represented on the forum and they refer that person to another member," he explained.

"We get referrals from sources that we wouldn't normally come across. Networking is really word of mouth marketing."

Membership costs £30 a month, including two breakfasts, and each member can give a brief talk about their business or book a slot for a longer presentation.

Colin Kendal, of investment firm Edward Jones in Kendal, said he had gained extra business as a result of membership.

"You meet and get to know people in a relaxed forum, not feeling

under any pressure or obligation," he added.

Steve Priestley of Cumbria Window Systems Ltd in Kendal, which manufactures and supplies UPVC windows, doors and conservatories, said every member had gained more than one referral.

The group is keen to attract more members, particularly from trades-people such as a plumber, motor mechanic, IT specialist and ironmonger/hardware supplier.

Members include: Stuart Jones, 3CA; Colin Kendal, Edward Jones; Alan Potter, Potter & Wightman; Martin Oates, Poole Townsend; Mark Deverill, Hargreaves Mawson; Steve Priestley, Cumbria Windows Systems; Ken Thomas, Global Visibility; Mark Mason, Cox & Allen; Howard Turner, Prontaprint; Matthew Bowness, Bridge End Joinery; Adrian Morris, AJM Decorating; Shaun Ellison, Sports-print; Peter Thornton, Quicksnaps; Mike Stonier, Cumbria Welding; and Andy Pattison, Pride.

The next breakfast-time forum meeting takes place on Wednesday, April 16, starting at 7.30am. For more details, contact Stuart Jones on 01539-721002.

April 10, 2003 10:00