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Cork Chamber Responds to Budget 2015
Tuesday’s Budget marked the end of seven consecutive austerity budgets. In response to the measures announced Cork Chamber acknowledged the efforts made to reduce income tax and boost consumer confidence; however Budget 2015 has neglected to adequately support the Indigenous SME and self-employed sectors who are the lifeblood of the Irish Economy. On a positive note, an exciting announcement was the introduction of a Knowledge Development Box which will act as an incentive for companies to undertake more R&D activities. Additionally, the clarity provided around the 4 year phasing out of the Double Irish tax position while maintaining Ireland’s attractiveness as a location for MNCs through the retention of the 12.5% Corporate Tax rate was most welcomed. To read Cork Chambers full response please click here
Food Works 3 Programme
Bord Bia, Enterprise Ireland and Teagsc have recently launched the Food Works 3 Programme and will be accepting applications from ambitious food and drinks start-ups until the 20th November. The programme kicks off in Jan 2015 and will offer workshops, coaching sessions, technical support, consumer advice, links to investors and retail buyers, feasibility funding etc. There will be a free information evening on the 4th November in Cork Institute of Technology in Bishopstown. More information on this programme is available here.
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Think different to Sell different
When you think different, you sell different.
When you sell different, you differentiate yourself from the competition.
Learn how to sell different with our executive training programmes that are guaranteed to impact your bottom line.
- Increasing Sales by Telephone: develop the prospecting protocols and influencing skills required to significantly increase your sales success over the phone. Ideal for anyone who uses the phone to sell directly to customers.
- Business to Business Selling – The Secrets:this course will teach you the necessary consultative selling skills required to exceed your sales target this year and beyond. It will help you to identify new customers, drive demand, and build a solid sales pipeline.
Increasing Sales by Telephone Course Dates: 2 days (30th October & 7th November) Member Rate: €295.00 This course is aimed at sellers who use the telephone to sell products and services directly to consumers. Whether you sell on inbound or outbound calls, this workshop will help you develop the prospecting protocols and influencing skills required to significantly increase your sales success over the phone. This course is ideal for business owners, telephone sales professionals and field sales professionals and will enable you to: - Evaluate your current telephone skills level
- Develop an appropriate telephone structure based on best practice
- Learn how influence works over the phone
- Increase your telephone sales results
Following this course, participants will be able to: - Understand the way buyers think and buy
- WIIFM - ‘What’s in it for me’ – the only item on the customer’s mind
- Incremental steps – how customers make the decision to proceed with your offering
- How to structure the call for maximum commercial impact
- Developing results based call openings that gets the customer interested
- How to give the customer perceived control at all stages of the call
- Asking better questions to create better understanding and better sales opportunities
- Use of summary and conditioning questions to move the call forward
- How to present your offering focusing on the customer’s priorities and motivations
- Asking for the business
- How to explore and overcome an objection
- Managing gatekeepers and voice mail
- Get an outcome for every call: How to bring every call to a conclusion
- Managing the follow up call - How to get commitment in advance
- Best practice telephone sales metrics
For more information and to book a place on this course, simply click HERE! Business to Business Selling - The Secrets Course Dates: 2 days (29th October & 14th November) Member Rate: €295.00 Identifying new customers, driving demand, and building a solid sales pipeline is at the core of successful sales prospecting for anybody who sells business to business. The marketplace is growing more competitive by the day which means that the business customer has more choice than ever before. Sellers now have to work as hard for repeat purchases as they do for new business. This business to business sales course will teach you the necessary consultative selling skills required to exceed your sales target this year and beyond. This course is ideal for people who are required to initiate relationships with, and sell to, businesses and following this course, participants will be able to: - Make appointments by phone, email, and 'LinkedIn'
- Structure a prospecting meeting for maximum effect
- Better understand and profile their sales prospects
- Structure the sales process for maximum revenue and shortest lead time
- Ask the best sales questions to qualify and position your solution
- Ask for a commitment smoothly and effectively
- Sell more profitably and efficiently
This course will cover techniques to target better prospects and then using the techniques of influence to increase conversion of sales. So if you want to exceed your sales targets this year and beyond, BOOK NOW!
