AS MANY small business owners will agree, running a business often forces you to focus on the fires burning today and not think of tomorrow.

As a result, it is fundamental for sustainability that owner/managers of small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) create time to analyse the current performance of their business and identify potential growth areas for the future.

Through a new initiative called Think BIG, launched by Business in the Community in partnership with Strabane District Council, small businesses in the Strabane area will have the opportunity to explore their potential to seek new business at a breakfast seminar, hosted by Northbrook Technology in Orchard Road Industrial Estate on Tuesday, April 3, from 8am-10am.

The Think BIG programme is aimed at assisting small to medium sized enterprises (SMEs) based in Strabane district, the programme will link them with an in-house expert from larger, more established firms to address specific business issues.

The key note speaker, Mike Fountain from Business Coaching NI, previously received mentoring advice through the programme and knows only to well the issues that SMEs face as he runs his own business which operates all over Northern Ireland.

Mike received advice and direction from his mentor, Jaz Mooney, formerly of Botanic Inns, three years ago and transformed his business as a result. He commented, "I am delighted to be speaking at the event as I have enjoyed business growth as a result of analysing my business and setting goals and targets."

The 'Think BIG' programme will create a profile of 140 businesses in the district andprovide one-to-one mentoring focusing on specific individual needs to a minimum of 30 businesses. The purpose is to ascertain the individual support needs of companies in the district rather than providing a one fit fits all.

To reserve your place, or for information on participating, contact Leanne Doherty at (028) 7186 1550 or e-mail leanne.doherty@bitcni.org.uk at Business in the Community by Friday, March 30.