In this issue
Policy
Cork Chamber focuses on Maritime Opportunities
Subsidised Training
WIN – WIN!
Events
Learn About Lille - The Food Industry Powerhouse of Northern France
Cork Chamber hosts Tyndall National Institute CEO, Dr Kieran Drain
Cork Chamber Business After Hours at AIB, 66 South Mall
International
International Opportunities
Regulatory Divergence and Trading with the US
Member Updates
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Visit our website
Newsletter archive

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Policy
Cork Chamber focuses on Maritime Opportunities
 

Across the globe, governments are increasingly recognising the economic value of the seas as a source of energy, materials, food and transport. In 2012, the Irish Government published an Integrated Marine Plan which includes a goal to increase the turnover from our ocean economy to exceed €6.4bn by 2020.


Cork Chamber recognises the vast economic potential of the Maritime Sector for Cork businesses and is currently participating in a European Project funded through the ‘Regions of Knowledge’ Seventh Framework Programme called the Resource Efficiency Maritime Capacity Project (REMCAP). REMCAP is a collaborative project involving 14 partner organisations from six European maritime clusters The main objective of REMCAP is  to develop the clusters' ability to promote innovation and enable sustainable growth across the key markets of offshore wind; ocean energy; fishing; aquaculture; blue biotech; aggregates and dredging and seabed mining.


For more information visit the REMCAP website HERE or contact  Claire 



Subsidised Training
WIN – WIN!
 

Is your business customer focused?

Do you sell to your customers on a daily basis?

How many times do you WIN that sale??



How you deal with and manage your relationship with your customers affects your bottom line.


Once you learn some Influencing & Negotiating Skills, you will be able to turn those WIN – LOSE moments into only WIN – WIN opportunities!


This course starts on the 11th March next, don’t miss your chance, BOOK NOW!


Influencing & Negotiating Skills

Course Dates: 11th & 12th March

Member Rate: €245.00

Is this course for me?

This course is ideal for anyone who wishes to improve their persuading, influencing and negotiating skills. This is particularly relevant for anyone in the areas of marketing, sales, advertising & buying.

 

What’s in it for Me?

Once you complete this course, you will:

  • acquire the skills to prepare and plan effectively for negotiations;
  • understand the roles and functions people play within the customer’s organisation with whom they are negotiating;
  • develop an awareness of strategies to deal with people in the customer organisation;
  • cultivate the persuasive style of conducting a professional sales negotiation;
  • understand how customer behaviour can influence the negotiation strategy, and
  • explore ways to identify and deal with common barriers to achieving goals.

These are key skills that once learned have applicability across both business and life situations.

 

Ok, sounds good, so what’s involved?

Day 1

1. Introduction to Effective Communication Skills

 

• What is a communication process?

• Different communication styles

• How to effectively communicate both verbally and non-verbally when dealing with a variety of different personal styles e.g., Dominant, Amiable etc.

• How do you communicate: Self-assessment

 

2. What is persuading?

• Using behavioural styles to persuade more effectively

• Powerful persuasion strategies

 

3. What is influencing?

• Building rapport and trust

• Weapons of influence

 

4. An Introduction to Negotiation

  • What is negotiation (includes negotiation and agreement, situations, different types)
  • Defining your own negotiation style
  • The negotiation process
  • How to make the big ‘ask’
  • How to close the deal
  • How to deal with rejection
  • Gaining a ‘win-win’ situation

 

5. Conclusion

• How persuading, influencing and negotiation skills work together to achieve goals?

• How to handle challenging situations?

