Chambers Ireland has launched an An Alternative 10 Point Plan for Micro, Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises. This plan is a response to the 10 Point Tax Reform Plan for SMEs announced by the Government in Budget 2013.  Following initial analysis of the 10 Point Plan, Chambers Ireland engaged with a number of subject matter specialists along and representatives from the Chamber Network including Cork Chamber.  As a result the Chamber Network has developed an alternative plan which it believes can help businesses create transformative change and in turn stimulate job creation.

Key recommendations include:

1. Introduce a Reduced VAT Rate on Housing Repair, Maintenance and Improvements (RMI)

2. Enable Start-ups to Offset Corporation Tax against Other Taxes Due

3. Halve the level of Capital Gains Tax for Entrepreneurs to 16.5%

4. Introduce a Targeted Rates Reduction for Businesses in Town Centres

5. Introduce a Double Rent Deduction for Companies with Upward Only Rent Reviews

6. Apply an ‘Ireland Rate of Return’ in Tendering Decisions for Public Sector Contracts

7. Introduce an Additional Tax Incentive Policy to Encourage Private Sector Investment

8. Promote Ireland as the Best Possible Location for Nearshoring

9. Mandate all Government Research Funding Agencies to set aside 2.5% of their Budget for SMEs

10. Introduce Further Operational Initiatives to Promote Business Interests

To download a copy of the plan, click here.

Draft Metropolitan Cork Joint Retail Strategy:

A Draft Metropolitan Cork Joint Retail Strategy has been prepared to replace the existing Cork Strategic Retail Study.  This strategy will form the basis on which Cork City and County Council formulate objectives/policies for retail development in their respective development plans and will be used in the determination of planning permission applications.  The central objectives of the Joint Retail Strategy will be to identify:

-  Broad requirements for additional retail floorspace development in the overall area to support the settlement hierarchy

-  Retail floorspace requirements by constituent planning authorities

-  Guidance on the location and function of retail activity and the relevant settlement hierarchy

The draft strategy contains a number of proposals relating to the city centre, vacant floorspace, convenient floor space and balancing retail and non-retail functions in an area. 

For further information please visit http://www.corkchamber.ie/yourviews.cfm.  A public consultation takes place between 12^th April 2013 and 10^th May 2013. 

The 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 Siobhan Bradley, Acting Policy & Research Manager (siobhan.bradley@corkchamber.ie) before Tuesday 30^th April 2013 at 5pm. 

Train the Trainer (FETAC Level 6)  

Course Dates: 15^th, 22^nd & 29^th April

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.

This course is ideal for managers and/or supervisors who are responsible for the training and development of staff, individuals who wish to gain an accredited qualification in the area of training and also those who may be seeking a change of direction and who wish to explore employment opportunities in the area of training.

So if you wish to gain a professional, accredited qualification in the area of training,BOOK TODAY!

MS Excel (Intermediate) - 2007/2010

Course Date: 15^th April

Member Rate: €100.00

This course is designed for those who may have been using MS Excel 2007 or 2010 for some time, but have never received formal training. The course will move through the basics including the use of shortcut keys & some less familiar formatting options. It will then move on to more intermediate topics such as writing & copying formulas, creating charts, using the database functionality – sorting & filtering lists.

Following this course, you will be able to use much of the functionality with MS Excel including:

• Competent use of Shortcut Keys

• Use formatting tools such as the format painter

• Write and copy formulas – Relative / Absolute

• Work with multiple worksheets and write formulas across sheets / Link Sheets.

• Create professional looking charts and use drawing tools to enhance these.

• Use the database functionality of MS Excel – Sorting & Auto Filter.

This one day course if only €100.00 for Chamber members so BOOK TODAY!

Networking for Success

Course Date: 16^th April, 2013

Member Rate: €130.00

Networking is a powerful tool often underestimated. This one day course will give participants the essential tools to develop and use core networking skills to develop core networking opportunities. Networking has an extensive rippling effect and it is important to understand how to harness opportunities to maximize your organizations opportunities.

The course will cover the following:

• Why networking
• Safe cross code to networking
• Networking script
• Adapting & Connecting
• Working the Room
• Before the event
• At the event
• After the event
• Getting a return on your investment
• Making networking fun

This course is critical to anyone keen on enhancing their business and financial strength. Whether utilizing skills to develop internal networking, conference networking or indeed looking for a job. The facilitator of this program will ensure you gain maximum return from this course and that you will enhance and understand the power of your own social capital.

