Press Release for Immediate Release – 14th May 2020 – Supporting our Town Centres essential says Council Chief Executive
Carlow County Council have today (14th May 2020) announced details of a new programme to support SME’s in redesigning their business for physical distancing.
Carlow County Council is providing free training & advice to retail , hospitality and local services across the County. VAE consulting who are experts in Lean have been engaged by Carlow County Council’s Local Enterprise Office to help companies continue to trade with the restrictions and challenges around Covid-19. The programme provides 4 briefings and 4 one to one mentoring sessions.
Carlow County Council Chief Executive , Kathleen Holohan says “It is widely acknowledged the economic challenge ahead for all sectors in the commercial environment but we must have a particular focus on retail , hospitality and local services and supporting them in the reopening process over the coming months” , announcing details of the initial supports for this sector. “In launching this programme we are also opening a survey for town centre traders to inform us if they have a requirement to use public spaces in order to operate so we can co-ordinate the consideration of these requests”
Speaking about the experience to date with the Retail , Hospitality & Local Services sector and supporting them as part of Covid-19 response , Kieran Comerford , Head of Enterprise with Carlow County Carlow said “the Local Enterprise Office can provide significant support at present with Trading Online supports , Micro Finance and a variety of tools available to us and we can provide mentoring support to also help with the application process” , Comerford continued to say “we would encourage people to engage with us and find out more about how we can help your business journey to restarting”. Ends
For further information contact Kieran Comerford on 086-8252037 or e-mail kcomerford@carlowcoco.ie
Use of Public Space Link Survey Link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CarlowCountyCouncil
Editors Notes
Redesigning Your Business for Physical Distancing – Redesigning Your Business Solution using Lean with Jigsaw VAE
The purpose of this programme is to assist companies in order to operate using Lean Workplace Organisation practices in order to achieve implement physical distancing.
This short, small group size program, will provide a safe space for small businesses to share their operational challenges, receive group support, benefit from the groups shared experience, and be trained & mentored by an expert facilitator. The group will learn how lean and other business improvement techniques can be used to navigate and exit the COVID-19 Crisis through a clear understanding of the current business situation (Define), the impact it is having (Measure /Analyse), what actions can be taken (Improve), & managing the situation (Control) .
The program will explore how Lean Workplace Organisation can be used to redesign processes to implement Social Distancing and maintain productivity. The program will also cover innovation techniques to find opportunities for the business. The mentor will facilitate the group and be a conduit to the Local Enterprise Office with additional business requirements.
4 X 2 Hour Group Sessions
Thursday 21-May 08:30 – 11:00am
Friday 22-May 08:30 – 11:00am
Monday 25-May 08:30 – 11:00am
Tuesday 26-May 08:30 – 11:00am
The program will be delivered over 4 x 2-hour group sessions, with each company receiving 4 x 1-hour individual mentoring sessions.
These sessions will be delivered remotely using webinar / meeting software. There is an option to extend the group facilitated sessions beyond the original 4 and to bring in Subject Matter Experts to speak to the group on relevant topics.
Core Deliverables
• An introduction to relevant Lean tools, Crisis & Strategic management frameworks.
• Clear concise picture of current trading situation: Processes, Team, Suppliers, Customers, Locations, Communication, & Management Systems.
• Actions to Trade Through with mentor & group support.
• Use Lean Workplace Organisation to Implement Social Distancing
• Use Lean Problem Solving to navigate & create exit solution
• Financial review: Revised sales projections, cost centres, actions & supports.
• Use Innovation tools such as Business Model Canvas, Lean Start Up, & Design Thinking to explore new opportunities.
• Leading your team through change.
Delivery
4 x 2-hour group session
4 x 1-hour individual session
These sessions will be delivered online / remotely.
Individual session times will be agreed to suit the business needs.
Booking here:
https://www.localenterprise.ie/Carlow/Training-Events/Online-Bookings/ReDesigning-Your-Business-for-Physical-Distancing-Redesigning-Your-Business-Solution-using-Lean-with-Jigsaw-VAE.html
