The business community of the North Cork area received great information on succession planning last Tuesday evening when JJ O’Connell, PLATO spoke to a full house at Mallow GAA Complex.
This relastively short two hour seminar was a twofold event – first, it was an opportunity to assesshow prepared you and your business are to manage a planned or unplanned exit event and this was presented by Alan Whelan of Family Business Ireland. Whilst just a short 30 minute presentation it imparted the key messages and issues that you need to consider when looking at succession.
The second part gave participants an opportunity to network and promote their services and products.
The Speed Networking was facilitated by J.J. O’Connell National Director of the PLATO Business Support and Development Network. Speed Networking took place and networking is an essential pillar of enterprise and is the starting point of many successful business relationships.
Kevin Curran, Head Of Enterprise, Local Enterprise Office kicked off the evening with details of the supports offered by the Local Enterprise Office. Mr Curran said “ It is our intention to continue and support all business the best way we can. If research indicates that specific initiatives will help us to help business grow then we will provide them. We will also continue to run a full range of training programmes for both men and women so we believe that we are providing a range of supports that will suit everyone’s requirements.
Guest Speaker J.J. O’Connell, National Director of the PLATO Business Support and Development Network, stated “Good business relationships are founded on trust and a sense of expectation that a mutual need will be satisfied in a transaction. Meeting and communicating with like-minded people is the starting point of building relationships. Considering the level of energy and enthusiasm in the conversations at the (networking) event I am confident that business and enterprise is in good hands in North Cork”
According to Joan Kelleher, Business Adviser of the Local Enterprise Office said that “in today’s Business climate networking with potential clients had never been more important. There is a realisation among most sensible business people that they look beyond traditional ways of doing business and the type of promotional activities that they previously engaged in. We have been delighted with the enthusiastic response that this networking initiative has received, which demonstrate that smaller companies are willing to look at every opportunity that presents itself”.
The event received an overwhelming thumbs up from all in attendance as they left with an invigorated pep in their step.
If you wish to book a place on any of the Local Enterprise Office Training Programmes, log on to book your place www.localenterprise.ie/CorkNorthandWest
