Local Enterprise Week 2020 (2-6 March)

OFFALY’S SMALL BUSINESSES AND ENTREPRENEURS URGED TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF LOCAL ENTERPRISE WEEK 2020

 The first week in March will see small businesses and budding entrepreneurs gather across the country for Local Enterprise Week 2020.  An initiative of the Local Enterprise Offices, thousands of attendees are expected at over 300 events across the country during the week aimed at supporting small businesses and fostering entrepreneurship.

 The programme events being run by Local Enterprise Office Offaly for Local Enterprise Week 2020 has been launched and with a range of events taking place from the 2nd – 6th March, there is something for everyone.  Events include the ONE network meeting – Keep your Eye on the Prize with guest speaker, Blaise Brosnan; Financial management/Business Planning mentoring and LEAN lunch Anyone? 

 The week is an opportunity for small businesses and entrepreneurs to sample the range of supports that are on offer from their Local Enterprise Office related to a whole host of areas.  This will include financial supports, selling, networking, Brexit support, social media workshops, LEAN programmes and sessions dealing with how to make your business more sustainable. 

Orla Martin, Head of Enterprise said “Local Enterprise Week is a chance for small businesses and for those possible future start-ups to see the full range of supports out there for them.  No matter what their business challenge or sector the Local Enterprise Offices will be putting on events for everyone, be it LEAN workshops, pitch training, trading online, sales and marketing, mastering social media, or simply, how to start a business, then it will be covered.  It is also a great chance to network and broaden your connections in business so use it to the advantage of your business, or business idea.”

 The week will also host the county finals for the hopefuls in this year’s Student Enterprise Programme and National Enterprise Awards as they hope to secure places in the national finals taking place in May.  For more information on Local Enterprise Week and how to find events in Offaly go to www.localenterprise.ie/offaly and join the conversation on social media using #MakingItHappen

 The Local Enterprise Offices located in the local authorities and funded through Enterprise Ireland support over 7,000 small Irish businesses and entrepreneurs nationwide.  Since their establishment in 2014 they have helped create over 18,000 jobs and provide a range of supports to small businesses including mentoring, training and sector specific expert to help guide businesses at any stage of their development.

 

Local Enterprise Week (2-6 March) 2020

 Schedule of Events taking place in Offaly

 MONDAY 2ND

National Enterprise Awards County Final, 12.30pm to 3pm

This event is organised to identify Offaly's leading micro enterprises.  The county winners will go forward to represent Offaly in the regional finals with the possibility of progressing to the national finals in May 2020.  Invite only event.

Location:          Tullamore Court Hotel                                      Cost:                Free to attend. 

Outreach Clinic Edenderry, 10am to 1pm

The Local Enterprise Office in Offaly is the first-stop shop for new, existing and expanding entrepreneurs and business owners.   Book a meeting to see how the Local Enterprise Office can help you.  Prebooking essential.

Location:          Town Hall, Edenderry Cost:                Free to attend. 

TUESDAY 3RD

ONE Network Meeting – Keep your Eye on the Prize, 6.45pm to 8.30pm

Guest Speaker, Blaise Brosnan will help you to identify the commercial variables in your business which you can take more control over and then he will show you how to squeeze more commercial rewards from these variables. By implementing some of his advice, you should be better equipped to get a better commercial return from your business into the future.  Prebooking essential.

Location:          Tullamore Court Hotel, Tullamore                                 Cost:                Free to attend. 

Outreach Clinic Birr, 2pm to 5pm

Book a meeting to see how the Local Enterprise Office can help you.  Prebooking essential.

Location:          Birr Civic Offices, Birr.                                        Cost:                Free to attend.

WEDNESDAY 4TH

Digital Marketing Course, 6 week course commencing 4th March, 9.30am to 4.30pm

 This course will give you an in-depth understanding of website marketing and social media marketing in a way that explains how it all fits together in a digital marketing plan. 

Location:          County Library, O’Connor Square, Tullamore                  Cost:                €200

Trading Online Voucher Mentoring Clinic, 9.15am to 4.45pm

 Book a meeting to see how the Local Enterprise Office can help you develop your online presence and sales.  Prebooking essential. 

Location:          LEO Offices, Offaly County Council, Áras an Chontae, Charleville Road, Tullamore Cost:                Free to attend. 

THURSDAY 5TH

Financial Management/Brexit Mentoring, 9.30am to 5pm

One to One mentoring clinic with Mentor, Bobby Connolly on issues such as financial management, Brexit, business planning etc.  Prebooking essential

Location:          LEO Offices, Offaly County Council, Áras an Chontae, Charleville Road, Tullamore Cost:                Free to attend. 

Student Enterprise Programme County Final, 1.30pm

The Student Enterprise Awards are open to the public who are welcome to view the stands and support our entrepreneurs of the future.  The event is open to the public at 1.30 pm with presentation of the awards at 2.00pm. 

Location:          Tullamore Court Hotel, Tullamore                                             Cost:                Free to attend. 

Food Business Start-up Clinic, 9.30am to 4.30pm

A Start-up or Growing Food Business can avail of mentoring with an experienced food advisor Donal Egan to help identify and overcome obstacles that may occur in their food business.  Book your session if you have an existing food business or a dream to start your own food business.  Prebooking essential.  

Location:          Ferbane Food Campus, Ferbane                                    Cost:                Free to attend. 

Financial Management/Business Planning Mentoring for Back to Work Enterprise Allowance Recipients, 9.30am to 5pm

One to One mentoring clinic with Mentor, Elaine Smith (Eye on the Business) on issues such as financial management, business planning etc.  This event is in conjunction with the Department of Social Protection.  Invite only. 

Location:          Castle Buildings, Tara Street, Tullamore                         Cost:                Free to attend. 

Marketing Mentoring for Back to Work Enterprise Allowance Recipients, 9.30am to 5pm

One to One marketing mentoring clinic with Mentor, Seamus Murphy (Gateway Consulting).  This event is in conjunction with the Department of Social Protection.  Invite only. 

Location:          Castle Buildings, Tara Street, Tullamore                         Cost:                Free to attend. 

FRIDAY 6TH

LEAN Lunch Anyone? 1pm to 2.30pm

Why not join us for a working LEAN lunch and learn how the LEAN for Micro support scheme can help your business.  LEAN expert Stuart Nelson of Jigsaw SAE will explain the benefits of adopting LEAN techniques and how the LEAN for Micro scheme works.  A local company who has participated in the Lean for Micro scheme will also share their experiences of how implementing LEAN practices improved their competitiveness, reduced waste and ultimately helped grow their business.  Prebooking essential. 

Location:          Tullamore Court Hotel, Tullamore                                 Cost:                Free to attend.