Small businesses get support
AN intensive management programme run by Local Enterprise Office Wicklow saw 19 business owners graduate at a ceremony held at the Glenview Hotel.
The Management Development Programme (MDP) presents experienced business owners with the chance to rethink their business strategies, examine their pricing and profitability, and discover how to grow their businesses.
The programme, which is led by renowned international business consultant and author Blaise Brosnan, is accredited at level seven on the national framework of qualifications by The Institute of Technology Carlow.
Presenting the certificates to the MDP graduates were Chief Executive of Wicklow County Council, Frank Curran, Head of Lifelong Learning at Wicklow County Campus, Dr Joe Collins, and Head of Enterprise at LEO Wicklow, Vibeke Delahunt.
Speaking at the event Frank Curran said: ‘ the ability of businesses like yours to succeed and grow in County Wicklow underpins our future potential for jobs, growth and prosperity.
The Management Development Programme is provided by the LEO Wicklow in order to strengthen your capabilities as managers of your businesses and to support you to sustain and grow your business.
‘Wicklow County Council is fully committed to continuing to support your efforts to realise the development and growth of your businesses into the future.’
Participants on the programme spoke about their own experience of transforming their business thinking over the course of the programme and the significant benefits of having formed a close trusted business network which will be an on-going resource.
There was a great atmosphere of positivity and energy in the room and both the graduating participants and those businesses undertaking the current programme all expressed high expectations for their businesses going into 2019.
This is the 23rd year that LEO Wicklow has provided the ‘Management Development Programme’ to local business owners, and more than 420 businesses have taken part over the years.
The ‘MDP’ is open to small local businesses of less than ten employees that are established for approximately more than two years in business and wish to grow.
‘ The programme is always very popular, and generally oversubscribed. In order to express an interest in taking part in the MDP commencing in September 2020, email enterprise@ leo.wicklowcoco.ie.