27 February 2017

Local Enterprise Week 2017, a nationally co-ordinated initiative led by the Local Enterprise Offices throughout Ireland will kick off on March 6th and will run throughout the week until March 10th. The Local Enterprise Office (LEO), Cork City will host a variety of events and workshops throughout the week offering practical advice and support to the local business community, especially SMEs and start-ups.

 

Numerous events are scheduled in Cork City, covering topics from retail to food, Brexit to digital, franchising to succession planning, and many others which will be of interest to those involved in the micro business sector in the city. The week will offer event attendees the opportunity to learn from the experiences of others, get practical advice and make new contacts. This is the second year of the national initiative that provides people with information about the wide range of supports available through LEO Cork City to entrepreneurs and the micro business sector, from grants to mentoring, and from training to business advice.

LEO Cork City’s Local Enterprise Week will kick off at 8am on Monday, March 6th in the Clayton Hotel, Lapps Quay, Cork City with an event called “It's All About the Customer”. This event will discuss the importance of quality customer service and will offer practical insights and tips from leading retailers and other service-based business owners. On the same day “The 50 Things to Know Before You Start a Business” will take place in the Board Room at the Port of Cork at 5:30pm.

 

On Tuesday, March 7th, “Bouncing Back from the Abyss - Entrepreneurial Success Stories” will be held in the Creative Zone, Boole Library at UCC at 1pm. That evening, businesses are invited to attend “Books for Business - Titles to Inspire” in the Central Library, Grand Parade, Cork City at 6pm. This interactive discussion on inspirational business books will be hosted by Aodan Enright of Smarter Egg with a panel of local entrepreneurs such as Mary White, Julia Lynes and Ernest Cantillon.

 

Wednesday, March 8th will see “Trading Online: The Power of Digital Engagement for Your Business” take place at 9am in the Rochestown Park Hotel. Following on from that, a “Brexit-Proof your Business” event with the Enterprise Europe Network at Cork Chamber will take place in Maryborough Hotel from 1:30pm. Moving onto Wednesday evening, “Franchising - a Proven Formula for Success” will take place in the Banking Hall, AIB, South Mall at 6pm.

Young entrepreneurs will be very interested in “The Entrepreneurial Journey - Your Destiny!” event on Thursday, March 9th, kicking off in the Atrium, City Hall at 5.30pm. This engaging and interactive entrepreneurial tour will take place on board a “stage” coach on a route around the city with MC for the evening, Newstalk’s Jonathan Healy. The excursion will provide all on board with an insight into the various “stages” of an entrepreneur’s journey with our mystery guests.

 

On Friday March 10th, an event titled “Succession Planning for Family Business” will take place in the Northside for Business Campus, North Ring Road, Cork City at 2pm. David Donegan and JJ O'Connell, two of Ireland's most renowned family business advisers will provide a valuable insight into succession planning. From managing expectations to starting a conversation to making a Will, and being aware of the ways to avoid the pitfalls of the process of succession, this information seminar is for family business owners and emerging next generation owners.

 

Most of LEO Cork City’s events are FREE to attend, however prior booking is essential. The full programme of events is now available at  www.localenterprise.ie/CorkCity.

 

Speaking at Cork City’s Local Enterprise Week schedule launch, Adrienne Rodgers, Head of Enterprise, LEO Cork City outlined what people can expect from the five day programme of business events; she said “We are really looking forward to meeting all the potential and established businesses in the city throughout Local Enterprise Week. We have a fantastic line up of free events to advise, support and encourage networking for local SMEs and micro-enterprises. From digital to family succession, there is an event to suit everyone, no matter what stage their business is at.

 

We are encouraging anyone who is thinking of setting up a business, or who is already on that journey, to come along and find out for themselves the support we can offer them. They will also hear from various successful entrepreneurs who will share their success stories. Sometimes people just need that little bit of inspiration and encouragement and Local Enterprise Week is a fantastic platform to do this.”

 

The full programme of events for LEO Cork City’s Local Enterprise Week is now available to view online. To avoid disappointment, book your places on  www.localenterprise.ie/CorkCity.