PROGRAMME – SMILE

SMILE is a free service for business that encourages the sharing and exchanging of resources in order to reduce costs and help the environment. Based on the concept that “one’s waste could be another’s resource”, businesses have opportunities to identify potential partnerships through networking exchange events and an online exchange facility. At these exchange events and through the website businesses can identify resources they would like to exchange such as reusable items, by-products & surplus product. All resources offered are either free of charge or below market value.

Since its inception in 2010, the project has run 7 business networking events in Cork, Limerick/Clare, Kerry and in 2012 the first Dublin event held in Croke Park in late 2012. The initiative has identified close to 2000 potential matches between businesses and this is set to rise as more events are planned throughout 2013 in the Munster and Dublin regions. The SMILE website www.smileexchange.ie has in excess of 780 members with these members posting new resources to the site every week.

Membership of SMILE Resource Exchange is free for businesses. The intiative is project managed by Macroom E. SMILE Resource Exchange is supported by the Environmental Protection Agency, Cork County Council and Cork City Council, Limerick/Clare/Kerry Regional Waste Management Office and locally by the County and City Enterprise Boards in the areas that the initiative operates.

EVENT – CONNECT BUSINESS NETWORK

The CONNECT Business Network – making connections locally
CONNECT meetings are held on the first Wednesday of each month at Macroom E. These meetings are about local businesses getting together, making contacts, sharing ideas, opportunities & solutions to challenges. The meetings kick off at 8.45am with a guest speaker, followed by four facilitated networking rounds where each participant has the opportunity to introduce themselves and their business.

All businesses are welcome to attend. €3 per person. Please register in advance.

PROGRAMME – GREENSHOOTS

Are you a new start up or in business less than five years and wishing to diversify, grow, explore new markets or export?

The greenshoots programme is a nine month small business support programme providing entrepeneurs with the business skills, facilities and supports necessary to make a real success of their business.

Based at Macroom for the duration of the programme, successful applicants will avail of:

– business training workshops on key areas of business development

– mentoring support

– business coaching & personal development

– peer support

– access to links to support bodies and enterprise development agencies

Call us: 026 20520

Email us: info@macroom-e.com

STATE-OF-THE-ART HUB FOR BUSINESS & COMMUNITY OPENS IN BANDON

22 October 2013

The latest ECentre in the Cork County network was officially opened by the County Mayor Noel O’Connor in Bandon today.

With over 3,000 square feet of office space equipped with high speed broadband, own door offices, hotdesking facilities, meeting room, the Bandon ECentre will be of enormous value to businesses, startups, entrepreneurs and community groups in the town and the surrounding area.

“The Bandon ECentre is a wonderful example of close collaboration between Cork County Council, Bandon Chamber of Commerce and the Bandon Credit Union,” said County Mayor Cllr. Noel O’Connor.

“While funded by Cork County Council through the Economic Development Fund, the support of Bandon Chamber of Commerce and the Bandon Credit Union was vital to this Centre’s success”, he added.

Bandon Credit Union have provided two dedicated floors of their landmark building on Main Street, Bandon to house the ECentre, clearly demonstrating their commitment to Bandon and the business infrastructure of the town.

The Bandon Chamber of Commerce support has also been critical from the outset, and will continue to make an impact through ongoing management of the ECentre”, he added.

Successful ECentres are already established in Macroom, Bantry, Millstreet, Charleville and Fermoy with more centres due to open soon in the County. The centres provide an ideal base for start-ups, small businesses that are growing, as well as remote workers, who can avail of hot desks, own-door offices, shared services, meeting rooms and the value of networking with other businesspeople, from just €50 per week without any lease or term obligations.

“For those who work alone or remotely, perhaps at home, the E Centres can provide a vital lifeline and a convivial and professional atmosphere for business, networking, business coaching and mentoring”, explained Gearoid O’Driscoll, President, Bandon Chamber of Commerce.

Ger Power, Head of Economic Development for the Council was glad to welcome the first four businesses to the Centre.

The Bandon facility is truly state of the art, with 24/7 access as well as a high quality, professional fit out with high speed broadband and Skype facilities. The E Centre also boasts in-house canteen facilities and numerous meeting room facilities.

“Supporting business and start-ups is crucial to progressing the Region further economically,” said Ger Power, Head of Economic Development at Cork County Council.

“The E Centres demonstrate our commitment as a local authority to developing and growing business in every part of Cork County through the Economic Development Fund.”

Businesses interested in using the facilities of Bandon ECentre should contact Julie Crowley at info@ecentres.ie or visit www.ecentres.ie

E Bandon on West Cork Times

E Bandon features on The West Cork Times!

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