Excellence in Local Government Awards

The Chambers Ireland 9^th Annual Excellence in Local Government Awards was held in Dublin last week.  The awards recognise the services, supports and activities that local authorities provide for local people and local businesses.  A total of 17 awards were presented on the night across a range of categories.  The overall winners on the night were Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown (City/County Council of the Year) and Navan Town Council (Town/Borough Council of the Year).  More information can be found here.

Agri-Food

The Chamber established an Agri-Food Working Group in recent months to examine the food, drink and agri-food sector in the Cork region. The group has been engaging in a number of consultations with stakeholders from industry and local government in Cork to gather information on what is happening in the sector. Final consultations are currently underway and the findings from these shall be used to formulate a policy position on the requirements and opportunities of the Agri-Food sector in the Cork region. The Chamber believes that the Agri-Food sector has the potential to create new employment, economic activity and investment in the Cork region.       

Digital Media for Business (Twitter & LinkedIn) – Monday 19^th November

This one day course is suitable in particular to those who are marketing managers or look after the marketing function in a company but is also suitable for all levels of Staff with a basic understanding of the World Wide Web and It skills.

During this course, consideration will be given to Twitter, a piece of technology which is a bit like a severely stripped back and more public Facebook where people as consumers and as representatives of companies interact with each other. Twitter is the equivalent of one long networking event. Twitter is a good tool for doing business, if done right. We’ll go over setting up Twitter, how to add friends and colleagues and the toolset of it. Following this you will:

-          know how Twitter works;

-          will be able to set up a business profile;

-          will know how to gain followers and use the reach of their followers to get direct business or increase awareness of their brand.

LinkedIn is a social network for business people to connect with other business people. It’s B2B focused unlike most other social networks that are B2C. We will go over creating a business profile and what aspects are most important before going through tools on LinkedIn that allow you to seek out potential business partners and leads. Following this discussion you will:

-          have improved your LinkedIn profile;

-          will know what keywords to use;

-          how to use your profile as a calling card for your work; and

-           how to use your network of contacts to get more leads and business.

This one day course is only €125.00 for members so BOOK NOW! 

Train the Trainer – a FETAC Level 6 Course

This 3 day course, one of more popular, is designed to equip learners with the knowledge and skills necessary to design, deliver, assess and evaluate training programmes. It is suitable for people who are working in the area of training and development or who will soon be assuming a training position within their organisation. Participants on this course will gain practical experience and recognised certification as trainers.

At the end of this programme, at a special member rate of €400.00, successful participants will be able to:

- Understand different learning styles;

- Explain critical elements of a trainers' role;

- Understand the functions and processes of learning and training;

- Evaluate different approaches to training;

- Appreciate the importance of training on an individual, social and economic level;

- Work effectively with a range of learner groups;

- Explain the training needs analysis process and set appropriate training objectives;

- Apply the principles of training design in preparing lesson plans;

- Deliver training effectively in one-to-one and group situations, and select appropriate techniques for assessing trainee progress;

- Identify different levels of evaluation and evaluate the effectiveness of training programmes;

- Develop and implement appropriate assessment methods.

So if you wish to gain a professional, accredited qualification in the area of training, BOOK TODAY

Conflict Management

Once you have completed this 2 day course, you will have a heightened awareness of your own personal conflict management style and be aware of the positive role of conflict. You will also be able to develop mediation skills to manage an effective outcome via a mediation process. This course is particularly relevant if you work in front line personnel, such as service, sales, complaint handling etc. 

Our Conflict Management programme, costing only €250.00:

• Will enable you to become aware of the positive value of conflict;
• Will enable you to become aware of your own temperament and personal style – self-awareness and your response to conflict;
• Develops an understanding of both conflict and negotiation dynamics and how conflict can escalate;
• Will boost your self-confidence in relation to managing conflict;
• Teach you top tips to negotiate and manage conflict.

BOOK NOW  

See our full range of courses at www.corkchamber.ie/training

Bookings can be completed through the website and enquiries should be directed to Aoife@corkchamber.ie (Training Services Administrator)

Cork Chamber has partnered with EirGrid to bring you an informational Breakfast Briefing on Tuesday 4th December at 7.30am in the Gresham Metropole Hotel, Cork.

The Grid Link Project is an estimated €500 million project planned by EirGrid to upgrade the electricity grid that will deliver a wide range of benefits to the national and regional economies. The development will involve the construction of a new power line linking Leinster and Munster.

Cork Chamber and EirGrid are running this FREE information seminar to inform people about the project, answer questions, provide access to maps and technical documentation and hear the views of the business community and beyond.

