Comments on: West Cork Enterprise Board Support

By: Conor O'Neill

Conor O'Neill — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 19:39:44 +0000

Thanks John. The uptake on the Tech-Checks has increased hugely in recent months since the CEBs have started contacting clients directly asking them why they haven’t applied. I’m seeing a fantastic range of companies benefit from the service. I believe it may even be free in some Enterprise Board regions for those who have attended training courses.

By: John Dinan, Ocon Chemcials Ltd

John Dinan, Ocon Chemcials Ltd — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 15:56:53 +0000

Conor,
As prev mentioned on another site of yours we took up the Tech-Check inspection and found it to be most helpful, and thankfully we were found to be over-technical! We have also recently started a FAS-advocated ‘Excellence Through People’ (ETP) which is similar to the ISO resource but with more human involvement and more real-time experiences in the workplace noted. I mentioned during our 2nd meeting with our Mentor about the Tech-Check program and they hadn’t known about it, which leads me to believe that perhaps all the government agencies aren’t communicating with each other. I can highly recommend the Tech-Check to your readers as very affordable and more importantly vital for your business.

By: Conor O'Neill

Conor O'Neill — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 14:27:44 +0000

Just had a quick thought on something that is relevant to Sunday’s programme, the whole area of Incubation Centres. We’re on the Genesis Programme in the Rubicon in CIT in Cork and it’s absolutely fantastic. I’ve heard great things about the ones in Dublin and Limerick too.

By: Web 2.0 Ireland » Blog Archive » Thinking of starting a business?

Web 2.0 Ireland » Blog Archive » Thinking of starting a business? — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 14:37:30 +0000

[...] O’Morain from the Sunday Business Show on TodayFM left a comment on the Argolon blog to let me know about their edition this Sunday. It’s all about [...]

By: Conor O'Neill

Conor O'Neill — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 14:27:48 +0000

That sounds like it'll be an excellent show. I'll let all the Irish crew on Twitter know. I'll do a quick post on Web2Ireland.org too.

By: Conall O Morain

Conall O Morain — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 14:21:54 +0000

The Sunday Business Show on Today FM (Sunday mornings – 10.30 – 11.30) will be broadcasting an August Bank Holiday special on starting your own business this coming Sunday and we will have advice from Enterprise Ireland, the CEBs and one of the country’s wisest business advisers with us as well. May be of interest to your readers?

Conall O Morain

By: County Enterprise Support for your business at Jabit

County Enterprise Support for your business at Jabit — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 20:12:39 +0000

[...] post on the Argolon blog (a technology consultancy firm of which he is a director) highlights his [...]

By: Frank Fullard

Frank Fullard — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 19:05:06 +0000

Conor
While it is true that each CEB has a great deal of flexibility about how they spend their business support budget, as an insider, I would be amazed if any CEB did not have some form of web or E Business related support programme in place!

I doubt if my West Cork colleagues would admit to having what you so delicately describe as “a pot of money” – certainly we in Mayo don’t! But we do have a variety of supports for clients trying to use the web to maximise the returns to their business, and, thankfully, we also have the flexibility to devise new supports as market changes demand.

As to the energy and commitment of CEBs I honestly believe that much of it derives from the drive and passion of the entrepreneurs we are fortunate enough to meet on a daily basis.

By: Conor O'Neill

Conor O'Neill — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 10:16:36 +0000

That e-commerce grant may not be available everywhere. Each CEB has a pot of money to distribute each year and they carve it up in the way they think is most appropriate to their catchment area.

WCEB put a big big effort into advertising Tech-Check in newspapers, radio and mailshot but the message just doesn’t seem to be getting through to those who need it most. That’s why an intense national campaign may be required to build the awareness. I don’t know much about marketing and messaging but I wonder if people hear “IT” and just switch off mentally?

Over the years, I’ve had dealings with South Cork, West Cork, Cork City, Dublin City, Waterford County, Leitrim and Cavan. In all cases I’ve been really impressed with their energy and commitment.

By: dave allen

dave allen — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 10:00:08 +0000

Conor,
I recently had dealings with the Cork City Enterprise Board and I found them most helpful.

The e-commerce grant is very interesting. Thanks for bringing it to a wider audience. I presume this grant is available from all the boards, not just West Cork?

You are so right about the Tech Check scheme when you say the people who need it are the people who don’t hear about it.

By: Local Business Support

Local Business Support — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 09:06:32 +0000

[...] done a post over on our business blog about the supports offered to local business by West Cork Enterprise Board. If you are based in the [...]