 

 

Day 2

 

1. How to best use and counteract a range of commonly seen negotiation tactics, ploys, and techniques.

• Identify the common styles negotiators adopt ranging from soft, hard through to principled or WIN WIN approaches

• Examination of what negotiators can face in their interactions with counter parts, recognising what is happening in real time and adapting their style to successfully overcome challenges

• Reflecting on and examining the range of techniques participants currently use and consider how they can be modified, added to, or acknowledged as best approach

• Key aspects of verbal and non-verbal communication which help give the right impression

• Discuss best styles for different types of scenarios & negotiators

• Questioning and listening skills reviewed

 

2. Developing your own “principled” negotiation style, adaptable to changing circumstances.

• Discussion on what principled negotiation involves

• Considering key changes to participants current approach/style to make them more principled

• WIN –LOSE to WIN –WIN negotiation

 

3. Opportunity to practice your skills in a series of role-play scenarios on which you will receive constructive feedback from trainer and fellow learners.

• Participants will be given practical affirmative and developmental feedback throughout the day as well as being able to partake in Q & A sessions. This is a key part of Day 2 and of the skills and learning transfer element of the programme.


Events
Learn About Lille - The Food Industry Powerhouse of Northern France
 
Date: Wednesday, 11th March
Time: 08:00am-10:30am
Venue: Clarion Hotel
Cost: FREE
To book: here


Join the Enterprise Europe Network, to learn about Lille.  Located in Northern France, on the border with Belgium, the Lille region provides access to 78 million consumers and 5 European capitals within a radius of 300km. The region has a particularly strong food industry, and is home to many food industry leaders.  Hear more about the Boulogne-sur-Mer seafood centre in Lille, the largest seafood processing centre in Europe, and two leading regional clusters include the Nutrition, Health, Longevity (NHL) and Eurasanté clusters representing the region’s strengths in the food and pharma/healthcare sectors. 

 

Following the seminar, there will be an opportunity for one-to-one meetings and networking with the speakers from Lille and also with some of the UCC food research and EU project experts. There will be a brief introduction to food research at UCC (Prof. Alan Kelly, UCC) and H2020 opportunities in this area (Dr Sonia Monteiro, UCC). SMEs in the food/health sectors that are investing in R&D or have experience of EU projects are invited to join this meeting to investigate potential areas of future collaboration.


(Please advise when booking for this event if you would like to stay for this meeting/networking opportunity and if there is anyone in particular that you would like to speak to during a 1:1 meeting.)

 


Learn About Lille - The Food Industry Powerhouse of Northern France

Tuesday 11th March 2015, The Clarion Hotel, Cork
08.00-10.30

                       

Join the Enterprise Europe Network on Wednesday 11th March, to learn about Lille.  Located in Northern France, on the border with Belgium, the Lille region provides access to 78 million consumers and 5 European capitals within a radius of 300km. The region has a particularly strong food industry, and is home to many food industry leaders, including Coca-Cola, Danone, McCain, Tate & Lyle, and Kerry Group, to name but a few. The Boulogne-sur-Mer seafood centre in Lille is the largest seafood processing centre in Europe, processing 300,000 tons of seafood annually.  Two leading regional clusters include the Nutrition, Health, Longevity (NHL) and Eurasanté clusters and these clusters represent the region’s strengths in the food and pharma/healthcare sectors. 

 

Speakers will include:

  • Olivier Charras, Project Manager – Nord France Invest
  • Capucine Maës - Deputy Development Director, Nutrition Health & Longevity (NHL) Cluster 
  • Emmanuelle Cousin – Project Manager, Nutrevent

Why attend this seminar?

The seminar is designed for Irish companies looking to expand into mainland Europe and who want to learn more about the supports and incentives available via Nord France Invest. Furthermore, companies looking for business partnership opportunities, or collaboration opportunities in the area of R&D and innovation, particularly in the Agri-food and health industries, will learn more about how to explore these opportunities.  

 

An Introduction to UCC food research and EU project specialists

Following the seminar, from 10.30-11.30, there will be an opportunity for one-to-one meetings and networking with the speakers from Lille and also with some of the UCC food research and EU project experts. There will be a brief introduction to food research at UCC (Prof. Alan Kelly, UCC) and H2020 opportunities in this area (Dr Sonia Monteiro, UCC). SMEs in the food/health sectors that are investing in R&D or have experience of EU projects are invited to join this meeting to investigate potential areas of future collaboration. (Please advise when booking for this event if you would like to stay for this meeting/networking opportunity and if there is anyone in particular that you would like to speak to during a 1:1 meeting.)

