Objective:
The aim of this interactive 2 day residential workshop is to give entrepreneurs aged 50+ the opportunity to develop a business plan to guide the establishment of their new business. It is suitable for those with an idea, on which they would like to base a new business, who would like assistance in taking their idea from concept to commercial reality.

To achieve this objective the workshop will equip particpants:
• To assess the feasibility of their business idea

• To undertake market research

• To develop an action based marketing plan

• To acquire the knowledge to complete 1 – 3yr sales and expenditure projections

• To develop practical skills for achieving their projected sales targets

• To understand how to manage cash flow in their business

• To identify the amount of capital required to start their business

• To gain awareness of the supports available to new businesses

• To identify appropriate exit strategies

The delivery style will be highly interactive and will draw on the skills, experience and knowledge of particpants through facilitated round tables.
Location: Killeshin Hotel, Portlaoise, Co Laois

Date: 8th/9th May 2012

Cost: €75 to include all training material, food and accommodation (single occupancy) in the hotel. This residential workshop can be offered to particpants at this low price thanks to the support of the County Enterprise Boards and of Senior Enterprise who believe that there is considerable untapped potential among those aged 50+ to become entrepreneurs.

How to apply: Book Online Click Here

Please note: You must be aged 50 or over and have an idea for starting a business.

Saturday 4^th February sees the launch of an exciting new one hour business programme on
South East Radio. South East Radio’s Business Matters will address issues facing
business leaders across the county and it will provide the ideal forum for
business people to speak their mind about doing business in Co. Wexford.

Karl Fitzpatrick, Director of Chevron Training will present South East Radio’s
Business Matters. Karl is heavily involved in all aspects of the business
community in Co Wexford. He is a board member of Wexford Chamber of Commerce, a
mentor with the Wexford County Enterprise Board, business programme trainer
with Wexford Local Development and chairman of both the Wexford and Rosslare
B2B Networking Groups.

Speaking about the launch of South East Radio’s Business Matters General Manager, Liam
Dwyer says “We are delighted to introduce a programme that focuses on the
business community in Co. Wexford. It is a great opportunity for their voice to
be heard and for stories to be shared and valuable insights to be gained”.

Keep informed with South East Radio’s Business Matters about local news, local
business successes and failures along with developments and investments that
can assist job creation.  The latest
trends will be uncovered with exciting updates of innovative projects and
products generated in the county.

All of this and more delivered, in an easy listening, conversational style for all South
East Radio listeners to enjoy. If you have a business in Co. Wexford you can’t
afford to miss South East Radio’s Business Matters in association with Wexford
Insurances every Saturday from 10.30am to 11.30am

Download the full pdf brochure Wexford CEB Spring 2012 Training Programme

Tide beginning to turn as South East businesses expect improved outlook in 2012  

After three years, the tide seems to be turning slightly for businesses in the South East region with around half expecting an improvement in sales in 2012 and just 17% expecting a further fall. Even more positive is the fact that businesses in those sectors that were hit hardest, such as financial services initially and then retail / wholesale and hotels / restaurants / tourism, are among the most positive for the coming year, according to the findings of the latest South East Business Confidence Study. Though more businesses recorded a fall in customer activity in the past six months than an increase, nonetheless, a majority expect that 2011 will turn out to have been a better year than 2010 from a sales perspective. Indeed, half of those who have seen a sales increase 2011 report it as being 10% or greater. This is the eighth in a series of twice-yearly surveys conducted in the South-East region by Kilkenny-based market research firm, Market Dynamics. A total of 349 businesses in the region participated.

Commenting on the results, John Gilsenan, Managing Director of Market Dynamics, stated:

“after seemingly never-ending gloom about the business environment we can now see a more positive outlook which is coming from some unexpected sectors, such as financial services, hotels / restaurants / tourism and retail / wholesale. Even the construction sector is more positive. A very encouraging sign is the accuracy of businesses in their predictions. In previous years, business forecasts made in the May survey have been found to have been overly-ambitious by the time of the November one. This time, however, businesses expectations for the year in this survey tally with predictions made in May. This is reassuring for businesses who can make plans in a more confident manner”

Download the full report click here SEBS Nov 2011_ Executive Summary

Softouch Technologies Ltd., a company based in Gorey, Co. Wexford has scooped a major award for export at the 15th Annual National Enterprise Awards.

Organised by the County and City Enterprise Boards to recognise the achievements of Ireland’s micro enterprises, the awards were announced by Mr. John Perry, T.D. Minister of State for Small Business at the event in Dublin Castle.

Softouch Technologies, established by David O’Donnell in 2000, specialises in database management systems and is supported by Wexford County Enterprise Board. The company’s main product, JobPro Central, offers a superior business tool for the Apple Mac user targeting a substantial niche market.

With a client base spanning five continents Softouch Technologies are currently developing a new version of their JobPro Central product, which it is anticipated will open up potential for increased exports and greater sales revenues.

The Acting CEO of Wexford County Enterprise Board, Tom Banville, was the first to congratulate the company saying, “Softouch Technologies is to be congratulated on its outstanding performance as an indigenous Irish exporter.  David has developed an innovative product that is now exported across the world and is a competitive player on the world stage. The company continues to pursue product development as well as develop new routes to market and is an inspiration to all small enterprises.”

Minister John Perry presented the overall award of the National Enterprise Awards to David Murphy of Agrispread (Running Gear Ltd.), a manufacturer of agricultural spreaders based in Mayo.  Two other awards were announced on the night; Patrick Cotter of Fleet Connect from Fingal received the ‘New Business Award’ while Johnny O’Connell, Gerard McCarthy and Dennis McCarthy of Drombeg Premium Irish Spirit (Glanmara Ltd.) from West Cork were presented with the ‘Innovation in Product Development’ award.

The remaining finalists were Soltec (Ireland) Ltd. from Westmeath (Michael Corcoran), Aine’s Handmade Chocolates from Cavan (Ann Rudden), Sendmode.com of Donegal (John McNamara) and Action Point Innovation from Limerick County (David Jeffreys).

There are thirty-five County and City Enterprise Boards around the Country, which in 2010 alone, provided a variety of enterprise supports for nearly 25,000 small business owners. Find out more on www.enterpriseboards.ie

Check out what they came up with Sample Marketing Plan

Let us know what you think!

Check out this campaign and some very useful guide documents on www.winterready.ie

Click through to http://www.wexfordmeansbusiness.ie to find out more

Now more than ever businesses are looking for innovative and cost effective ways to promote their business and the SFA National Small Business Awards are one such opportunity!

By answering 5 short questions about your company you could benefit from an extensive SFA media and PR programme with finalists receiving a full day Interactive Media Skills training programme.   Further prizes include:

A €5,000 cash prize for the overall winner

• A Weekend  Strategic Management Masterclass – for every finalist
• Profile in Irish Independent Supplement – – for every finalist
• Interview with Newstalk Radio
• Awards Trophy

Any Irish company serious about progressing their business, selling their story to a wider audience and recognising the achievements of their team to date should enter these awards!

For further details and to download an application form please visit www.sfa.ie/awards.