In this issue, our cover story looks to the international growth opportunities for SMEs, as our Enterprise Europe Network Cork team head to Vienna for Software Days Conference. We look ahead to the season's events and training and bring you photos from past events. Read updates on our lobbying and advocacy work, along with external contributions. See member news, announcements, a full listing of recently joined members and much more. Sit back and enjoy the read!
Chamberlink main sponsor is Vodafone Business. 

Mon 11 Sept | 2pm-4pm | Online 6 sessions

Ignite Your Leadership Potential with Live Unbound’s dynamic and transformative leadership development program. From personal leadership and emotional intelligence to building high-performance teams and fostering a positive work culture, this program equips participants with the skills and mindset necessary to lead with confidence and drive remarkable results.

Fri 8 Sept | 9.30am-1pm | In person|

This Neuro Performance course is for you if you want to improve your prioritisation skills and manage your energy better. For knowledge workers, the brain is the key organ that determines our performance.

Tues 26 Sept | In person | 6 modules

The IMI Graduate Development Programme gives your graduates and developing talent the commercial acumen, leadership and people skills needed in the workplace – problem solving, critical thinking, communications, and working in teams.

Cork Chamber is drafting a budget submission to government ahead of budget 2024. The government faces many choices as it formulates Budget 2024 - as members, you have the opportunity to share your business priorities and views on issues such as housing, energy independence, infrastructural investment cost of living and more.

All of your responses are valuable and support us as we advocate on your behalf. Share your views with our Director of Public Affairs, rory@corkchamber.ie.

Our Public Affairs team have made a number of recent submissions to public consultations including both the Cork City Council and Cork County Council Local Economic and Community Plans. 

Our submissions, reports and letters are available here.

The results of our SME panel consultation on Late Payment Directive (2011/7/EU) have been released. The aim of this consultation was to learn: 

• the main features of payment terms used by businesses
• businesses experience of unfair payment practices
• businesses handling of disputes about payment delays
• businesses views on possible policy measures to combat late payments

• RDJ Pride Quiz with hosts PJ Kirby & Kevin Twomey of "I'm Grand Mam" – Thursday 29^th June
• Climate Conversation with Lisa Fingleton at Crawford Art Gallery – Thursday 29^th June
• Ludgate Hub presents - First Fridays for Startups – Friday 7^th July
• Focus Ireland - On The Move – Saturday 8^th July – Saturday 9^th September
• The Power of Invoice Finance – webinar by Finance OTC – Wednesday 12^th July
• Mercy University Hospital Foundation - ‘Make Your Mark on Cancer’ charity walk – Sunday 23^rd July
• Fort2Fort Charity Cycle -Saturday 29^th July
• Mountain Challenge - The Hope Foundation – Saturday 29^th July

• Cork Airport Goes Electric
• Griffith College - Faculty of Law wins the Law School of the Year 2023
• The Montenotte Hotel announces completion of an extensive Employee Facility Project
• Irish Citylink and GoBus Announced as Official Travel Partner for Galway International Arts Festival

As various ideas, ambitions, and personalities converge in the workplace, conflicts, and disputes are unavoidable. It is critical for Employers to properly navigate these situations and address disciplinary problems through robust informal and formal investigation processes. Failure to manage these conflicts effectively can have significant repercussions, including legal consequences, lowered Employee morale, and reputational damage. In this article Adare Human Resource Management will investigate the importance of disciplinaries, conducting comprehensive investigations, and the consequences of mishandling these essential procedures.