BUSINESSES URGED TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF LOCAL ENTERPRISE WEEK

Companies have been urged to take advantage of Local Enterprise Week across the country after what has been a turbulent couple of years for small businesses.

The Local Enterprise Offices have launched their programme for Local Enterprise Week consisting of over 220 virtual and physical events nationwide taking place from the 7th to 11th March.

Businesses Urged to Take Advantage of Local Enterprise Week

The events are open to all from budding entrepreneurs to established businesses and gives them the opportunity to get expert advice on key areas of business from financial skills, raising finance, exporting and boosting your business online to future trends such as sustainability and digitalization.

There are events being run by each of the 31 Local Enterprise Offices around the county, supported by Enterprise Ireland and the Local Authorities, and they are free to attend.

Along with the local events there are 12 free National Spotlight events that will take place online and are open to everyone across the country.

There are events on each of the days and some of the topics include – “Future Proofing Your Small Business”, “Internationalising Your Business”, “Going Green” and “Show Me The Money”.

An Tánaiste and Minster for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Leo Varadkar, said; “Understandably, businesses have largely been preoccupied with dealing with the urgent and unexpected over the past couple of years due to Covid and Brexit.

“This year’s Local Enterprise Week is a fantastic opportunity to look forward and plan for a more predictable future.

“There’s a really interesting programme of events with some really practical sessions to help take your business to the next stage or help with a problem you are facing.

“There is something for everyone and every business at Local Enterprise Week so I would encourage all business owners to check out what’s on and use this opportunity to reflect and plan”

According to Chair of the network of Local Enterprise Offices, Padraic McElwee, the week offers the perfect opportunity for small businesses to dip their toe in the water of areas where they may have little or no knowledge.

“Local Enterprise Week is the perfect opportunity for small businesses to analyse their position and set a course for the future.

“Following two years of change, small businesses will hopefully have a sustained period of stability to plan and to grow.

“Similarly we will have a new wave of entrepreneurs stemming from the pandemic that will have great ideas for a business or want to create a business that better suits a new life balance.

“Local Enterprise Week will have an event for all these people and a chance to link in with their Local Enterprise Office to see how they can be supported in the future.”

Carol Gibbons, Divisional Manager, Regions and Local Enterprise, Enterprise Ireland said: “Enterprise Ireland is delighted to support Local Enterprise Week.

“This exciting programme of events not only showcases the supports that are available to entrepreneurs and business owners, but it also offers access to expert advice.

“Ireland’s business community has had a difficult time in recent years, with many forced to make hard decisions and to adapt.

“Local Enterprise Week offers small business owners, who play a vital role in our economy, the opportunity to move forward and we are excited to support them on this journey as they look to grow, scale and innovate.”

Details for all the events taking place across the country during Local Enterprise Week, from March 7th to 11th, are available at www.LocalEnterprise.ie/Week

Reporting: Irish Tech News