In this issue
Policy
Branding Cork - Take 5 minutes to tell us what you think!
Subsidised Training
Blow your sales targets out of the water!
Events
Get Ready for SEPA
Chamber Supported Events
Breakfast Briefing in advance of Budget 2014
Chamber Supported Projects
The 2013 Cork innovates bursary is valued at €30,000
International
Enterprise Europe Network at Cork Chamber
Member Updates
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Policy
Branding Cork - Take 5 minutes to tell us what you think!

We are conducting this survey on the attitudes and perceptions of Cork businesses towards Cork and doing business in Cork to be incorporated into a Destination Branding project that is being carried out for the Cork region by Colliers International and Fuzion Communications.

It will take approximately 5 minutes to complete the questionnaire and your responses will be strictly confidential.  If you have questions at any time about the survey or the procedures, you may contact Alma Murnane at 021-4530147.


 COMPLETE SURVEY HERE



Subsidised Training
Blow your sales targets out of the water!
 

Identifying new customers, driving demand, and building a solid sales pipeline is at the core of successful sales prospecting for anybody who sells in the business to business. 


The marketplace is growing more competitive by the day, which means that the business customer has more choice than ever before.  On top of this the current recession has conditioned buyers to shop around for the best deals. Sellers now have to work as hard for repeat purchases as they do for new business.


Our brand new Business to Business selling – The secrets course will teach you the necessary consultative selling skills required to exceed your sales target this year and beyond. The course is three days duration (1st & 15th October & 5th November 2013). Book here now and blow your sales targets out of the water!

 

 

 

 



Events
Get Ready for SEPA
 

Date: 25th September
Time: 07:30 - 09:00
Venue: Gresham Metropole Hotel
Cost: FREE
To Book: visit our website here


Are you one of the 50,000 businesses in Ireland that will be affected by SEPA? This is the Single Euro Payments Area and all companies using electronic payments must migrate over to this new system by 1st February 2014.


Cork Chamber will run an important and informative morning seminar on the steps you need to take to become SEPA compliant and how SEPA will affect your business. This event will feature expert speaker John Rice, SEPA Programme Manager with the Central Bank, as well as a Cork Chamber case study company.


This is a Must-Attend event for any business that makes payroll or creditor payments, or collects direct debits electronically. SEPA can also greatly enhance the payments system for your customers. 

BOOK NOW to avoid disappointment


Chamber Supported Events
Breakfast Briefing in advance of Budget 2014
 

Date: 23rd September
Time: 8.30am
Venue: Clarion Hotel, Cork
Cost: Free (and qualifies for CPD)
To book: email Samantha at the Irish Tax Institute here  –  or phone 01 6631707


The Irish Tax Institute is delighted to be associated with Cork Chamber of Commerce in hosting an informal Breakfast Briefing in advance of Budget 2014.  An array of issued will be addressed including personal tax, PRSI, capital taxes, SMEs and measures that might help economic growth and job creation.



Chamber Supported Projects
The 2013 Cork innovates bursary is valued at €30,000
 

The Cork innovates bursary valued at €30,000 is now taking applications  HERE   


Applications are being taken online until October 21st midnight.  A stringent and multi-tiered selection process will follow! 


The bursary recipient who will be announced at the InBusiness InCork Showcase on November 14th will benefit from a wide range of services including advertising, consultancy services for a number of business activities (including PR, accountancy and e-commence), print and design services and cash support.

 

Contributors include: AIB, Brook Catering, Cameo Communications, Cork Chamber, Irish Examiner, Newstalk, Rubicon, Studio forty9, Voxpro, Westboro Partners & Woodland Print & Design.


Those wishing to attend the INBusiness INCork event can pre-register now HERE   



International
Enterprise Europe Network at Cork Chamber
 

The Enterprise Europe Network helps small business to maximise their presence on the European marketplace. Working through a network of local business organisations across Europe and further afield, we can help you develop your business in new markets, source or license new technologies or access EU finance and EU funding.

