Local businesses have branded the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) Isle of Man Branch and the Isle of Man Business Incubator’s (BIC) first marketing clinic a resounding success for local businesses. The clinics, which were the first to be held in the Island and were in celebration of Marketing Week, were attended by more than 30 businesses from a broad range of sectors including, manufacturing, software, local produce, healthcare, retail and professional services. The Institute, together with the Business Incubation Centre and Capital International, hosted the free event at the Incubation Centre in Douglas on Thursday 11th November, where 12 Isle of Man Chartered Marketers donated their time to provide dedicated 45 minute appointments. Endorsement and feedback was excellent with most participants saying the advice benefited their businesses, provided focus, helped them look at the most profitable activity and inspired them to achieve more. Comments included “Excellent – exceeded my expectations”, “Brilliant and necessary”, “Great – just what I needed to relight my enthusiasm and provided focus”, “Great event – highlighted additional options and channels” and “Helped me focus on the most profitable areas of my business”. The clinic offered a mix of graduates and clients of BIC, including the Small Business Start Up Scheme and local established and new businesses, a chance to polish their marketing strategy. CIM Isle of Man Chair Cathy Cowin said: “We are delighted at how successful this event has been. The feedback we have received is wonderful and we are pleased to have been able to facilitate this event and offer marketing expertise to a cross-section of local businesses. It was the perfect time to stage the clinics, during a week which celebrates marketing. We hope to host this event again as it provides a helping hand to professionals in what is an important and essential process.” Kate Lord, from the Business Incubation Centre, said “The outstanding success and interest in the marketing clinics shows the appetite of local businesses to access continued learning opportunities to improve business performance and be competitive. That we can hold this event using local expertise is evidence that investment by government in professional programmes, such as CIM and business start-up support works and has payback and value in the broader business community.” - ENDS -