The Chamber’s New Policy Committees

In October 2012, the Chamber disbanded its 2009-2012 policy committee structures in line with its Strategic Plan 2012 – 2014.  Under the new governance structures two new committees – an Economic & Enterprise Committee and a Transport & Infrastructure Committee were established. 

The Chamber has recently held the first meeting of its two newly formed policy committees. The new Transport and Infrastructure Committee will be chaired by Denis Healy (Port of Cork) and includes 16 members from across the Chamber membership whose interests and expertise will support the Chamber in developing strategic recommendations and lobbying for improved transport and infrastructure for businesses in Cork and increase the appeal of the region. 

The new Economic & Enterprise Committee is chaired by Ronan Murray (Ernst & Young) and includes a further 16 members from across the membership whose interests and expertise in economic and enterprise matters will support the Chamber in  developing strategic short, medium and long term policy recommendations that support enterprises and drive Cork’s economic development.

The Policy Department would like to congratulate the Chairs and members of these new committees and looks forward to working with them. 

Chamber Polls

The Policy Department wish to hear from you on key policy issues or challenges which you feel we should be prioritising in 2013.  As part of this, the Policy Department will be conducting a series of monthly polls to seek the views of our membership.  Your vote will help us prioritise our focus in 2013. 

This month we want to know if you have heard of the Cork City Centre Movement Strategy.  To partake in our poll pleaseclick here.  Further details are available on www.corkchamber.ie or on Twitter @CorkChamber .

Cork City Centre Movement Strategy

The Chamber has attended a meeting with Cork City Council and ARUP/MVA Consultancy to discuss the Cork City Centre Movement Strategy.  The strategy proposes changes for general vehicular access, public transport movement, pedestrian movement and cycling access in the city centre. 

Cork Chamber is currently preparing a submission and welcomes input from its members.  Should you be interested in providing comments or feedback for this submission, please contact the Policy Department before Wednesday 20^th February.  Further information on the strategy is available here.

Why train with us? We have small class sizes of an average of 10 persons per class (individual attention guaranteed) Top Trainers (all are leaders within their respective fields), locally delivered and exceptionally good value for money.

Train the Trainer (FETAC Level 6)  

Course Dates: 11th, 18th & 25th February, 2013

Member Rate: €400.00

This 3 day course, one of our 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 (FETAC Level 6) as trainers.

At the end of this programme 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!

Certificate in Business & Executive Coaching Leadership (FETAC Level 6)

Course Dates: 13th & 14th February, 6th & 7th March & 11th April, 2013

Member Rate: €550.00

This FETAC Level 6 Business Coaching for Peak Performance course is designed to provide those with responsibilities for developing workplace competencies with the skills needed to develop individual performance in others.

Throughout the 5 day course, competencies, behaviours, knowledge, skills, and abilities are identified that directly and positively impact the success of employees and organisations. It is designed to create an understanding of the organisational and workplace context within which performance and individual career development takes place and it will provide the skills, knowledge and tools required to carry out effective coaching in the workplace. Coaching is about unlocking a person’s potential to maximize their performance. This course is ideal for anyone who would like to learn the core skills of Business Coaching whilst also gaining a qualification which is on the National Qualification Framework in Ireland (FETAC Level 6). BOOK NOW!

Effective Presentation Skills

Course Date: 12^th February, 2013

Member Rate: €130.00

This course combines the perfect balance of theory with practical presentation techniques over one day resulting in a comprehensive training course giving participants the skills required to deliver effective presentations in a clear, concise and confident manner.

Throughout this course a practical hands-on approach is taken, allowing participants to practice and deliver their presentations a number of times throughout the day. One of these sessions is recorded and feedback will be offered. The main objectives are:

• Understand the importance of knowing your audience
• Plan an effective presentation
• Overcome Nerves
• Beginning and ending a presentation successfully
• Be familiar with a strong presentation structure
• Getting the audience’s attention and keeping it
• Establishing the audience's attention and keeping it
• Properly using your eyes, hands, voice and stance
• Handling Q & A

This course is ideal for those who would like to gain confidence when designing and delivering a presentation and would like to learn a process that can be applied for all future presentations. 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) 

Date: 7^th February
Time: 7.30am – 9.00am
Location: Clarion Hotel, Cork
Cost: €20 members / €35 non members
To Book: visit our website HERE

Cork Chamber’s Business Breakfast series in association with the Irish Examiner will kick off on Thursday 7th February 2013, with guest speaker Terry Clune, winner of the 2009 E&Y Entrepreneur of the Year Award and the 2010 HSBC European Entrepreneur Award.

Terry founded Taxback.com while in college, to help students reclaim overpaid income tax from summer employment abroad. In 2012, Terry Clune developed and financed ConnectIreland.com, an Irish government supported incentive referral programme to create new jobs in Ireland. This programme is open to anyone who has a personal contact in a company that is expanding internationally.

