In this issue
Policy
Department of Transport, Tourism & Sport: National Aviation Policy
Subsidised Training
Don’t make it any harder!
Events
Winning in the UK and Beyond
Female Mentoring Clinic
International
Export Documentation
Other International Events
Cross Border Credit Management and Collections
Member Updates
Forward to a colleague
Visit our website
Newsletter archive
Enter your contact details here

twitter  facebook  linkedin  youtube
Printer Friendly Page
Policy
Department of Transport, Tourism & Sport: National Aviation Policy

This week’s issue provides information on the development of a National Aviation Policy by the Department of Transport, Tourism & Sport.  The Chamber is preparing a submission and welcomes feedback from members.  See ‘Read More’ for other details.  In other news, the Chamber welcomes the decision by An Bord Pleanála to grant planning permission for a €100m upgrade of the Jack Lynch Tunnel/Dunkettle interchange.  See inside for more reaction.


The Policy Department would like to thank those members who provided feedback and comments on the draft Metropolitan Cork Joint Retail Strategy. 

 


National Aviation Policy:

As an island economy, air access is vital for tourism, exports and connectivity.  At present, the aviation sector contributes approximately €4.1 billion directly to the Irish economy in addition to a number of indirect benefits, such as tourism revenue and tax revenue. 

Recognising the importance of the aviation industry as a key driver of economic growth, the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport is preparing its first ever National Aviation Policy which aims to encourage and facilitate the continued development of the Irish aviation industry by making it more competitive and addressing any existing barriers to its growth. 

In developing the aviation policy and as part of the consultation process, the Department has prepared an issues paper ‘An Integrated Irish Aviation Policy: Issues Paper for Consultation,’ which is available at www.corkchamber.ie/yourviews.cfm.  Key areas covered within the Issues paper include:

  • Airports
  • Air Services
  • Regulation and Governance
  • Aircraft Leasing and Finance
  • Aerospace, Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul
  • Education and Training
  • General Aviation
  • Sustainability

Key issues under consideration include:

  • The viability of regional airports
  • The need for regulated airport charges 
  • The impact of two airlines with significant Irish bases on the competitiveness of the Irish aviation sector
  • The impact of a €3 departure tax on capacity and connections, and opportunities for ring-fencing this revenue for aviation and tourism-related spending
  • The effectiveness and efficiency of air cargo and air freight services
  • An appropriate tax regime to ensure that the sector can grow responsibly and retain Ireland’s leading role in the aviation sector. 

The Chamber is currently developing a submission as part of the consultation process and welcomes the views of our members.  Could all members who have comments/feedback please contact Siobhan Bradley by email siobhan.bradley@corkchamber.ie or phone (021) 4530132 no later than Friday 14th June at 5pm.

Dunkettle Interchange Update:

The Chamber welcomes the decision by An Bord Pleanála to grant planning permission to the National Roads Authority (NRA) for a €100m upgrade of the Jack Lynch Tunnel/Dunkettle interchange subject to minor conditions including the provision of a traffic counter at the tunnel and review of traffic forecasts every two years.  A significant number of daily vehicle movements are recorded at this junction and the planned upgrade will alleviate existing peak-time travel congestion problems.  Approval was also given for Compulsory Purchase Orders (CPOs) required by the NRA to acquire land to construct some new slip roads.

As a long-time advocate for the upgrading of the Dunkettle Interchange, Cork Chamber has consistently highlighted its status as one of the key road infrastructure projects that is essential to support business/economic requirements and build a stronger, more accessible region.  The Chamber now urges the Government to take all the necessary steps to ensure the efficient and successful completion of this project. 

 

 

 

 


Subsidised Training
Don’t make it any harder!
 
The Business School @ Cork Chamber is currently offering an Introduction to Technical Writing Course, due to run on the 29th May next. Good technical writers are also good teachers. They excel at explaining difficult concepts for readers who have no time to read twice!

Also running on the 29th May is a brand new course, Microsoft Project 2010. This course provides practical guidance on how to plan and schedule projects using MS Project 2010. Learn how to create a new project, analyse and adjust schedules with date, dependency and resource constraints; customise and print Gantt Chart views and reports. Finally, our last course for May will run on the 30th, MS PowerPoint, ‘Beyond the Basics’ - learn how to produce and run professional looking slide shows.

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.

