LEOplansseries ofeventstomark EnterpriseWeek

A RANGE of events will take place during Local Enterprise Week catering to start-ups, aspiring entrepreneurs and small businesses.

Local Enterprise Office Wicklow will run a series of events from Sunday, March 4, to Friday, March 9, including the flagship seminar ‘Drive Your Growth through Mega Trend and Market Analysis’ on Wednesday, March 7.

Renowned international speaker Iain Jawad of Frost and Sullivan Europe will present key areas of interest for SMEs that can inform transformational growth strategies by focusing on innovation opportunities driven by disruptive technologies, mega trends, emerging markets and new business models. This is a free event but places are limited so booking is essential.

‘Local Enterprise Week is an excellent oppor- tunity for entrepreneurs and business owners to engage in a variety of events customized to the needs of small business in the County,’ said Wicklow County Council Chief Executive Frank Curran. ‘ The flagship seminar on Mega Trends and market analysis presents an excellent opportunity to hear expert opinion on how businesses in Wicklow can realise their ambitions for growth by identifying the emerging industry and business models.’

A two-day training course called ‘Marketing for SMEs’ starts on Tuesday, March 6, and will cover the essentials of marketing a business using a tightly controlled budget. Participants will be shown how to develop their overall marketing strategy, including branding, market research, building an online presence and other practical techniques that help to grow and strengthen businesses in challenging times.

Renowned trainer Terry Harmer will present the course, which costs €100 for two full days, with day two taking place on March 13. Places are limited so early booking is advised.

On Thursday, March 9, reputed trainer Noel Davison will share his expertise during a free seminar on trading online and the Trading Online Voucher Scheme. This seminar will help participants to understand and determine the best approach to establish and increase their online presence and how companies can avail of funding from the LEO of up to €2,500 to establish an e-commerce enabled website.

Sheelagh Daly of the Local Enterprise Office Wicklow said Local Enterprise Week is ‘ the ideal shop window to show the wide range of supports on offer to start-ups, sole traders and small businesses in Wicklow.’

Places on any of the events taking place during Local Enterprise Week can be booked online at localenterprise.ie/Wicklow or by calling (0404) 30800.