Michael Johnston explains what a typical microfinance Ireland client looks like. They are the mum and pap, the normal, every day life business. The core of the (rural) Irish economy. Nearly everyone really.
You can apply here for a loan http://microfinanceireland.ie/how-to-apply/
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Michael Johnston, CEO of Microfinance Ireland talking about the future plans. Next stage is to grow to lending 8 million next year (it is now 6 million) and an expected growth of 25% each year for the coming years.
If you are interested in applying for a loan, please go to http://microfinanceireland.ie/how-to-apply/
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It has been a while in the making and we were told not to tell anybody…..
Until now.
Combining banking with fintech, start ups and innovation
Ulster Bank and DogPatch Labs are going to start working together. Combining banking with fintech, start ups and innovation. Leveraging the international connections through RBS and the links through IBOS (which for example, gives you direct access to Silicon Valley Bank).
Melting pot of opportunities
Combine that with the 20,000 resident entrepreneurs on Smallbusinesscan and the Business Achievers Award and you have a melting pot of fantastic opportunities.
Watch this space (and this video).
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The Institute of Certified Public Accountants (CPA Ireland) recently hosted their annual Women in Business evening in partnership with Ulster Bank’s Business Women Can, at the CPA headquarters in Dublin.
A diverse group of Business women attended, representing various sectors of the economy. Speakers included Susan Hayes, Managing Director of Hayes Culleton, Paula Fitzsimons, Director of Going for Growth and Samantha Kelly, author and founder of the #Irishbizparty networking group.
Addressing the topic, Positive Outlook, Positive Business, Susan Hayes examined the Irish economic picture, ever shifting events in Greece, and a variety of hugely impactful questions that need to be considered in light of the upcoming referendums of Britain leaving the European Union. “With international economic focus trained on Greece, there has been little discussion about the implications of a Brexit – which would have an immense impact on international trade and the global balance of power; for example what would be the future of Northern Ireland, ,the shape of the Eurozone, the UK’s position at the G7 table and the EU’s influence on super-national economic relations?”
Paula Fitzsimons, Director Going for Growth, spoke about the importance of pushing out the boundaries to build business and also the role that a trusted financial advisor can play, “Early stage entrepreneurs turn to their accountants most frequently as a trusted source of advice, according to previous Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) research. For this reason accountants are a key resource in the entrepreneurial eco-system, assisting entrepreneurs to start, develop and grow sustainable and competitive businesses. I welcome the fact that this evening the CPA Ireland is shining a spotlight on female entrepreneurs to encourage its members to play their part in supporting women not only to start more businesses but to aim for and achieve ambitious goals.”
Samantha Kelly spoke about her journey with the #irishbizparty and encouraged delegates to ‘engage, interact and assist others’. Samantha is an avid user of social media and has built a real and tangible online brand and profile for herself, with almost 23,000 followers alone on Twitter!
The event was chaired by Ulster Bank’s Emma Chapman who commented ‘ Events such as this are a great way for like minded businesses to connect with each other, share ideas and we at Business Women Can, are delighted to support and partner on such initiatives’
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The River Lee Hotel, Cork, was the venue last Thursday evening for the now annual collaboration between the CPA Ireland and Ulster Bank’s Business Women Can (BWC).
The murky grey weather outside certainly didn’t dampen the spirit and mood inside, with lots of networking, learning and listening taking place.
First of the speakers to take to the podium was Helen Arnold, Finance Director, TVM. She began by describing the little village of Bartlemy in North Cork where the now, multi million euro, Outside Broadcast (OB) business is headquartered. TVM provides service to major global brands such as NBC, CNN, SKY, Setanta etc. Helen grabbed the attention of the audience by giving a sense of the scale and challenge that the business faces – providing an outside broad cast service for 349 race meetings in Ireland last year, The British open, The figure skating championships in Japan, The Queen’s visit to Ireland (and the very famous images at the English Market, Cork) and much more besides.
Core to Helen’s presentation was the importance of ‘Team’ and ‘People’. TVM up to recent years was very much a family business. As the business has grown in size, the Management team is now made up of non family members too. She also referenced things like the ‘Staff appreciation day’ and family days – all of this helps keep the family feel of the business.
Helen was overall winner of the Ulster Bank Business Achievers ‘women led business’ award, 2014 – she spoke at length around the benefits this has brought to the TVM business and indeed herself. She strongly encouraged those in the room to consider an application for 2015!
After some networking and refreshments the delegates returned to listen to a presentation from Julia Lynes, Co- Founder of EazyCity which is an accommodation and service provider. Julia displayed passion and energy for her business which she established after graduating from UCC in 2004. Since then she has built it into a multi location business and is currently running a pilot franchise template in Italy.
Julia spoke around the importance of ‘Brand’ and described a rebranding exercise which the Company conducted. She spoke about how the little things matter and explained what she meant by recounting a recent example. This writer will not make the same mistake as a colleague of Julia’s did recently when they inadvertently used as a small letter ‘c’ in the ‘EazyCity’ logo!
