Innovate - improve through change

Events this month

2007-10-01T11:49:00.000+01:00

Events for October - Please click here.

Hotdesk Facility re-located

2007-04-27T10:39:00.001+01:00

As part of their Innovate programme, Leitrim County Enterprise Board recently launched their ‘hot-desk’ facility. Located at the Board’s head office in Carrick-on-Shannon.

View from reception

Work Area

Facilities available

• State-of-the-art computer with broadband connection

• Web-cam for video conferencing

• High Resolution Printer & Scanner.

• CD and DVD Writer.

• Voice-over-Internet calls. International calls at 2 cent per minute to anywhere in the world.
• Wireless (Wi-Fi) broadband connection - Access the Internet using your own laptop.

Recruitment & Enterprise Expo

2007-02-27T14:58:00.000Z

Click here do download brochure [pdf document]

The Expo will be held on March 23rd 2007 in the Landmark Hotel, Carrick on Shannon from 2.00pm – 8.00pm..

This is one of a series of promotional activities planned for 2007 aimed at promoting County Leitrim as a place to work, live & invest.

A number of public agencies and private companies have been assembled for the event and will be available to discuss any of your queries.

If you would like any further information please contact us on:

Tel: 071 9620450

Email: info@leitrimenterprise.ie

Who should attend?

This event is open to any individual who has an interest in either:

Working, living or investing in Co. Leitrim
Developing/expanding a business in Co. Leitrim
Relocating a business to Co. Leitrim
Further education opportunities
Involved in community development work.

Why should you attend?

The Recruitment and Enterprise Expo will promote the development of Co. Leitrim and host the following:

Local business with positions vacant
Development Agencies / businesses
Third level opportunities in the region
Estate agents.

All these companies will be available to meet with you on the day to discuss possible opportunities and assist with questions you might have.

Companies

1. Publicjobs.ie
2. MBNA Ireland Ltd.
3. Masonite Ireland.
4. Tesco.
5. Vistamed Ltd.
6. Jetwash Ltd
7. Collins Mc Nicholas.
8. The Landmark Hotel
9. Aura Leitrim Leisure
10. HSE West
11. The Bush Hotel

Development Agencies

1. Leitrim County Council.
2. Leitrim County Development Board.
3. Leitrim County Enterprise Board.
4. Enterprise Ireland
5. Western Development Commission
6. Arigna LEADER.
7. FAS
8. Leitrim VEC.
9. Leitrim Partnership.
10. Leitrim County Childcare Committee.
11. Leitrim Citizens Information Service.

This Level Colleges

1. Sligo Institute of technology
2. Athlone Institute of Technology

Estate Agents

1. DNG Farrell.
2. Brady Real Estate Alliance.
3. Gordon Hughes Estate Agents.

Local Business Associations

1. Ballinamore Business association.
2. Drumshanbo Community Council

What is Innovate?

2007-02-02T14:47:00.000Z

INNOVATE is a joint programme between Leitrim County Enterprise Board and Omagh Enterprise Company that provides businesses with the opportunity to improve profitability.

The INNOVATE programme provides a project manager, one based in Leitrim and one based in Omagh, who will help identify aspects of a business that can be improved. The project manager will visit a business and discuss the areas that may be developed. During these meetings, the project manager can also identify other areas of the business that could be improved through other functions of the INNOVATE programme. These areas may include the introduction of a new process or technology or the provision of specialised mentoring and/or training.
The INNOVATE programme will also present some of the latest practices in marketing, e-business and new technology. Business support from each project manager in addition to assistance from our strong mentor panel is also available to help implement some of these best practices.

Other elements of the programme include:
· The development of an Innovation Centre in Omagh and in Leitrim displaying some of the latest smart solutions for businesses
· Innovation evenings on a range of topics from internet and e-business to marketing
· Academic and Research & Development Links with Third Level Institutions and Universities.

