Megan Manning, President, Network Ireland, Carlow and Rowena Dooley, President, County Carlow Chamber

As the legendary Greek philosopher Aristotle said, humans are social animals. We need social bonds in all aspects of our lives, particularly in the workplace. Having connections in work can have a range of benefits including increased engagement and improved well- being. Connections can foster collaboration and innovation, ultimately leading to success. And a culture of connection is essential for leaders and employees in a remote working environment.

“It’s very easy to become isolated when you work remotely,” says Megan Manning, who has recently been appointed president of Network Ireland Carlow, a voluntary organisation that supports the professional and personal development of women. Network Ireland Carlow is a new branch of Network Ireland, having launched in October 2022. “This is why having a network like ours locally has so many benefits, such as support from like-minded people and opportunities for collaboration, skills development, and knowledge sharing.

“Having that emotional support and connection can help maintain a positive mindset. While having an expanded professional network and access to mentors can enhance your career prospects.”

Connecting women in business

Megan has over 12 years’ experience in sales, merchandising and leadership roles across the retail industry. And being the founder of the Creative Spark Jewellery Programmes, as well as her own jewellery business, she is passionate about supporting female entrepreneurs who work remotely.

“As part of my role in Network Ireland, I organise events, talks and workshops once a month which aim to inspire and give practical help to women in business. We dedicate time to networking at each event. It’s a great opportunity to meet new people and see what connections can form.

“We also hold a more relaxed monthly coffee morning, where members can meet up during the day and catch up. Our events are held centrally in Carlow, so it’s accessible to people who live in the locality. We also have a WhatsApp group, where members can ask questions, advertise their businesses and get information on upcoming events.”

Rowena Dooley, who has a background in the motor industry for over 20 years and runs Dooley Motors in Carlow, has also been recently elected as a president – of County Carlow Chamber. “I have been part of the Chamber Board since 2018 and was elected as Chamber president in June this year. We place the concerns of our members to the forefront of our lobbying and meet with local representatives, local authorities, government bodies and representatives. We organise various networking events and promote Carlow as a great place to do business.”

For local businesses or individuals working remotely, Rowena says County Carlow Chamber organises “a range of networking opportunities to help people to connect with other professionals across a range of sectors”.

“We provide regular communications and updates to our members including regulatory updates and promotion of businesses and events, helping to create a stronger brand awareness. We also met with National Broadband Ireland and arranged a members briefing with them to discuss the rollout of National Broadband in Carlow. This ensured our members had an opportunity to raise matters of importance to them and to feel supported while remote working.”

Maintaining  professional  relationships

The majority of County Carlow Chamber members are based in County Carlow, with their employees working in Carlow or surrounding counties. Rowena says many of these businesses have employees who are working remotely on a full or part-time basis, and the majority of these are working remotely within the county.

“In the case where a business can support remote working, the benefits can be seen. Remote working can create an improved work- life balance for employees and their employers. This leads to increased productivity and cost savings. It provides access to a larger talent pool for employers in Carlow – allowing them to recruit from a broader geographical area.

“People working from home in Carlow who traditionally drove to the cities are now around Carlow during the day for lunch or in the evenings, and are spending their money on leisure time activities here locally.”

Rowena feels, however, it is vital for businesses and individuals to maintain professional connections while remote working. “The physical, in-person meeting is always encouraged. A hybrid approach could be seen as the ideal balance. But mentorship and support from other professionals is important when working remotely, as this can offer guidance and support to the remote worker.

“Working with others on projects can lead to innovative solutions and new opportunities. Connections can also help to build trust and credibility, and offer emotional support during challenging times.”

With the Covid-19 pandemic seeing a rise in remote working, County Carlow Chamber strived to support businesses in Carlow to continue to grow and make connections in a virtual world. 

“We hosted a series of webinars/coffee mornings and discussions online throughout Covid with various local speakers,” says Rowena. “Many of these events encouraged free conversation and everyone was given the opportunity to interact. The topics covered online and in-person varied widely, from finance through to well-being, and we constantly reached out to the network for ideas and also for people to lead sessions on a topic of importance to them.”

Championing County Carlow

County Carlow Chamber continues to host networking events to support and promote individuals and businesses around the county. Rowena says the organisation is dedicated to fostering a thriving county. “The Chamber is a catalyst in the promotion and progression of the town, county and region.

“We support the economic and social development of County Carlow and continue to support the enhancement of infrastructure across the county to support businesses in operating from all locations with strong, reliable, and consistent connectivity. The Chamber is the voice of business in the County, championing the concerns of business, celebrating success, and promoting Carlow.”

Megan Manning, Network Ireland Carlow, adds that there are a range of benefits to remote workers basing themselves in Carlow. “Carlow is a compact county with a lot to offer, by way of cost of living and housing costs, especially compared to big cities such as Dublin or Galway. The town has a vibrant community, with a variety of shops, restaurants, schools, and recreational facilities. It also boasts beautiful natural surroundings. We have a good broadband connection, which is essential for any remote worker!”

Megan says Network Ireland will continue to support and be the voice of female-led businesses and entrepreneurs in Carlow. “Our aim is to increase our reach to support more local women on their business journeys. We are gathering feedback, ideas and opinions on how we, as the committee, can best serve our members.”

“I am passionate about empowering women to overcome barriers and obstacles and reaching their full potential in every walk of life.”

■ Visitnetworkireland.ie/page/CarlowBranch and carlowchamber.com