Introduction to Technical Writing

Course Date: 29th May

Member Rate: €130.00

'Any scientist who cannot explain what he is doing to a reasonably intelligent 14-year old is either incompetent or a charlatan' - Einstein. Unfortunately, most business people, scientists and engineers have real difficulty with communicating their ideas to each other - not to mention a 14-year old. That`s where technical writing comes in. Good technical writers are also good teachers. They excel at explaining difficult concepts for readers who will have no time to read twice. Technical writers have an excellent eye for detail. Great technical writing can make a poor product usable - poor technical writing can make a great product useless.

The course will include:

- How to structure reports

- Basic sentence rules

- Technical writing for software

-  Working with words

- Brushing up on grammar and punctuation

This course aims to ensure that participants can make their technical documentation accurate, brief, clear, complete and, above all, useful. The emphasis is on writing to impart complex technical information to a specific target audience. This course is ideal for participants who are committed to delivering reports, manuals and routine communications that are accurate, concise, clear and focussed on the needs of the target audience.

This one day course is only €130.00 for Chamber members so BOOK TODAY!!

 

Microsoft Project 2010

Course Date: 29th May & 12th June (2 Day course, Introduction & Intermediate)

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 of the course will include:

  • Project Management concepts
  • Getting started with MS Project 2010
  • Starting a new Project
  • Task Relationships
  • Displaying the Project Summary Task
  • Project Presentation
  • Printing the Gantt Chart View

Day Two will include:

  • Resource Assignments
  • Tracking Changes
  • Filters
  • Tables
  • Reports

This course is ideal for existing users of Project who wish to develop their understanding and capabilities with this package, and all for only €230.00 for Chamber members – BOOK NOW!

 

MS PowerPoint ‘Beyond the Basics’ – 2007/2010

Course Date: 30th May

Member Rate: €100.00

This course will show you how to produce and run professional looking slide shows. This course reviews the basics of PowerPoint to quickly run through shortcuts and speed keys, working through from text based slide content through to alternative options - inserting ClipArt, pictures, photos, diagrams, movie clips etc.

Then it looks at formatting the slide show including applying PowerPoint design templates and creating your own design templates for future use. Learn then how to run the slide show in the most professional way possible through the use of some simple keys.

The course includes:

  • The Do’s and Don’ts of PowerPoint
  • Working with slides
  • Formatting the presentation
  • Logos/Clipart/Pictures
  • Working with Charts
  • Diagrams
  • Drawing Tools
  • Multimedia
  • Adding the Finishing touches
  • Creating a slide show

This course is suitable for anyone who would like to produce and run professional looking slide shows. This one day course is only €100.00 for members, so don’t delay, 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)

 

BUSINESS SCHOOL CALENDAR

May

  • PMI Exam Preparation                                                                                   22nd May
  • Project Management Professional                                                           28th May
  • Microsoft Project 2010                                                                                  29th May

 

June

  • Microsoft Access 2003                                                                                   5th June
  • MS Word Intermediate                                                                                 17th June
  • Project Management Professional                                                           18th June
  • Project Management Professional                                                           25th June

 

July

 

  • Certificate in Train the Trainer                                                                    11th July
  • Project Management Professional                                                           23rd July

August

  • Project Management Professional                                                           13th August

September

 

October


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



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



International
Export Documentation
Please let us know if you have received any communication from the ‘Irish Islamic Chamber of Commerce’ in relation to Islamic Certificates of Origin. We can confirm that these Certificates have no basis in law and the Irish Islamic Chamber is not an authorised issuing body.
 
Please liaise directly with Imelda on 021 4530130 should you have any queries in relation to the above or any advise on export documentation.


Other International Events
Cross Border Credit Management and Collections
 
Date: June 20th
Time: 9am - 3pm
Venue: Chartered Accountants House, Pearse Street, Dublin 2
Cost: Participation to the seminar is FREE of charge*.


On Thursday, 20th June 2013, the European Commission Directorate-General for Enterprise and Industry is hosting a seminar in Dublin on the issue of cross-border credit and claims management within the EU.  The Dublin seminar on Cross Border Business is one of a series of national events whose purpose is to help SMEs to understand what options are available to them for successfully managing cross border credit and for recovering cross-borders payments. For further details, please contact Justyna Ciruk by email HERE

*Attendance is free, but you must register your interest before the 13th June!


Member Events
What would an hour of downtime mean for your business?
 
Date: May 29th
Registration Opens: 8.30am
Venue: Dell Solutions Centre, Raheen, Limerick.
Cost: Free
To Book: register HERE

Learn how to protect your business at our complimentary Business Continuity & Disaster Recovery Session, in partnership with Dell & ABC Solutions on May 29th. Spaces are limited at this complimentary event; reserve your place now & join your peers on May 29th.




KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Michael O'Regan, BC Evangelist & Consultant, ABC Solutions.
Successful Business Continuity Planning
Business Continuity expert Michael O’Regan will provide an overview of business continuity, with specific emphasis on the IT elements of the plan.


Business Continuity in Practice: Case Studies on Chill Insurance & Voxpro -David Jeffreys, Managing Director, Action Point.
David will give an overview of BC in practice in two contrasting client environments: Chill Insurance and Voxpro. Representatives from both companieswill supplement the discussion & give perspective on their experiences of the implementation process.

Dell Technology Solutions for Business Continuity & Disaster Recovery- Greg Moore, Storage Specialist, Dell.
Greg will focus on the technologies & solutions aimed at 21st century Business Continuity & Disaster Recovery trends.

 

You will gain an understanding of the following:

  • The steps involved in producing a Business Continuity & Disaster Recovery plan.
  • Design & optimise your plan according to your business needs.
  • Cost effective ways of creating your plan according to your budget.
  • Overview of Business Continuity, Disaster Recovery & IT.
  • Innovative trends & technologies in the marketplace.
  • Business Continuity in practice: Case Studies: Chill Insurance & Voxpro.

Spaces are limited at this complimentary event; reserve your place now & join your peers on May 29th.



Benefit to region as UCC launches strategic plan
 

Date: Friday 24 May 2013
Time: 12.00 noon
Venue: Aula Maxima, North Wing, UCC.

University College Cork is pleased to invite you to the launch of its strategic plan, Sustaining Excellence 2013-2017 this Friday 24 May. Sustaining Excellence heralds good news far beyond the University walls, bringing with it multiple economic, educational, cultural and social benefits locally, nationally and internationally.

It will identify the future direction of UCC over the next 5 years, with the overall vision of ensuring UCC remains a world-class university connecting our region to the globe. The plan will be launched by Dr Michael Murphy, President of UCC and will be followed by a light reception. Please RSVP to the Office of Marketing & Communications, UCC on E: m&c@ucc.ie or T: 021 490 2821

 



Strategies for Maximising the Positive Impacts of Tourism - Cork County Mayor's Conference
 

Date: 24th - 25th May
Venue: Youghal
Cost: €50 (Inc. dinner on Friday night)

Speakers: Cllr. Barbara Murray - Mayor of the County of Cork, John Concannon - Fáilte Ireland, Director of Market Development, John Perry TD, Martin Riordan - Cork County Manager, Michael Magner - Chairman of the Cork Branch of Irish Hotels Federation,Stephen Ryan - Head of Marketing at Fota Wildlife Park, Kevin Cullinane - Marketing Manager Cork Airport and Derry Cronin - Managing Director of the Cronin Travel Group. Full information and registation form available HERE.

 




Conference Itinerary

Friday 24th May - Conference Dinner

7.30 pm Aherne’s Seafood Restaurant, Youghal

Guest Speaker Mr John Concannon,

Director of Market Development

Fálite Ireland



Saturday 25th May - Conference

9.30 am Registration at Walter Raleigh Hotel,

Youghal

10.00 am Opening Address Cllr Barbara Murray,

Mayor of the County of Cork

10.10 am John Perry, Minister of State at the

Department of Jobs, Enterprise

and Innovation

10.30 am Martin Riordan, Cork County Manager

‘Unlocking the Tourism Potential of

Spike Island’

10.50 am Stephen Ryan, Head of Marketing,

Fota Wildlife Park

‘Case Study Effective Online Marketing

Strategies’

11.10 am Coffee Break

11.30 am Michael Magner, Chairman of the Cork

Branch of the Irish Hotels Federation

‘The Role of IHF in The Gathering 2013’

11.50 am Kevin Cullinane, Marketing Manager,

Cork Airport

‘Positioning Cork Airport for Growth in a

Challenging Operating Environment’

12.10 pm Derry Cronin, Managing Director of the

Cronin Travel Group

‘Cork - so where to from here?’

12.30 pm Q & A

13.00 pm Closure and lunch


CorkBIC: Come Celebrate Cork's High Growth Start-Ups - Is the Entrepreneurship Journey for you?
 
