SMALLBUSINESSCAN.COM - FREE ONLINE ADVICE AND NETWORKING FORUM FOR BUSINESSES LAUNCHED

May 9th, 2009

Smallbusinesscan.com, a new interactive online resource was launched today to help the 250,000 SMEs across the island of Ireland beat the downturn. An independent website established by entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs, smallbusinesscan.com aims to help businesspeople grow their enterprises by sharing knowledge, experience and contact networks. The website is open to all businesses and subscription is completely free.

The entrepreneurs behind the website are Greg Byrne, author and lecturer on entrepreneurial marketing, Ron Immink, specialist in start-up strategy and consultant for the OECD and Fionan Murray, finance and technology journalist and ex-CEO of software applications business. The website was set up to respond to the challenges faced by small businesses and has been in development for over 18 months.

Commenting on the website, Greg Byrne said; "Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, they make up 97% of all companies on this island. To remain successful and respond well to challenges presented by the current environment, small businesses are telling us they need concrete, realistic and practical solutions for their day-to-day concerns. Already, visitors to the site are picking up valuable information on new markets, supplier contacts and cashflow management. They are saving time and money by sharing information. The site offers a range of experts across almost every discipline, and an added benefit is that it's completely free."

"Many entrepreneurs and small businesses are finding themselves in new territory, facing challenges they have never encountered. These businesses no longer need debate and analysis, but conventional answers and recovery plans - the website is a forum for businesses to come up with solutions based not on theory but experience. By accessing a well trodden path navigated by other businesses, users can avoid making the same mistakes as those that have gone before" he added.

Among the features on the website are advisory articles, podcasts and a networking room called Insights Xchange where members can share their views. At the heart of the site is a tool for businesses called RoadMap4Growth, which profiles the user's business according to three growth stages and offers advice on money, management, and marketing appropriate to the individual business.

Already over 1,400 businesspeople are visiting the site per day to make use of the tools and advice on offer. One early visitor commented; "this site is becoming my antidote to all the whingers, whiners, commentators and publicity stunt artists that have taken over our airwaves. Should be required reading for all the so called business advisors out there who have never run a business in their lives - The 'going to market' section is like eavesdropping on veterans - no consultant speak - just sound advice!

"The website is powered by Ulster Bank and commenting on this iniatiative Declan Fitzgerald head of business banking ulster Bank said " We recognize that the greatest source of leadership and guidance for business has to come from within the community itself and this initiative is designed to facilitate the acceleration of entreprenarial leaning and development in order to help businesses survive and grow today".

The initiative also has a growing number of resource partners including: Newsltalk 106-108 fm, Sunday Business Post, The Irish Management Institute , Small Firms Association and The Belfast Telegraph.

To visit the site log on to www.smallbusinesscan.com