In this issue
Policy
Have Your Say: Input into our Submissions
Subsidised Training
Business School @ Cork Chamber
Events
Winning in the UK and Beyond
Electric Business After Hours
Female Mentoring Clinic
Chamber Supported Events
Calling the Sons and Daughters of Cork
International
WIRE Conference 5th-7th June
Member Updates
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Policy
Have Your Say: Input into our Submissions

 

This week’s issue provides detail on the Policy Department’s work on two key submissions: the Draft Metropolitan Cork Joint Retail Strategy and the Chamber’s Pre-Budget Submission 2014.

Draft Metropolitan Cork Retail Strategy

The public consultation is underway on the draft Metropolitan Cork Joint Retail Strategy.  This strategy, once approved will form the agreed basis on which Cork City and Cork County Council and Midleton and Cobh Town Councils formulate development plan objectives/policies for retail development in their respective areas and will also be used in the determination of retail planning permission. 

For further background information on the draft retail strategy and a copy of the full report, please visit www.corkchamber.ie/yourviews.cfm. Could all members who have comments/feedback on the proposed strategy, please contact Siobhan Bradley by email siobhan.bradley@corkchamber.ie or phone (021) 4530132 no later than 12pm Tuesday 21st May 2013.


Cork Chamber Pre-Budget Submission 2014

As the Government will announce the next Budget in October, the Chamber is currently preparing its pre-budget submission which will set out the priorities of Cork’s business community to Government in advance of Budget 2014.

The Chamber’s pre-budget submission last year set out a number of key proposals in relation to taxation, infrastructure, employment, economic development and public sector reform.

If you have any suggested inputs for this year’s submission please contact Siobhan Bradley, Acting Policy & Research Manager (siobhan.bradley@corkchamber.ie) by 5pm Friday 24th May 2013.

 

 


 


Subsidised Training
Business School @ Cork Chamber
 

Money, Money, Money!!


Baffled by the in’s and out’s of finance, frustrated by accountant speak, just want to know how it all works? Then our Business Finance for Managers & Entrepreneurs course is the one for you! This two day course is ideal for anyone working in business who wishes to gain a sound overall understanding of finance. This course will help participants to speak the language of finance, to communicate effectively in business situations and use the financial perspective to make smart business decisions.


Also coming up soon is our course in Microsoft Project 2010, providing practical guidance on how to plan and schedule projects using this software. Following this course, participants will have acquired the skills needed to create a new project; analyse and adjust schedules with date, dependency and resource constraints; customise and print Gantt Chart views and reports; and record and review task progress against the baseline.


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.

 

 


Business Finance for Managers and Entrepreneurs (2 Day Course)

Course Dates: 23rd & 30th May

Member Rate: €250.00

This is a very different approach to the traditional “Finance for Non-Financial Managers” courses.

This is a blended learning programme combining interactive classroom inputs, mapped to the widely acclaimed active learning website www.fabeducation.com. The programme makes learning fast, fun and permanent. It generates momentum and confidence using an interactive mix of structured information inputs, discussions, quizzes, exercises and practice using our web-based financial modelling applications. This course is carefully defined to meet the specific needs of managers and entrepreneurs.

The course will include:

1. Financial Statements – the purpose, content and structure of the scorecards of business (“Knowing where to look to get information from financial statements”)

2 The Language of Finance – developing an easy familiarity with the terms and concepts used (“Communicating effectively using the language of business”)

3 The Financial Perspective – using financial awareness to make smart business decisions (Focusing business tactics and decisions of the three key result areas – profit, stability and asset utilisation)

4 Ratio Analysis – the calculation, meaning and factors influencing the most common ratios (“Transforming numbers into useful information to pinpoint important issues and trends)

Business Finance for Managers & Entrepreneurs is ideal for anyone working in business who wishes to gain a sound overall understanding of finance, owner managers and people thinking about setting up a business who have limited existing financial skills, and advisers and managers in specialist disciplines who want to understand how business and finance works

Places are limited to 8 so don’t delay, book today!

 

Personal Productivity using MS Outlook

Course Date: 20th May

Member Rate: €130.00

This one day course will provide you with an effective means to reduce mind clutter and an easy to apply method of managing and prioritizing workload and overcoming e-mail deluge. This course, based on the 2007/2010 version of Outlook, will enable you to have an EMPTY INBOX at the end of each working day!

Following this course you will:

ü  Be aware of Time Management theory (Best Practice)

ü  Be familiar with MS Outlook Shortcut Keys

ü  Be able to use timesaving everyday functionality in MS Outlook

ü  Have customised Outlook to make it work more effectively as a time management tool

ü  Know how to create tasks in order to prioritise and manage workload

ü  Know how to create tasks directly from email as an effective method of deferring less urgent work

ü  Have the ability to use the calendar and tasks to manage working days realistically

ü  Able to collaborate with other users through meeting invitations, sharing calendars etc.

