Cork Enterprise Month Encourages Businesses to 'Make it Work with Networking'

Cork Enterprise Month Encourages Businesses to 'Make it Work with Networking'

15 March 2010

As part of Cork Enterprise Month, a joint collaboration of the Cork County & City Enterprise Boards (CEBs), a range of Networking Events will take place throughout March, through organisations set up by or in association with the CEBs. 

Over the past number of years, networking has become a vital ingredient to the success of all businesses, and the CEB's have been at the forefront of assisting businesses to encourage and develop this skill.  These Networking Events are designed as a cost effective means to connect like minded business people in an environment that is very conducive to developing new business leads and sales. Some of the events are even free to attend and just require you and your business cards.

Meeting new people and informing them of who you are and what you do is essential in raising the profile of your business, and the Network of Enterprising Women (NEW) provides business women in South Cork and Cork City with the opportunity to promote their products/services and gain advice from inspiring female entrepreneurs, at a series of ongoing events. 

Network West Cork is a free network for men and women in business with regular networking events in various West Cork locations in association with the West Cork Enterprise Board.  The Network encourages entrepreneurs and start-ups, as well as owner/managers of established micro-enterprises to attend. On March 11th, Network West Cork ran a largely attended women's networking event at Inchydoney, Clonakilty, with keynote speaker Veronica Canning, as part of Cork Enterprise Month.

The North Cork Enterprise Board also runs regular breakfast and evening networking events for micro-enterprises. A recent speed networking event in Fermoy was well attended by local businesses. Due to popular demand another speed networking event has already been confirmed and will take place in the Charleville Park Hotel on Thursday 15th April.  Networking is key for North Cork micro-enterprises as they see it as a hugely beneficial way to generate business.

Another event taking place during Cork Enterprise Month is the Wastematchers SMILE networking event which takes from 9am to 2pm, on March 25th at the Oriel House Hotel, Ballincollig. This free event aims to save businesses money by developing a network of businesses who re-use each other's surplus products, by-products and reusable items and shared services, space and logistics.  This event, which is the first Wastematchers event, is being run by the South Cork Enterprise Board, in association with Macroom E.

Throughout March, there will be a number of opportunities to register for Futurallia 2010, an International Networking Event that is taking place in Poitiers, France from 28th April until 1st May.  Futurallia Cork is a dynamic partnership presenting Cork to the World, and assisting innovative Cork companies to explore the international marketplace.  The event will be similar to CORKMEET 2009, where over 350 businesses came together from Cork, Ireland and overseas, last November to generate new business leads.  

To encourage participation in this international networking forum, CEBs will be sponsoring a number of Cork companies to attend this annual business forum, and is looking in particular for businesses that have yet to experience this type of Networking event, particularly any Cork business interested in developing new business in French and European markets.

CORKMEET 2009, which was organised jointly between the CEB's, Cork County Council and Cork Chamber proved to be a highly successful networking event, and the CEB's are delighted to announce that plans for CORKMEET 2010 are now underway, with further information available during Cork Enterprise Month.  CORKMEET 2010 (6-8th October) will offer the ideal opportunity for businesses to look beyond traditional promotional activities and make direct contact with potential Irish and international clients.  At the core of the concept are a series of 30 minute, pre-arranged, one-to-one meetings that allow businesses to quickly connect and find common ground for trade and partnerships.  Further information can be found on www.corkmeet.com.

Speaking about the networking opportunities with the CEBs, Joan Kelleher, Business Development Executive, North Cork Enterprise Board said "At a time when it appears more challenging than ever to trade, it is important that platforms are being laid down to support business.  Through the various events we offer and are associated with, not only will Cork business have the opportunity to trade and network amongst themselves, but also with businesses throughout world with international leads that may foster long term benefits for Cork business in general."

Networking events like the ones mentioned above take place 12 months of the year, but in March, Cork Enterprise Month will give a flavour of the ongoing level of networking activity that the CEB's engage in on an ongoing basis. For further information on all of the Networking events and activities taking place throughout the month and beyond visit www.corkenterpriseboards.ie or contact your local Enterprise Board.

Cork County & City Enterprise Boards are funded under Ireland's EU Structural Funds Programme 2007-2013 with funding from the Exchequer and the European Regional Development Fund.