Julia also discussed the importance of her ‘Team’ making EazyCity a recognisable brand in this sector. She stated how the ‘Team’ pride themselves on customer service and customer experience. While the franchise pilot is currently being trialled in Italy, Julia has plans for EazyCity to open offices in Germany, Spain and the USA.
Last but by no means least was Deirdre O’Shaughnessy, editor and co-presenter of Cork biggest daily talk show, the 96FM Opinion Line. Deirdre’s address was on the subject of Personal branding and she hit the ground…well …sitting! She told delegates to picture a three legged stool and built on this analogy for the duration.
Her energetic and witty parlance engaged the room as she began building out on the three legged stool image – First Leg =Your Character, Second Leg =.Professional Reputation and Third Leg = Personal image. She challenged the audience to consider an introspective view of themselves and Deirdre encouraged the room to ‘Be the best version of yourself’.
As an avid social media user, Deirdre described her relationship with Twitter – she currently has 17,000 followers, and growing. She offered some great practical advice around its use and merits. She shared examples of businesses that have almost exclusively built a brand and consequently shared their value system through this platform.
The event concluded shortly after 8PM and the attendees left with a spring in their step, buoyed by the inspirational speakers ….and left to go back out into the ….Summer…. rain !
Business Women Can and CPA Event at The River Lee Hotel, Cork
Business Women Can and CPA Event at The River Lee Hotel, Cork
Business Women Can and CPA Event at The River Lee Hotel, Cork
Business Women Can and CPA Event at The River Lee Hotel, Cork
Business Women Can and CPA Event at The River Lee Hotel, Cork
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Enterprise Minister Jonathan Bell today launched the second phase of business support programme ‘NI Chamber Connections’ – a Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NI Chamber) initiative in partnership with Ulster Bank.
Launched on board the Tall Ship Buque Escuela Guayas, the private-sector led programme aims to create a network of local businesses who share common interests, goals and challenges.
Following a highly successful pilot phase in June 2013 – June 2014, NI Chamber Connections will assist businesses to develop and grow, whilst providing a vehicle for shared learning and new market development for those companies looking to grow via exporting.
The second phase of the programme will also include a series of regional events and web based support, as well as continuing to link companies for advice locally and through the overseas network of Chambers, which has proved a valuable resource for companies who often don’t know where to access advice and information.
Richard Donnan, Managing Director, Retail Banking and NI SME & CIB at Ulster Bank:
“We’re very pleased to be supporting the next phase of NI Connections – it’s an excellent initiative aimed at fostering international cooperation and providing an important resource for growth
“Strong local exporters can play an important role in the sustainable expansion and development of the private sector, and making it easier for them to break into new markets abroad can have significant positive impacts on jobs and opportunities at home.
“At Ulster Bank, we have £1.5bn available to lend to businesses this year, and we want to support Northern Ireland’s many great businesses.”
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The Search is on for 93 of Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneurs.
Through Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur competition (#IBYE), over 90 people aged between 18 and 30 will win €10,000 – €20,000 to invest in their own businesses in Ireland this year.
That lump sum can buy that new piece of equipment you need; it can pay the salary of a new employee joining the team or it can fund that marketing campaign that will help your business expand into new markets.
Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton TD, pictured with the 2014 winners of the #IBYE competition. Photo: Mark Stedman/Photocall Ireland
Last year, Philip Martin used his prize money to buy specialist machinery, helping him to open Ireland’s first tortilla-making factory in Tipperary (Winner: Best Business Idea).
The money also helped Eamon Keane take on highly skilled staff at Xpreso Software in South Dublin (Winner: Best Start Up Business/ Overall Winner). And it came in very handy when Dean Gammell from Westmeath was expanding his group booking software business into the UK (Winner: Best Established Business).
Every Local Enterprise Office (LEO) around the country has €50,000 (each) to invest in three local businesses and start-ups – and with 31 LEOs, that bring the total number of winners to 93. Each local winner will get an injection of cash between €10,000 and €20,000 to put straight into their business.
Up to 500 young entrepreneurs and business owners will also be invited to take part in Business Bootcamps around the country, helping them finely tune their business plans or learn new enterprise skills. One-to-one mentoring and business coaching will also be available, through all 31 LEOs.
To be in with a chance to win, complete the entry form through the IBYE website on-line. But hurry, the deadline to enter this year’s competition is July 31st 2015.
There are some competition terms and conditions (you have to be aged between 18 and 30 for a start and your business idea or existing business must be in Ireland), but if you don’t try, you can’t win!
So, why not ‘Dream Big and Win Big’ at #IBYE 2015!
See more about #IBYE here on YouTube
(#IBYE is completely free to enter and is part of the Action Plan for Jobs 2015. It is supported by the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation through Enterprise Ireland and the Local Enterprise Offices http://www.ibye.ie)
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The sun was shining down on the Maldron Hotel at Dublin Airport on Thursday 18th June, which was the venue for Ulster Bank’s Region East – Business Women Cans networking lunch.
Over 50 female-led businesses gathered to listen to the inspirational Terry Prone of The Communications Clinic.
