Green Shoots ?
Over the last 5 years the South East Business Confidence Survey undertaken by Kilkenny based market research company Market Dynamics has tracked the sentiment of key business leaders across the South East and we’ve tracked its’ highs but mostly lows with the MD of Market Dynamics John Gilsenan. It’s been a rocky ride but the good news is that over the last 2 surveys i.e. the last 12 months there have been signs of recovery. The latest six monthly research indicates that 2012 turned out better than expected for 46% of respondents while 45% expect 2013 to mark sales increases. Still significant difficulties ahead but as John said on the programme the business community tends to say “we are where we are” grit its teeth and forges ahead.
We’ve often discussed the export market and Irish business good record in this area. Enda McDonnell of Enterprise Ireland joined us on the programme to talk about how to capitalise on export potential. Interestingly the Market Dynamics Research indicated that only 27% of business is the South East are exporting at the moment so there is obviously great potential for growth. If you’d like to “Health Check” your company for its export potential go along to Get Export Ready
To return again to the South East Business Confidence research, the data shows that salaries in almost half of all businesses are down in comparison to 5 years ago. In such cases motivating staff through strategies other than money is a critical factor. We spoke to Frank Rock of Harvest Training who specialises in motivating and retaining employees. You can find out more about his company on their website
Ailish Delaney Enterprise Development Manager in the Enterprise and Research Incubation Centre in Carlow IT joined us in studio to tell us about the “New Frontiers” programme and how it can help entrepreneurs. She is currently recruiting for participants in the next course which involves 3 phases: Business Feasibility; Business Development and Business Commercialisation. If you’ve an idea and you are looking for help in getting it off the ground this could be for you. This course is organised with support from Enterprise Ireland and you can find out more here
Other items mentioned on this week’s show:
- A €3 million investment from Diageo will see a visitor centre open at St Francis Abbey Brewery in Kilkenny next year. Brewing is set to finish up there at the end of this year under plans announced previously by the company. A planning application for the centre will be made in the coming weeks.
- The Lady Helen at MountJuliet has been named best hotel restaurant in Ireland. It also won the provincial title as the Irish Restaurant awards were held in The Burlington in Dublin on Monday night. The Tannery in Waterford won Best Restaurant in Ireland.
- It’s been confirmed that Graham Doyle is to leave his position as CEO at Waterford Airport this summer. He’ll take up a key role as Assistant Secretary at the Department of Transport, Tourism & Sport.
- ISME Briefing Sessions are taking place at the moment, topics include Dealing with the Banks – What You Need to Know, How SEPA Affects Your Business, Anti-Competitive Behaviour. Find your nearest session
- South East Regional Business gathering takes place this Thursday at The Parade Tower, KilkennyCastle. It’s aimed at anybody in the region who wants to develop their business. Speakers include David Walsh (Netwatch), Blaise Brosnan (Management Resource Institute), Joanne Hession (QED). It runs from 9to 4:30, is free but booking’s essential.
- A new Start Your Own Business Course start next Tuesday at 9:30am at Carlow County Enterprise Board. It will guide you through the various aspects of starting and running a business in Ireland.
That’s it again from a busy Bottom Line for this week. If you’ve any ideas, issues or you’d like your business to be featured please contact Edwina Grace the programme producer [email protected] or indeed get in touch with me directly [email protected]
Until next week ……
Regards
John
