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Leitrim Enterprise Week 2009 runs from March 9th to 13th.

See full schedule in PDF here here.

Special offer from DPS Print – for all your stationery needs.

Call Lisa on 091 96 71472 or email lisa@dpsprint.ie.

Economist David McWilliams will give a talk this Friday 13th February in the Landmark hotel 12.00pm- 2.00pm. This will be on business survival in the current economic market and is being subsidised by Carrick on Shannon chamber of commerce.

Thanks Jason for the reminder.

15 companies attended our February meeting.

Johnny Beirne facilitated an open discussion with the network members gathering feedback on what works well within the network and suggestions from improvements.

There was a general consensus that the network was very beneficial. It provided local business knowledge, good ideas and useful exchange of information. It also provided a sense of support for members, both for those moving to/back to the county and those starting a new business. It was agreed that having a speaker/presentation was useful and a number of people highlighted the quality of James Martin’s presentation at the January Meeting. Honest feedback amongst members toward their business was also deemed useful. The network was also seen a useful way to keep your business name out there.

Suggestions for improvement are as follows:

- Improve the network website – leitrimbusinessnetwork.com

- More motivational and ‘feel good’ type presentations should be considered.

- More group discussion including breaking into groups of 5 and discussing specific topics with a view to improving members businesses.

- Discussion directly after speaker presentation around how topic can be applied.

- Outline a 12 month strategy for the network and set specific milestones to be achieved.

Suggested topics for future meetings.

- Cashflow

- Diversity – What new opportunities may exist for your business. Identify strengths and apply them in a new way.

- Case Study Presentation and group feedback

- Time Management

- Service Exchange Programme e.g. finance expertise in exchange for IT expertise.

Good Ideas

- Enda Madden suggested people look at WESABE.COM for managing personal finance.

NOTE: Next Meeting: Tuesday March 10th.

For February 2009 Only – Get 1 Hour FREE Health and Safety Mentoring

For the month of February only, Safety Wise Advice Services is offering a Free 1 hour mentoring service on Health and Safety to all Leitrim Business Network Members.
This service can take place as a meeting, email or by Skype.

Topics include:

Simple Explanation of your Business’ Health and Safety Obligations (if any)
Safety Statements
Risk Assessments
Incident Investigation and Reporting, Implementation of corrective action
Training

This is an opportunity for you to have your Questions answered in a confidential manner with an Independent Chartered Safety and Health Practitioner.

Please contact Geraldine McGovern on 071 96 45524 or 087 6450299 or email info@safetyadvice.ie. Feel free to visit our website www.safetyadvice.ie for more information on our range of services.

Details: Tuesday February 3rd, 6pm, The Ramada Hotel.

Attendance: Joe Lowe (LCEB), Johnny Beirne (Facilitor), Leon Quinn (Reverb Studios), Brian Timoney (Webforge) and Enda Madden (SaasTek).

Topics Discussed:

Joe updated the network on the National Broadband Scheme and a meeting between Leitrim County Development and The Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources.

Last year The County Development Board conducted a broadband survey and presented the findings to the department ensuring that as much as the county would be serviced by the national scheme.

Joe also discussed plans for a new IT Incubation Centre which will be based close to Leitrim County Enterprise Board offices in Carrick on Shannon. He encouraged members to look out for potential tenants for what will be a state-of-the-art centre suitable for technology based start-ups. The centre will also cater for companies who wish to avail of tele-work facilities allowing their locally based employees to work closer to home thus removing the need to commute to Dublin for example. More updates on this soon.

The Centre will also have a classroom type facility for people on Third Level Courses ran by Leitrim County Council.

All Leitirm ICT companies are invited to provide input into the design of this centre and its facilities.

Enda Madden brought our attention to the NCPP Fund.

A very positive discussion also took place about saving money through IT. Examples included using OpenOffice and Linux as opposed to paying for Microsoft products such as Microsoft Office. These are just some examples. All Leitrim businesses are encouraged to contact local IT experts and save money.

A “Meet the IT Experts” is being organised and details will follow.

Irish Press Releases

Mulley.ie Blog

IGOpeople

LinkedIn

Check the Register

Onequote.ie

Build.ie

Pay Less Tax

Some local business people have written about their move to and/or working in Leitrim.

Click on their name below to read their views on working/living in Leitrim.

Enda Madden – Originally from Carrigallen, Co. Leitrim

Leon Quinn – Originally from Dublin, now working from his house in Leitrim

Jason McDowell – Originally from Leitirm

Please share you experince by leaving a comment below.

25 companies attended our January meeting.

James Martin, Director & Head Trainer/Facilitator, TeamLife Training, gave a motivating presentation entitled “Strategies for Success in Challenging Times”. James presentation covered the following topics:

- Focusing on existing customers
- Cashflow
- Costs
- Emotional Fitness
- Strategy for Overwhelm

Click here for full presentation.

An interesting and healthy discussion also took place amongst members about supporting local
business and cross-border shopping.

The next meeting will take place on Tuesday February 3rd at 6pm in The Ramada Hotel, Drumshanbo.

Agenda.

6pm – Welcome

6.05pm – Member Introduction

6.10pm – Network Discussion Forum

6.40pm – Leitrim Business Exhibition

6.50pm – Leitrim County Enterprise Board – News Update

7pm – Networking – Tea/Coffee

IGOpeople.com launched today. Campbell Scott (IGOpeople) spoke at our July network meeting and gave us an interesting presentation on ‘conversation marketing’ and how IGOpeople assists this.

This is a great opportunity to promote your business nationally. It is FREE to use while the site is in beta.

The following Leitrim business people have already registered:

Mike Afford – Mike Afford Media

Leon Quinn – Reverb Studios

Bernie O’Hara – Wedding Stationery Ireland

Brian Timoney – Webforge

Enda Madden – Saastech

Gordon Hughes – Gordon Hughes Property

Gina Geagan – Greenme

David Flaherty – Avtec

Jason McDowell – Jason McDowell & Co

Register your business HERE

Campbell has posted detailed information here outlining reasons why and how to use IGOpeople.