 

Who should attend?

Organisations working in the agri-food/health/logistics sectors or anyone with an interest in the Lille region, including SMEs and MNCs; Researchers; Industry clusters; Educational bodies. For more information contact Katherine@corkchamber.ie

 

Speaker Profiles:


Olivier Charras, Project Manager – Nord France Invest 

Olivier has a Masters in International Management (ESC Poitiers Business School – Sherbrooke University (Quebec)) and is a graduate of Graduate of ESC Poitiers Business School. Since 2004 he has been working as Project Manager - Direct Marketing Manager for NORD FRANCE INVEST, the Investment Promotion Agency for Lille Region. NORD FRANCE INVEST is charged with promoting the Lille Region solutions for the development of internationally mobile investments and assisting foreign companies in all the steps of their investment projects in Lille Region. It is the 3rd region in France for inward investment, Lille Region welcomes Irish leaders such as Kerry Ingredients, Ingersoll Rand, Kingspan, Smurfit Kappa to name a few. The Lille Region is a major hub for food and nutrition companies, home to major actors such as Tate & Lyle, Roquette, Coca – Cola, Häagen Dazs, Cargill, Mondelez. 


Capucine Maës - Deputy Development Director, Nutrition Health & Longevity (NHL) Cluster 
Capucine studied Nutrition and Health at Lasalle Beauvais, a specialist institution in the areas of Nutrition, Health and Agrifood. I graduated as a nutritionist in 2005. Since 2006, she has been working in the Nutrition Health Longevity Cluster. From 2006 to 2013, she was a nutrition and agrifood Project Manager where she was responsible for collaborative projects between academia and private companies. In addition, she developed the network of members and also designed the concept of key events such as Nutrevent.  In 2013, she became Deputy Development Director of the NHL Cluster. My role consists of managing the development team, promoting the Cluster and its members and increasing membership. I also research, develop and initiate projects.

Emmanuelle Cousin – Project Manager, Nutrevent
Following a Masters degree in Business and Science, Emmanuelle started to work as an international marketing officer at Eurasanté, the economic development agency dedicated to the health sector in Northern France. Part of her job was to advise companies in their strategic development abroad, identify business opportunities and provide market analysis. After a 4-year experience, Emmanuelle moved to Eurasanté events department as a project manager and is now in charge of the promotion of NutrEvent, the international event dedicated to business & innovation in the field of Nutrition and Health (Lille, 17-18 June 2015)


Cork Chamber hosts Tyndall National Institute CEO, Dr Kieran Drain
 

Date: Tuesday, 31st March
Time: 7.30am – 9.00am
Venue: Clarion Hotel
Cost: €25 / €35 non members
To book:  HERE

 

Did you know that Cork houses one of the world’s leading research & innovation facilities housing 460 researchers, scientists and engineers, across 38 nationalities and attracting 11,500 visitors per year? The Tyndall National Institute brings companies from around the world to Cork to collaborate and is spinning out successful start-ups, as well helping growing companies through research. Tyndall is focused on developing technology solutions for health, communications, energy, agriculture, food, marine and the environment sectors.


A proven leader and technology sector executive, Dr. Drain has delivered significant successes in major US and international business roles. He has over thirty years industrial experience in technology and business management in diverse industrial segments.  Join with your fellow Cork Chamber members to hear about this global success story and how YOU can get involved.


BOOK EARLY*


*Booking events early gives you immediate access to the attendance list, ensures that you are kept up to date with all news relating to the event and positions you on the attendance so that others can find you, network with you and vice versa.




