Spring 2018 Training Schedule

The Local Enterprise Office Kilkenny has launched the spring 2018 training programme schedule for entrepreneurs, owner/managers and employees of micro-enterprises. The schedule is tailored to meet the needs of the entrepreneur and their employees operating in small businesses who require relevant skills to develop the business.

The adoption of the internet and associated technology such as Smartphone’s, tablets, etc.  means that businesses need to embrace digital marketing. There is a wide range of online marketing courses on offer including the main social media tools such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram, as well as workshops such as Search Engine Optimisation and “Developing a Low Cost Website”, etc.  However, embracing digital marketing does not mean discarding traditional sales and marketing methods. Other programmes available include “How to Master PR for the Small Business”, “Trade Show Success – How to Increase your Leads and Sales” and “Pitching for Business”.  

After years of preparation and debate the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) will finally come into effect on 25^th May 2018. The onus will be for businesses to be fully transparent about how they are using personal data. To help prepare and inform businesses, the Local Enterprise Office Kilkenny in conjunction with Kilkenny Chamber of Commerce, will host a seminar “GDPR Compliance - Using Data for Marketing Purposes” on Thursday 8^th March in the Ormonde Hotel, Kilkenny as part of Local Enterprise Week.  At this seminar Kate Ashmore, Frontier Privacy Ltd will specifically focus on how businesses can prepare for the GDPR from the perspective of how they use data for marketing purposes.

If you are setting up your own business for the first time, then the Start Your Own Business Course is  a practical course which will give you an understanding of all the requirements and challenges you are likely to encounter. Typically, this programme runs over the course of 5 weeks focussing on how to prepare business plans, what market research and marketing tools are available, how to manage cash flow and making the most out of technology. 

‘Last year approximately 600 participants attended training supports organised by the Local Enterprise Office Kilkenny, ranging from Start your Own Business Courses, Social Media Marketing Courses, Management Development Programmes, etc. A further 282 people attended seminars co-ordinated by our office” commented Fiona Deegan, Head of Enterprise. She further added ‘”The aim is to assist small businesses in up skilling in areas such as Finance, Sales, Marketing including Online Marketing and Strategic Planning, etc.”. 

The full training programme schedule is now available to view on the Local Enterprise Office Kilkenny website and online booking is available www.localenterprise.ie/kilkenny