Cork Chamber is currently assessing the economic arguments for the upgrade of the N28 Cork to Ringaskiddy road and it is critical that we obtain the views of the business community as part of this assessment. In this light, we would be most appreciative if you could provide your views on the importance of the N28 by completing a brief survey before Friday 7^th February which will help Cork Chamber progress the upgrade of this key piece of enabling infrastructure for the Cork region. 

The survey can be accessed via the following secure link HERE

If you have any queries in relation to the survey or the assessment generally, please contact William H. Batt (whbatt@indecon.ie) at Indecon.

Cork Chamber is very grateful to all those members who complete our quarterly economic trends surveys.  Your responses are very important in shaping our policy development and advocacy work and ensuring that the requirements of member businesses are integrated into and reflected in our meetings with key decision makers.  We are delighted to announce the prize winners for the 3^rd and 4^th economic trends surveys:

Congratulations to Pat Carroll, Carroll Ryan Recruitment who is the prize winner for the Q3 Economic Trends Survey.  Pat wins a lunch voucher for two at the excellent Barnabrow House, set in a private estate near Ballycotton Bay.  Best known as a wedding venue and home to Home to Michelin Star Chef Stuart Bowes, Barnabrow House is now available for corporate use as a meeting venue and also for private dinners. 

Congratulations to Donal F O’Donovan, DFOD consultants who is the prize winner for the Q4 Economic Trends Survey.  This quarter’s prize was kindly sponsored by Cork Airport who currently provide services to a range of airlines flying to more than 50 destinations across Europe.  Donal wins a €200 voucher for Aer Lingus flights to any destination served out of Cork International Airport .

Cork Chamber will participate in the upcoming Local and EU election process to ensure the Chamber’s policy positions and priorities are advanced. We will publish a ‘manifesto’ highlighting a series of polices we would like all election candidates to support on behalf of Cork’s business community.

The “manifesto” will be an opportunity to get our core messages across to election candidates; promoting the issues and policy priorities which we believe will create an enabling business environment that is conducive to the operations of the Chamber membership and supportive of the region’s wider economic development.

Please contact Alma Murnane alma@corkchamber.ie with any issues which you believe should be included in the Chamber’s Pre-election manifesto by February 17^th 2014.

Date: Tuesday 18th February
Time: 5.30pm – 7.00pm
Venue: KBC Offices on Lapps Quay
Cost: FREE for Cork Chamber members
To book: HERE                          

Cork Chamber and KBC Bank are joining forces to bring you the first Business After Hours Networking Event of 2014, which will take place on Tuesday 18^th February in their new Cork offices on Lapps Quay.

This is an ideal opportunity to implement the tips you learned at our Networking Masterclass and/or re-engage with fellow members for the year ahead.

KBC Bank Ireland Plc is celebrating forty one years in Ireland this year serving Irish customers since 1973, and has embarked on an ambitious expansion programme which has seen the bank invest in new high street offices, launch a range of new financial products and expand its mobile and online banking presence.

BOOK NOW

Date: Thursday 20th February
Time: 7.30am – 9.00am
Venue: Cork International Airport Hotel
Cost: €25 members / €35 non members
To book: HERE

Cork Chamber is delighted to welcome Séan Gallagher to speak at the February Business Breakfast.

A recognised champion of small business, Séan sees entrepreneurs as unsung heroes who have the capacity to literally change the world.  Séan will share his views on the future of small business in Ireland, the challenges facing start-ups, as well as established SMEs and his words of wisdom for businesses hoping to take the world by storm in 2014.

BOOK NOW

On Sunday last, the Seattle Seahawks won their first Super Bowl title in a comprehensive victory over the Denver Broncos, 43-8. Their Coach Pete Carroll said “These guys would not take anything but winning this ballgame."

Coaching is about unlocking a person’s potential to maximise their performance. Effective coaches have the potential to improve their own performance and indeed the performance of the team around them.  

Our Certificate in Business & Executive Coaching Leadership course can do just that for you. Now is your opportunity to unlock your own potential and see what you can achieve!

The Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) at Cork Chamber is here to help you succeed in Europe. We offer a wealth of free advice, finding partners, funding opportunities, tender opportunities

See the ‘read more’ section (below) for further information on the following:

• Call for companies to attend InterTradeIreland’s Equity Advisory Clinic, February 13th, Rubicon Centre, CIT
• ‘Entering the Indian Market’, in association with the Cork Chapter of the Ireland India Business Association, February 13th, Port of Cork
• ‘Mission for Growth to Belgium’, February 18th-19th, Wallonia, Belgium
• ‘Enterprise Ireland Exploring Exporting Workshop’, February 25th, Radisson Blu Hotel, Little Island
• ‘Mission for Growth to Italy’, March 13th-14th, Naples, Italy
• ‘Human Resources Training Programme - Japan Industry Insight’, May 12th to June 6th, Tokyo
• Business Partnership Opportunities

1. Over 1,000 New Jobs Announced For Cork in 2014 - Read More HERE
   

2. Frustration grows over continued flooding in Cork - Read More HERE

3. Proposed Ringaskiddy Redevelopment Plans Go On Display in 3D - Read More HERE

Andre Rieu in Prague: 2 night Prague package from Cork 06 May 2014

Includes: Coach Transfer from Cork to Dublin, Return Flights to Prague with Aer Lingus including taxes, 1 x 10 kg carry on bag, Return Private Airport Transfers, 2 nights in a 4* Hotel in Prague including breakfast

Seated Ticket to Andre Rieu Concert, 1 and a half hour cruise on the Vlata River in Prague

€499 including taxes for 4* City Centre Hotel for 2 night package

€499 including taxes for 3* City hotel for 3 night package

Date: 7th February
Time: 7.30am to 8.55am
Venue: River Lee Hotel, Cork
Cost: FREE
To book:  HERE


ManagementWorks, a new initiative by the state agency Skillnets,  invites you to attend a workshop delivered by The Discovery Partnership to hear about smarter ways to begin growing your business in these, more challenging, times.

This workshop is designed with YOU in mind, the business owner/manager of an SME. You will gain insights into the essentials of creating competitive advantage today, including:

• The TRUE purpose of your business
• How to attract AND retain customers
• Why there are only 4 ways to grow your business
• Why cutting costs will not grow your business...unless the savings are re-invested in one of the 4 ways
• ......and lots more!

Date: 18th February
Time: 09.30 am to 12.30 pm
Venue: The Radisson Blu Hotel, Little Island, Cork
Cost: Free
To Book: HERE

 
If exporting is on the horizon for your business then there is a lot to be learned from the story of the William O’Brien Group as it moved from domestic supplier to modern global marketer. Enterprise Ireland presents this unique learning opportunity free of charge at an Export Awareness Event.