Innovate is part-financed by the European Union through the Interreg IIIA Programme managed for the Special EU Programmes Body by the ICBAN Partnership.

400pc increase' in Irish bloggers

2007-01-17T15:15:00.000Z

Original Source - Silicon Republic.com

15.01.2007 - The number of Irish people blogging on the internet is understood to have increased from around 1,000 to between 3,000 and 4,000 people, the organisers of the Irish Blog Awards have claimed. They said the exact figure may actually be higher. Scribes who make up Ireland’s blogging community will have a chance to prove they’re not just any Joe-who-blogs at the second annual Irish Blog Awards, which will take place in early March.

Last year humorous blogger Twenty Major was top of the blogs, winning the Best Blogger Award, the Best Blog Post Award and the Most Humorous Post Award.

The awards were organised by Damian Mulley of IrelandOffline to recognise new talent in this field.

The blogging community has asked Mulley for extra categories and as a result they have been increased from 13 to 21 to include new areas like best business blogs, best music blogs as well as podcasting and video.

“Being a community event, it was the bloggers themselves who chose the categories to nominate each other in,” Mulley explained.

“Anyone can nominate a blog and it will be the public who will vote to whittle the nominees down to a short list, from which a set of judges will take over to rate the best quality Irish blogs.”

Running concurrently to the Irish Blog Awards will be a competition for the Best Irish Bebo profile.

The social networking site now counts hundreds of thousands of Irish people as members.

“While still very new, Bebo in Ireland has more reach to the youth market than any radio or TV show,” said Mulley.

“The next web generation are learning the ropes on sites like Bebo and the point of this award is to show this generation that creating unique and entertaining content can win them recognition.”

The blog awards are free to enter and encompass a nomination round, followed by a public vote, followed by a final judging round. Nominations can be made on http://awards.ie/nominations.

The awards will take place at 7.30pm on 3 March at the Alexander Hotel in Dublin. MC for the evening will be 2FM DJ Rick O’Shea.

The awards are currently at the nomination stage and a short list will be released in February.

By John Kennedy

Innovation - a recent definition I heard

2007-01-09T16:06:00.000Z

At our recent workshop I heard this definition of innovation - "creativity with successful commercialization" - just thought it was worth noting.

Other points

Dr. Robert G. Cooper

Larry E. Greiner

Welcome 2007

2007-01-09T16:04:00.000Z

A new year, it's a great time to make some improvements.

A Good Weather Forecast Website

2007-01-08T14:45:00.000Z

Metcheck

Blog Training Course

2006-11-13T14:31:00.000Z

A 1 day Training Course on Blogging will take place on Tuesday 12th December. - Booked Out - If you wish to express interest for this course - please click here.

This 1 day training course will cover the following topics:-

• Straightforward introduction to the features of WordPress
• Building a blog with the WordPress system.
• Introduction to the main aspects of a blog - users, communities, posts, comments, news feeds - and learn how to manage them using WordPress.
• Managing all types of content, be it text or images,
• Managing posts and comments; working with Image galleries, calendars,
• Themes to control the page layout; linking to the outside world - Feeds, Syndication

The course will presented by Mr. Brian Greene of Doop Design.

Back in 2003 Brian was awarded 'Best Web Designer' in the IIA Netvisionary Awards and this year won in the new 'Podcasting' category.

Brian currently runs a number of successful blogs and presented at the Innovation Evening - “Blogging for Business” at LCEB.

Details:

Time: 9.30am

Venue: CTC Training Centre - Carrick-on-Shannon

Cost: €25 [Refreshments will be served]

BOOKING FORM

Grow your business through innovation

2006-10-11T12:05:00.000+01:00

Grow your business through innovation

2-day workshop

Day 1: 9th November 2006 – The Bush Hotel. Carrick-on-Shannon – 9.30am – 4.30pm

Day 2: 17th November 2006 – The Slieve Russell, Ballyconnell – 9.30am – 4.30pm

[Day 2 – will include a networking event where you will also have the opportunity to meet participating businesses from Omagh to discuss potential joint ventures]

Workshop Total Cost: €65 [includes lunch on both days].