This may be the best €130.00 you will ever spend!! 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)

BUSINESS SCHOOL CALENDAR

April

• Certificate in Train the Trainer                                                                    15^th April
• MS Excel Intermediate                                                                                  15^th April
•  Networking for Success                                                                              16^th April
• Certificate in Supervisory Management                                                     24^th April
• MS PowerPoint ‘Beyond the Basics’                                                        26^th April
• Present & Express with Confidence                                                         30^th April

May

• Lean Six Sigma                                                                                               2^nd May
• E-Mail & Business Writing                                                                            2^nd May
• MS Word Intermediate                                                                                  3^rd May
• PMI Exam Preparation                                                                                  7^th May
• MS Excel Advanced                                                                                        8^th May
• Train the Trainer                                                                                           14^th May
• Introduction to Technical Writing                                                              15^th May
• Personal Productivity using MS Outlook                                                   20^th May
• Finance for Non-Financial Managers                                                       23^rd May
•  Project Management Professional                                                           28^th May

June

•  Project Management Professional                                                           18^th June

September

• Certificate in Business & Executive Coaching Leadership                                10^th September

October

• Certificate in Business & Executive Coaching Leadership                                15^th October

Taking place for the first time in Cork, Startup Weekend has proven to be an outstanding success in Ireland. The global entrepreneurial movement, Startup Weekend powered by the Kauffman Foundation, brought together successful entrepreneurs and mentors with over 65 ‘ideas’ people from all over Ireland and the UK, and created a hothouse for business development in Western Gateway UCC at the weekend. “Bringing aspiring entrepreneurs with technical skills and ideas together with mentors and entrepreneurs with other business skills really works! On Friday, we heard almost 40 pitches with many unique and incredible concepts and over an intensive 54 hours, with the right support and environment, we now have a winning new startup company”, said Will Martin, event organiser and founder of LiveDuel.com.

The winning startup, Task Me Now, developed their business strategy for mobile apps that enable businesses to avail of crowdsourcing opportunities. Their first app, BrainCredit, allows managers and business owners to complete specific advanced tasks using the ‘knowledge sourcing’ app without additional recruitment costs and on-boarding time.“Our solution matches the knowledge a business requires with exactly the right skills and experts through the BrainCredit app” explains founder, Robin Yearsley, who travelled with co-founder Martin Horton from the UK, to participate in Startup Weekend in Ireland.
“We deliberately chose to come to Startup Weekend Cork as we know the entrepreneurial culture here is very vibrant, and there is a real emphasis on technical skills and technology with so many leading ICT companies in the Region”.
“We saw a real focus on apps and technology products over the weekend, which was really very exciting. Real credit is due to those who brought their ideas here, and particularly to the entrepreneurs and business community who gave their time freely this weekend to ensure that market and customer insights, as well as business knowledge, was available to the start ups”, commented Siobhan Finn, Cork Innovates.

The judges for the Startup weekend were wowed by the calibre of entrepreneurial talent at Startup Weekend Cork. Gareth Keane, Investment Manager at Qualcomm Ventures, Sean O' Sullivan, CEO Avego, Pat Phelan, CEO Trustev and Eamon Leonard, VP Engineering at Engine Yard had a tough job selecting the winning Startup indeed.

Pat Phelan, CEO Trustev said, “The quality of entrants went beyond what I expected, any one of the finalists could build a very successful business and all this in a weekend”.

The organising committee of Cork Startup Weekend included Will Martin, LiveDuel.com, Jayne Ronayne of UrYearBook.com, Peter Finnegan, Rubicon Centre, Ronan O’Dubhghaill, IGNITE, Ernest Cantillon, Electric and Siobhan Finn of Cork Innovates among others. Startup Weekends take place all over the world almost every weekend. See www.startupweekend.org if you are interested in getting involved in upcoming startup weekend activities

Citizen Communities for Energy Efficiency Services

Sector: Energy Efficiency

Closing date – 15/03/14                                                                           

An Italian company, operating in the field of energy efficiency, is building up a consortium for a project proposal in the framework of Intelligent Energy Efficiency Call 2013. They aim to introduce a novel model of pooling citizens together in community groups. There is also a focus on the exploitation of existing structures, which will act as market facilitators. The company is looking for energy services companies, associations and local authorities who would be interested in joining the consortium.

