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National Enterprise Week
National Enterprise Week - Thank you!
We would like to thank the 5000 businesses that took part in our National Enterprise Week and to all of our staff, who helped make it such a success
Our second National Enterprise Week has come to a close and has proven to be another successful week for the SME sector with an extensive programme of events. The week featured over 1300 businesses as part of 'Show Your Business' in branch and we had over 60 events across the country, welcoming in over 3,000 people to our events.
The initiative is recognised as part of European SME Week 2010. Its purpose is to continue to provide relevant advice/assistance, alongside financial support of sustainable and viable businesses through these challenging times.
The events which took place Nationwide gave SMEs the opportunity to meet with leading industry experts, gain free advice and support while learning from the speaker's insights and experiences. Guest speakers included senior Bank personnel, local business service providers, successful local entrepreneurs, and industry experienced panellists who operate the Bank's independent mentoring service, Enterprise Builder. There were a number of Flagship events where a selection of guest speakers and Dragons from Dragons' Den presented.
The Events - Bank of Ireland Clanbrassil Street, Dundalk
Bank of Ireland Clanbrassil Street, Dundalk held a business evening on Thursday 20 May launching the Enterprise week - theme of which is 'Building better business in 2010'. Guest speakers included Bobby Kerr, Chairman of Insomnia Coffee and Dragon from Dragons' Den who discussed his own business experience. The event highlighted how SME's can build a better business and how there are definite signs of improvement within our Economy.
Back to TopEvents - Dunhill Multi-Education Centre
Waterford hosted a Green event at the Dunhill Multi-Education Centre, Waterford on Tuesday 25 May. Speakers included Senator Dan Boyle from the Green Party who discussed the importance of making business more energy efficient and environmentally friendly.
Back to TopEvents - House of Lords
On Wednesday the 26th of May there was a business breakfast in the House of Lords, Bank of Ireland College Green. It was a packed out event with over 250 people in attendance. Guest speakers included Rick Kelley, Head of European SMB Sales, Facebook discussed 'How to promote your business' and how Facebook can increase your sales. Margaret E Ward also presented giving great advice on marketing your business.
Mark Cunningham presenting at College Green
The audience at College Green
Events - Thomond Park Stadium
Thomond Park Stadium, Limerick on Thursday, 27 May was the location for our Flagship event in the South West. At the breakfast briefing Sean Gallagher, entrepreneur and Dragon from Dragons' Den gave an uplifting speech recounting his own business story, while former Munster rugby player Frankie Sheehan was MC for the event.
L-R: Des Crowley, Sean Gallagher, Gerry Reeves, Frankie Sheehan, Michael Lauhoff.
Events - Ardilan Hotel, Galway
Also on Thursday was a successful business networking event at the Ardilan Hotel, Galway. Guest speakers included Neil Hughes, corporate recovery specialist (offices in Dublin and Enniscorthy) Hughes Blake Chartered Accountants. Neil who has recently published his own book 'Beating the recession - the seven Cs of business recovery' will present on 'Beating the Recession'. Declan Flood from Irish Credit Management Training discussed 'Managing your Cash flow'.
Back to TopEvents - Carton House
Bank of Ireland & Carton House hosted a Business Networking breakfast on Friday the 28th of May, in Carton House providing the 250 attendees with information on working locally to sustain and grow your business.
Back to TopShow Your Business
One of the most successful features of the week is 'Show Your Business'. Up and down the country SMEs were invited into branches to display and sell their products and services. Show your Business offers businesses a platform to meet new customers, talk about their business, set up displays and showcase their products, free of charge. Feedback from this years events showed that participants reached a new marketplace and developed sales opportunities. It gave them greater exposure to the local business community, allowed them gain valuable knowledge and provided them with a networking opportunity with other business experts and business owners. It also provided many of them with free publicity.
Kate O'Donnell Regional Sales Manager Bank of Ireland, Sean Connick Minister of State, Marguerite Pettitt BOI, Marian Power Zen Beauty Bar enjoying 'Show Your Business' in South Leinster during National Enterprise Week 2010.
For more information
For more information on National Enterprise Week 2010, including blogs, videos and pod casts please log onto www.allaboutbusiness.ie
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