This invaluable one-day course is available at a cost of only €130.00, so don’t delay, BOOK TODAY!  

 

PMI Exam Preparation Course (2 Days)

Course Dates: 22nd & 23rd May

Member Rate: €255.00

This course is prepared and delivered by experienced PMPs who help students understand the scope and rationale of the PMP® and CAPM® certification exams. Participants are required to have already completed a minimum of 24 hours of PM Training.

Following this course, you will:

• Understand the PMBOK® Guide V4.0
• Understand the PMP exam process, and some practical steps to maximise your success rate
• Understand the different types of questions and how to approach them, including situational questions, double negative questions, best fit questions and earned value questions
• Complete a number of sample questions in each of the knowledge areas, analysing the answers to understand the logic behind the correct answer
• Have focused training on areas where students have the most difficulty with the current exam
• Have insider tips to taking and passing the exam from an industry professional who has taken and passed the exam
• Be "prepped" to take the exam - this is a prep course and a review course.

Don’t forget - this is the last PMI Exam prep course for PMBOK Version 4! BOOK TODAY!

 

Microsoft Project 2010

Course Dates: 29th May & 12th June

Member Rate: €230.00

This course provides practical guidance on how to plan and schedule projects using MS Project 2010. On completion of the course delegates will have acquired the skills needed to create a new project; analyse and adjust schedules with date, dependency and resource constraints; customise and print Gantt Chart views and reports; and record and review task progress against the baseline. Participants will also acquire the necessary skills to customise and print high quality charts and reports for effective communication of project plans.

Day One – Introduction:

ü  Project Management Concepts

ü  Getting Started with MS Project 2010

ü  Starting a New Project

ü  Task Relationships

ü  Displaying the Project Summary Task

ü  Project Presentation

ü  Printing the Gantt Chart View

 

Day Two – Intermediate:

 

ü  Resource Assignments

ü  Tracking Changes

ü  Filters

ü  Tables

ü  Reports

 

This two day comprehensive course is only €230.00 for Chamber members, BOOK TODAY! 

 

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)

 

 


Events
Winning in the UK and Beyond
 

Date: 30th May 
Time: 08:15am -  14:30pm
Venue: Fota Island Resort
Cost: €120 members/ €150 non members
Book - HERE 

Expertise, Inspiration, Networking, Small discussion groups, Interactive Panel & Business Lunch

The Cork Chamber 2013 Conference will take a new direction with this half day seminar, with lots of networking on the day as well as a fully interactive mindshare portion, which will feed into a panel discussion facilitated by Anton Savage. Irish success stories, large UK investors, case studies and support agencies will give insights and practical information on how you can add growth to your business in the UK and beyond.  You will also have an opportunity to hear the British Ambassador HE Dominick Chilcott speak over a delicious lunch in Fota Island Resort.


For further details and booking information, please CLICK HERE



Electric Business After Hours
 

Date: 28th May
Time: 17:30pm
Venue: Electric Bar, South Mall
Cost: Free for Cork Chamber members
Book -  HERE

Cork Chamber and Electric are joining forces to bring you a Networking Event with a difference… A Business After Hours set in this beautiful renovated art deco building, perched right on the banks of the River Lee!


Day and night, Cork’s Electric sets the scene for you to indulge in Europe’s passion for socialising through food and drink. Electric have recently launched a brand new Fish Bar, taking inspiration from the simple Portuguese fish shacks and San Sebastian’s taverns and offering clientele the freshest fish, simply cooked, unadorned, letting the fish talk for itself.


Join with your fellow Cork Chamber members for a night of delicious food and wine as well as a dedicated 30 minute networking slot, offering you the opportunity to meet at least 8-10 people.


Please BOOK NOW to reserve your place.

 



Female Mentoring Clinic
 

Date: 24th May
Time: 08:30am - 13:00pm
Venue: Clarion Hotel, Cork
Cost: Free
Book - HERE


Cork Chamber, in association with Network Cork and Cork City Enterprise Board, invites you a Mentoring Clinic for Female Entrepreneurs.

The event will begin with presentations from keynote speakers Valerie Kingston and Joni Farthing.  Valerie is co-founder of Glenilen Farm, based in Drimoleague, a small company that has won numerous awards over the last few years for their innovation and high quality products.  Joni is the founder and CEO of “Women Outside The Box” – Britain’s biggest festival of female entrepreneurship.  She has set up and sold several businesses and is a great believer in the power of networks. 

