Business Clinics & Additional Supports
In early 2007, it was envisaged that LEAP participants would have access to a bank of Business Surgery Clinic provided by approved expert professional advisors on specific issues such as Tax (VAT), Intellectual Property, Design, Law and other defined yet specialist areas as identified by the participants in conjunction with the LEAP manager. These business surgery clinics would be held in the EAC as part of a work programme agreed with the EPP manager.
A best practice format for the sessions was to be developed which will detail what information is required in advance and following the meetings. LEAP participants will be required to write a report of their Business Surgery Clinic in a format which will be of use to other participants.
The Business Clinics did not take the exact format envisaged. However, a range of hard and soft supports were provided. The programme organised one to one training for each participant as follows:
- Synergy Coaching Service met with each participant in December to review Goals as a follow up to a Group Training day
- Eamon O'Malley Insurances met with each participant to provide an individual review of insurance requirements
- The Sales Institute of Ireland Mid West Branch provided each participant with feedback on their Sales Plans and Sales Pitches
- An independent business plan expert will meet with each participant to provide feedback on final business plans in preparation for submission to our End of Year Business Plan Competition
- We are arranging an End of Year Business Plan Competition with three prizes of €5,000; €3,000 and €2,000.
For the first Mid West Entrepreneur Showcase in October 2007 participants were 75% supported to work with SNAP printing to develop printed material for the showcase to include: design logos, business cards, signage and penguin stands as appropriate.
Several participants wanted assistance from Experts on specific issues and with the budget for the Business Clinics we have supported these requests on a 50% funded basis. For instance
- One participant has received Communications Training
- One participant has applied for support for a consultant to assist in attaining ISO accreditation
- Another participant has applied for specialist Sales Training
It is envisaged that these supports will be expanded in 2008. Suggestions welcome!
