Companies have been urged to take advantage of Local Enterprise Week across the country after what has been a turbulent couple of years for small businesses. The Local Enterprise Offices have launched their programme for Local Enterprise Week consisting of over 220 virtual and physical events nationwide taking place from the 7th to 11th March.
The events are open to all from budding entrepreneurs to established businesses and gives them the opportunity to get expert advice on key areas of business from financial skills, raising finance, exporting and boosting your business online to future trends such as sustainability and digitalization.
There are events being run by each of the 31 Local Enterprise Offices around the county, supported by Enterprise Ireland and the Local Authorities, and they are free to attend.
Along with the local events there are 12 free National Spotlight events that will take place online and are open to everyone across the country. There are events on each of the days and some of the topics include – “Future Proofing Your Small Business”, “Internationalising Your Business”, “Going Green” and “Show Me The Money”.
An Tánaiste and Minster for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Leo Varadkar, said; “Understandably, businesses have largely been preoccupied with dealing with the urgent and unexpected over the past couple of years due to Covid and Brexit. This year’s Local Enterprise Week is a fantastic opportunity to look forward and plan for a more predictable future. There’s a really interesting programme of events with some really practical sessions to help take your business to the next stage or help with a problem you are facing.
“I’m particularly happy to see the events planned in new areas such as sustainability and digitalisation. There is something for everyone and every business at Local Enterprise Week so I would encourage all business owners to check out what’s on and use this opportunity to reflect and plan”
According to Chair of the network of Local Enterprise Offices, Padraic McElwee, the week offers the perfect opportunity for small businesses to dip their toe in the water of areas where they may have little or no knowledge. “Local Enterprise Week is the perfect opportunity for small businesses to analyse their position and set a course for the future. Following two years of change, small businesses will hopefully have a sustained period of stability to plan and to grow. There are new areas of interest around green and digital that businesses may want to learn about.
“Similarly we will have a new wave of entrepreneurs stemming from the pandemic that will have great ideas for a business or want to create a business that better suits a new life balance. Local Enterprise Week will have an event for all these people and a chance to link in with their Local Enterprise Office to see how they can be supported in the future.”
Carol Gibbons, Divisional Manager, Regions and Local Enterprise, Enterprise Ireland said: “Enterprise Ireland is delighted to support Local Enterprise Week. This exciting programme of events not only showcases the supports that are available to entrepreneurs and business owners, but it also offers access to expert advice. Both Enterprise Ireland and the Local Enterprise Offices are working to boost the number of Irish companies that are exporting, and this initiative will have advice and information for business owners who hold that ambition.
“Ireland’s business community has had a difficult time in recent years, with many forced to make hard decisions and to adapt. Local Enterprise Week offers small business owners, who play a vital role in our economy, the opportunity to move forward and we are excited to support them on this journey as they look to grow, scale and innovate.”
AnnMarie Farrelly, Chief Executive of Fingal County Council and Chair of the CCMA Business Committee on behalf of the local government sector said: “It has been a very difficult period for businesses but now is a time to look to the future, consider opportunities, recognise how your business adapted during Covid, and how you can future-proof and plan with ambition"
“Local Enterprise Week events will cover a huge range of very relevant topics, whether you’re starting or growing a business. Make sure to check out what’s happening and don’t forget that your Local Enterprise Office is available year-round and can offer financial supports, advice and information.”
Details for all the events taking place across the country during Local Enterprise Week, from March 7th to 11th, are available at www.LocalEnterprise.ie/Week
12 National Spotlight Events (Online & Free to attend)
Monday 7th March
9:30am – 10:45am – Drive Growth by Digitising Your Business (Hosted by LEO Dublin City)
2:00pm – 3:30pm – Food: Consumer Trends for 2022 (Hosted by LEO Limerick)
7:00pm – 8:45pm – Retail: Adapting and Innovating in an ever-changing trading environment (Hosted by LEO Louth)
Tuesday 8th March
10:00am – 12noon – Internationalising Your Business (Hosted by LEO South Dublin)
2:00pm – 4:00pm – From Good to Great: Using Lean for a Competitive Edge (Hosted by LEO Kildare)
Wednesday 9th March
9:00am – 11:00am – Going Green: Small Steps, Big Impact (Hosted by LEO Cork N&W)
11:00am – 12:30pm – Agile Ambition: Funding for Innovation (Hosted by LEO Galway)
2:00pm - 4:00pm – Intellectual Property: First Steps in Protecting Your Business (Hosted by LEO Donegal, Sligo & Leitrim, New Frontiers and EEN)
Thursday 10th March
9:30am – 12:30pm – Future Proofing Your Small Business using Smart Tech Tools (Hosted by LEO Wicklow)
2:00pm – 4:00pm – Social Media Mashup: Future Opportunities for your Business (Hosted by LEO Waterford)
Friday 11th March
11:00am – 12:00noon – Boost Your Business Online: How to stand out from the crowd (LEO Clare)
2:00pm – 3:45pm – Show Me The Money: How to raise finance for your business (LEO Fingal)
