Brexit Advisory Clinic on October 22nd in Louth

THE OPPORTUNITY OF BREXIT IS THERE FOR SMALL BUSINESSES

Ahead of the latest Enterprise Ireland Brexit Advisory Clinic on October 22nd in Louth, the Local Enterprise Offices are appealing to small businesses to grasp the opportunity that Brexit is providing.

While many small businesses will be unaware of how Brexit could affect them, the range of related supports available from their Local Enterprise Office have never been wider. These supports, such as mentoring, training and financial assistance, will not only reduce their exposure to negative consequences, but it will also improve how they run their business in the longer term.

Thomas McEvoy, Head of Enterprise, Local Enterprise Office Louth, said; “While the implications of Brexit are still unclear, small businesses must still be planning to secure their future. We all hope for a favourable outcome for Ireland, but it would be negligent for businesses not to be planning for a negative outcome.

The Brexit supports offered by the Local Enterprise Offices across the country are not just good for Brexit, they are good for your business in general and will improve your small businesses irrespective of the Brexit outcome. We would encourage any small business or Local Enterprise Office clients to come along to the free Brexit Advisory Clinic and find out how they can take some simple steps to Brexit-proof their company.”

Some of those supports available to small businesses to prepare for Brexit include the Brexit SME Scorecard to evaluate your exposure, Brexit Mentor Programme available through your Local Enterprise Office, the Technical Assistance for Micro Exporters (TAME) grant for those looking to bring their product or service to new markets and the LEAN for Micro programme, which helps business owners run their company more efficiently.

The purpose of the Brexit Advisory Clinic is to support companies exposed to Brexit to take action and safeguard their business in key risk areas. This event is the second in a new series of Enterprise Ireland advisory clinics taking place nationwide, with events to follow in Waterford and Limerick.

Brexit Advisory Clinic_Dundalk_Facebook

Over half (54%) of respondents to an audience participation poll at the last tranche of Brexit Advisory Clinics ranked customs and logistics as their greatest concern and as a result, this area will be given particular focus and will feature a presentation by Revenue, Irish Tax and Customs. Additionally, the clinic will include a seminar on the movement of people, which is of concern to businesses in this region.

The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) will also be participating in this new series of clinics and will be available to advise companies who import or export chemicals or other industrial products, like machinery and lifts, on the impacts of Brexit.

Commenting, Aidan McKenna, Regional Director – Borders, Enterprise Ireland said, “Enterprise Ireland is encouraging all companies in Louth and the surrounding area to take immediate action to mitigate the risks associated with Brexit. The first step for many companies will be getting valuable advice from experts, or hearing from other companies of similar size, or in the same sector, and these opportunities are available at the Brexit Advisory Clinics. The Brexit negotiations are reaching a crucial juncture and regardless of the outcome of discussions this month, taking action should be a priority for Irish businesses in the weeks leading up to March 29th 2019.”

The clinic will also feature expert presentations, one-to-one consultations and panel discussions in the areas of finance and currency management, and market development and market diversification. This event is free to attend and will also give companies the opportunity to speak one-to-one with independent experts, who will provide company-specific guidelines and advice, while allowing company managers, founders and CEOs to privately discuss their circumstances and concerns.

What:                              Brexit Advisory Clinic
When:                             Monday 22nd October at 8.00am
Where:                            Crowne Plaza Hotel, Dundalk
Who:                               Jonathan McMillan, Brexit Unit Manager, Enterprise Ireland
                                       Aidan McKenna,   Regional Director – Borders, Enterprise Ireland
                                       Thomas McEvoy, Head of Enterprise, Local Enterprise Office Louth

Register via the link below:


www.prepareforbrexit.ie/events

For more information on Local Enterprise Office Brexit specific supports click here