For more information, please see: www.een-ireland.ie or contact Katherine@corkchamber.ie

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

  • “The Lions Tour”, a joint Ireland and UK Matchmaking event, hosted by Enterprise Europe Network Galway on Tuesday, 8 October 2013
  • Access to Finance for SMEs – Part 2 – EU Funding, hosted by the Enterprise Europe Network Cork on Wednesday, 9 October 2013
  • RENEXPO Fair, a renewable energy event, taking place on 16-17 October 2013 in Warsaw, Poland
  • Business partnership opportunities 

The Lions Tour, Galway, 8 October 2013

Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) Galway will host a joint Irish and UK Matchmaking event on 8th October.  EEN Cork would like to invite SMEs who are interested in accessing the UK market to submit their company profiles to Eimear@corkchamber.ie. Suitable profiles will, in turn, be promoted by the EEN Cork at the matchmaking event.

Access to Finance for SMEs – Part 2 – EU Funding, 09 October 2013

The second seminar in our Access to Finance series will focus on EU funding. Identifying the source of EU funds that can be accessed by SMEs can be complicated, as the EU budget is broken down and allocated to SMEs via many different channels. The seminar will outline how the EU budget is allocated and how SMEs can apply for direct or indirect funding. For more information, contact Katherine@corkchamber.ie or book online through www.corkchamber.ie.

RENEXPO (Renewable Energy Exposition), Warsaw, Poland, 16-17 October 2013

RENEXPO has been one of Poland’s largest and most significant events on renewable energies and since its inaugural event in 2011 it has become a focal meeting point for knowledge transfer in the energy sector. The event focuses on some of Poland’s main renewable energy sources: photovoltaic, biogas, hydropower, heat pumps, bio-fuels and wood energy. Conferences will take place in parallel with the trade-fair and matchmaking sessions. Please click here for more information or contact Eimear@corkchamber.ie.

Business Partnership Opportunities

For a complete list of partnership opportunities, take a look at our EEN database. Here are some examples of current opportunities available:

  • A Finnish company active in waste water treatment technology is looking for trade intermediary partners in Ireland for novel and patented waste water treatment units. For more information, please contact Eimear@corkchamber.ie, quoting Ref. 20110509005  
  • A UK manufacturing company specialised in sampling and testing equipment for the agricultural sector, as well as products specifically designed for brewers, merchants & large farms is looking for trade intermediaries for exclusive representation of their products in the EU. For more information, please contact Eimear@corkchamber.ie , quoting Ref. BOUK20130718004
  • A German architectural practice, with a focus on residential and public projects, seeks joint venture partners with whom it can form a competitive, promising and successful partnership. For more information, please contact Eimear@corkchamber.ie, quoting Ref. 20120727038

 


Member News
Corporate Social Responsibility Awards

Good Luck to all companies who have been shortlisted for the Chambers Ireland Corporate Social Responsibility Awards which takes place tomorrow evening in Dublin. #CSRAwards.



Members Offers
Free 1 Hour Brand & Design Consultation
 

Period of the offer: 16th -  27th September  

Proof Brand & Design Agency are offering each Cork Chamber Member a free 1 hour consultation to discuss, evaluate and offer advice on their businesses’ current branding activities. Proof is a creative agency that offers a wide range of effective graphic design solutions for brand, print and digital media.

 

 


Combining decades of collective experience, Proof is driven by a passion for great design and the difference it can make to clients, their businesses and their bottom lines. Our business is the art of communication, developing powerful messages that deliver results.

Whether you’re a new startup or a long-established corporate giant, we invite you to call us on 021 6017875 or email keith@proof.ie to arrange your free consultation.

Find out more about Proof Brand & Design Agency, our services and our work by logging on to www.proof.ie

We look forward to hearing from you!

 

T&Cs - Valid for one hour only. Mon-Friday 9am-5pm. Consultations are required to be held in Cork City locations only. 1 consultation per business.


Home&Biz Cleaning September Offers
 

Period of the offer: 10% off Window Cleaning & 10% off Office Cleaning for Month of September.

These offers apply to commercial premises and are open to Chamber Members. We are a Cork based company in business since 2007. We provide the following cleaning services: window cleaning, carpet cleaning, office cleaning, home and end of tenancy cleaning. We also carry out external home cleaning and maintenance. We provide repeat or once off cleaning services, and are focussed on customers’ needs. Our prices are very competitive and we aim to provide services, which ensure we get called back again


Please call on 086 0451664 or 021 4840426  or email us here to avail of these offers.



The Perfect Christmas Gift Ideas from Travelfox.ie
 

Period of the offers: December 2013. Free Travel Insurance for Cork Chamber Members.


