SMEs in the capital to receive specialist advice and training through Plato
Plato Dublin, the business support forum for owner managers, is offering ambitious entrepreneurs the opportunity to grow their business, gain essential advice and network in a new course commencing in April.
Dublin-based companies will have the opportunity to join a network of highly successful business owners and benefit from an interactive programme with companies such as Paypal, Diageo and IBM, obtaining valuable experience from fellow peers. The Small Business Development Programme helps owner managers overcome professional hurdles in the challenging business climate.
Plato is a confidential support network, dedicated to the successful development of small and medium sized businesses partially funded by the four Dublin County and City Enterprise Boards. The programme helps owner managers overcome professional hurdles in the challenging business climate. The Dublin branch is one of the largest in Ireland, supporting over 3,000 small and medium sized businesses.
A wide variety of companies from the capital have taken part in the programme, achieving positive results. Business owners are invited to become involved in the next cycle of peer learning, training and professional development. The initiative requires participants to attend a three hour meeting with 15 fellow owner managers and two facilitators from large companies, once a month, for 18 months. The deadline for applications is Monday. February 8th 2016.
Marion Walshe, Regional Organiser from Plato Dublin said: “A high number of business owners have benefited hugely from the Small Business Development Programme. Previous participants have invariably shown greatly improved management skills and effective planning, improved productivity and increased turnover. Plato Dublin offers access to a full range of management expertise, including: professional training, mentoring sessions and business-to-business support, which enhance their skills and helps Dublin-based businesses to prosper after completion of the programme.”
Lawrence Parnis, Managing Director from Absolute Event Catering Ltd and a previous participant of the programme said: “My experience from this programme has been positive, it has helped me implement different strategies and techniques into the daily running of my business. It’s a great opportunity to meet and talk to a variety of business owners about the different hurdles we all come across in the day to day running of our businesses."
Other leading Irish and international companies, including: ESB, Microsoft, Ulster Bank, Pfizer and Ericsson have previously participated in the Dublin-based programme. These ‘parent’ companies and keynote speakers have supported small and medium sized enterprises, through peer learning. The Department of Business from Dublin City University is also involved in the training programme.
The next Small Business Development Programme is starting in April. For more information and to apply, visit: www.platodublin.ie.