Getting down to business with the Cork North LEO

AS any budding entrepreneur will no doubt readily testify, taking the kernel of an idea and developing it into a viable business proposition can often be a long and rocky road.

Perhaps one of the greatest challenges in this process is that of putting the right structures in place from the start to ensure your new business hits the ground running, flourishes and remains profitable allowing for future development and expansion.

Often the best way to achieve these goals is to learn from the experiences of others who have already made that step and from business professionals with experience in the commercial and retail fields.

With this in mind, the Cork North and West Local Enterprise Office (LEO) will host and intensive Start Your Own Business programme at the Mill in Castletownroche over four consecutive Wednesday’s commencing next week (June 26).

The programme, which will run from 9.30am to 4.30pm on each day, will be perfectly suited to those thinking to start their own business or those who have already taken the plunge and are at the very early stages of their entrepreneurial careers.

LEO business adviser Joan Kelleher said the programme will focus on those with a business idea in mind, but who are unsure of how to develop it into a business plan.

“It will guide participants though the process, assisting them in assessing their idea, its viability and making the ultimate decision whether to proceed of take a step back,” said Ms Kelleher.

On the four-weeks course co-ordinators will take people though a number of modules covering topics including: getting stated and action planning, sourcing funding, marketing and market research, sales , finance and cash-flow management, costing and pricing, book-keeping and IT skills.

Participants will also be tasked with writing a business plan during the programme.

“The modules will cover all of the information that people will need for their new business start-up,” said Ms Kelleher.

The costs of the programme will be €80, which will not be refundable in the event of