The first ever Clare Enterprise Week 2008 got underway in County Clare today.Events showcasing the wide range of supports to local enterprises will be held at various venues throughout the county.
The week will include special training and information sessions and workshops on innovation and leadership, creative industries, internet marketing, planning and environmental matters for business, energy management for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), opportunities for women, HR and Employment Law, succession planning for family business, technology transfer and schools' enterprise programmes among other events.
The Community & Enterprise Directorate of Clare County Council and the Clare County Development Board, in conjunction with Enterprise Ireland, Shannon Development, Clare County Enterprise Board, local chambers, Clare VEC and the enterprise support agencies in the county, are coordinating Clare Enterprise Week.
Mayor of Clare Madeleine Taylor-Quinn expressed hope that Clare Enterprise Week would become an annual event.
‘In the current economic climate, it is important to promote the advice and support available to assist in setting up and developing a business, either new or established. Every effort must be made to promote entrepreneurship and protect the future competitiveness of the local economy’, stated the Mayor.
She continued, ‘I am delighted to see that Clare Enterprise Week has been developed as a mechanism to promote entrepreneurship as an opportunity to all sectors, levels and people in Clare – from schoolchildren to the retired with a desire to do more; to showcase the supports available; to get entrepreneurs to speak honestly and openly about their experiences; to inspire and encourage potential entrepreneurs and to encourage investment in the county’.
The Mayor explained that the majority of the sessions featured during the inaugural Clare Enterprise Week included case studies and inputs from people in business.
CLARE ENTERPRISE WEEK 2008 PROGRAMME OF EVENTS:
Monday 6 October
Open evening – enterprise support in Clare
Come along and chat about your ideas and enterprise needs. Open exhibition of information stands, including Enterprise Ireland, County Enterprise Board, Ennis Chamber, Skillnets, FÁS, VEC, Bank of Ireland, NUIG Technology Transfer Office, Network Ireland, LIT Enterprise Acceleration Centre (LEAP) and Teagasc. New Road, Ennis. Information stands are in place from Monday 6th to Friday 10th October. Come and talk to us here on Monday 6th October from 5-7:30 p.m.
Monday 6 October
Students Enterprise Day
Over three hundred students representing ten second level schools in Clare will be briefed by four successful Clare-based entrepreneurs and will outline their career moves in setting up their own business. Clare County Enterprise Board will also launch the Student Enterprise Competition where students will run a real business and compete for valuable prizes. Auburn Lodge Hotel, Ennis. Time 10.30am –12.30pm
Tuesday 7 October
Champions of Innovation network evening – Innovation in SMEs – Enterprise Ireland
Most companies say they cannot afford to spend time and money on future planning and new product development – particularly in small and medium enterprises. Whether you’re an independent trainer, consultant or industry professional, this event will provide you with the opportunity to network and share common interests and issues. Anyone with a role or interest in innovation is encouraged to attend. Ennistymon Community Enterprise Centre. Time 6.45 - 9pm
Tuesday 7 October - Wednesday 8 October
Energy Management and Waste Minimisation for Business
The Limerick Clare Energy Agency, as well as Greenbusiness.ie consultants Enviros and also the Regional Waste Management Office will guide attendees through step by step procedures for reducing energy, waste and water costs in your business. There will also be an overview of environmental legislation for businesses. Practical case study examples will form part of the event. Feel free to bring along your energy bills for analysis. Tuesday 7 October, 2-5.30pm, McNamara’s Bar, Scariff. Wednesday 8 October, 9am-1pm, Clare County Council offices, New Road, Ennis
Wednesday October 8
Managing Innovation, Creativity and Change – Midwest Management Training
Need to take your business that bit further? Topics covered: Balancing Creativity and Change, Alliances and Networks, Marketing Drivers and Strategy, the Innovation process, Learning and Core Competencies. Templegate Hotel, Ennis. Time 9.30am-1pm
Wednesday October 8
Ready for Business – Ennis Chamber Session presented by chartered accountant and solicitor. Aimed at those who are starting a business and want to know what financial and legal steps to take. Topics covered: financial planning; taxation and record keeping; legal structure; protecting intellectual property rights business name, trademarks, etc.; partnerships, joint ventures and co-ownerships. Banner Room, Old Ground Hotel, Ennis. Time 6-9pm
Thursday October 9
Managing your business in a challenging environment – Bank of Ireland
This presentation is intended to help business look at their own internal practices and procedures to ascertain where improvements can be made which can lead to improving the overall cash flow and profitability of the company. It will also take in the current environment and the priorities business need to focus on to maintain/improve their efficiencies and profitability. Old Ground Hotel, Ennis. Time: 7.45-9am
Thursday October 9
Employment Law and Health & Safety Seminar – Ennis Chamber & Peninsula Business Services
It’s difficult for business owners to keep on top of new employment law and health and safety legislation. Yet failure to do so can lead to fines that can cripple the most financially robust business. This fast paced seminar is designed for owners/directors and full of useful information and advice to assist in understanding legal obligations. Everyone who attends will have a free consultation to renew their current Employment Law and Health and Safety practices. Old Ground Hotel, Ennis. Time 6-9pm
Thursday October 9
Succession Planning for Family Business – Dr Naomi Birdthistle, University of Limerick Centre for Entrepreneurship
Practical interactive session on preparing your family business for succession. Guidance on writing plans and preparing founders to hand over the reins of the business! Vandeleur Centre, Kilrush. Time: 3-4.30pm
Thursday October 9
Improving productivity and competitiveness through training - Skillnets
Training is more important than ever to ensure productivity in leaner times. Skillnets can help your business through assisted training and networking. Boardroom, Information Age Park, Gort Road, Ennis. Time: 6-7pm
Thursday October 9
Open evening – Shannon Development
Showcase of product offerings and property solutions available to clients from Shannon Development. Refreshments provided. Information Age Park, Gort Road, Ennis. Time: 5-7pm
Thursday October 9
Opportunities for agri enterprise – Teagasc
An exciting new era in farming and food production is forecast due to a doubling in the value of the sector to €40 billion by 2030. This session will explore opportunities for farm enterprise diversification in forestry, food, equine, organics, etc. Teagasc offices, Station Road, Ennis. Time: 5-7pm
Thursday October 9
Starting a business - Eiri Corca Baiscinn
Drop-in session for unemployed people who want to start their own business. Advice and support on mentoring, startup programmes and grant aid. If you can’t make this time, feel free to make an appointment for a time that suits you. Kilrush Family Resource Centre, Toler St., Kilrush. Time: 2.30-4.30pm
Tuesday 14 October
Farm Diversification: The Big Breakfast Evening - Eiri Corca Baiscinn
Aimed at farmers and smallholders who want to network with people already involved in bacon, egg and mushroom production and discuss how to get started and potential funding Brothers of Charity, Hector St. (near SuperValu), Kilrush. Time: 7-9pm
Planning advice for small business: Planning Department, Clare County Council
These short sessions will provide advice on some of the common planning concerns for small business as well as information on new exemptions. TBC
Creative Industries – developing the potential for Clare – Dr Brian Donnellan
Clare has potential to develop as a base for the creative sector. This session will feature those currently involved in creative businesses from photography to graphic design to digital media, from one-person businesses to larger concerns and examine the potential and obstacles for the sector as well as offer networking opportunities. Burren College of Art, Ballyvaughan. This event will take place later this season.