Date: 14th June
Time: 12:00 – 14:00  
Venue: The Port of Cork, Custom House St, Cork
To Book: Email Fionnuala at fwall@corkbic.com*


Following on from a very successful event last year we are delighted to welcome back Simon Coveney, T.D. Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine who will address the group followed by a panel discussion including some recent HPSUs. This event is all about encouraging people to consider an entrepreneurship journey and discover if they too could be part of rebuilding the economy. CorkBIC want to attract individuals who might be considering a career move and would like to learn more about their options for ‘starting a business’. 


Partners: Port of Cork, Cork City Council, Cork Chamber and Enterprise Ireland


*Pre-registration is essential for this event and there can only be 2 attendees per company. Phone Fionnuala at 021 2307014 (please leave a message). For more information visit the CorkBIC website



Macroom E Greenshoots 2013 Graduation
 
Date: 30th May
Time: 2.00pm - 3.30pm
Venue: Macroom E Enterprise Centre

All are welcome to attend on Thursday 30th May. There will be an exhibition to showcase each of the participating businesses from 2.00pm, followed by a short ceremony at 3.30pm to celebrate each of the fantastic businesses that took part. Guest speaker on the day will be Mr. Denis Collins, CEO of it@cork and Global Executive at IBM. Also officiating will be Mayor of Macroom Cllr. Owen Mc Carthy and Mayor of the County of Cork Cllr. Barbara Murray. It will be a good opportunity for any budding entrepreneurs to see if the programme might be the kick-start they need to really get their business going.  

 






The cold rainy weather of late is not dampening the entrepreneurial spirit at Macroom E Enterprise Centre where the 12 Greenshoots businesses are getting ready to launch as the date for their graduation nears.  The event, which takes place on Thursday 30th May at Macroom E Enterprise Centre will take the form of an Awards Ceremony and Showcase. It will be a celebration of the wealth of talent, business ideas and budding entrepreneurship that has been nurtured into viable businesses.

 

Barry Cafferkey of ProHome.ie, 2012/13 participant says of the programme “Greenshoots has been a fantastic experience. It has given all the participants the opportunity to engage with other start-ups and we have all made great business contacts as well as friends through the process. We all face similar challenges as a start-up and the support and confidence the  Greenshoots Programme has given us from finance to marketing is first class. Special thanks to Programme Manager Catherine Costello and Macroom E for making it all possible.”

 

The Greenshoots Emerging Entrepreneurs Programme runs each year for nine months from mid-September to mid-June. It allows the participants to gestate their business ideas while providing the facilities, support and skills to make a real success of them. The programme is based at Macroom E Enterprise Centre and supported by South Cork Enterprise Board and the Economic Development Section of Cork County Council.

 

Programme Manager Catherine Costello comments “The most important ingredient for everyone on the Greenshoots programme is positivity.  The team at Macroom E find it so exciting and positive to interact with the participants, who are full of enthusiasm, creativity and tenacity for their businesses – it’s definitely infectious!   We are proud to play our part in nurturing the entrepreneurial spirit in the Lee Valley area”.

 

All are welcome to attend on Thursday 30th May. There will be an exhibition to showcase each of the participating businesses from 2.00pm, followed by a short ceremony at 3.30pm to celebrate each of the fantastic businesses that took part. Guest speaker on the day will be Mr. Denis Collins, CEO of it@cork and Global Executive at IBM. Also officiating will be Mayor of Macroom Cllr. Owen Mc Carthy and Mayor of the County of Cork Cllr. Barbara Murray. It will be a good opportunity for any budding entrepreneurs to see if the programme might be the kick-start they need to really get their business going.  

 

For further information on the Greenshoots Emerging Entrepreneurs Programme and for any budding entrepreneurs wishing to join the next programme which commences in September 2013, please visit www.greenshootscork.ie or contact Catherine Costello on 026 20520.


Cork Business Association - First Annual Charity Climb
Date: June 29th
Time: 10.30am
Venue: The Horseshoe at Gougane Barra
Cost: €30 


Cork Business Association invites you to join us on our first annual charity climb of the Horseshoe at Gougane Barra on Saturday the 29th of June 2013, led by Kevin Corcoran Cork author and expert naturalist. Meeting point will be the Church gates, Gougane Barra at 10.30am.  New walkers especially welcome, and all those who participate will receive a prize. Proceeds divided equally between Cork Lions Club's Charity; Cope Foundation and Cork Business Association. To find out more and register for the walk, contact Joan Lucey at joanvibes@eircom.net or Vibes and Scribes, 3 Bridge St. Cork.



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