Welcome to this Edition of our Update from the Carlow County Council - Local Enterprise Office.
This edition features:
 

• Autumn 2015 Training and Programmes
• B2B Networking Event - 15th September 2015
• Terry Harmer – Sales Course
• Media Toolkit with Gavin Duffy & Orlaith Carmody
• Launch of Carlow Business Awards 2015
• Trading Online Voucher Scheme – Information Day
• Carlow Jobs and Advice Fair

The Local Enterprise Office Carlow is delighted to announce its schedule of training and development programmes for Autumn 2015.

As part of Carlow County Council, we provide a wide range of supports to new and existing local businesses. To assist the business community in meeting challenges of the business world, we deliver a comprehensive range of high-quality business training programmes in County Carlow, designed specifically for small business owners and start up enterprises.
Whether you are interested in a 'Starting Your Own Business' course or want to develop your skills in order to grow your business, there is something suitable for everyone. Our training programmes are subsidised, making them very affordable. Group sizes are small and courses are practical and geared specifically towards owners and employees of small businesses, giving you skills and knowledge in a short course.
During the year we add various conferences, networking events and specialized events for start up businesses and entrepreneurs to our programme. If you have interest in any of courses or events, we would recommend that you book your place in advance to avoid disappointment as places fill up quickly.
The full list of our Autumn 2015 programme is available on our website: Courses & Events


 
Connector – B2B Networking Event – 15^th September 2015 @ 12noon-2.30pm

Connector – B2B Networking Event  is a Local Business Connection Event designed with your business in mind.
 The event provides you with the opportunity to:

• Develop your network of Contacts at Local Level
• Gather Information on Supports & Services available from the State to develop your business
• Hear from Industry Experts

Our guest speaker for the event is Pádraic Ó Máille . The event is free of charge and limited to 40 places and includes lunch.
Pádraic has a B.Comm and DMP (Marketing Practice) from NUI Galway. In addition he has a First Class Honours Certificate in Learning from NUI Maynooth. He spent 9 years as a Senior Consultant with Priority Management Vancouver, The Synectics Corporation and Envision Marketing before setting up his own consultancy
 O Maille Group in 1998. His experience with these corporations influenced his unique training style profoundly. Priority Management gave him access to the best content worldwide in terms of time management, productivity and strategic planning. Synectics, on the other hand are world leaders in process consultancy, innovation and facilitation skills. They were instrumental in developing him into an outstanding group facilitator where he enjoys a global reputation for bringing the best out in groups. With Envision Marketing, he was reunited with his former Marketing Professors from NUI Galway – Jim Ward and Aidan Daly. With them he was responsible for developing the highly acclaimed and successful Marketing Action Programme which for many years was regarded as the best marketing practice course in Ireland.

Pádraic has a B.Comm and DMP (Marketing Practice) from NUI Galway. In addition he has a First Class Honours Certificate in Learning from NUI Maynooth. He spent 9 years as a Senior Consultant with Priority Management Vancouver, The Synectics Corporation and Envision Marketing before setting up his own consultancy
O Maille Group in 1998. His experience with these corporations influenced his unique training style profoundly. Priority Management gave him access to the best content worldwide in terms of time management, productivity and strategic planning. Synectics, on the other hand are world leaders in process consultancy, innovation and facilitation skills. They were instrumental in developing him into an outstanding group facilitator where he enjoys a global reputation for bringing the best out in groups. With Envision Marketing, he was reunited with his former Marketing Professors from NUI Galway – Jim Ward and Aidan Daly. With them he was responsible for developing the highly acclaimed and successful Marketing Action Programme which for many years was regarded as the best marketing practice course in Ireland. It’s key success lay in the combination of cutting edge marketing content allied to interactive and participative group work.
 
 RSVP by 14th September 2015 to  enterprise@carlowcoco.ie or by calling 059-9129783.


 
 
Media Toolkit with Gavin Duffy & Orlaith Carmody

Location: Enterprise House, O’Brien Road, Carlow
Duration: 2 day programme
Time: 9.30 a.m. –- 4.30pm
Date(s): 14th October, 2015 & 3rd November, 2015
Trainer: Orlaith Carmody & Gavin Duffy, Media Training
Fee: €150.00
Number of Places: 15
 
This 2 day programme has been designed for owner managers and their key staff in order to provide the tools for effectively developing their media message.Day 1 of the programme is delivered by Orlaith Carmody of Mediatraining.ie and is broken into two sessions, the first session will cover Making the media work for you. This will assist participants gain results from working ‘with’ the media – local radio, press and further afield to achieve free PR and become the media’s ‘go to’ spokes-person on specialist issues.
 In this session participants will learn how to do a media interview – how to plan your strategy and deliver your message in a calm, confident and memorable way.The second session Writing for Business will equip participants with the skill to make all their business writing clear and effective making efficient use of written word to promote their campaigns. Day 2 of the programme is delivered by Gavin Duffy from Dragons Den and aims to show you shows you how to make your Pitch really effective and memorable, and which will help win you the business when portraying your media message.
 
To book a place on this course please email enterprise@carlowcoco.ie or phone 059 9129783


 
 
Launch of Carlow Business Awards 2015

Carlow Chamber invites you to the Launch of the Carlow Business Awards 2015, supported by Carlow County Council and The Local Enterprise Office Carlow.
Members are invited to attend the launch of the Carlow Business Awards 2015. At this event details of this year's Business Awards will be announced such as its location, the judges as well as advice on the nomination process. It will also provide members with the opportunity to network before and after the launch.
The 20 categories will be announced for the awards with two brand new categories for this year’s awards.
Event Information:
Business Community Launch of Carlow Business Awards 2015
Time: 6:00pm – 7:00pm
Date: Tuesday September 1st
Venue: Dargan Building, IT Carlow, Kilkenny Road Carlow
Registration for the event takes place at 5:45pm – 6:00pm.
Details of the Carlow Business Awards will be formally announced followed by refreshments and networking.
This is an informal free event.
Please confirm your attendance via Eventbrite  or email admin@carlowchamber.com or phone 059 913 2337.