ONLY 10 PLACES AVAILABLE - BOOK ONLINE

For further information on workshop content & bookings please contact Geraldine Mc Menamin at 071 96 20450 | Email: geraldine@leitrimenterprise.ie

Who should attend?

Individuals both senior and junior who want to familiarise themselves with best practises in Innovation Management. The aim of this workshop is to provide companies with the skill tools necessary to generate & develop new or existing products or services for future strategic growth.

Cross Border Business Opportunities

During the workshop, there will be an opportunity to discuss cross-border business opportunities. Also, there will be a networking event on the second day where you will also have the opportunity to meet participating businesses from Omagh to discuss potential joint ventures.

Course Objectives/Goals

Participants who attend this workshop will acquire the following knowledge:

• Gain the necessary skill tools required to manage innovation.

• Have the ability to apply innovative thinking to your products/service offering. This will in turn give you the knowledge & confidence to generate new products and services for future growth.

• Idea generation, the best methods to develop ideas, idea evaluation and selecting winners (best practice). I.e. minimise your risk.

• Technology acquisition & Intellectual Property Management, i.e. how to protect your ideas (manage, sell or buy options, the reality)

• Branding or selling your product or service ideas (what are the options)

Broadband.gov.ie

2006-10-11T11:33:00.001+01:00

The Irish Government operates a website, www.broadband.gov.ie, which enables people to see what broadband providers are in their area. It lists most of the active providers in the country and is an excellent first stop for finding out about what broadband service sare available to you.

To visit the site, please go to http://www.broadband.gov.ie

Cultivate is a sustainable living and learning centre dedicated to inspiring healthy, balanced and creative cultural change.

2006-10-10T15:31:00.000+01:00

Cultivate is a sustainable living and learning centre dedicated to inspiring healthy, balanced and creative cultural change. We emphasise an integral approach focused on improvements we can make in our own lives, in our communities and in the world. Cultivate is the home of the Sustainable Ireland Co-operative.

We see Cultivate as a hub for a community of people and activities. By providing the tools and facilities that support people’s efforts to become more sustainable Cultivate aims to put the heart back in the city and become an engine of local economy, community building and cultural renewal.

Blogging’s the business by TOM RAFFERTY

2006-10-04T13:09:00.001+01:00

I read this article in Smart Company Magazine ( TechCentral.ie). It was written by Tom Rafferty (Winner of The Best Technical Blog 2006 in the Irish Blog Awards).

Bloglines - Keep up to date with your favourite blogs.

2006-10-04T13:09:00.000+01:00

Create a personal Bloglines page loaded with the freshest news about the things you love.

Website Development Companies

2006-09-22T10:09:00.001+01:00

David McEvoy
Dmac Media
085-7210173
Manorhamilton
dave@dmacmedia.ie
Website

Eamon McGrenaghan
WSI Rapid Web Solutions
07196 40766
Drumshanbo
eamon@wsirapidwebsolutions.com
Website

Leon Quinn
Reverb Studios
071 96 25855
Jamestown
info@reverbstudios.com
Website

Paul Grealy
Create Interactive Ltd.
1890 202373
Longford
paul@createinteractive.com
Website

Allen McCarthy
Trojan IT Solutions
0719662552
Boyle
amccarthy@trojan.ie
Website

For a comprehensive list, please visit the Irish Internet Association Website

Get Business Event

2006-09-15T12:57:00.000+01:00

Click here for PDF Brouchure

Our Blog Event

2006-09-14T15:18:00.000+01:00

Our blog event (on August 31st last) went very well with 7 client companies in attendance. Brian Greene from Doop Design gave a very informative presentation and some good discussion took place. Companies who attended were North West Marketing, Art Francais, Wedding Chair Covers, 3L Music, Country Cooking Company, MC & A and Living Architecture Centre.