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Cork Chamber Business Breakfast with David Duffy, CEO of AIB Bank
Date: Tuesday 21st October
Time: 7.30am – 9.00am
Venue: Clarion Hotel
Cost: €25 members / €35 non members
To book: here
Prior to joining AIB, David established Celtic Advisory International in Singapore to provide capital raising and development advisory services to corporates and companies seeking to raise equity.
David has held various positions at ING Group including the position of Head of Global Wholesale Banking Network based in Amsterdam. This included the management of a team of CEOs covering all of the Bank’s regions globally.
This event will be a sell-out, so please BOOK NOW to avoid disappointment.
Cork Chamber’s Speed Networking Event
Date: Thursday 23rd October
Time: 5.30pm – 7.00pm
Venue: The River Lee Hotel
Cost: FREE for Cork Chamber members
To book: here
Cork Chamber and Arachas Corporate Brokers will work in partnership this October to bring you a highly energized event, where you will make over 10 business contacts in a fast-paced environment.
‘Speed networking’ is a more structured form of networking where you have 1 ½ minutes each side to pitch your business and make connections for both buying and selling. This is a practical event for SME’s, giving you a chance to speed network and meet new business contacts as well as receive referrals and renew existing connections.
Due to the nature of the speed networking, only ONE representative from each company can take part. Places are limited so BOOK NOW to avoid disappointment.
Cork Chamber's Dublin Dinner 2014 In association with EY
Date: Tuesday, 18th November 2014
Time: 19.30pm
Venue: Doubletree Hilton Hotel
Cost: €125.00
To book: here
Cork Chamber’s Dublin Dinner 2014 promotes the strong connections that exist between Cork and Dublin businesses and enhances existing business relationships between the two regions. This is a unique opportunity for Cork businesses to network with their Dublin counterparts as well as an ideal corporate entertainment platform.
At this Black Tie Event, we will honour a prominent business person with the Outstanding Achievement in Business Award and this year Darina Allen of Ballymaloe will be the proud recipient. We are also delighted to announce that Dr Johnny Walker of Global Diagnostics, medical pioneer and EY Entrepreneur of the Year Award Finalist 2010 will be the key note speaker.
This event sells out every year so BOOK NOW to avoid disappointment.
Ireland’s Economic Recovery: What next?
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Date: 28th November
Time: 08:15 - 15:00
Venue: Floor 16, County Hall, followed by lunch in Vertigo
Cost: Free but registration is essential
To book: here
Following Ireland’s successful exit from the EU/IMF Programme, what lies in store? Where is Ireland’s recovery heading? What is the role of the EU in improving Ireland’s competitiveness?
On Friday, 28th November 2014, the European Commission Representation in Ireland in conjunction with Cork Chamber will host a Conference addressing these and other questions. This Conference will focus on the European Union’s arrangements for improved economic governance – the so-called 'European Semester' and will explore the implications it will have for the Irish economy.
Minister Joan Burton TD, Tánaiste will feature as one of the Key Note speakers on the day, as well as Minister Simon Coveney TD. There will be a variety of influential and high level speakers from both the public and private sector, academics, private industry leaders and media, who will discuss what Ireland’s economic policy and reform priorities should be in the years ahead.
