Enterprise Week 4-9 March 2018

Local Enterprise Week set to inspire and motivate thousands of entrepreneurs and small business owners nationwide

Local Enterprise Week officially kicks-off on Sunday, March 4th with the national final of Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur (IBYE) competition in Google Headquarters in Dublin.  IBYE, which is an initiative of the Local Enterprise Offices and supported by the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation and Enterprise Ireland, achieved an unprecedented number of entries across all 31 LEOs with more than 1,800 young people competing for the €2 million IBYE investment fund.  Young Offaly Entrepreneur, Eoin Bara of Arderin Distillery T/a Mór Gin won a place at this year’s national final of Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur.  He will be representing Offaly and the region in the Best Established Business Category at the National Final and has already won €15,000 in investment arising from this competition. 

You can download the event flyer here.

Highlights during the week in Offaly include:

Sales, Marketing & Business Planning Mentoring Clinic – Monday, 5th March 9.30am to 4.30pm, Birr Civic Offices, Wilmer Road, Birr

Book a one to one mentoring session with Elaine Bradley Ryan of Ideation Marketing.  Elaine can advise on all matters marketing and promotion.  With over twenty years of international marketing experience partnering some of the world latest brands, Elaine is an expert in developing and delivering innovative and profitable marketing and customer engagement strategies.  Sessions are free to attend but pre-booking is essential.  BOOKED OUT.

Are you Ready for NDPR? – Tuesday, 6th March 11.00am to 1.00pm, The Junction, Unit 19H, Axis Business Park, Tullamore

Data Protection affects all businesses.  Find out how you can be prepared for this and how the new EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDNR) legislation will affect your business.  The Data Protection Commissioners will be in attendance at this event.

Stress Management – Tuesday, 6th March 9.30am to 4.30pm, Tullamore Court Hotel

This one-day course is designed for people in business.  Learn more about stress management, mindfulness and building resilience.  Trainer is Jerry Kelly of First HRD.

Time Management – Wednesday, 7th March 9.30am to 4.30pm, Tullamore Court Hotel

This one-day course is designed for people in business.  Poor time management is actually a lack of clarity on what task or effect is going to make the biggest impact.  If you are spending too much time on people and tasks that deliver too little for you and your business this day is for you.

Finance Mentoring Clinic – Wednesday 7th March 9.30 am to 4.30 pm Offaly County Council, Charleville Road, Tullamore

Book a one to one mentoring session with Sarah McGuinness of SM Accounting Solutions.  Sarah is a financial accountant who will mentor on book-keeping, accounting, allowable expenses, VAT, employer taxes and tax obligations for sole traders, limited companies or partnerships.  Sessions are 90 minutes in duration and must be pre-booked.

Student Enterprise Programme County Final - Thursday, 8th March, 1.30pm, Tullamore Court Hotel

Over 500 students have participated in this programme this year. Over 30 student businesses will be showcased on the day. This event is open to the public, who are welcome to view stands and supports our entrepreneurs of the future.  The awards are open to the public at 1.30 pm with the announcement of winners at 2 pm. 

National Enterprise Awards County Final- Thursday, 8th March 6.30 pm to 9.00 pm Tullamore Court Hotel

The winners of the County Enterprise Awards will be announced at this event on 8th March.  The county winner of the Enterprise Awards will go forward to represent Offaly in the national finals in May 2018. Noel Davison is the guest speaker and is a lead trainer with The Entrepreneurs Academy.  He helps independent professionals, entrepreneurs, business owners to accelerate their profits using an integrated social marketing strategy with particularly focus on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

Trading Online Vouchers Workshop – Friday, 9th March 11.00am to 1.00pm LEO Offices, Offaly County Council, Charleville Road, Tullamore

Small businesses throughout Ireland can apply to the government for digital vouchers to help their businesses trade online.  The objective of the scheme is to help small businesses grow their sales, exports and ultimately jobs.  Businesses can apply for grants of up to €2,500 (matched funding). This information session is designed to help you get an application ready for the Trading Online Voucher Scheme.  After this session you will have a clearer picture of what’s involved in running an eCommerce website, the practicalities, logistics and potential issues that may arise. Booking essential.

All of these events are free to attend.  Full details on their website and bookings can be made via www.localenterprise.ie/offaly.

Whether you are in business or just thinking of starting out on your own, then it is worth checking out what other supports are on offer from the Local Enterprise Office Offaly.

The Local Enterprise Office Offaly can provide financial assistance to eligible businesses in the manufacturing or internationally traded services sectors. The funding can be used towards taking on staff, purchasing equipment and other business requirements.

They also offer other supports such as the Lean for Micro business support scheme. This is designed to help local businesses become more efficient in their processes and ultimately become more competitive. This is particularly important in light of Brexit and its implications for Offaly businesses.

For more information on how the Local Enterprise Office can help your business, call them on 057 9357480 or email info@leo.offalycoco.ie.