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Local companies advised to 'wake up and smell the coffee' at second 'Buck the Trend' breakfast

Pictured at the event are speakers (left to right): Mike Smyth, Head of the School of Economics, University of Ulster; Prof. Lester Manley, Managing Director, Manleys - the Branding House and David Gray, Senior Partner, FGS McClure Watters.

Northern Ireland business leaders were given a clear message to 'wake up and smell the coffee' at the 'Buck the Trend' breakfast seminar held today at the Malone House, Belfast. Advice on how companies should use their brand to help buck the current economic trend were served up to local businesses at the seminar hosted by Manleys - the Branding House in association with FGS McClure Watters. The oversubscribed event was the second in a series of successful branding seminars which Manleys plan to roll out through 2010.

Professor Lester Manley, Managing Director, Manleys, explained the importance of using your brand to 'Buck the Trend':

"Local companies need to wake up and smell the coffee, a company's brand is one of their most valuable assets. It is crucial, especially in the current economic climate, that local businesses realise how successful branding can impact positively on their bottom line and learn to capitalise on this in the upturn. We want businesses to understand that by nurturing and valuing their brand, they will get a return on their investment. Due to overwhelming demand, we plan to hold a series of Manleys Branding Breakfast Seminars in 2010 to help prepare companies for the upturn."

Mike Smyth, Head of the School of Economics, University of Ulster, spoke at the event providing insight on Northern Ireland's economic future, he said:

"The UK is now in recovery and Northern Ireland is three to four months behind the UK. NI is still in a better position than many other regions in the UK. There are signs that consumer confidence has steadied and the housing market has recovered so the platform is there for growth to return. But there are some difficult issues which we can't avoid in 2010 including NI's exposure to assets in NAMA; the water charges debate; public expenditure constraints and capital programmes put under threat."    

The event provided businesses with information and advice on how to use their brand to navigate the current difficult trading conditions with positive strategies in preparing for the upturn.

Other speakers included David Gray, Senior Partner, FGS McClure Watters, who delivered advice on 'Valuing Brands as Intangible Assets'.

He said: "The event was another great success and provided a platform for business professionals to reach out to companies in Northern Ireland with advice and suggestions on how valuing their brand could help them through these challenging times."

Other speakers at the event included Kate Lewis, Director, Fostering Network NI and Mark Noble, Managing Director Europe, Tech International who focused on how branding has strengthened their market position.