Eureka – Mobile Energy Supply Solution

Sector: Energy, Renewable Energy

Closing date – 31/08/13

A Czech university, in cooperation with a Czech SME, is preparing a project proposal for the Eureka programme. The project goal is to develop a solar mobile energy source, based on concentrated photovoltaics. The university is looking for project partners such as companies or universities with experience in electronics, chassis design, telecommunication, photovoltaics and the production of batteries.

FP7 Pub-Bubbles

Sector: Electronics

Closing date – 21/09/2013

An Italian company is looking for partners for an FP7 Research project application. The project hopes to create a digital ecosystem that allows publishers, authors and readers to collaboratively create the next generation of ebooks. Partners such as SMEs who are active in the fields of computer science and e-booking are being sought by the Pub-Bubbles consortium.

FP7 – Human Robot interactive welding

Sectors: Technology, Engineering

Closing date – 04/11/13

A Croatian manufacturer of machines for the car tyre industry from Croatia is seeking additional partners to participate in the current FP7 call on Factories for the Future. The project proposal will focus on the development of a human-robot interactive cooperation in the production process of welding. The company seeks further joint development and expertise for developing an innovative and financially feasible technology that could provide such hybrid production system.

ECO INNOVATION: Environmentally friendly system for agricultural soil disinfection

Sector: Agriculture/Eco-Innovation

Closing date – 01/07/13

A Spanish Technology Centre is looking for partners in order to prepare a proposal for the next Eco-Innovation call (CIP Programme). The project aims to develop a machine which would be able to disinfect soil treatments in real field conditions against moulds, nematodes, germs, etc. Large companies and SMEs with technical capabilities on the development of mobile high performance ozone generators, as well as major producers of crops requiring soil disinfection before planting, are needed.

For more information on any of these projects, or on how to find out more about EU funding, contact katherine@corkchamber.ie.

BELGIAN COMPANIES MULTI-SECTORAL TRADE MISSION, GRAND CANAL HOTEL, DUBLIN 4 APRIL 17^th /18^th 2013

The following companies will be in Dublin next week as part of a Belgian trade mission to Ireland.  If you are interested in meeting any of these companies then please contact Katherine@corkchamber.ie for more information.

ACATS BVBA – a provider of managed IT services, consultancy, outsourcing and development. The company is specialized in remote Oracle database management and Oracle projects, but also offers Microsoft.Net Development, projects and management. Acats is looking for partners for the Irish market as well as direct clients. More information about the company can be found on their website: www.acats.be.

CLICKTOUCH NV – a manufacturer of electronic input devices with more than 25 years experience in the design and innovation of Human Machine Interfaces. Their product range includes membrane switches, touch screens, piezo and force sensors, industrial keyboards, security and heating films. Clicktouch is looking for direct clients on the Irish market. More information about the company can be found on their website: http://clicktouch.eu/ .

DAVID CROQUETTE – a producer of cheese and shrimp croquettes, delivering to brassieres, hotels, restaurants and delicatessen shops. The company also supplies vegetables and fish terrines and is a distributor of “Choc-o-Lait”; a block of chocolate to stir in warm milk to obtain authentic hot-chocolate. David Croquette is looking for an importer/ distributor for the Irish market. More information about the company can be found on their website: www.davidcroquette.com.

DECORAIL – a producer of hand, cord and electric operated curtain track systems, roman blind and sliding panel systems. Their products are used by end-users and are also applied in hotels, hospitals and the healthcare sector. Decorail is looking for an agent/ importer/ distributor/ wholesaler for the Irish market. More information about the company can be found on their website: www.decoline.eu

DECRUY – a manufacturer of prefabricated furniture components. The company has the capacity to produce each day about 80.000 foil-wrapped drawers (MDF or chipboard wrapped with PVC, PP or paper foils). On top of that they also produce large volumes of foil-wrapped mouldings and profiles, milled, drilled, dowelled, and edgebanded according to the technical drawings of their customers. Decruy is looking for importers/ distributors for the Irish market as well as clients and DIY stores. More information about the company can be found on their website: www.decruy.be.