Cork Chamber Business After Hours at AIB, 66 South Mall
 

Date: Wednesday, 15th April
Time: 5.30pm – 7.00pm
Venue: AIB South Mall
Cost: FREE for Cork Chamber members
To Book: HERE

 

Cork Chamber is proud to partner with AIB Bank on South Mall for the April Business After Hours Networking Event. AIB Bank and its predecessors, the Munster Bank and The Munster & Leinster Bank, have supported the people and businesses of Cork from its 66 South Mall premises for 150 years and this iconic building is now celebrating its 100th year anniversary this year. Completed in 1915, this beautiful building is recognised as one of the most historically significant banking premises in the country.


Join with your fellow members for the best networking event in town – you can bank on it!

 
BOOK NOW


 



International
International Opportunities
 

If you’re attending the Lille event…be sure to register for a meeting with some of UCC’s agrifood researchers and find out about Horizon 2020 opportunities from them. Contact Katherine for further information. 

 


India Business Opportunities in Infrastructures, Cork City Hall, 12th March, 12:30 pm to 3pm


The Cork Chapter of the Ireland India Business Association (IIBA) are organising a free lunchtime seminar on Thursday, 12 March. The seminar will outline opportunities in the areas of energy, IT, clean-tech, renewable and smart cities. This event will feature a number of Indian specialists from these areas and will outline opportunities for Cork companies. BOOK HERE


India Business Opportunities in Infrastructures, Cork City Hall, March 12, 12:30 pm to 3pm

This lunchtime seminar will feature will feature:

  • ‘Welcome and Investing in India’, Mike McGrath, Managing Director Supply.ie and Chairman of Ireland India Business Association (IIBA)’s Cork Chamber
  • ‘Gas Infrastructure and Licensing’, B.S. Negi, Director of Energy Quest
  • ‘Exploration, Production and Renewables, Anoop Kumar, Executive Director of Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Ltd
  • ‘Infrastructure and Smart Cities Opportunities’, Suman Lahiri, Regional Director of the European Business and Technology Centre
  • ‘The India Context, the IIBA and Why the Opportunities are Now’, Nilakanthi Ford, Director of KFV Consulting and Chairman of IIBA

Click here to book your free place or contact Eimear@corkchamber.ie for further information. 


Regulatory Divergence and Trading with the US
 

A delegation of business leaders and Chambers are shortly to travel to the US. The purpose of this trip is to discuss the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership and to lobby the US administration for an SME-friendly trade agreement. Divergences in regulations and standards have been identified as one of the main obstacles for effective market access to the United States.

We are looking for any member companies who have experienced difficulty entering the US market due to regulatory divergence?  If your company has experience any of these issues or you would like to discuss further, please contact Emma Kerins on t: 01-4004303 or  E: here



Promotion
Visit Your Chamber
 
This Friday 6th March from 9am to 12pm you are invited to the Cork Chamber Offices on Summerhill North. You will get the opportunity to have a one to one meeting with a member of the team and to learn specific ways in which Cork Chamber can help your business.This is open to both members and non-members.

Please forward this information to anyone who may be interested in learning more about Cork Chamber or please feel free to pop in for a cup of coffee and a chat about maximising your membership. Contact Danielle on 021-4530136 to book in advance. 


Canadian Ambassador Visits Cork Chamber
 
Cork Chamber was delighted to welcome Ambassador of Canada, Kevin Vickers today on his inaugural visit to Cork.

The Ambassador of Canada to Ireland, Kevin Vickers, was appointed in January 2015. He previously served as the Sergeant-at-Arms of the House of Commons.  The Ambassador comes from New Brunswick and has proud Irish ancestry. He looks forward to improving and strengthening trade relations between Ireland and Canada. 



Recently appointed Ambassador Simon S.K. Tu from the Taipei Representative Office in Ireland Visits Cork Chamber
 

Ambassador Simon S.K. Tu of the Taipei Representative Office was posted to Ireland last week and during his first week, he visited Cork to attend the Lennox Robinson Literary Festival. This  year’s guest speaker and recipient of the Lennox Robinson Literary Award was renowned Taiwanese novelist and short-story writer, Professor Ying Tai Chang. The Ambassador’s previous posts included New Zealand and South Africa and he is looking forward to developing bilateral relations between Ireland and Taiwan. 




