LCOEB - Limerick Business and Enterprise Blog

Turn €50 into €5,000 in 10 minutes

2010-03-10T15:26:00.002Z

Fortune 50 is a networking and profiling event organised for the Limerick County Enterprise Board. Entrants to the competition must use no more than 250 words to describe what their business is and what they would do with €5,000.

Closing date for entries is the 10th of May, 2010 when an online survery will be taken to identify who are the 6 businesses with the greatest vision. Those 6 will then make a 10 minute presentation to see who will walk away with €5,000.

For further details visit www.fortune50.ning.com and to enter, book Fortune 50 at http://www.lcoeb.ie/online-booking and you will receive details by email.

Spring Schedule for Business Training in Co. Limerick now available

2010-01-26T16:20:00.004Z

We have launched our new Training Schedule for Spring 2010, You can book courses online at Our Online Booking page and also find out more details on each course.

You can also subscribe to our Training Calendar for automatic updates on courses and Dates.

LCOEB Seminar - Get Wealthy - How to Take Control of Your Financial Future Now

2009-11-26T15:02:00.002Z

“Money may not be the most important thing in the world, but it’s right on up there with oxygen”.

Robert Allen

In this seminar you’ll learn …….

· The difference between money, financial security and wealth.

· How to face up to your financial reality and calculate you net worth.

· The difference between “Good Debt” and “Bad Debt”.

· The value of a strong financial accountant and what to look for in them.

· The value of a strong management accountant and what to look for in them.

· To calculate your “Financial Thermostat” and what implications this has.

· How to generate multiple streams of income.

· “That you may be winning, but feel like you’re losing if you don’t keep the score”.

“Practical, inspiring, great content and gets you to take action”.

David Tarpey

Tarpey Agricultural

The session will be facilitated by Padraic Ó Máille and will involve a frank discussion around the above issues. Padraic is a skilled facilitator and challenges groups to look at issues in innovative and creative ways in order to create personal breakthroughs.

Invest a little of your time to increase your chances of increased wealth and prosperity.

Get to The Woodlands Hotel this Monday, November 30th 2009, at 7pm. Free event. Registration essential. Please register with omaillegroup@eircom,net

Remember that the best day to plant a tree was twenty years ago. The next best day is today. Begin your journey to wealth by deciding to attend Monday’s session now.

Women in Business - Stepping Out

2009-11-18T15:03:00.002Z

Kilmallock's Deebert Hotel was the Venue This evening for an Event sponsored by Limerick County Enterprise Board and Ballyhoura development.

"Stepping Out" was an evening for Women involved in business and was an opportunity for networking and to hear an excellent talk from Paula Clarke called "It's All About You!". Paula is a regular Trainer and Mentor with us here in Limerick County Enterprise Board and her insights and ideas on the importance of positive mental attitude to running your business are inspirational.

Several local business were also present to showcase some of their products including Morningstar photography who were showing some of the fantastic family portrait and Wedding photography packages they offer.

MoJo beauty Salon from Broad Street in Charleville had an extensive range of makeup products available,

Old Irish Creamery were also on hand with a selection of Cheeses and Ballyhoura Apple Farm had their juices and cider vinegar available also.

Outdoor Kidz also had their very appropriate for the season, kids rain wear range on show. Other Businesses also had information available on the services they had to offer.

A very lively, evening was enjoyed by all, and new relationships were made!

November Newsletter now Out!

2009-11-17T22:13:00.002Z

Our November Newsletter is now out and has details and photos from Regional Business Week and also details on our upcoming training.

If you have subscribed to the newsletter it should be in your mailbox very soon or you can download it now from [ Here ].

Remember to check out our Blog and the Website for information on all upcoming courses and let us know if there is any area of particular interest to you and your Business.

Here are the Dates and Venues for November Traininig with LCOEB

2009-11-04T14:41:00.003Z

November

Management Accounts for Owner Managers -
3 evening sessions plus one half day mentoring.

Trainer: Michael Byrnes,

Where: Deebert House hotel,

When: November 2nd, 9th,16th November Time:7:00-9:30pm
http://www.lcoeb.ie/business-supports/training-courses/accounts/management-accounting-for-owner-managers-(kilmallock)

Start up Bootcamp,
Trainer:Elaine Carroll,
Where: Castletroy Park hotel,
When:2 day intensive course Saturday 7 and 14th November Time:9:30am -5:00pm
http://www.lcoeb.ie/business-supports/training-courses/starting-a-business/start-up-bootcamp-~castletroy

“You Cant Do Business Sitting On Your Ass Network”
Trainer: Padraic O’Maille,
Where: Woodlands House Hotel,
When: Monday 9th Time:7:00-9:30pm
http://www.lcoeb.ie/about-us/news-&-events/you-cant-do-business-sitting-on-your-ass-network