DYNACO EUROPE NV – a manufacturer of flexible high speed doors for both commercial and industrial applications. Dynaco doors result in energy savings and on top of that they automatically re-insert themselves in seconds. The company has a worldwide presence and is constantly looking to expand its activities to markets around the world. Dynaco is looking for an importer/ distributor for the Irish market. More information about the company can be found on their website: www.dynacodoor.com.  

FAM – a leading manufacturer of precision cutting machines for the food processing industry. In addition, FAM has an extensive sales and service network for the global consultancy and after-sales support of their customers. Worldwide FAM has experience with more than 1,000 different cutting applications in the vegetable-, potato- and fruit sector, as well as in the meat-, poultry-, seafood- and cheese industry. FAM is looking for contacts with Irish food processing companies. More information about the company can be found on their website: www.fam.be.

GERNAL – a manufacturer of machinery for the food industry. Their machines can be situated in the following areas: meat, fish, ready meals, pasta, soups, sauces. Gernal has  built up a strong reputation abroad. Approximately 65% of all Gernal machines are delivered to customers in France, Germany, the Netherlands and England. Gernal is looking for food processing companies in Ireland. More information about the company can be found on their website: www.gernal.be.

HORAFROST NV – a producer of quality frozen vegetables and vegetable mixes. The company is producing own label products for major retailers and caterers in Belgium, France and the UK. Horafrost is looking for an importer/ distributor for the Irish market. More information about the company can be found on their website: www.horafrost.be.  

INTERFLUX-ELECTRONICS NV – a specialist manufacturer of soldering fluxes, solder wire and solder paste for the electronics assembly and the PCB manufacturing industry. Among their clients are large OEM’s, automotive and aerospace contractors, prototyping manufacturers and soldering shops. Interflux-Electronics is looking for an agent/ distributor for the Irish market as well as direct clients. More information about the company can be found on their website: www.interflux.com.

INTERSER NV – a logistics company that transports cargo all over the world. Interser can provide a service by sea (Conventional, Breakbulk, Cross-Trade, LCL & FCL), by air, by road FTL or groupage, by train and by barge. The company provides weekly groupage services per container between the Benelux and Ireland. They also have a trucking service three times a week between these countries. Interser is looking for  Irish importers and exporters with transports from and to Belgium. More information about the company can be found on their website: www.interser.org.  

JO BEAU PRODUCTS – a manufacturer of a full range of narrow chippers, stump grinders, wood chippers, scarifiers, greenknives, grindteeth, weed brush en weed destroyers. Jo Beau is looking for an importer/distributor for the Irish market. More information about the company can be found on their website: www.jobeau.eu.

JSR MICRO NV – a subsidiary of JSR Corporation, a multinational company employing over 5000 people worldwide and a leading materials supplier in a variety of technology driven markets. In 2007, JSR launched JM Energy, dedicated to the development, manufacture and marketing of its ULTIMO Lithium Ion Capacitator (LIC), an electrical storage device that stores or releases electricity through rapid electrostatic reactions. JSR Micro is looking for system integrators on the Irish market as well as direct clients for its energy storage systems, in the sectors of Energy storage / renewable energy, Hybrid vehicles, peak shaving, UPS + voltage sag compensation. More information about the company can be found on their website: www.jsrmicro.be/en/jsr_micro.  

KIPCO-DAMACO NV – a producer and exporter of a wide range of chicken, turkey and hen products for wholesale, catering and further processing. They also work close together with both local and foreign beef and pork producers and thus can offer a wide range of these items. Kipco-Damaco is looking for (small) Irish importers/distributors and local African ethnic stores. More information about the company can be found on their website: www.kipcodamaco.com.

MILCAMPS – a producer of authentic Belgian waffles, brownies, cakes and pancakes.  Milcamps is member of the Jacquet-Brossard Group and has two production sites in Belgium. Milcamps is looking an importer/ distributor for the Irish market. More information about the company can be found on their website: www.milcamps.be .

NOVELLAS INTERNATIONAL SEMEA – a provider of healthcare recruitment, project sourcing, training & assessment centers for hospitals. Bridging Europe to the Middle East in matching qualified doctors and nurses to job opportunities. The company is specialized in recruiting western trained doctors, nurses and allied medical for hospitals and elderly homes. Novellas International Semea is looking for an agent for the Irish market. More information about the company can be found on their website: www.novellasint.eu/.  

