Over 300 local business people engaged in activities organised by the Local Enterprise Office Wicklow over the course of the Local Enterprise Week, many of whom will continue to get follow up advice/ training and support for their businesses over the course of the coming weeks.
One of the highlights of the week was the Open Day in Wicklow Country Campus which focused on Business Growth. MD of Treasury holdings John Finn gave an overview of the Banking Market and Trends, Interest rates and how to mitigate the risks associated round Brexit. Over twenty exhibitors and support agencies were available on the day to answer queries on the range of supports available to business in Wicklow in areas such as employment, revenue, rural development, finance etc. In the Afternoon, Positive Economist Susan Hayes of Hayes Culleton took to the stage and together with a panel of experts gave numerous insights as to how businesses could develop a financial roadmap to growth. Susan highlighted upselling, increasing the frequency of the deal and building a sales team as key elements in driving sales growth in the business, while other members of the panel stressed the importance of knowing the customer, building support networks, availing of supports both financial and advisory from the Local Enterprise office, and looking at all the options when raising finance: traditional banks, Microfinance Ireland and the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland.
Eight Accountants from Co Wicklow also gave generously of their time to provide delegates with one to one advice on a wide range of issues such as compliance, profit and cash flow management, business growth and protection of assets.
Local Enterprise Week is a collaboration on a local and national scale between Local Enterprise Offices (LEO), local business communities, Government Departments, other units within Local Authorities, and State support agencies. The focus of the week is to increase awareness of the range of LEO supports and services available to micro and small enterprises. Speaking about the Local Enterprise week in Wicklow Head of Enterprise Sheelagh Daly said “Local Enterprise week is a great opportunity for us to highlight the services we offer to the business community in County Wicklow and to encourage businesses to engage with us and explore how we can support and grow their business into the future”
There was excellence attendance at the Free Trading Online Seminar which took place on Friday 10th in which Noel Davison of the Entrepreneurs Academy outlined the benefits and practicalities of developing an ecommerce strategy and engaging with customers online. Grant support up to €2,500 is available from the Local Enterprise Office to assist in the development of an ecommerce enabled website, details of which were also outlined on the day and can be accessed online at www.localenterprise.ie/wicklow/financial-supports/trading-online-vouchers
Marketing for SMEs and Start your own Business and Training Courses also took place over the course of the week. Concise, high quality training is an integral element of the support offered by the Local Enterprise Office Wicklow to businesses on a year round basis. Heavily subsidised, this training is very affordable and has been developed specifically to assist startups, sole traders and small business overcome challenges, refine their strategy and harness opportunities. Upcoming Courses include Selling For Profit - a course designed to improve selling skills and methodologies and develop a sales strategy for your business, Design your own Social Media campaign and Accessing finance for your business a workshop for anyone developing a business plan and thinking of applying for a loan. As courses are restricted to small groups interested people are advised to book early to avoid disappointment. For Bookings log onto www.localenterprise.ie/wicklow or telephone 0404 30800.