Online Marketing for Small Business
Trainer:SQT Training,
Where: Office Ireland,Castletroy,
When: Tuesday November 10th, Time:10:00 -4:00
http://www.lcoeb.ie/online-booking#sales-&-marketing

Quickbooks for Beginners
Trainer: Michael Byrnes,
Where: Woodlands house Hotel, Adare,
When: Monday 9th November & 10th November plus two half day mentoring sessions
http://www.lcoeb.ie/online-booking#accounts

Match your Personal Goals To Your Business Goals: Choosing the Right Business Idea
Trainer: John Garrett,
Where:Limerick County Enterprise Board,
When: Wednesday 18th Time:10-4:00
http://www.lcoeb.ie/online-booking#start-your-own-business

Women In Business Network: Using Ebay for Your Business
Trainer: Encore Business Solutions,
Where: Greenhills Hotel, Limerick,
When: Tuesday 24th November Time:6:00pm-8:30pm
http://www.lcoeb.ie/online-booking#women-in-business

Start Your Own Business: The Essentials

Trainer: PAS Accountants,
When: 4 evening sessions 7:00-9:30pm starts 23rd, 30th November, 7th, 14th December , Where: Kilmurry Lodge hotel, Co.Limerick, Time:7:00-9:30pm
http://www.lcoeb.ie/business-supports/training-courses/starting-a-business/start-your-own-business-(over-4-weeks)-~-kilmurray-lodge-hotel

Upcoming Training Courses from LCOEB

2009-11-02T22:39:00.003Z

We have a lot of training coming up to answer the demand from our Clients for Accounts and Finance, we are finalising our newsletter to go out shortly and we will feature some of the information online here on our blog to supplement it.

Management Accounts

Many businesses make money on some activates, lose on others. Many businesses are unaware of where in their business this happens.

Do you have quality timely information needed to monitor performance and ascertain what each activity is contributing to your bottom line?
Management accounts are invaluable in helping you to make management decisions about your business – as a matter of fact, it is difficult to run a business effectively without them. Yet most businesses do not produce management accounts.

Management accounts analyse recent historical performance. They can also include forward-looking essentials such as sales and profit forecasts. This analysis is usually done against forecasts and budgets that have been prepared at the start of the year.
The information in management accounts should be broken out so that the performance of different elements of the business can be measured.
For businesses selling many products, it is advisable to provide a breakdown for each product category. This will allow you to ensure that profitable products are not subsidising those that are selling poorly.

Business Week Launch in Shannon.

2009-10-05T18:43:00.003+01:00

The Official Opening was by Mr Billy Kelleher TD, Minister for Trade & Commerce and was followed by a Discussion Panel Chaired by Vincent Browne columnist with the Irish Times, Sunday Business Post and presenter of TV3 nightly current affairs programme. Also several companies made short presentations giving examples of how they hope to expand or utilize available resources.

Attendees had the opportunity and meet over 40 professional body exhibitor's at their stands to help develop their business.

Full Gallery [ Here ] if you wish to download them - photos from Munster Images

If you would like a free full size copy of an Image

Contact Munster Images

Have you got the "liaroidi" ?

2009-10-01T08:52:00.000+01:00

RTÉ's Dragons' Den Seeks Entrepreneurs

'One idea, one pitch, one deal away from the dream'

____________________________________________________

Do you have a killer idea, an amazing invention or a new 'must have' product ready for investment?

Do you have the powers of persuasion needed to part the Dragons from their cash?

If so then apply online now at:

www.rte.ie/dragonsden

*Applicants must be available from filming dates in November 2009 and January 2010

Slow Food Limerick at Curraghchase

2009-09-28T21:01:00.008+01:00

The Slow Food movement is gathering momentum with the groundswell of small businesses in the Industry spreading the word of the benefits of good food both for value and quality.

Rigney's Farmhouse B&B was the location this Sunday for a gathering of like minded people and the general public eager to learn about the possibilities of keeping Pigs, Bees and even a few Short Horn Cattle. There was information on growing your own mushrooms also as well as an exhibition of antique farm machinery and A demonstration by Farriers on making and fitting horse shoes.

Local business were present with recent award winners Ponaire on hand for those looking for a caffeine boost as well as Con Trass's juces and Caroline Rigney's Pork products available.

Derina Allen was also on hand to impart some advice on home made Jam and baking and West Limerick Ratio were on hand for Music and a Live broadcast from the event.

Again the future of this country is in the hands of its entrepreneur's.