PRIMERA PROCESSING NV – an active player on the market of frozen products. Main produce is
- In bacon: green beans, goat cheese, dried fruit, scallops & shrimps
- Skewers: fish & seafood, meat (cooked or marinated)
Primera Processing also imports and distributes rainbow trout’s, Choice products (ready-made meals, wild shrimps), pasteurized fish, king & snow crab and ready meals.
Primera Processing is looking for an agent/ importer/ distributor for the Irish market. More information about the company can be found on their website: www.primera.be.  

ROAM CHEMIE – a supplier of water treatment products and producer of disinfectant products according to the Huwa-San technology. Huwa-San DW is used as drinking water disinfectant replacing chlorine in Ontario (Canada) municipalities. With the BioXeco brand for public health care Roam Chemie is present in several public health care institutes. Roam Chemie is looking for an Irish distributor/ partner for their Huwa-San product and BioXeco product (medical sector). More information about the company can be found on their website: www.roamchemie.com.

ROLTEX – a producer of catering trays and unbreakable glass. The company is already present in Ireland on the catering market. Over the last years Roltex specialized in digital printing on trays. These trays are for instance being used by several Belgian breweries and museum shops as an important marketing tool. In this regard Roltex is looking for direct clients on the Irish market. References are for instance Heineken and the Prado Museum in Madrid. More information about the company can be found on their website: www.roltex.be.  

UNIL LUBRICANTS NV – a producer of a complete range of lubricants (ISO 9001 and 14001 certified) suitable for most industrial and automotive applications (engine oils, transmission oils, metalworking fluids, greases, sprays). Unil Lubricants is looking for an importer/distributor for the Irish market. More information about the company can be found on their website: www.unil.be.  


Full information available HERE

Come along to Barter Travel Patrick Street, Douglas and Bandon THIS WEEKEND to avail of our summer sun sale prices

Exclusive to Barters This Weekend. SALE ENDS TUESDAY! 

Thursday 11^th April to Tuesday 16^th April  

• €150 OFF per booking on selected brochure holidays to Corfu – Turkey – Lanzarote
• June SUN OFFERS 3* Self Catering Apartments from€459 per person
• Save up to€250 OFF Alfresco Holidays to FRANCE – SPAIN - LAKE GARDA
• July FAMILY OFFERS 3* Self Catering Apartments from€1521
• May and June Luxury Mobile Homes in Spain - France - Italyfrom €26 per night
• €20 OFF per personfor selected SUMMER HOLIDAYS from May to October

AND MUCH MORE! Contact J. Barter Travel for more information or see www.travelnet.ie

92 Patrick Street, Cork City – 021 485 1700

Douglas Village Shopping Centre, Douglas – 021 489 4084

Old Market Bandon Shopping Centre, Bandon – 023 884 1925

With the first glimpse of sun in the sky, Cogans Carrigaline have a hot offer for Chamber members.  Receive a free air conditioning service valued at €59 with every car service booked before 31^st May 2013.  This offer applies to all makes and models of cars, Toyotas and non-Toyotas alike. To avail of this offer email service@cogans.ie or call 021 4852500 and quote Chamber. Air conditioning units can lose up to 15% of their refrigerant in a year. It is recommended to have a leakage test and air conditioning gas recharge carried out every 3 years to ensure maximum efficiency of the system.  Regular servicing of your air conditioning system minimizes condensation and dust within your vehicle. It also ensures that the hoses, joints and components of the system are inspected for any wear and tear. Failure to maintain your air conditioning can result in a unpleasant smell when you operate the system.



To avail of this offer email service@cogans.ie or call 021 4852500 and quote Chamber.

Are you planning a team celebration, an end of year ball or another celebration? Then come and visit our extensive banqueting facilities on; Monday 29th April from 6 – 9pm. Meet with the team and view Cork premier 4* venue, overlooking the River Lee and City Hall. Sample our summer punch or sparkling wine on arrival in the Atrium, walk through the fairy-lit bridge into our contemporary conference foyer. View the setup of our banqueting suite for up to 270 guests and sample some of our delicious menu options along with a selection of our homemade mini desserts. Confirm your interest in attending and kindly RSVP to Katie on sales2@clarionhotelcorkcity.com or 021 4224943. We look forward to seeing you on the 29th April at the Clarion Hotel Cork.