Terry is a leading advisor on reputation management and crisis handling to corporations, Governments and individuals, alongside running a successful PR and training consultancy. She is also no stranger to TV, radio and the stage. She was one of the founders of Carr Communications.
Angela Meegan – Relationship Manager, BC, Karen Quinn – Regional Service Manager, Terry Prone, The Communications clinic, Fiona Kingston – Business Women Can Programme Director, Amanda O’Hara – Business Executive, North Dublin BC.
Terry, who has written eight critically-acclaimed novels, an award-winning collection of short stories and more than a dozen practical guidebooks, is an authoritative commentator on communication issues.
She was able to offer insightful and practical advice to her captive audience around business PR and the art of successful communication.
The sunny afternoon was packed with Networking opportunities and a chance for all in attendance to mix with like minded people.
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Over 30 business women joined Ulster Bank Business Women Can, to participate in the Belfast session of “Your guide to Health and Wellbeing ” at the five star Kingsbridge Private Hospital on Belfast’s Lisburn Road.
Business Women Can Ambassador Briege Bradley, hosted the event, and welcomed the attendees, inviting them to enjoy quality “me time”. Head of Ulster Bank Private Banking, Neil Cooke, outlined the ways in which Ulster Bank supports Health and Wellbeing of all employees. As a Senior Manager, he spoke about the importance of having a healthy, engaged workforce, and how ensuring a quality work life balance, is a major contributor to this. Neil advised the Bank’s commitment to flexible working options, was one of the many ways Ulster Bank support the wellbeing of their employees.
The first keynote speaker at the event was Dr Lisa Neligan, with over 14 years as a GP. Lisa specialises in women’s health and reminded us all that we need to have that all important health MOT, that prevention is better than cure. She explained those important numbers to us in relation to Blood Pressure, more than 90 over 60 (90/60) and less than 120 over 80 (120/80) healthy/ideal, cholesterol between 5mmol/L or less for healthy adults and 4 mmol/L for high risk, and a healthy BMI between 18.5 – 24.9. Lisa then gave us tips on how simple lifestlyes changes can have a huge effect, not just on our numbers but also on our mental health and well being.
Next, Brenda Shankey taught us how to “Be Fabulous”, . She explained how she learned the hard way the importance of taking time to look after herself first. As a highly sucessful businesswoman and mother, she always put everything and everyone else first, never taking the time to recharge her own batteries, she was prescribded medication. This was when she decided to research alternative sources to combat stress. Now fully qualified, Brenda shared her meditation techniques with a 10 minute demonstration that left us all relaxed and rejuvenated – remember to “breathe and smile”.
Before refreshments were served, Aimee Bremier, founder of Keen Nutrion, gave us food for thought. Again as a busy mum, Aimee wanted to give her children nutrional healthy snack alternative to peanut butter and other high sugar spreads, without compromising on taste. This resulted in the manufacture of her award winning nut butter range. We had a demo from Aimee on how to make a healthy smoothie using the nut butter, spinach and youghurt (to name a few ingredients) whisked up to serve in less than 5 minutes and tasted delicous. To get us in the mood for our canapes, she followed this with the rustle of a satay dip, (with a bit of fire in the taste) we all agreed a deserved “Great Taste Award” winner.
Following this we had the option of the fantastic tour of the impressive Kingsbridge Private Hospital, led by General Manager, Sarah Marks and a free numbers health check, from the nurse Aisling. No attention to detail is left undiscovered in this hospital, right down to menu choice from Deanes Resturant Belfast, for most of us who had a clean bill of health , we enjoyed the rest of the evening networking and finishing our refreshments.
Aside from the great speakers and plenty of networking, the event reminded us of the importance of our health and wellbeing. Everyone agreed this was quality “me time” well spent.
Business Women Can – Health and Wellbeing Belfast Event
Business Women Can – Health and Wellbeing Belfast Event
Business Women Can – Health and Wellbeing Belfast Event
Business Women Can – Health and Wellbeing Belfast Event
Business Women Can – Health and Wellbeing Belfast Event
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Continuing with the Ahead for Business Programme and trying to help businesses get ahead in Tyrone, Ulster Bank held their latest Fraud Awareness Seminar in Silver Birch Hotel, Omagh. The objective of the seminar is to help businesses keep themselves safe, by understanding the threats from fraud and what measures they can take to counteract these risks.
Shauna Burns, Head of Mid Ulster & Fermanagh Business centre welcomed 50 local business people to the business suite of the hotel and introduced the first speaker Margaret Hunter, RBS Security & Resilience. Margaret gave an overview of trends that the bank are experiencing and discussed hints and tips on cheque and invoice fraud. Michelle Garrigan, Head of On line Operations was the second speaker and gave the audience a great feel for the sophistication of fraudsters and what the banks golden security rules are regarding bankline. With some surprising statistics for the audience:
After a series of questions and answers, Shauna Burns closed the seminar and recommended that everyone shared the information of the day to business colleagues, family and friend to help “the fight against fraud”.
The local business team who were also in attendance received very positive feedback from the audience who appreciated the event being held in Omagh;
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