If you are self employed or considering starting your own business, talk to the Enterprise Board about training, mentoring and financial support

In tough trading conditions, your local Enterprise Board may be able to assist the growth, development or to sustain a business in difficulty.  While their primary focus is manufacturing and internationally traded services, the Enterprise Board provides a wide range of services and supports that are not confined to these categories of entrepreneurs.   Tipperary North County Enterprise Board is running a series of training programmes over the coming months and owners/managers seeking to improve the performance of their business or in the early stages of start-up can avail of supports at modest or no cost.

Of interest to those with a new idea will be a half day workshop titled ‘How to Identify, Research & Develop New Business Ideas’.  This workshop is specifically designed for individuals, SME’s and micro-enterprises who have an idea for a new product or service and don’t know what to do next.  It will also suit people looking for opportunities without a firm business idea.  This engaging and practical workshop will teach you how to get through the product development process.  A booking fee of €20 will apply for the workshop and participants will have the option to meet with the trainer on a one-to-one basis after the event for a nominal cost. 

Start Your Own Business (Level 5 FETAC Accredited).  This programme will be of interest to new start-ups or those considering setting up their own business. The course runs one night per week over 10 weeks.  On completion participants will know how to write a business plan, have learned about the legal structures available to set up a business, identified what market research is about and have learned about pricing, costing and budgeting.  A participant fee of €60 applies and fee exemptions may apply to those registered as unemployed.

A Pre-Self Employment Boot Camp for couples will be delivered over a Friday evening and full day Saturday.  Self-employment/running your own enterprise is a big decision – you need a good business idea (not necessarily a “great idea”), a head for numbers-especially for cash; a range of business skills; personal discipline plus huge commitment.  It will be exhilarating when you make those big sales but it will also be a lonely road full of self-doubt when things don’t quite go to plan!  Your new business will be a demanding mistress – needing your attention 24/7 to get it up and running.
This Pre-Self Employment Boot Camp provides prospective new business promoters with a “short, sharp dose of the reality of self-employment and running one’s own business”.
Too often people get into business without a full understanding of what’s involved, thinking it’s enough to have a good business idea. It’s not!   The Programme will help you see what it will mean to be self-employed/run a small enterprise. You will come away with a clear picture of the likelihood of your success in self-employment.   Booking fee of €40 per couple attending.

‘Accelerate – Driving Your Business Forward’, a Management Development Programme that has been designed by the Network of County & City Enterprise Boards will be repeated again this year.  This initiative is aimed at existing firms, and will involve a mix of 7 intensive group training workshops and 3 x one-to-one on-site trouble shooting sessions.  The programme will commence in October and run into early 2013.  Participation on this programme will be preceded by a financial evaluation of your business.

A half day Introduction to Social Media Workshop will be of interest to individuals interested in utilising ICT to grow sales and enhance the profile of their  business utilising web applications such as Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Blogging etc.  The introductory seminar will be followed by a number of training workshops which will be designed to meet the needs of participants.  Their location will also be dictated by areas of demand.

An Energy Reduction/Cost Saving Seminar will be of interest to existing business owner/ managers who need to improve their bottom line through further cost savings in the area of energy.  This seminar will be held in Thurles and can be repeated in Nenagh if there is demand.

Get a free website for your business with Google, Blacknight, An Post and the County & City Enterprise Boards who have come together to create Getting Irish Business Online.  We’re taking the time, hassle and cost out of getting a website so that you can get on with running your business.  You will get a free easy to update website; free .ie .eu or .com domain name for first year; Ongoing tips and education and AdWords €100 trial with expert phone support.  If your business is in need of a website why not attend the next half day workshop in Nenagh on Thursday 20th September.   You will be assisted to develop your site on the day so start assembling text, images and other content you would like to publish on-line.

The impact of the downturn in the economy and how it can affect the way companies need to market their products will be covered in a half day workshop titled ‘The Psychology of the 20th Century Customer’ which will be delivered by Dr. Melrona Kirrane, Lecturer in Psychology at DCU.  Dr Kirrane will profile the 20th Century customer and explain what influences  the buying decision when cash is tight and confidence is diminished.  This workshop is a must for the retail sector and will take place on Friday 19th October at the Abbey Court Hotel, Nenagh from 10.30 am to 1.00pm with free admission.

The Board will cover some training and upskilling requirements through clinics where owner/managers/staff will have the opportunity to meet with consultants on a one to one confidential basis at their training centre in Nenagh.  Clinics planned for the Autumn include Branding and e-Commerce and must be booked in advance.  Time allotted will be of the order of 1.5 hours duration and a booking fee of circa €10 will apply.

While the above programmes have already been scheduled for this Autumn, we are continuously updating and revising our offering, so please contact us if there you have any specific training requirements for your business.

All courses may be booked on-line at www.tnceb.ie/training.htm (see advert for dates etc).    However in the event of financial difficulties or if you do not have credit card/ laser card you should contact the Board’s offices directly.   Early booking is advised as numbers are strictly limited and places are allocated on a first-come first-served basis.

Other supports available from the Tipperary North County Enterprise Board include Mentors, Temporary Business Advisors, e-Commerce Coaches, Website Development Grants, Exhibition/Trade Show Grants, Schools Enterprise Programmes and Women in Business focussed initiatives.  The Board also offers a suite of financial supports including Feasibility, Priming and Business Expansion Grants.

To access supports or for further information contact the Tipperary North County Enterprise Board, Connolly Street, Nenagh at 067-33086, www.tnceb.ie or e-mail at info@tnceb.ie.  County and City Enterprise Boards are funded by the Irish Government and by the European Union.