Following the speaker presentation there will be a speed mentoring clinic for women who are in the process of starting up their own business or in the early stages of business development.  If you are in these categories you are offered the opportunity to pre-book a FREE, 30 minute mentoring session with an experienced local businesswoman.

When you register, please give a brief summary of your business, the sector you are working in and the specific topic about which you are seeking advice. Contact Katherine



Chamber Supported Events
Calling the Sons and Daughters of Cork
 

Play your part, in bringing together the most influential members of the Global Cork Business Diaspora Network...
 

Cork Chamber is asking you and your organisation to make a difference to the Cork Economy by helping to identify;

  • Cork connected people from all business sectors and sizes
  • Second and third Generation Cork connected successful People / Families

To nominate a colleague/friend or to register your own interest in being part of this business network, please log onto www.corkbusinessdiaspora.com before May 17th. 

Please help spread the word of this strong initiative by circulating this mail to your colleagues.


These Sons and Daughters of Cork will be invited home by both Cork Mayor’s and Forum Chairman John Mullins, to take part in meaningful discussions on economic renewal, developing links and job creation, specific to Cork County and City at the inaugural Global Cork Economic Forum, which will take place on October 17th & 18th 2013.

This event is a flagship business gathering as part of Cork Rebel Week, a week-long celebration of ‘All Things Cork’, for further information, www.corkrebelweek2013.com

To nominate a colleague/friend or to register your own interest in being part of this business network, please log onto www.corkbusinessdiaspora.com before May 17th.  Please help spread the word of this strong initiative by circulating this mail to your colleagues.


International
WIRE Conference 5th-7th June
 

Click below for more information on the Week of Innovation Regions in Europe IV (WIRE IV) Conference, which will take place in UCC from 5th-7th June 2013. The Conference will focus on regional aspects relevant to the final stages of preparation in the Horizon 2020 design and legislative process. It will bring together regional, national and European stakeholders including public organisations, policy-makers, research communities and enterprises.  Furthermore the conference aims to directly involve the business community, including SMEs and multi-nationals, and will be an excellent opportunity for companies to gain access to experts whose focus is on the future of European funding and other initiatives in support of R&D.


WIRE Conference 2013

The WEEK of Innovative Regions in Europe IV (WIRE IV) Conference series will take place in University College Cork from 5th to 7th of June 2013. The Conference will focus on regional aspects relevant to the final stages of Horizon 2020 design and legislative process. It will bring together regional, national and European stakeholders including public organisations, policy-makers, research communities and enterprises.   As the conference will aim to directly involve the business community, including SMEs and multi-nationals, it is a conference that should not be missed. To register for the event, please click here.

The conference will make reference to:

  • Europe 2020 objectives for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth
  • Thematic concentration and smart specialisation for maximising impact
  • The thematic objectives in line with Europe 2020 headline targets and flagship initiatives such as:
    • Strengthening research, technological development and innovation
    • Enhancing the competitiveness of SMEs, the agricultural sector and the fisheries and aquaculture sector
    • Promoting employment and supporting labour mobility
    • Investing in education, skills and lifelong learning
    • Enhancing institutional capacity and an efficient public administration
    • Enhancing R&D infrastructure and capacities
    • Promoting business R&I investment and public service application
    • Clusters and open innovation through smart specialisation
    • The support cycle from technology transfer to advanced manufacturing

Some of the speakers at the conference will include Seán Sherlock, Minister of State; Máire Geoghegan-Quinn, European Commissioner; Jerzy Buzek, MEP, European Parliament; Markku Markkula, Member of Espoo City Council, Finland; Kieran Moylan, Border, Midland & Western Regional Assembly, Ireland; Tony Connelly, RTE; Dr. Christian Ketels, Harvard Business School; Lucas Janssen; Susanne Hammarström, Region Västra Götaland.

 


Members Offers
In for Lunch?
 

Offer available:  New customers one free sandwich platter valued at €30.

- 20% discount for the month of May if you mention Cork Chamber membership when ordering.



We produce and deliver sandwiches and related food products to customers in Cork who expect fresh and locally produced food products with the best possible ingredients. Our Catering Division offers simplicity, quality, value, choice and convenience to lunchtime meetings and other events.  Order now: Telephone: 021 48 04 13 0 / jim@inforlunch 


What's Different About Us

  • We're local; local staff, local suppliers, local production.
  • We source fresh produce daily.
  • We put better ingredients and more of them into our sandwiches to give you the best value.
  • We handmake all our sandwiches overnight for early morning delivery.
  • Lower delivery miles & time means we do not have to add preservative gas to our packs.
  • No salt added to any of our sandwiches.
  • Full traceability of ingredients.

