Strategy for Success: Building your business the smart way in uncertain times

Carlow’s Local Enterprise Office launch business strategy mentoring programme for 2020 to support Brexit Challenges and SMART opportunities.

“It is extremely difficult to build a successful business today” says Kieran Comerford , Head of Enterprise with Carlow County Council’s – Local Enterprise Office”, “No matter the industry your business is in, there is increased competition and always the concern that a new and powerful competitor will enter your industry and dominate or the existing competition will hit their stride and leave you in the dust”. Launching the SME Strategy Mentor Programme for 2020 , Comerford said “we are delighted with the support of Enterprise Ireland to provide free SME Strategy Mentoring to County Carlow SME’s during 2020 to help build more successful enterprises in County Carlow”.

The SME Strategy Mentor Programme 2020 is designed to support County Carlow companies to identify key areas of business opportunity and also examine their potential exposure because of Brexit. The process will assist Owner / Managers in developing robust strategies to address issues and maximise potential opportunities by providing a free expert to their business to help the owner take the time to work on the business as opposed to in the business . The Programme matches up the knowledge, skills, insights and entrepreneurial capability of experienced business practitioners with small business owner/ managers who need practical and strategic one to one advice and guidance on planning for the impact of Brexit. The mentor contributes independent, informed observation and advice to aid decision making. This year , Carlow LEO has expanded their team of Strategy Mentors with Tony Mc Nally , Sharon Ginnity , Bobby Connolly and Padraig Briody who work as a team with the LEO Advisors to support the change agenda for County Carlow SME’s.

Speaking about the value of mentoring to the SME business community , Pauline Hoctor , Senior Enterprise Development Officer with the Local Enterprise Office said, “over 300 individuals availed of mentoring services during 2019 and we hope this new series of mentoring with increase the engagement of County Carlow SME’s in business development”. Hoctor continued to say , “in our experience , we see mentoring as a business health check” , “all businesses have blind spots to their owner managers and a mentor can provide a 360 view of the business opportunities and challenges and help map a route

To avail of the SME Strategy Mentor Programme 2020 e-mail enterprise@carlowcoco.ie or call 059-9129783

Ends for further information call Kieran Comerford on 086-8252037