Richard Brennan, Chief Exectuive of Birmingham Forward offers tips on building a strong business network

Why you should invest in your city... It's an often heard adage that community matters. What many fail to recognise is that this echoes just as strongly in the world of business.

Engaging with your local business community can pay dividends, much in the same way as a local neighbourhood watch keeps burglars at bay and brings a community together.

For SMEs, the rewards are perhaps more evident than usual -more referrals, faster growth rates and a larger network can all result from engaging with other businesses and building strong relationships.

There is, however, a bigger picture to being involved in the community - making your voice heard. Involvement in community groups, business forums or otherwise is a great way to voice the issues that most impact your business, whether its transport, city development or infrastructure. To this end, here are my five tips for small businesses in Birmingham looking to get involved in their local community

1. Join a local industry or business organisation to meet with like minded companies and individuals invested in the future of Birmingham. An organisation such as Birmingham Forward will connect you with professionals from many different sectors, whereas specialist networks such as Birmingham Law Society are sector specific.

2. Start talking to other Birmingham professionals. There's no better way to find out whether the issue that's affecting your business is affecting others, and collectively what you can do to change it.

3. Get behind a cause by offering the allegiance of your business. Finding solutions to the city's problems has to come from somewhere - using your area of expertise and donating your time to back an issue is a powerful way to instigate change.

4. Find a charity or movement and support it with your time and experience. Thrive is a great example of a movement in the city that champions corporate social responsibility.

5. Train your staff as the future decision makers in city. It's today's account executives and trainees that will become tomorrow's leaders - instil in them the need to drive Birmingham forward as a world class city.

About the author Richard Brennan is Chief Exectuive of Birmingham Forward. Richard Brennan has been the part-time CEO of Birmingham Forward for the last three years and in this role he plays a key ambassadorial role on behalf of the organisation. He interfaces regularly with local, regional and central government and maintains links with the key opposition parties, AWM - the regional development agency, Government Office for the West Midlands, The Learning & Skills Council, Job Centre Plus, UKTI and a wide range of other relevant parties. He sits on the West Midlands Council of Economic Advisors and the Regional Finance Forum. He is a non-executive director of Birmingham Professional DiverCity; Colmore Business District Ltd.; and a Trustee of the Barrow Cadbury Trust. Richard's recent career has been as a senior director with both UK and International board experience. He has held over 12 executive and 6 non-executive directorships as well as being Company Secretary for 5 different organisations. His most recent roles have focused on people development and strategic consulting. When not involved in Birmingham related matters Richard heads up a niche consulting business that works in the field of strategic business development.