Photographs from - Munster Images Event Photography

Profitable Growth Is Everyones Business

2009-09-16T17:48:00.001+01:00

“Opportunities for Business in Kilmallock & District”
Where:Deebert House Hotel, Kilmallock
When:Tuesday 22nd September Time:7:00-9:30pm In Association with Kilmallock Partnership, Sponsored By Ballyhoura Development and Limerick County Enterprise Board.

7:00 pm Registration 7:15 Welcome and Introduction Chair of Kilmallock Partnership
7.30pm “Preparing for Growth” Michael Daly, Fordmount Property Group

~For booking information click [ Here ]

Farm Open Day - National Organic Week 2009

2009-09-02T12:54:00.001+01:00

The Nano Nagle Centre for HERITAGE, SPIRITUALITY & ECOLOGY is situated on 32 acres of land which is farmed organically by a community of Presentation Sisters in the heart of the Blackwater Valley.

To celebrate, National Organic Week, the Nano Nagle Centre for HERITAGE, SPIRITUALITY & ECOLOGY are hosting a Farm Open Day on the evening of Wednesday 16th September (4pm – 7pm), where members of the public and media will be invited to visit our farm and experience how and where local organic food is produced. There will be plenty of scope to meet the animals in residence, which include some pedigree Kerry cows, mountain sheep, 200 laying hens, 2 donkeys, 2 cats and 3 khaki campbell ducks! The polytunnels, kitchen garden, field scale vegetables and allotment project are a great example of the variety of crops that can be locally and organically produced in Ireland.
In line with this year’s Organic Week theme, we are hosting a cookery demonstration which will given by Clodagh McKenna. She will be cooking up a storm on a barbeque, using fresh organic produce from the farm and from other local artisan producers. There will be lots of organic delights to sample, emphasising the message that good quality organic ingredients make great tasting healthy meals.

Activities Planned for the Day
- Guided farm walks – including beef, sheep and poultry
- Tour of kitchen, herb and field scale vegetable gardens
- Tour of tunnels showing the possibility of growing organic food all year round
- Powerpoint presentation on the Sustainable Energy Features of the Centre
- Renowned chef Clodagh McKenna doing a cookery demonstration using organic produce from the farm.
- Sampling and tasting organic food and mingling with like minded foodies
- Talk on health benefits of organic food

Organic Products on Display/Sampling
We will host a farmers market where we will sell our eggs and seasonal organic produce from our gardens and a selection of organic preserves. Organic teas, coffees and treats along with homemade organic cordials will be aplenty.
We will also invite other local producers from our on site farmer’s market to come and set up a stall.
Music will be provided by a group of young local traditional musicians.
Leaflets on organic food, growing vegetables, sustainable agriculture and relevant courses will be available.

For further information, please contact:

Kitty Scully

Farm Manager & Course Developer
Nano Nagle Centre
Ballygriffin
Mallow
Co Cork

Tel: 022 26411
Fax: 022 26953
Email: kitty@nanonaglebirthplace.ie
www.nanonaglebirthplace.ie

eNewsletter now being sent out

2009-09-01T21:51:00.003+01:00

Finally after a lot of work our first eNewsletter is being sent out.
If you have subscribed on our website you should be getting it sometime on Wed 2nd if not you can view it online [ Here ]

We will be sending out this newsletter once a month and hope that it will provide useful information to those who read it. This months issue has information on social networking and also has the updated training schedule for the next few months.

If you have any suggestions please feel free to contact us at online@lcoeb.ie

Upcoming Training - Sales and Marketing for Beginners programme

2009-09-01T12:32:00.003+01:00

A quick introduction from our Mentor Paula for those interested in attending our September programme on Sales and Marketing.

My name is Paula Clarke and on 10th of September, I look forward to working with a number of you on the Sales and Marketing for Beginners programme.
Over the last 15 years, I have been involved with Small and Medium Enterprises across multiple industries in Sales, Marketing, Training and People Development Roles. My clients include Supermacs, Brown Thomas, Topaz, Queeleys and Kavanagh Groups within Musgraves organisation, Association of Craft Butchers of Ireland, Kearneys Home Bakery, Wild Orchid Smoothies, Limerick Instant Lawns, Fanningstown Castle and a range of SME’s throughout the entire country.

For me the essence of Powerful Sales and Marketing is enthusiasm and passion, knowing your product and really targeting and connecting with your customers. Having the right people on board and providing them with the support and knowledge to be successful!

This course will give you an opportunity to look at your business through the eyes of your customer, a chance to work for the business as opposed to in the business and leave with a renewed energy, ideas and tools to make a difference!

Come join me on this expedition that will help you deliver business results!