Travelfox have a number of concert breaks on sale that would make the perfect Christmas gift.  For a spectacular New Year’s Eve why not head to Bratislava to see Andre Bocceli perform live in concert, from only €519pp sharing and this includes flights and accommodation!   They also have a Bruno Mars Concert package to Prague from only €319 per person or why not ask them about one of their Christmas Markets Packages to Prague, Munich or Vienna.  Call Travelfox today for more info on 1890 98 98 02


See 'read more' below to see the full range of holiday offers available.


Offer 2

Bruno Mars

From €319pp

Depart: 05th November

THE MOST TALENTED & COMPELLING ARTIST OF THE MOMENT.

PACKAGE INCLUDES :

  • Flights from Dublin to  Prague
  • 2 nights at 4* Clarion Hotel Prague including breakfast
  • Arrival transfer in Prague
  • Concert Ticket for Bruno Mars Concert in the 02 Arena Prague
  • Airline Taxes and Charges

Performing on 6th Nov in Prague

Offer 3

Nickelback

From €319pp

Depart: 06th November

 NICKELBACK ARE ONE OF THE MOST FAMOUS ROCK BANDS WORLD WIDE

PACKAGE INCLUDES:

  • Flights from Dublin to Prague
  • 2 nights at 4* Clarion Hotel  Prague including breakfa
  • Arrival transfer in Prague
  • Concert Ticket for the Nickelback
  • Comeback Concert 02 in Prague
  • Airline Taxes and Charges

Performing  on 7th Nov in Prague.  

 

Offer 4

Munich Christmas Markets including Day Trip to Salzburg

From €469

Departing 04th December

PACKAGE INCLUDES

  • Flights to Munich with Aer Lingus
  • 3 Nights in the 4* Leonardo Hotel & Residence including Breakfast
  • Munich Christmas Markets Guided Tour
  • Guided Full Day Rail Trip from Munich to Salzburg
  • Airline Taxes & 1 piece of hand luggage (10 kilos)

 

Offer 5

Prague Christmas Markets including overnight in Dublin

From €399pp

Depart: 03rd  December

Package includes :

  • Return flights to Munich with Aer Lingus
  • 3 Nights in a 4*Majestic Plaza Hotel, Prague
  •  Return Airport Transfers
  • 3 Hour Prague Walking Tour
  • Christmas Markets including hot drink on Wenceles Square
  • One night hotel stay in Dublin on night before departure
  • Airline Taxes & 1 piece of hand luggage (10 kilos)

 

Offer 6

London at Christmas including Visit to Kensington Palace with Afternoon Tea

From €479pp

Depart 04th December

Package includes :

  • Return flights to London with Aer Lingus
  • 3 Nights in 3* City Continental London Kensington
  • Visit to Kensington Palace and Afternoon Tea for Two (taken at a time to suit yourself)
  • All Airline Taxes & 1 piece of hand luggage (10 kilos)

 

 

 

 

 

 


Member Events
Going International Conference
 
Date: 16th October
Time: 9:00 – 17:30
Venue: Fota Island Resort & Hotel
Cost: 150 (+VAT) Early bird available until 13th Sept
To book: www.corkbic.com  


The CorkBIC Going International Conference will focus on building relationships, smart investment, encouraging entrepreneurship, collaboration and learning from the experiences of International Entrepreneurs. This year the Going International Finance Conference, in Fota Island Resort, is being held as part of the Global Cork Economic Forum during Cork Rebel Week, (October 14th -20th 2013).      

Simon Coveney TD Minister for Agriculture, Food and Marine, launched the third Going International Conference taking place on October 16th in the Fota Island Hotel and Resort, Cork. This year the Going International Conference forms an integral part of the Global Cork Economic Forum, and is part of Cork Rebel Week October 14th -20th 2013, the official Cork Gathering 2013 flagship event.


The outcomes from the insightful panel discussions, at the Going International Conference, will form part of the morning session on entrepreneurship and innovation at the Global Cork Economic Forum on Thursday 17th October. These events are specifically focused on bringing International visitors and family home to join in meaningful discussions and gain a greater understanding of economic renewal and job creation opportunities specific to Cork County and City.
Full Press release and photo attached.


****The First 50 Registrations for the Going International Conference will receive their very own exclusive Cork Passport FREE! They will also be able to avail of the early bird rate at 150euro (+VAT) for the full day conference. 