Member Events
Exploring the role of Manufacturing in Ireland and Overseas Seminar
 
Date: 22nd May
Time: 8.30 – 2pm
Venue: Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa, Little Island, Cork. Cost: CEIA members €70, non CEIA members €95 
Book: Registration can be completed on line HERE at or by emailing mcelroym@ceia.ie, detailing your name, company and position with contact telephone and email address.   

The seminar will be chaired by Michael Devane, Chairman of SmartBay, the new national platform to support research and innovation in the Marine ICT sector and Former Vice-President & Managing Director of Lucent Technologies in Dublin. The seminar has an impressive range of speakers including Bob Savage, Vice-President and Managing Director, EMC Ireland, Caroline Downing, President of Integrated Network Solutions, Flextronics and Tom Mangan, Vice-President Operations and General Manager, Boston Scientific.  

The Cork Electronics Industry Association (CEIA) is hosting a seminar entitled “The Changing Role of Manufacturing in Ireland and Beyond”.   The seminar will be chaired by Michael Devane, Chairman of SmartBay, the new national platform to support research and innovation in the Marine ICT sector and Former Vice-President & Managing Director of Lucent Technologies in Dublin. The seminar has an impressive range of speakers including Bob Savage, Vice-President and Managing Director, EMC Ireland, Caroline Downing, President of Integrated Network Solutions, Flextronics and Tom Mangan, Vice-President Operations and General Manager, Boston Scientific.   This event is open to industry leaders, senior managers and engineers from the manufacturing sector, start-up, and established, indigenous and FDI companies, third level institutions and representatives from semi state bodies, IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland & FAS.


3-day Data Protection Practitioner - Cork
 

Date: 21st May - 23rd May
Time: 09:00 - 17:00
Venue: A1 Computer Centre Cork
Cost:
€1,350.00 (€ 1,080 for Cork Chamber Members)
Book: HERE

Be confident that your organisation’s policies and procedures are legally compliant with data protection legislation.


This 3-day programme equips you to:

  • Gain an in-depth knowledge of Ireland’s data protection legislation
  • Understand what needs to be achieved to attain organisational compliance
  • Develop and maintain effective policies and procedures
  • Apply data protection legislation

 If you have any queries, please phone 01 7753008, or email training@ics.ie



Hayfield Manor - Summer Opera Lunch
 

Title: Summer Opera Lunch

Date: Thursday June 6th 2013

Location: Hayfield Manor Hotel

Cost: €70 per person

Booking Details: email events@hayfieldmanor.ie or phone 021 4845909

Summary

Sing in the summer season at Hayfield Manor with our renowned Summer Opera Lunch. A hugely popular annual event, this year’s Opera Lunch will take place on Thursday June 6th. An afternoon of gourmet indulgence, complemented with a bespoke operatic performance, awaits our esteemed guests.

Lunch is served within the exquisite setting of Orchids Fine Dining Restaurant, overlooking the peacefully enclosed garden. The meal commences at 1pm and comprises an exclusive four course menu accompanied by specially selected wines. Diners will enjoy the operatic performance of a guest artiste.



Bringing The Wine Geese Home - 10% off for Chamber members
 

Title: Bringing The Wine Geese Home Gala Banquet

Date: Sat 18th May 2013 at 7.30pm

Location: Flemings Restaurant, Cork

Cost: €100 per person with 10% Discount to Chamber members

Booking Details: Please book with Rose or Deirdre at O’Donovans Off Licences on 021 4296060

Summary                            

“The Return of The Wine Geese” Gala Banquet will bring together wines with an Irish heritage from around the globe with wonderful food in the beautiful Flemings Restaurant. You will taste wonderful wines from The Mckenna Collection from Unduragga, Chateau de la Ligne, Chateau McCarthy, Chateau Bellevue La Forêt and Charmes de Magnol to name but a few!  There will be an aperitif from Pernod Ricard and a digestif from Hennessy Cognac.  Susan Boyle (no – not she of Britain’s got Talent) will perform a wine drama on the night.  She has wowed audiences with her Wine Geese Drama.  A night not to be missed!



BBQ Invitation
 

Title: The Weber Experience is ready to take Cork by storm!
Date: 11am -2pm, 25th May
Location: Cork Gas Centre, Forge Hill
Cost: Free
Booking: Come along if you enjoy a BBQ
Contact: 021 4963749

Summary

Weber’s trailblazing chef Dan Cooper will be packing his barbecues, tools and ingredients into the specially designed, state of the art Airstream Land-Yacht, and bringing his expertise to the BBQ CENTRE at Cork Gas Centre, Forge Hill on Saturday 25th May from 11am-2pm.

The latest gas and charcoal Weber barbecues will be on show, along with a range of colourful, eye-catching cookware accessories.

www.facebook/com/BBQCentre