Pictured L-R are: Hsiu-Mei (Shirley) LIN, Deputy Director of the Taipei Representative Office in Ireland, Pete Duffy, writer & Lennox Robinson Literary Festival Committee member, Billy O’Callaghan, writer & Lennox Robinson Literary Festival Committee member, Ying Tai Chang - writer & Distinguished Professor of the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, National Taiwan University of Science and Technology Taipei, Tracy S.K. Tu, Ambassador Simon S.K. Tu, Taipei Representative Office in Ireland and Conor Healy, CEO Cork Chamber. 



Chambers Ireland’s Corporate Social Responsibility Awards Now Open for Applications
 

The Chambers Ireland Corporate Social Responsibility Awards are now accepting applications. The awards are open to all businesses and are free to enter. There are a range of categories covering different areas of CSR and all relevant information can be found on www.csrawards.ie. The Awards are a great chance to gain recognition for your company’s commitment to being a responsible and sustainable business. Applications are made online and will be open until Tuesday 21st April. If you have any queries at all regarding the awards, please contact Amy Woods here  or 014004319.



Celebrating Success - February Chamberlink Out now
 
Check out out the February edition of Chamberlink magazine - filled with the latest updates from your Chamber, your region and engaging member news!

Latest News
 

1. Fundraising Team of the Year award - Read More HERE 

2. Cork's first Open House weekend to showcase architectural gems - Read More HERE

3. Most Trusted Leader Award - Read More HERE

4. Awards to Recognise Excellence in Corporate Social Responsibility Launched - Read More HERE 

5. Cork Student Entrepreneurs compete to win place at National Finals - Read More HERE 

6. New Cork business, BTS Recruitment, headed by Alf Smiddy and Ernest Cantillon, launch online talent platform for hiring in hospitality in Ireland - Read More HERE

7. Mick O'Dea draws inspiration from Irish War of Independence - Read More HERE 

8. Irish music legends TRIAD, SCULLION & KIERAN GOSS perform Triskel Christchurch Patrick's Week 2015 - Read More HERE

9. The Chris Mee Group and Willis Risk Services are delighted to announce a new strategic Risk Management Partnership - Read More HERE

10.  Irish workers are burning the midnight oil, according to Regus survey - Read More HERE



I WISH inspires more than 1000 girls about careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths


iWish 2015 HD



Members Offers
An Scolaire - Business Services
 
Period of the offer available: Until March 31st


10% Discount on ALL services for Chamber Members ONLY!! 


Many of you may be familiar with and have even used the services of An Scolaire, situated across the road from UCC. But did you know that we also offer a wide range of services to the business community? We have gained vast experience over the years and are confident that both our service and product will not be beaten. We treat each job uniquely and no job is too big or too small. For all your printing, copying, binding, stationery and laminating needs please contact Frank on 021-4274138 or  email here.  We also provide a collection and delivery service 7 days a week.  



Member Events
Fastnet Recruitment Career Open Days
 
Date:  3rd, 4th,10th and 12th March
Time: 12noon – 7pm
Venue: Fastnet Recruitment Offices, Eastgate Village, Little Island, Cork
Cost: Free to Attend
To book: Just drop by, call 021 4509200 or email here 


Fastnet Recruitment are hosting a series of Open Days  in the areas of Quality & Laboratory, Manufacturing, Engineering, Supply Chain, Human Resources and Finance & Accounting.  Meet a specialist consultant to discuss your next career move.  Click here for contact details.




