Entrepreneurs bank on social groups as marketing tools

“I have managed to generate business flow from the network without having to incur a lot of upfront cost associated with advertising,” said David Gichuri, the sales and marketing manager of Seasons Hotel.

Beside business, Mr. Gichuri has managed to cultivate friendship with other members of the network.

According to Mr. Macharia, the networking goes beyond business as members get to know each other more closely hence strengthening their relationship.

However, the networking does not amount to exclusively giving out business to each other, but act as the first point of reference hence businesses can engage in competitive procurement.

“Our members only provide the first opportunity to each other, but it does not lock out other businesses from offering the same service hence allows competition,” said Mr. Macharia.

For Ms. Matiri, the forum has exited her creative mind leading her to exploit existing needs in the network.

Beside the fleet management business, Ms. Matiri has ventured into media and marketing consultancy and event management to cater for emerging needs of the network.

“Having worked in the media industry, I realised members of the network were facing the challenge of carrying out marketing services and organising events, hence decided to start offering these services.”

Mr. Macharia says small and medium-sized enterprise owners faces a number of challenges in managing their businesses hence the need to offer other value services such management and financial skills to enable manage their businesses effectively.