CorkBIC have recently confirmed the first two keynote speakers for the Conference and are particularly excited to welcome back Candace Johnson. Candace Johnson, a serial entrepreneur and business angel, is an international telecommunications expert and entrepreneur, and one of the 50 most powerful businesswomen in Europe (Time Magazine). Julian Costley, co-founder of E*TRADE UK with Hermann Hauser of Cambridge, leads the afternoon session on Managing Exits. E*TRADE was the UK’s first all-Internet stockbroking firm and was sold in a reverse trade sale at the height of the dotcom boom.


Smarter Eggs Autumn Gathering
 

Date: 16th September
Time: 7pm
Venue: The White Horse, Ballincollig, Cork
Cost: €10 per person
To Book: Email HERE 

Live discussion with American writer and entrepreneur AJ Leon, who is visiting Ireland as part of his world tour to launch his new book 'The Life & Times of a Remarkable Misfit' followed by Egg Talks with Carmel O’Keeffe, Dress for Success Cork and Doreen O’Mahony, Digital Brand Manager, Laya Healthcare.

 

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Smarter Egg provides transformational development programmes for ambitious business owners and for large organisations, which challenge existing ways of thinking, resulting in significant improvements in performance. The programmes use the latest business thinking in a supportive, yet challenging, environment and have proven popular with a wide range of successful businesses as well as large multi-national organisations.

Cornstore Autumn Fashion event, Cocktail reception 3 course dinner & fashion show
 

Date: 2nd October
Time: 7pm
Venue: Cornstore Restaurant
Cost: €40
To book: mags@cornstore.com   / cork@cornstore.com


A night of food fashion & fun all in aid of The Girls Club Cork (cancer support group), enjoy a cocktail on arrival followed by a 3 course dinner plus show, best dressed lady competition, numerous spot prizes.



A Vision for Prosperity

Date: 20th September
Time:  07.45
Venue: Lodge & Spa at Inchydoney Island
Cost: €25 members €35 non-members
To book:  chamber@clonakilty.ie


Clonakilty Chamber of Commerce will host David Duffy, CEO of AIB plc  at a business breakfast event. Mr Duffy joined AIB in December 2011 as Chief Executive Officer and member of the Executive Committee. The event will focus on connecting the general and business communities of the area to encourage positivity and confidence for the future. A share of the proceeds from the event will go to support the work of CoAction West Cork who are the designated service provider for children and adults with intellectual disabilities and autism in the region.



State Street Global Advisors Breakfast Briefing

Date:  9th October
Time: 8.00am – 10am
Venue: Hayfield Manor
Cost: No cost
To Book: For expressions of interest or to find out more contact anna_mcivor@ssga.com


Join State Street Global Advisors (“SSgA”), one of the largest investment managers in the world, over breakfast to hear presentations from Niall O’Leary, Head of EMEA Portfolio Strategists Group, and Nigel Aston, Head of UK Defined Contribution. Niall and Nigel will discuss the forces driving investment markets in 2013, what looming monetary policy changes might mean for investors and, importantly, how pension trustees and members can be helped to make decisions in an ever-changing environment.

This event is suitable for pension fund trustees, industry consultants, representatives from charitable institutions, intermediaries and corporates.  


Launch of the Marketing Institute Cork Year
 

Date: 19th September 
Time: 6pm
Venue: The Kiln Heineken
Cost: Open to all, no charge
To book:  HERE


Incoming Cork Chair Mandy Young will give an overview of how the Marketing Institute can benefit your business. We will discuss in particular the growing synergy between the marketing and IT functions and how it impacts on today's business. The event is kindly sponsored by Heineken.


It's an ideal opportunity to give us your feedback on what events you would like to see throughout the year.

Refreshments will be served after the presentation, providing us all with an opportunity to network and engage with fellow marketers and our guest speaker.

Remember to bring plenty of business cards!


Table Quiz in aid of Special Olympics Ireland
 

Date: 26th September 2013
Time:  8.30pm
Venue:  Cork Constitution Football Club, Templehill, Cork
Cost: Table of 4: €40.            
To Book: Contact: Don at cork@bluebirdcare.ie  or  087 2580223

                                                
Bluebird Care are proud fundraising sponsors of Special Olympics Ireland and we have committed to raising much needed funds with a campaign entitled “Summit for the Weekend”.  The Cork office of Bluebird Care, as part of this campaign,  are holding a Table Quiz on Thursday 26th September 2013, details above. Please join us for night of fun & trivia in aid of Special Olympics Ireland.