BOOK NOW

Are you concerned about losing control of your supply chain in China because of language, cultural and distance aspects? If you are, then this is the webinar for you. Join the EU SME Centre in China on Tuesday 20 November at 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM CET (Central European Time) and discover:

- How to better match expectations and realities regarding price, quality and delivery.

- How to avoid extra costs through effective checks.

- The importance of a local presence to respond to problems adequately, in real time.

- Pros and cons of controlling your own supply Chain versus using regional and local service providers.

Reserve your Webinar seat now at the following link.

The Asian Studies Ireland Association (A.S.I.A) and the School of Asian Studies, University College Cork, are to jointly host the 4th Annual Conference of the Asian Studies Ireland Association on November 22nd and 23rd, 2012 at the River Lee Hotel, Cork. The theme of the conference is ‘Asian Studies in Ireland and Asian-European Social Innovation’.  During the two days conference, the Asia Language Council Ireland will be launched.  The full programme of the A.S.I.A. conference is available online at this link.  For further information or queries, please contact Daniele Massaccesi, Tel: +353 (0) 21 490 3326 or d.massaccesi@ucc.ie.

Aghadoe Heights Hotel & Spa – Christmas Party Nights

8^th December – Great Gatsby Christmas Party Night

15^th December – Aghadoe Christmas Party Night

• Mulled Wine, Prosecco & Canapés
• Five Course Christmas Feast
• Live Entertainment “The Love Junkies”
• Great Christmas Prizes
• Table Novelties

Party Night: €65pp

Special Accommodation Rate €70pps

To Book: Please call Emma Reardon on 064 6631766

OR E: sales@aghadoeheights.com

Christmas Holidays in a Home Away from Home.

No room at home for family who would love to visit at Christmas?

Luxurious 2 bedroomed self-catering apartments, Perfect home from home for families with all modern conveniences, fresh linen sheets and pillows, soft duvet and bath towels. Main bathroom consists of a bath & shower and also the convenience of an ensuite in the master bedroom. Fully equipped kitchen, open plan dining room and sitting room and our rates are inclusive of utility bills (Electricity and Gas).

Cork Chamber of Commerce members will receive a 5% discount on bookings.

This offer applies to businesses or individuals that hold Cork Chamber of Commerce membership only and is subject to availability

Contact: 021 4530050 or email events@themontenottehotel.com

URBAN RETREAT SPA REVIVER

We would like to offer members this wonderful 2 hour Spa therapy for the exceptional offer price of €69.  Relax and unwind, detox and revitalize at Robin Hill Sanctuary.  Starting with a Foot Spa and followed with a light body brush, your therapist will then apply a soothing salt and lavender scrub which is applied liberally on the body, deep cleansing and moisturizing your skin leaving it glowing, vibrant and replenished.  You then luxuriate in a marine algae seaweed bath, relax and unwind in the warm aromas while sipping herbal tea.  All your tensions are then released with 1 hour full prescriptive full body aromatherapy top to toe massage.  This will sooth and relax, aching and tensed muscles using oils of lavender, chamomile, juniper and geranium.  We finish the treatment with a refreshing fresh fruit sorbet.  To book the therapy, please call reception 021 481 2222 - Robin Hill Clinic

Corvus Suite (up to 10 people) - €199.00, Tucana Suite (Up to 20 people) - €289.00

1 section of the Pegasus Suite (Up to 20 people) - €349.00

These prices include: Meeting room hire, Morning Tea and Coffee, Daytime parking in Lapp’s Quay public car park, Complimentary use of our LCD projector, screen and one flip chart, Complimentary Wi-Fi with 100MD internet bandwidth

Telephone : 021 4224942

Email : events@clarionhotelcorkcity.com

www.clarionhotelcorkcity.com

4*Irish hotel Group, individual and different…..

Are you already trading/investing but would like to learn more?

Here is a SUPER deal from www.Market-Swings.com to help you minimise losses and maximise gains.

The November package contains a 12 month subscription to the Market-Swings newsletter and the first three lessons of the Dynamic Stock market Super Course.

Usual cost €129.96. Available to Cork Chamber members for just €49.99!

Benefits of this package include:

• Save time and energy
• Learn at your own pace
• Stockbroker support
• Learn from my mistakes
• Covers strategies for all markets

Offer good for November only.