Take this opportunity to meet new business contacts, build relationships with existing contacts as well as your fellow Cork Chamber members, as well as hearing Terry’s story of entrepreneurship and enterprise.

Call: Research-driven clusters and economic development

The FP7 Regions of Knowledge funding scheme is offering ‘Joint Programme’ funding to strengthen the research potential of regions, in particular by strong linkages among existing “high potential, high growth” regional research-driven clusters which improve the interaction of universities, research centres, enterprises, public authorities and other stakeholders on a regional basis. The clusters should be active in one or both of the following fields: ‘RTD and innovation aspects of EU digital agenda’ and/or ‘Development of technologies and services relevant for the implementation of a ‘resource-efficient Europe’. The activities should serve as a basis for increased, more complementary and more focused use of EU funding – including the next round of Structural Funds. The deadline for this call is the 19 March 2013. For further details, please contact Eimear@corkchamber.ie.

Partners required for ‘Smart Energy’ funding application

A local council in Northern Ireland is trying to source a partner for the preparation and facilitation of a smart energy test bed, providing opportunities for technology players to trial and display their performance within an EU regulatory and technical environment. The programme would involve upscaling to city level the applicability of a low carbon, integrated energy value chain, including renewables and control technology schemes, across multiple stakeholders. For further information, please contact Eimear@corkchamber.ie

Cork City Football Club, a community owned and run club is delighted to offer our fellow members of the Cork Chamber a special offer to attend our upcoming Cork Airport Friendly. Cork City FC will take on the Leeds XI team at Turner’s Cross on Thursday, February 7th at 7.45 pm and we are pleased to offer members of Cork Chamber a discount on the regular ticket price of €13, with a member to member price of €11 per person. We also have a group discount available of €50 for a group of five including a match day programme.

Tickets can be ordered by calling the club office on 021 434 5574 or emailing info@corkcityfc.net, or by calling to the club office in Bishopstown. This offer is available until 2pm on Thursday, February 7th.

Ash Soan has enjoyed an illustrious career and is currently known for his extensive work with international superstar Adele. Prior to this Ash was part of Del Amitri and then went on to become part of dance legends Faithless. Ash has worked with artist such as Leona Lewis, Robbie Williams, Olly Murs, James Morrison and Ronan Keating to name a few. He also had the honour to play at the opening ceremony of the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

The drumming master class is brought to you by the Academy of Popular Music in association with CIT Cork School of Music. The Academy of Popular Music, now in its second year employs a group of talented local musicians to tutor students. They use their music qualifications and years of experience in the music industry to teach young people how to master instruments such as the electric guitar, bass, keyboards and drums and to learn about music technology, song writing and how to improve their vocal skills. The master class is open to everyone for €10 and is free for Cork School of Music and Academy of Popular Music students.

Santiago de Compostela (also Saint James of Compostela) is the capital of the autonomous community of Galicia and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city’s cathedral is the reputed burial-place of Saint James the Greater, one of the apostles of Jesus Christ and it is the destination of the Way of St. James, a major historical pilgrimage route since the Early Middle Ages. Over 100,000 people travel to the city each year from points all over Europe, and from other parts of the world. Our partners Caminoways.com have put together a fantastic package for anyone joining our trek including:

 More information can be found here.

Dine Michelin Star for one night in Killarney

L’Ecrivain Chef Derry Clarke’s “Food for Lovers” Event

Valentines Weekend at Muckross Park Hotel, Killarney

On Saturday 16^th February, Michelin Star Chef & Owner of L’Ecrivain Restaurant in Dublin comes to the 5* Muckross Park Hotel for a very special valentine’s weekend event.

Derry Clarke, together with Mike Hayes, Head Chef at Muckross Park Hotel, will create a 5-course Valentines Menu – “Food for Lovers”, with accompanying wines. There will also be light entertainment on the night. This event gives valentine’s visitors to the hotel & Kerry locals the opportunity to enjoy Michelin star quality dishes for one night at Muckross Park Hotel, located in the heart of Killarney National Park. Tickets for the Gourmet 5 course dinner with wines and entertainment are €65 per person available from Muckross Park Hotel.

Entries for the 2013 Entrepreneur Of The Year can be made in any one of three categories - Emerging, Industry, and International. This is an all-island programme. Nominees must own a minimum of five percent of the company to be eligible, with the exception of publicly listed companies. A nominee must be a founder/owner who is primarily responsible for the recent performance of a company. Founders of publicly listed companies are eligible, provided that the founder is still active in management. The nominee’s company must be at least two years old. Nominees must either be an Irish entrepreneur or a non-Irish entrepreneur running an Irish company. A panel of judges, chaired by Padraig O’Ceidigh, Chairman Aer Arann and recipient of the award in 2002, will select the shortlist, to be announced in May. The Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year programme is supported by The Irish Times, RTE, Enterprise Ireland, Invest NI, Intertrade Ireland and Newstalk. Entry forms are available on www.eoy.tv or by contacting Ernst & Young on 01 221 2250 – you can also email eoy@ie.ey.com.