#EconEUIE
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International Opportunities
Upcoming Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) Events:
1. Doing Business in Canada – Focus on Alberta
An EEN ‘Doing Business in Canada – Focus on Alberta’ breakfast meeting is scheduled to take place in Cork on Thursday, 13th November. 2. Expressions of Interest now being accepted for an International Marketing Workshop
Expressions of interest are now being accepted from SMEs for a workshop, hosted by the EEN, entitled ‘A targeted approach to international growth ’. The workshop, which takes place on November 26th, is aimed at SMEs who are looking to internationalise. Shanghai China International Food Exposition
The China National Food Industry Association, in association with state-owned Bright Food Group Ltd., are seeking Irish food companies who may be interested in attending the Shanghai China International Food Exposition which takes place in Shanghai from November 14th to 17th 2014. See read more below for more information on the above or contact Katherine here.
Doing Business in Canada – Focus on Alberta The Enterprise Europe Network at Cork Chamber is hosting a breakfast seminar on Thursday, 13 November in association with the Canadian Embassy in Dublin and the Government of Alberta (Canada). Suzanne Cormie, Deputy Head of Mission and Senior Trade Commissioner Canadian Embassy Dublin will talk about “Doing Business in Canada”. Suzanne will be accompanied by Cameron Branston, Trade Commissioner for the Government of Alberta, who will present on the general Alberta business landscape, the inventory of major projects in the province of Alberta, opportunities within the Oil & Gas Sector and further opportunities that will result from the Comprehensive Trade and Economic Agreement (CETA) between the EU and Canada. To register your interest in this event, please contact Katherine@corkchamber.ie. Expressions of Interest now being accepted for an International Workshop A workshop hosted by the Enterprise Europe Network, entitled ‘A targeted approach to international growth’ will take place on November 26th. The workshop is specifically aimed at SMEs who are looking to internationalise. This highly interactive one-day workshop is designed for SMEs to focus their resources where they can be most successful internationally. The workshop topics will include: - The challenge of addressing International markets
- Know your market - what market research do you need to do and how?
- Adapting your business to International Markets - defining your business model
- How to market your business internationally
- Your next steps
The workshop will include case studies of Irish companies that have been successful and provide opportunities to share experiences and learn from others. Exercises will be included in each section of the workshop to encourage discussion. Delegates will leave with a greater understanding of how to be more targeted in their approach to the International growth opportunity. They will also have specific actions on the research they will need to undertake. Finally they will have had an opportunity to refine their business model, using a well proven tool and have the beginnings of a marketing plan to target buyers internationally. Our workshop will include a valuable workbook, including all the guidance, exercises and resources used within the workshop to ensure delegates avoid unnecessary note taking and concentrate on their business and applying the learnings from the workshop. The workshop will be delivered by Ray Clarke, Chartered Marketer B.Sc.Eng. DipM. MCIM AMIET. Ray is a Chartered Marketer with extensive international experience in business marketing. As a Marketing Consultant at Shaping Business he has over twenty years’ experience working with SME’s and large multinational corporations in researching and targeting markets in the UK, Europe, Asia and the Americas. His experience includes business modelling, strategy development, market research & analysis, marketing planning, marketing management and lead generation. Ray is an active member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) and Vice Chair on the Manchester Branch Management Team. He is regularly involved in delivering marketing seminars, consultancy and coaching to help businesses in Ireland and the UK to be more effective in marketing and business development. You can apply for a place at this event by clicking here. Upon registration, you will be asked to complete a short application form. For further information about this event, please contact Katherine@corkchamber.ie. Shanghai China International Food Exposition To demonstrate the latest achievements of China's food industry and to promote international cooperation, the China National Food Industry Association is holding an event entitled ‘2014 Shanghai China International Food Exposition’ in Shanghai’s Exhibition Centre from 14 - 17 November 2014. The event will include an exposition and a number of forums which will focus on the Dairy, Meat and Poultry, Consumer Food, Beverage, and Seafood sectors. The China National Food Industry Association is seeking Irish companies to participate in the exposition, with the ultimate goal of promoting bilateral trade. If you would be interested in participating in a delegation to this event or if you require further information, please contact Katherine@corkchamber.ie.
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Could your business be Cork Company of the Year 2015?