Payment via Paypal using Marcel@Market-Swings.com

Cheque payments or queries contact Marcel@Market-Swing.com

087 1222515

Flemings Restaurant Tivoli – Christmas Offer

Christmas at Flemings is an art we’ve been perfecting for years. Georgian dining rooms, with open fires and flickering candlelight create the perfect backdrop for a Magical Christmas. A choice of many classical Christmas Dishes, seasonal game, partridge, venaison and of course our boozy Christmas Pudding complete a menu that is truly exceptional.

Enjoy a leisurely Lunch with Friends or work colleagues

Group bookings €35.00

Festive dinners from €45

Two Special Christmas Party nights

Saturday 24th November &Thursday 13th December an original evening of music, song and fine dining €55

www.flemingsrestaurant.ie

Remember  you can stay at Flemings or avail of our secure onsite parking seasonal taxi vouchers are provided  towards the cost of your homeward Journey.

Friday 23rd 6pm to Saturday 6pm 24 November 2012

Cork Leeside Toastmasters, with the support of EMC Toastmasters, Apple and Project Management Toastmaster clubs, the students of CIT and members of the Enterprise Hub are organising a 24 hour nonstop Entertain A Thon in aid of Marymount Hospice. This event will be held in Marymount University Hospice.

All those taking part do so for a maximum of 10 minutes.

Heading up the music will be 2012 Voice of Ireland contestant and award winning Tenor Dan Twomey. 

Snatch Comedy, world champions in “improv” comedy with whom you can expect chaotic, over-the-top, strange, experimental, spontaneous fun.  In other words expect the unexpected.

Story-telling will come from Toastmaster clubs from all around the city and county.

Cork Chamber members who would wish to take part, to tell a story or tell their company story or to perform for 10 minutes on the Friday the 23^rd or Saturday the 24^th, I would be delighted to hear from them.

Companies can also sponsor this event.

This event was held for the first time last year in the new state of art facility of Marymount University Hospice, Curraheen, Cork. The event was a great success, great fun and was enjoyed by all.

For details contact: John Keating - Cork Leeside Toastmasters. Mobile - 085 7202808 or
Email - john.keating@gmx.com

Trek the Trails of Spain in 2013. Discover the real Spain on foot!

We would be delighted if you could join us for our information evening on Tuesday 20th November at 7 pm, Rochestown Park Hotel, Douglas Cork OR Wednesday 21st November at 7 pm Wild Side Sports, Bandon Retail Park, Bypass Road, Bandon Cork. If you have any questions call in and chat to our official guides; Michael Grainger and Juan Rodriguez.

Four Options available:

Northern Spain –

Camino de Santiago –Grade: Easy to Moderate

Picos de Europa –Grade: Moderate

Southern Spain –

Cabo de Gata –Grade: Easy to Moderate

Mt Mulhacen –Grade: Moderate to Demanding


Full PDF available here

Contact J. Barter Travel Group for more information or see www.travelnet.ie

92 Patrick Street –1890 303 303, Douglas Village S.C –021 489 4084, Old Market Bandon S.C –023 884 1925

The 12^th Cork Wine &Craft Beer Fair

O’Donovans – the Cork Wine Merchants - are proud to announce details of the forthcoming 12^th Cork Wine Fair taking place on Wednesday 21st  November 2012 from 4-9pm in the Kiltegan Suite of the Rochestown Park Hotel, Cork. 400 Wines from a worldwide network of suppliers will be showcased in an event spearheaded by a fine wine selection backed up by premium spirits, gourmet foods, craft beers both Irish and international from our extensive craft beer range in O’Donovans Off Licences.

Tickets are €10 and available from any of the 16 O’Donovan’s branches in Cork City and County. Proceeds are in aid of the Cork Simon Community.  

Enquiries please contact: 021 429 6060

info@odonovansofflicence.com or deirdre@odonovansofflicence.com

‘Top Ten Actions to Take Control of Your Finances’ - A talk by Susan Hayes, “The Positive Economist”

presented by Alliance Française de Cork and College of Business and Law, UCC

Wednesday 21st November 2012 @ 7.30pm 247, Block A, Food Science & Technology Building, UCC

Admission free – all welcome!

Finance has many connotations for people in Ireland today, but for many, this word acts as a constraint as opposed to a platform. Susan Hayes, “The Positive Economist” will invite all participants to look at their budgets – not just of their money, but of the time and effort in a different way.. with curiosity, innovation and ingenuity.

All the information is on the following link http://www.alliancefrancaisecork.com/top-ten-actions-to-take-control-of-your-finances.html#more-4031

1. Christmas Concert in Aid of Cork Association for Autism Friday 7th December 2012 St Vincent's Sundays Well Church 8pm

Fiona O'Reilly, Soprano Dan Twomey, Tenor and special guests

Tickets €10 and kids under 12 FREE

Kick off your Christmas Season with us and take the chance to introduce Christmas Classics to your kids! for FREE!!

