Broaden your business perspective

THE Women in Business Alliance (WIBA) is a networking group for women in business organised under the auspices of the Dun Laoghaire Rathdown Chamber.

It is dedicated to fostering and promoting the success of businesswomen and has gone from strength to strength since it was formed in 2011.

WIBA hosts events that offer business owners and professionals from the county of Dun Laoghaire Rathdown a comfortable atmosphere to network and learn about the personal and professional experiences of other women in business.

Participants are also able to interact with elected public representatives who have taken a keen interest in the activities of the group.

Many relevant discussions take place at these events on topics such as the importance of modifying the Irish childcare system to help women stay in their jobs.

At a recent WIBA event, the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Frances Fitzgerald TD, said:

“It is an economic imperative to solve the childcare system in Ireland.

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Ireland’s childcare history has been a system of informal facilities but while it has greatly improved over time, the country still needs its own childcare model.

Other issues highlighted by WIBA events are the lack of women in Irish politics.

Women’s voices need to be heard and the need for more professional women to voice their expertise is crucial for all positive changes to happen.

The WIBA are privileged to have Deputy Mary Mitchell O’ Connor TD as a regular contributor to our meetings.

She recently voiced her opinion on this matter at one of their business events.

She said that in regards to the political situation, a quota system of 30 per cent at selection conventions is to be put in place so that there will be more women in politics.

As she explained

“We need to have a critical mass of women in politics to make sure that women are on the agenda.

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The WIBA and Dun Laoghaire Rathdown Chamber members range from business experts in public relations, visual communications, law, human resources, environmental computers, film marketing technology, finance and politics.

The WIBA has members in several of the large companies operating in the Dun Laoghaire Rathdown area so that networking happens at all levels.

Networking is one of the primary benefits of being a member of Dun Laoghaire Rathdown Chamber.

Sponsors for WIBA include the Royal Marine Hotel in Dun Laoghaire, Allied Irish Bank, Dun Laoghaire, Tierney & Co, Kathy Irwin of Irwin Solicitors, Liz Ferris of Canada Life, Redstorm and the Magpie Inn.

The recent Women’s Wealth Seminar took place in the Royal Marine Hotel, Dun Laoghaire and was sponsored by AIB Bank, Dun Laoghaire.

This event is part of the vision for WIBA members to keep up with important issues relating to their business life.

This seminar focused on the protection of wealth by means of planning and investment and was addressed by Catherine Moroney, Head of Personal Banking in AIB.

It was attended by over 90 businesswomen.

This was the first of a series of future events that will concentrate on the protection of

‘Wealth and Succession Planning’.

The Chamber announced at the Women’s Wealth Seminar a promotion for members to have their will made at a cost of

?¬100 plus vat.

This promotion is part of an Executive Programme launched last year called the GNO (Growing, Networking, Organising) programme for Irish businesses.

The WIBA would like to thank outgoing Dun Laoghaire Rathdown Chamber President Neil Kennan for his support over the last two years and to congratulate Josephine Browne on her new position as incoming President.

For further details contact Dun Laoghaire Rathdown Chamber on 01-2845066 or visit the Women in Business Alliance link www.wiba.ie at www.dlrchamber.ie.