Cork Chamber in partnership with Vodafone Ireland, are searching for the 'Cork Company of the Year' 2015. The awards are open to all businesses, across varying sectors and sizes.
The four award categories are:
- Cork Large Company of the Year (more than 100 employees)
- Cork SME of the Year (less than 100 employees )
- Emerging Cork Company of the Year (less than 3 years in business)
- New Special Award Category: Cork Retailer of the Year 2015
We encourage all businesses to use this opportunity to reflect on their success over the past year and/or nominate companies that you believe have got the WOW factor.
Closing date: Tuesday, 28th October at 5pm for nominations .
If you're not in you can't win....
Apply or Nominate a business HERE
Latest News
1. Q-Park Reduce Parking Charges In Cork - Read More HERE
2. Cork Chamber Responds To Budget 2015 - Read More HERE
3. Shandon Travel Celebrating 40 Years in business - Read More HERE
4. The Rubicon Is Flying High With Innovation - Read More HERE
5. Fastnet Executive Search Joins IRC Global Executive Search Partners As The Irish Member Firm - Read More HERE
6. €150,000 investment fund allocated as Local Enterprise Offices announce Cork’s Young Entrepreneurs of the Year - Read More HERE
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Weekly SalesClinic™ - Meet the SalesDoc™
Period of the offer available: until 18/12/2014
“Meet the SalesDoc™” is a new type of workshop which puts the attendees in the drivers seat of what they would like to learn. Weekly meetings to discuss current sales and customer service related challenges that needs a solution, fast. Guaranteed to boost your sales. Starting 21st October, cost: 100€ non-members/ 80€ members (covers first 2 weeks) and 40€ non-members/ 30€ members thereafter (weekly).
To register and for more information visit here or send an email to Carsten here .
Attend only the sessions that make sense for your business.
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Afternoon Tea at The Cliff House Hotel
Date: 19th October
Time: 2pm-5pm
Venue: The Cliff House Hotel
Cost: €35 per person
To book: Call 024-87800 or email here
On the last Sunday of the month from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., indulge in what is possibly the most elegant experience you can have at the seaside – the breathtakingly beautiful Afternoon Tea in The House restaurant at The Cliff House Hotel, created by Michelin-starred chef Martijn Kajuiter. Reservations are essential.
CorkBIC Business without Boundaries
Date: 27th November
Time: 09:00 – 16:30
Venue: The Grain Store, Ballymaloe, Co. Cork
Cost: €150 (+vat) for full day and €110 (+vat) for a half day
To book: here or email Fionnuala here
David McWilliams, Ireland’s leading economist, broadcaster and bestselling author will lead discussions in CorkBIC's conference, which will concentrate on:
• Creating companies that break new ground and are disruptive
• Economics without Boundaries
• The Truth about Business Angels
• Taking Business to the edge and beyond
• Venture Academy® with 7 of the hottest Start-Ups
Breakthrough Cancer Research to put Business Minds to the test at their Corporate Quiz
Date: November 13th
Time: Registration & drinks reception at 7pm, with the quiz commencing at 8pm
Venue: Silver Springs Moran Hotel
Cost: €200 for a team of four
To book: complete the entry form here and return it with the entry fee of €200 (team of four).
Breakthrough Cancer Research are delighted to announce the return of their Corporate Quiz with teams of four competing for the Dermot Desmond Perpetual Trophy, along with an array of prizes, first prize of four Citizen Watches kindly sponsored by Moore’s Jewellers. This year’s prestigious event will see comedian, writer, actor and broadcaster Alan Shortt take on the role of Quiz Master and putting the businesses of Cork to the ultimate test.
For further information contact Helena Slattery on 021 4226655 ext (209) or email here.
The event will take place on Thursday, November 13th in the Silver Springs Moran Hotel, kicking off at 7pm with registration and a drinks reception, kindly sponsored by Heineken Ireland Ltd., with the quiz commencing at 8pm.
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