It’s all business for Local Enterprise Week

DOZENS of exciting events will be taking place across the Southside next week as this year’s Local Enterprise Week takes off.

Anyone thinking of starting a business, new start-ups and growing SMEs should be heading into one of the over 30 events planned for Dún Laoghaire Rathdown’s Local Enterprise Week from March 7 to 11.

For early stage entrepreneurs there are workshops on Monday, March 7 including ‘The Lean Startup – Work Smarter not Harder’ while Catherine Moonan, author of ‘The Pitch Coach’, will teach that all important business skill ‘How to craft and deliver a 60-second pitch’.

Key note speakers on Tuesday, March 8, Iain Jawad of Frost & Sullivan will be outlining ‘Future Global Trends’ while Maureen Gaffney discusses ‘Managing Change, Resilience and Being at Your Best’.

Cathaoirleach, Cllr Barry Saul, said the events organised for Enterprise Week are responding to business surveys carried out for the Dún Laoghaire Rathdown’s Local Economic and Community Plan 2016-2021.

“The business community asked for more opportunities to engage with stakeholders and to develop the county as a hub for small enterprises,” he explained. “Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council is committed to creating an ‘enterprise-friendly’ county for companies and individuals setting up or expanding their businesses and ultimately supporting the creation of more local jobs.”

Dearbhla Lawson, Director of Economic, Community and Cultural Development, said Dún Laoghaire Rathdown has a rich culture of entrepreneurship and a thriving business community.

“Our research shows that there is a demand for opportunities to network and share experiences and skills with fellow entrepreneurs,” she said. “With over 30 events planned, our Local Enterprise Week includes a wide range of talks, workshops and networking opportunities to support entrepreneurs and businesses from all sectors of our local economy, and we look forward to seeing you there.” 

Meanwhile, Local Enterprise Office (LEO) South Dublin has unveiled details of their events that are aimed at promoting the supports available to local entrepreneurs and businesses.

Des English of the LEO South Dublin said: “There are plenty of business opportunities out there but you have to go out and find them.

“Local Enterprise Week is a brilliant platform to help increase awareness of the role of LEOs both here in South Dublin and throughout the country.

See www.localenterprise.ie/southdublin