Network of Enterprising Women (NEW), an initiative of Cork City and South Cork Enterprise Boards, is a dynamic and vibrant Network of Enterprising Women. With four key events annually along with many other member benefits, NEW is positive opportunity for businesswomen to make effective business contacts, to be motivated and develop new ideas from other members and the inspirational speakers at meetings.
Over 50 members and guests attended the latest NEW event which took place on Wednesday 2nd March in the Maryborough House Hotel. The theme of the meeting was: ‘Working Smarter Not Harder in 2011 – how do we actually do it?’ This meeting was dedicated to the members themselves with five NEW members providing inspirational tips from their own experience on how to work smarter not harder.
The NEW event at the Maryborough House Hotel was received very well by attending business-people. Speaking about the event, Audrey Shallow of Create Wish Angels said, “ It was really wonderful to hear so much wisdom shared from the other women within the group. I hope I can implement even a small fraction of what I learnt to make far-reaching differences.”
Her sentiments were reiterated by Eleanor Bermingham, of ETS Electrical Contractors, “ I found it so motivating and inspiring. It was great to hear from “real women” and their experiences. I certainly will be taking a lot on board especially the goal making. It was my first meeting with NEW and glad to be a member and associated with such a strong group of women”.
Network West Cork is a free network for men and women in business with regular networking events in various West Cork locations in association with the West Cork Enterprise Board. The Network encourages entrepreneurs and start-ups, as well as owner/managers of established micro-enterprises to attend.
The North Cork Enterprise Board also runs regular breakfast and evening networking events for micro-enterprises. This year the NCEB will host a Business Information & Speed Networking Evening in the Green Glens Arena, Millstreet. This event will take place on Thursday 7th April at 6.30pm. Although admission to this event is free, booking is essential due to the high volume of interest from local businesses.
Another exceptional event taking place during Cork Enterprise Month is the SMILE Resource Exchange networking event, in association with Macroom E. and the South Cork Enterprise Board. The SMILE Resource Exchange event took place on Wednesday 2 March in the Montenotte Hotel from 8.45am - 2.00pm. This was a free event and encouraged the sharing and exchanging of resources in order to reduce costs and help the environment. Based on the concept that "one's waste could be another's resource". There was a great turn out at the event where clients had the opportunity to identify potential partnerships.
A typical SMILE Resource Exchange event offers a range of services such as facilitated networking opportunities, informal networking and post-event support in developing partnerships between businesses
Speaking about the networking opportunities with the CEBs, Dave Cody, CEO, Cork City Enterprise Board said “It is now imperative for businesses to network in order to thrive in a challenging environment. The business relationships which develop from networking events such as these are the cornerstones which will enable businesses to grow over the next few years. Through the various events we offer and are associated with, not only will Cork business have the opportunity to trade and network amongst themselves, but also with businesses throughout the world with international leads that may foster long term benefits for Cork business in general.”
All four Cork County & City Enterprise Boards held their 3rd Annual Cork Food Forum on Wednesday 16th February in Inchydoney Clonakilty. There were more than 200 guests in attendance including top food producers, food entrepreneurs, distributors, buyers and food-service providers. The Boards run at least two of these food forum events annually and they provide a fantastic networking opportunity for anybody involved in the thriving food sector, which makes up 8% of Ireland's GDP.
Networking events like the ones mentioned above take place on an ongoing basis throughout the year, but in March, Cork Enterprise Month will give a flavour of the ongoing level of networking activity that the CEBs engage in on regular basis. For further information on all of the Networking events and activities taking place throughout the month and beyond visit www.corkenterpriseboards.ie, or contact your local Enterprise Board.
Cork County & City Enterprise Boards are funded under Ireland's EU Structural Funds Programme 2007-2013 with funding from the Exchequer and the European Regional Development Fund.