Re: Plato Dublin
I have experience with BNI & would recommend it to SME's such as printers, web designers, solicitors, IT support companies & service providers.
The clear objective is to exchange business opportunities & referrals. Some owner/managers find the overt networking, american style fraternity thing & 7 a.m. meetings uncomfortable.
BNI is a for profit business but many members feel that they get good value for their buck so if you want to meet & sell your stuff to other SME's why not give it a try.
There are different chapters around Dublin & some are better than others. Also a lot will depend on the type of people you are seeking to influence so find out what trades/professions are in there already before deciding which chapter.
Plato is quite a different programme as it is heavily subsidised by Intertrade, Fas, CEB's & others. The primary objective is development of business skills within a group environment & I gather that networking opportunites are not a major part of the programme.
I would appreciate any feedback from current or former members on the programme & whether they would recommend it to somebody running a smallish IT company.