 
 
 
Essential Marketing and Sales Skills for SME’s
 
Location: Enterprise House, O’Brien Road, Carlow
Duration: 2 days (1 day per week over two weeks) (Tuesdays)
Time: 9.30 a.m. – 4.30pm
Number of Places: 15
Date(s): 17^th & 24^th Nov.  2015
Trainer: Terry Harmer
Fee: €100.00 
A two day workshop covering the essential marketing knowledge and selling techniques that are essential for success in a small business.
Content Includes:

• Practical selling skills and techniques
• How to create an effective sales plan
• Prospect effectively
• Cold call with results
• Structure an efficient sales call
• Deal with objections effectively
• Use influencing & negotiation strategies and tactics
• Improve their selling skills to increase sales.

At the end of the programme participants will have an understanding of the importance of marketing for their businesses, know how to create awareness of their business, develop contacts, identify prospective customers, make sales and network their business, efficiently, effectively and at little or no cost and know what to do when the advertising budget runs out.
 
To book a place on this course please email enterprise@carlowcoco.ie or phone 059 9129783


 
 
New Programme aimed at Early Stage Female Entrepreneurs in Rural Ireland

Early stage female entrepreneurs, living in rural Ireland, are invited to apply for a fully funded place on a new pilot initiative, ACORNS. The intention is to provide up to 48 entrepreneurs with the knowledge, support and networking opportunities to meet and even exceed their current aspirations.
If you are interested in applying for the ACORNS programme, you can register your interest at  www.acorns.ie. The deadline for applications is Friday 11^th September 2015.
The programme will run from September 2015 until March 2016. If you would like to find out more about the initiative or have any questions about ACORNS please feel free to contact them at info@acorns.ie or phone the office at 01 8450770. Further information is also available on their brochure: ACORNS Brochure


 
Trading Online Voucher Scheme - Information Day

The report, 'Growing Small Businesses Through Online Trade', shows that small businesses who have availed of the Local Enterprise Office’s Trading Online Voucher scheme, which offers up to €2,500 in funding for the development of online trading presence, experience an 85 per cent boost in customer inquiries and a 21 per cent average increase in sales.
In order to help entrepreneurs get their business trading online, the Local Enterprise Office Carlow is running a Trading Online Voucher Information Day.
This workshop provides a broad and practical examination of exactly what factors really do have an influence on how an online business is developed. Aimed at a non-technical, business audience; this 3 hour Online Trading Voucher scheme seminar focuses on giving participants the skills to develop their own online business with a view to attracting their target market and making sales.
The workshop will be held in Enterprise House, O’ Brien Road, Carlow on 2nd September 2015 from 2pm-5pm and is free of charge.
To book a place on this seminar e-mail enterprise@carlowcoco.ie or call 059-9129783.


 
Carlow Jobs and Advice Fair

INTREO Employment Services, Carlow are orgainising a Jobs & Advice Fair in the Fairgreen Shopping Centre on Thursday 1^st October 2015 as part of DSP Jobs Week. You are invited to exhibit at the DSP Jobs & Advice Fair which will help satisfy your recruitment needs by introducing you to qualified job seeking clients with the relevant skills, education and attitude. Intreo will match all qualified clients from their national database and will invite them to meet with you at the fair.
INTREO will further promote your vacancies using mass media including Social Media and through our National Contact Centre and on www.JobsIreland.ie
In addition, INTREO will provide you with information on the various Employment Support Schemes available from the Department.
There is no charge for this event. Simply complete the applicable form Job Fair Employer Registration Form or Service Providers Registration Form including details of vacancies you wish to promote at the event and return it to Bob Kirwan at INTREO Employment Services, Hanover House, Hanover Carlow or email bob.kirwan@welfare.ie
If you have any queries in relation to this event contact Bob Kirwan at 059-9153481 or 086-8500779.



Applications open for Showcase Ireland 2016

Showcase Ireland 2016, Ireland’s Creative Expo, showcasing Ireland’s leading makers and designers, will take place from 24^th-27^th of January 2016, at the RDS, Ballsbridge, Dublin. 
Showcase Ireland is the first major trade event of 2016, an initiative to explore, promote and celebrate Irish design throughout Ireland and internationally.
The Local Enterprise Office Carlow will have a Group Stand in the Enterprise Zone which features first time and emerging exhibitors. We are offering 4 places on this stand to a combination of first time exhibitors and those who may have exhibited at Showcase Ireland before.
Participants must be running their own craft/design/creative business in County Carlow. Training will be provided to those who are selected. Individual spaces on the stand and the pre-event training are worth over €1,000 for 4 days exposure. Selected participants will be charged a subsidised rate of €400.
If you would like to apply please complete the application form and return it and the Supporting Materials by Friday 11^th of September 2015 at the latest, to:
Local Enterprise Office Carlow, Enterprise House, O’ Brien Road, R93 YOY3, Carlow.
If you have any queries, contact us at enterprise@carlowcoco.ie or phone 059-9129783
Further information on Showcase - Ireland’s Creative Expo is available on their website: www.showcaseireland.com 


 
 Enterprise House – Office Rental

Are you developing your business in 2015 and looking for a new location? As a result of the expansion of a number of clients, Enterprise House is currently accepting applications for various units available, Enterprise House is a unique location in County Carlow for your business to grow and develop. Competitive Rental & Service Rates available. 
For further information e-mail kcomerford@carlowcoco.ie or call 059 9129783.