Laois Local Enterprise Week includes 14 events for budding entrepreneurs
Pictured at the launch of Local Enterprise Week at the Enterprise Office , Portlaoise, were: Jason Landon (graduate enterprise executive), Mark Clancy and Gearoid Sheridan (business advisors), Evelyn Reddin (head of enterprise) and Angela McEvoy (director of services at Laois Co Council) Photo: Michael Scully
LOCAL Enterprise Week takes place in Laois from Monday to Friday 3-7 March.
Throughout the five-day event, small businesses and budding entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to sample 14 events aimed at helping them to start or grow their business.
Local Enterprise Offices are supported by Enterprise Ireland and the local authorities in each county. They support thousands of small Irish businesses and entrepreneurs nationwide. Since their establishment in 2014 they have provided a range of supports including financial, mentoring, training and sector-specific expertise to help guide businesses at any stage of their development.
Evelyn Reddin, head of enterprise in Laois, said: “Local Enterprise Week is a fantastic marker in the road for any business. It’s an opportunity to take stock of where you are, see where you can grow, where you can innovate or maybe become more sustainable and see what resources are available on your doorstep. And for those who may always have had that ambition to start on their own, this is the week to see how to get started and make it happen.
“Hundreds of events are taking place all over the country covering everything from exporting and digital to going green or growing that idea. So, online or on your doorstep, I would encourage everyone to check out the schedule of events and get involved.” The following are just some of the events taking place in Laois. Booking is advised and the full list is available at www.localenterprise.ie/laois ● Padraic O Maille will give a talk entitled ‘Achieve more for your business in 30 days’ in the Midlands Park Hotel, Portlaoise on Tuesday 4 March from 5.45pm to 7pm. Padraic is one of Ireland’s leading speakers and writers on business and motivational issues. He will teach attendees how to regain control of their day, increase sales, lower stress and accomplish goals faster than ever before.
● John O’Shanahan from Lean BPI is delivering a seminar on ‘Digital adoption in small businesses: why it’s time to act faster’. John is a senior business consultant with more than a decade of experience in Lean and Digitilisation. If you have a small business and wish to explore how they are successfully adopting digital tools to streamline operations, enhance customer experiences and drive growth, this is the talk for you. John will share real-world-use case studies of best-in-class digital adoption and will show how LEO supports such as Digital for Business and Grow Digital can help you on your journey – 11.30am to 1pm at Portlaoise Enterprise Centre, Clonminam Business Park, Portlaoise.
● Ken McHugh from Lefthand Productions Ltd is always a favourite during Local Enterprise Week and he is back again to deliver a workshop on ‘AI tools for business that you will actually use’ – an informative three-hour webinar on using AI tools for business. Ken will talk about practical ways that AI can increase productivity, save time and promote your company.
● An informative lecture entitled ‘Let’s Talk about Finance’ is a lunch and learn event in the chamber of Laois County Council. If you wish to start a business or are running a small emterprise, this talk will provide details on financial and other available supports. It will also discuss eligibility criteria and how to apply for funding. This is an opportunity to talk to representatives from LEO Laois, Laois Partnership and the Department of Social Protection. A light lunch will be provided.
● A Laois Women in Business meet-up and lunch event will take place in the Heritage Hotel, Killenard on Friday 7 March with registration at noon. This networking event will also celebrate International Women’s Day. Key speaker is Laura Dowling, AKA The Fabulous Pharmacist. Laura will talk about her business and health-related topics. She has over 21 years’ experience in community pharmacy and more than 200k followers on social media.
● One-to-one mentoring clinics will take place daily on topics such as financial planning, business advice and digital marketing.
Details for all the events taking place across the county are available at www.LocalEnterprise.ie/laois