Views From A Bench
 

Date: 3rd - 7th March
Time: 8pm
Venue: Cork Arts Theatre
Cost:  €10 Concession
To Book: 021 4505624

 

This fund-raising event for the Cork Arts Theatre will see ten short plays performed over the course of the evening.  All of the plays take place in a public park setting with the only stage furniture being a park bench.  It promises to be an evening filled with entertainment with something for everyone. Offer for Chamber Members:  Concession rate for Chamber members €10 with code “CHAMBER 10”


This fund-raising event for the Cork Arts Theatre will see ten short plays performed over the course of the evening. All of the plays take place in a public park setting with the only stage furniture being a park bench. As the various stories are played out and people come and go, the park bench is the only constant and the only witness to the comedy and the drama, the love stories and stories of love lost. All of the directors, cast and crew have given of their time freely in order to bring these short plays (some of which will have their premieres at this event) to the stage.


It promises to be an evening filled with entertainment with something for everyone.


Offer for Chamber Members:  
Concession rate for Chamber members €10 with code “CHAMBER 10”


Business Breakfast Briefing
 
Date: Wednesday,11th March 
Time: 8.30am to 10.30am
Venue: Kinsley Hotel, Victoria Cross
Cost: Euro 50.00—including light breakfast
To book: email here


The challenge for organisations today is that ‘service’ does not only take place face-to-face. Consumers expect to be able to interact with companies across many different channels – online, over the phone and face-to-face – to suit their needs and they expect a consistency of brand experience and high levels of service regardless of how and when they make contact.

  • How do you ensure the customer gets a consistent experience across so many touch points?
  • How do you ensure your website and your people deliver on the promise of your brand?
  • How can Amazon achieve its mission to become the earths most customer centric company with no face to face contact with customers? 


All these issues and more will be addressed by John Aves in his presentation.

More details here


Historically, 90% of the contact between customers and companies was interpersonal..... today, with the proliferation of channels and the explosion of online and smart phone usage, the vast majority of customer interactions  do not take  place face to face. 

  • How do you ensure the customer gets a consistent experience across so many touch points?
  • How do you ensure your website and your people deliver on the promise of your brand?
  • How can Amazon achieve its mission to become the earths most customer centric company with no face to face contact with customers? 


All these issues and more will be addressed by John Aves in his presentation.

If you are responsible for sales, customer service or digital marketing, you will benefit from John’s presentation.        

John’s presentation will  also focus on how companies can turn their customers into real fans by delivering an experience across all touch points that not only meets the functional needs of customers but also connects with them emotionally.

Presented by; John Aves, Founder of CP2 , Customer Experience Consultancy.

 


PE Global Recruitment Open Day
 
Date: Thursday, 12th March
Time: 9am to 7pm
Venue: 8 Eastgate Ave, Eastgate, Little Island, Cork
Cost: FOC
To book: email Linda here 


PE Global is holding a Recruitment Open Day on Thurs 12th March at 8 Eastgate Ave, Eastgate, Little Island with jobs available in Ireland and abroad across multiple industries. Walk-ins welcome or email Linda here to arrange a time to call in.


Cork Wine School Level 2 WSET Wine Course
 
Date: March 24th – May 19th
Time: 7pm-9pm  
Venue: Clarion Hotel, Lapps Quay, Cork
Cost: €435
To book: Phone: 021-4296060 Email: here 

Course delivered by Wine Expert Gary O’Donovan with over 20 years lecturing experience. Internationally recognised certification from Wine & Spirit Education Trust. 9 week course. Gift Vouchers Available – The Perfect Gift for the Wine Lovers! 


Skechers 5K
 
Date: Sunday, 29th March 
Time: 10:30am
Venue: Phoenix Park
Cost: €15 per person or €30 for family ticket.( 2 kids, 2 adults)
To book: click here to register  

Skechers Ireland are delighted to host the first ever Skechers 5k- In Aid Of the Marie Keating Foundation. The event takes place on Sunday, the 29th Of March at 10.30am. Go Walk, Go Run or just have fun as we team up with the The Marie Keating Foundation to support the Foundation’s breast cancer awareness campaign. Registration is €15 and €30 for a family ticket (2 Adults/2 Children) and once registered you will receive a €15 off voucher via your confirmation e-mail from Precision Timing.