Book your place on Paula's excellent programme [ HERE ]

Launch of the 2009 Ulster Bank Business Achievers Awards

2009-08-25T13:47:00.003+01:00

We are delighted to announce that businesses are now invited to enter the 2009 Ulster Bank Business Achievers Awards. This is the 16th year of the awards, which were revamped and expanded to an all of Ireland awards programme last year. Over 400 businesses North and South entered the 2008 awards, a 400% increase on the previous year.

The awards celebrate business who are showing leadership, success and contribution to the economy in the face of many challenges and obstacles, regardless of the business offering, service or location. Run in association with the Irish Independent, Belfast Telegraph, Enterprise Ireland, Invest NI & Intertrade Ireland, the Ulster Bank Business Achievers Awards have been further expanded to include eight categories creating a total of 32 awards.

Businesses and entrepreneurs may enter themselves or be nominated by a third party in the following categories: 1. One to Watch Award 2. International Business Award 3. Social Entrepreneurship Award 4. Best Business Start Up Award 5. Family Run Business Award 6. Green Business Award 7. Agriculture, Food & Drink Award 8. Emerging Technology Award (up to a maximum of two categories per business).

Entries will close on 31st October 2009 and the 32 Provincial Award Winners will be announced in November 2009, with the overall 2009 Ulster Bank Business Achiever and eight Category winners announced in February 2010.
The overall winner will receive a comprehensive prize package including an Executive Education programme at Harvard University Business School, €50,000 worth of advertising space in the Irish Independent and two years membership of the Institute of Directors. Provincial and Category winners will receive a number of prizes including entry into the national awards, coverage in the Irish Independent and a dedicated profile page on the awards website.

Log onto file://www.businessachieversaward.com/ or phone Brian Shanley at Ulster bank limerick on 061 608104 for further information.

Limerick Show a great success despite the weather!

2009-08-24T22:12:00.013+01:00

Around 10,000 people attended the Limerick Show yesterday despite the awful weather in the morning. Luckily it cleared up for the afternoons events and all who attended said that there was plenty to see.

Our friends from Ballyhoura were in attendance with their own section of local business to promote. Again it is heartening to see that the small business market in Ireland is still an expanding area despite the tough times many businesses find themselves in at the moment.

Photographs are from Munster Images and the full gallery is available here -

http://picasaweb.google.com/Munster.Images/LimerickShow2009Photographs#

Tullamore Show - Not washed out for a change!

2009-08-09T23:18:00.007+01:00

The Tullamore show was a great success with massive crowds and the new venue promising not to fall foul of the weather even though it stayed dry this year ( mostly ). Very inspiring to see so many small business represented and there were several halls of stands offering everything from Toaster bags to peat bog facials!
The number and enthusiasm of the exhibitors is always a good indicator for the health of a nation and Ireland's entrepreneurs are alive and kicking!

More photos [here]

Ponaire takes Gold for Connoisseur Expresso.

2009-08-07T18:03:00.003+01:00

One for the coffee lovers - congrats to Ponaire Coffee, based in Annacotty, Co.Limerick for winning GOLD in the Great Taste Awards for their Connoisseur Espresso Blend on 14th July in London.
The coffee was blind tasted along with numerous other coffees. They have a great roasting house and coffee shop in Annacotty http://www.ponaire.ie/ well done!!

Tullamore Show starts this weekend

2009-08-05T14:55:00.005+01:00

The Tullamore Show opens its doors for us all this weekend - please stay away rain!. If your going keep an eye out for Limerick based business The Little Mile Company who have a stand showcasing their organic milk. A group of Limerick and Tipperary farmers have come together to join forces and bring their offering of local organic milk to the Irish Market. Go and have a taste - you'll like it!

Anyone else got any recommendation of stall's to look out for at upcoming shows

Tullamore, Limerick, Cappamore or elsewhere?

LCOEB now on Facebook

2009-08-03T18:33:00.002+01:00

Just completed setting up our facebook page.
Just click on the facebook button on the side of our blog to visit.
Hope to be gatering lots of "Fans" this week!

LCOEB now on Linkedin

2009-07-29T17:19:00.001+01:00

You can view our public profile and add us to your Linked in network from [ here ] we hope to grow this network and encourage interaction between small businesses in County Limerick and to facilitate networking between clients.

Welcome to our new Blog

2009-07-29T16:30:00.000+01:00

This is the new home for the LCOEB blog which will be used to keep our clients up to date on new developments in local enterprise in County Limerick.

Our Blog will contain dates and additional information on upcoming training events, and will also allow you to offer your feedback through online polls.

We also will be featuring a "company of the month section" where we will do a short interview with one of our clients who is going forward for the enterprise awards profiling their company and getting their take on the current business environment.

We also hope to get the input of some of our mentors to allow a wide range of information to be posted here.

Thanks for your interest.

Limerick County Enterprise Board