http://www.dobusinessnetwork.com/blog/ The latest Blog feeds from www.dobusinessnetwork.com en-us Mon, 31 Aug 2026 16:51:32 +0100 Rocketspark http://www.dobusinessnetwork.com/blog/post/27008/paws-pavement-and-community-our-latest-dbn-wag-and-walk/ Summer is prime time for holidays, but that does not mean business networking stops entirely. Earlier this week, a dedicated group of Do Business Network (DBN) members shrugged off the holiday lull to get outdoors, stretch their legs, and enjoy some proper connection during our latest netwalk—or as we love to call it, a wag and walk, complete with a few four-legged friends coming along to join the fun.We gathered at the Land of Oak and Iron, based in Swalwell, Gateshead—a brilliant heritage ... Thu, 20 Aug 2026 10:39:41 +0100 http://www.dobusinessnetwork.com/blog/#post27008 http://www.dobusinessnetwork.com/blog/post/27007/driving-regional-growth-how-strategic-funding-transforms-local-businesses/ When regional businesses secure the right support, the ripple effects are felt across the entire local economy. A recent milestone from Renovo Tool Group highlights exactly how targeted investment can accelerate growth, boost productivity, and champion sustainability in manufacturing.Based in Stanley, Renovo Tool Group utilised a comprehensive funding package—including support from the Durham Business Growth programme delivered in partnership with UMi, Business Durham, and RTC North, alongside... Thu, 20 Aug 2026 10:18:31 +0100 http://www.dobusinessnetwork.com/blog/#post27007 http://www.dobusinessnetwork.com/blog/post/27006/septembers-guest-speaker-gillian-keogh-founder-of-gillian-keogh-coaching/ Our next Do Business Network meeting is coming up on Tuesday, 8th September at Beamish Hall Hotel, and we are very pleased to announce our guest speaker for the morning.Recent new member Gillian Keogh, founder of Gillian Keogh Coaching, will be taking the floor. With over 24 years of corporate leadership experience, Gillian works with SMEs and larger organisations to help business owners build sustainable commercial performance and navigate periods of change.Her session will be full of practical... Thu, 20 Aug 2026 09:46:48 +0100 http://www.dobusinessnetwork.com/blog/#post27006 http://www.dobusinessnetwork.com/blog/post/26572/moving-beyond-random-acts-of-marketing/ Many business owners find themselves caught in a cycle of constant activity—regularly posting on social media, attending networking events, and perhaps even investing in digital ads. Yet, despite the hours spent, these efforts often feel disjointed, failing to translate into a reliable stream of new clients.The issue rarely lies in the hard work being put in; rather, it is the lack of a cohesive, structured system behind it. Without a joined-up approach, valuable marketing activity can quietly... Tue, 18 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.dobusinessnetwork.com/blog/#post26572 http://www.dobusinessnetwork.com/blog/post/26725/join-us-at-beamish-hall-hotel-this-september/ September will be here before we know it. The end of the summer holidays is a fantastic time to refocus, shake off the holiday routine, and connect with fellow business owners as everyone gets back to business.Our September networking meeting is taking place on Tuesday 8th September at the beautiful Beamish Hall Hotel.Whether you are a regular face at our events or thinking about joining us for the very first time, you can expect a warm welcome, practical insights, and plenty of opportunities to... Tue, 18 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.dobusinessnetwork.com/blog/#post26725 http://www.dobusinessnetwork.com/blog/post/26745/october-networking-at-beamish-museum/ We are excited to announce that our networking meeting on Tuesday 20th October will see us returning to Beamish Museum. These meetings are always a highlight in the Do Business Network calendar, and this upcoming session promises to be particularly special as we gather at one of the museum's newest exhibits in the 1820s Landscape: The Drovers Tavern.To add a bit of historical context to our morning, a member of Beamish staff will be sharing insights about the story of droving and ... Mon, 17 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.dobusinessnetwork.com/blog/#post26745 http://www.dobusinessnetwork.com/blog/post/26955/member-spotlight-why-making-a-will-matters-protecting-your-familys-future/ Life gets busy, and it is all too easy to put off sorting out a Will. Many of us assume that our loved ones will automatically inherit everything if the worst happens, or we simply feel it is not relevant to us at this particular time.However, the reality—as highlighted by the team at Jan Cook Wills and Trusts—is that delaying your Will can create significant complications for the people you leave behind. If you do not leave a valid Will, you are considered to have died "intestate," and the ... Mon, 10 Aug 2026 15:33:51 +0100 http://www.dobusinessnetwork.com/blog/#post26955 http://www.dobusinessnetwork.com/blog/post/26887/celebrating-member-success-double-award-recognition-for-visual-punch/ At Do Business Network, we always take pride in celebrating the milestones and achievements of our members. Today, we want to extend our warmest congratulations to James Ibbitson, founder of Visual Punch, on securing two prestigious awards:Northern Video Company of the Year at the Prestige AwardsVideography Studio of the Year at the My Local Hero AwardsIndustry recognition is a wonderful achievement, but what makes this accomplishment particularly noteworthy is the philosophy behind the work. Be... Wed, 29 Jul 2026 10:05:08 +0100 http://www.dobusinessnetwork.com/blog/#post26887 http://www.dobusinessnetwork.com/blog/post/26843/umis-claire-hinde-shortlisted-for-national-industry-award/ We are delighted to share that Claire Hinde, Business Funding Executive at UMi, has been shortlisted for Unsung Hero of the Year at the 2026 NACFB Commercial Broker Awards.The award recognises the individuals working behind the scenes in commercial finance whose dedication, resilience and expertise make a real difference to both client outcomes and organisational success. Open to professionals in areas such as operations, compliance, client support and marketing, it celebrates those whose contri... Thu, 23 Jul 2026 17:33:55 +0100 http://www.dobusinessnetwork.com/blog/#post26843 http://www.dobusinessnetwork.com/blog/post/26839/member-success-story-double-award-win--new-launch-for-kaffeehaus-coffee-roasters/ We love seeing our members recognised for their hard work, craftsmanship, and dedication to quality.We are thrilled to share some fantastic news from Bernhard and Carina at Kaffeehaus Coffee Roasters, who have recently scooped up two prestigious industry awards!Celebrating Local ExcellenceBernhard and Carina’s commitment to roasting exceptional specialty coffee has earned them two brilliant accolades:Coffee Roaster Of The Year for County Durham – North England Prestige AwardsBest Independent... Thu, 23 Jul 2026 11:44:29 +0100 http://www.dobusinessnetwork.com/blog/#post26839