This event was one of a series of Innovation Evenings which are run under the Innovate Programme.

Innovate is part-financed by the European Union through the Interreg IIIA Programme managed for the Special EU Programmes Body by the ICBAN Partnership.

Blog - Wikipedia's Definition

2006-09-11T12:31:00.000+01:00

Wikipedia (the free encyclopedia that anyone can edit) gives the following definition of a blog.

A weblog, which is usually shortened to blog, is a type of website where entries are made (such as in a journal or diary), displayed in a reverse chronological order.

Blogs often provide commentary or news and information on a particular subject, such as food, politics, or local news; some function as more personal online diaries. A typical blog combines text, images, and links to other blogs, web pages, and other media related to its topic. Most blogs are primarily textual although some focus on photographs (photoblog), videos (vlog), or audio (podcasting), and are part of a wider network of social media.

The word blog can also be used as a verb, meaning to maintain or add content to a blog.

It was a good seminar

2006-09-08T12:14:00.000+01:00

Yesterday, I attended the seminar which was posted on this blog. The seminar was part of the INTERREG IIIB Techlink project aimed at promoting a culture of innovation in the partner regions. A number of topics were covered and a summary PDF document is available. Presenations are also available on request. One topic I found very interesting was Business Angels. The Business Angel Partnership matches private investors with pre-screened investment opportunities in start-up, early stage and developing businesses. See the Business Angels website for more inofrmation. Linking academic research with the business community (something which is large part of Innovate) was high-lighted and the Expertise Ireland Initative.

A One Day Seminar / Workshop on Supports for Innovation

2006-08-30T10:02:00.000+01:00

A One Day Seminar / Workshop on Supports for Innovation

Radisson Hotel, Athlone, Co. Westmeath | Thursday, September 7th, 2006

Keynote Address by Professor Ferdinand von Prondzynski, President of DCU

Other Guest Speakers will discuss "The Challenges of Technology Transfer"

"Supports for Your Business" & "Patenting - The Facts You Need To Know"

Thematic Workshops will examine the Halo Business Angel Partnership

7th Research Framework Programme (FP7)

Institutes of Technology - Supporting R & D in our SMEs.

For more details please contact:

Sharon O'Sullivan - 090 6625196/057 93 52996/7 sosullivan@westbic.ie

Hot-desk Research Facility Now Available

2006-08-21T15:48:00.000+01:00

FREE HOT DESK RESEARCH FACILITY -

• State-of-the-art computer with broadband connection
• Web-cam for video conferencing
• High Resolution Printer & Scanner
• CD and DVD Writer
• Voice-over-Internet calls.
International calls at 2cent per minute to anywhere in the world.
• Wireless (Wi-Fi) broadband connection
Access the Internet using your own laptop

For bookings or details on Innovate, please contact Johnny Beirne at
Leitrim County Enterprise Board on 071 9620450 or email johnny@leitrimenterprise.ie

Innovation Evening - BUSINESS BLOGGING & PODCASTING

2006-08-21T14:52:00.001+01:00

THURSDAY AUGUST 31ST 6pm
TOPIC: BUSINESS BLOGGING & PODCASTING
ADM: FREE for Enterprise Board Clients

Please visit www.leitrimenterprise.ie for details and booking.

By using Blogging a company can get themselves noticed by developing a dialogue between their company and potential or existing clients. This can give the small enterprise an edge over their competitor while gaining good search engine rankings for a very small but honest input of dynamic content that may be lacking in a traditional website.

Speaker: Brian Greene - www.doopdesign.com
Brian sees blogging as a tool to reclaim the web from the top brands and like the WWW in 1994 blogging is the great leveler of our times.

BOOK NOW >>

Our new blog

2006-08-21T14:29:00.000+01:00

This is our first posting on our new blog. We will use this blog to share information on events and training, in addition to posting useful information and website links. Ideally, we would like to start some dialogue with you about our Innovate Programme.