2. The Cork Association for Autism are holding Clothing Drive to help raise funds to support Adults with Autism and Asperger Syndrome. 

On Sunday 9^th of December we are holding a clothes drive to raise vital funds for our front line services.  The drive will be in three areas:

• Carrigtwohill Community Centre Car park @ 12pm-1pm
• Carrigaline Owenabue Car Park @ 2pm-3pm
• Bishopstown Leisure World Car Park @ 4pm-5pm

Santa will be present at each location receiving the clothing and will also be available for photographs.  We are looking for:

• Clothes in good condition,
• Full Pairs Of Shoes,
• Handbags,
• Full Game Sets,
• Old Christmas Dresses,
•  and Books.

All fundraising sponsorship and donations go directly to the provision of services on the front line – supporting Adults with Autism and Asperger Syndrome. The services include: residential, respite, day service, home and outreach supports.

Calling all graduates of the Faculty of Law, UCC!

We are delighted to be able announce more details on the Alumni Ball, where we may reconnect with our graduates, both recent and not so recent, can come together to celebrate 163 years of Law at UCC and look forward to the future.

Join us for a glittering black-tie event with champagne reception and music by the Paradiso Jazz Quartet, with the  Welcoming Reception at 7:00 p.m. in the Aula Maxima and dinner to be served at 8:00.

Tickets are now available to purchase at https://www.eventelephant.com/facultyoflawuccinauguralalumniball2012/

(NB Contact details are not required for all tickets bought – only for primary purchaser – but all contact details are of course welcome, as it will help us to keep in touch with you in the future.)

And for those of you who wish to start catching up sooner, here are a few people who would love to get in touch:

Class of ’69 - Donal Clifford clifforddonal@eircom.net

Class of ’75 – Gerald Barry gbarry@ewings.uk.com

Class of ’99 - Ryan Barry John bjryan@boi-ii.com

Looking forward to seeing you all on the 8^th!

TAKE A TEST DRIVE FOR BREAST CANCER’S PINK WEEK

KEARYS NISSAN LAUNCH PINK WEEK FOR BREAST CANCER IRELAND

Nissan Ireland and Kearys of Cork have teamed up with Breast Cancer Ireland to raise funds from cancer research. 

Pink Week kicks off at Kearys Nissan in Cork on 16 November, and will see Kearys donate €50 to Breast Cancer Ireland for every Micra test drive taken during the Pink Week. 

“At Kearys, we have set an ambitious target of raising €10,000 for Breast Cancer Ireland, which does such amazing work in the area of cancer research.  We’re painting our dealership on Kinsale Road Roundabout Pink for the week from 16^th to 25^th November, and really hope to have a record number of Micra test drives to raise these much-needed funds”, said Con O’Leary, Dealer Principal at Kearys Nissan.

Complimentary Pink muffins, teas and coffees and the usual great service will be on hand all week at Kearys Nissan.  So drop in and take a Micra for a test drive, a donation of €50 will go straight to Breast Cancer Ireland.

For more information, see www.kearys.ie

2012 has been a special year for Friends of Londiani and to round it out and bring us into the next ten years, we have an exclusive piece of jewellery for you. The Starfish Story has motivated many of our 400 volunteers who have travelled to Kenya with us over the last 10 years and has inspired this exclusive jewellery piece.  

FOL is delighted to team up with Don O Mahony, Master Engraver & Jeweller, who handcrafted the starfish in his Cork workshop. Each starfish is made from sterling silver and can come as a chain or bracelet and is presented in a handmade banana-fibre box made in Kenya. The story of the box in itself is an ode to the Starfish Story as the young man, James Njoroge, who makes them in his workshop in Nairobi is delighted to partner with FOL and have his products in Ireland.   

Back by popular demand, SECAD will be hosting their annual regional seminar for the Catalyst Women in Business Project on 21^st November in the Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa, Little Island.  An amazing line up of successful women in business is likely to draw women interested in starting up their own business, or those already in business.

Deirdre Collins of Dee’s Wholefoods, who appeared on Dragon’s Den last year, will talk about building her business of vegetarian ready meals from farmers’ markets to a now national brand available in all major retailers in Ireland & UK.  Deirdre O’Shaughnessy, Editor of Cork Independent and regular Newstalk radio and TV contributor will talk about making connections and building relationships for your profile and business across all sectors.

For further details on this event and to secure your place now please email Sinéad Conroy at sconroy@secad.ie or call 021.4613432.