More than £2.5 million in business was generated in 2013 by members of BforB (Business for Breakfast) in Staffordshire.

2013 was a major year of growth for the BforB referral marketing organisation and Staffordshire – where the national office is based – is the international organisation’s most successful county.

A year end survey of income for 2013 revealed members gained around £2,510,000 of business – compared to just over £1 million in the previous 12 months. 

BforB Staffordshire was launched with two groups in Stoke-on-Trent in April, 2010 and quickly grew to incorporate group in Stafford, Penkridge, Leek, Uttoxeter and Stone.

Expansion in 2013 has seen the establishment of a group at Vale Park, Burslem, second groups in Leek and Stone, a mid-morning meeting at the Staffordshire Technology Park, Stafford, a sector specific construction group at Newcastle-under-Lyme College, and groups in the Rugeley and Lichfield area.

A joint initiative with the Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce has recently led to the launch of a breakfast group at the Chamber office at Festival Park, Etruria. While a third ladies lunch group has been established in Alsager.

Marcos Clowes, Regional Director for BforB Staffordshire said: “I have been working with referral marketing groups for several years and it has proved to be both a powerful and cost effective way for members to generate business.

“Trust develops between members and they then go out and sell their fellow BforB members’ businesses to their wider network of contacts.”

Phil Oakley, Regional Director responsible for South Staffordshire and the Black Country, added: “Wealth generation is down to the hard work of our members. We give them a proven framework and then let them build on that. Members  say they feel like part of a team and regularly support each by giving recommendations and testimonials both in business meetings and on forums such as Twitter and Linkedin.” 

“Businesses recognise the benefits of meeting regularly and building up the trust to refer fellow group members on to their own pool of business contacts. 

Dawn McGovern, of Knypersley, Stoke-on-Trent, set up virtual PA business, New Dawn PA, with the help of BforB in 2010.

“I joined with no business cards or a website and didn’t even have a name for my business,” said Dawn. “BforB has been an incredibly effective way of helping me to grow my business and New Dawn PA just keeps going from strength to strength.” 

Stuart, of Milford, near Stafford, built up the BforB business in Staffordshire after buying the franchise for the county in 2009. 

He became UK Managing Director of BforB in 2012, running the organisation from offices in Stafford 

In addition to the UK, BforB has established groups in Ireland, the Czech Republic and Australia.

ENDS  

For further information contact Stuart Walton on 07706 161 851

Notes to Editors:

Business for Breakfast was developed by John Fisher in 2001 through a direct need to generate increased level of sustainable business referrals while he was working for a major international insurance company.

With John now concentrating on developing the business around the world, Stuart Walton took the reins as UK Managing Director in 2012.

BforB now has 100 groups and 20 regional directors.  Anyone interested in taking on a BforB franchise should contact Stuart Walton on 07706 161 851.

To find out more log on to: http://www.bforb.com/