My name is Paul Doyle and I am from a place called Moylough which everybody knows is in Northeast Co Galway. I had been living abroad (in the UK for 2 years & France for 3 years) and not wanting to follow our products manufacturing sites to Asia, I chose to come back to Galway and attempt to restart my career from here. There was also a few family ties dragging me back. While I have a reasonably good education as a Mechanical Engineer and MBA under the belt, not to mention great experience working worldwide in my capacity as a Program Manager, moving back to Moylough proved to be one of the most difficult things I took on in a long long time. No disrespect intended to my home town, but sometimes too much isolation is not a good thing when your much loved career comes to grinding halt - especially when everybody is talking about the R word.
Fortunately for me, one morning, some months ago, I read an interview in the Connaught Tribune with Caroline McDonagh, CEO of WIN - West of Ireland Networking. I have to say I have not looked back. The enthusiasm and sharing of Ideas, I have found greatly energizing. And that's not to mention the constant stream of interesting guest speakers and trainers that Caroline manages to line up meeting after meeting.
In fact it was through one such speakers that I learned of MWEP (Midland and West Enterprise Program). You see I had been harbouring a business idea for many years and to make a long story short, and following a "Dragons Den" style presentation + interview at GMIT, I was accepted onto this years program.
So from being somewhat isolated all of a sudden everything has changed. My project is moving with new urgency with an established support system ( A desk, a real business address, mentors & project leaders, additional training) and now I feel I have every chance to make my business a real success. So once again Caroline I cannot thank you enough for what you have done for me.
Wednesday, 26 May 2010
Wednesday, 19 May 2010
Next session: May 21st
The next WIN session will host Dr James Cunningham from NUIG who will deliver a training session on Strategic Planning.
Due to room size, registration is required for this session.
Please contact me on mcdonaghcaroline@gmail.com to register.
Due to room size, registration is required for this session.
Please contact me on mcdonaghcaroline@gmail.com to register.
Wednesday, 5 May 2010
Next Session: May 7th.
Our next session will host a sounding board session for a number of participants with business ideas. This concept allows a participant who has an idea for a business, whether they are presently researching it, or whether they are ready to go to market, a platform to get valuable feedback, in a non-critical way, to their idea. This has worked well to date and we are looking forward to helping everyone who will be pitching their ideas.
Tuesday, 27 April 2010
WIN participants continuing to find work....
Dear Caroline
I am writing to thank you for all your assistance to me, as it is through your network (WIN) that I have secured a job as a production operator, with a great possibility of progressing up to production supervisor and on to production manager. There were over 350 applicants for the position.
Caroline, you and your organisation (WIN) have been invaluable to me, through your training and guidance, I regained my confidence and self worth. You helped me build on my skills and gave me the confidence to go forward with belief in myself. I no longer have this lost feeling and your training gave me a focus and sense of purpose. You have shown me that through your training and networking that anything is possible. I will be forever grateful.
Yours sincerely
Niall Devlin
I am writing to thank you for all your assistance to me, as it is through your network (WIN) that I have secured a job as a production operator, with a great possibility of progressing up to production supervisor and on to production manager. There were over 350 applicants for the position.
Caroline, you and your organisation (WIN) have been invaluable to me, through your training and guidance, I regained my confidence and self worth. You helped me build on my skills and gave me the confidence to go forward with belief in myself. I no longer have this lost feeling and your training gave me a focus and sense of purpose. You have shown me that through your training and networking that anything is possible. I will be forever grateful.
Yours sincerely
Niall Devlin
Wednesday, 21 April 2010
Enterprise Ireland - Propel Programme
Enterprise Ireland has revealed a new ‘Propel’ programme aimed at supporting up to 12 new export-focused start-ups in ICT and life sciences that are capable of achieving revenues in excess of €1m.
The nationwide business development programme, which follows a successful pilot in the border and midland areas, is aimed at supporting the setting up of start-up companies in the information technology and life sciences sectors that have significant export potential.
The initiative, the latest stage of Enterprise Ireland’s ‘Propel Ideas into Business’ Programme, is geared towards providing a select number of entrepreneurs and early stage businesses with the skills and training required to take the next step in expanding their service offerings, in Ireland and overseas.
Successful participants in the programme will receive top-class training from management consultants, PA Consulting, on how to manage a business during the start-up phase, financial support of up to €15,000 from Enterprise Ireland and office space, as well as advice and networking support to get their business up and running.
To be considered for the programme, applicants must be able to demonstrate a viable business proposition, capable of achieving revenues of at least €1m and employing 10 personnel within three years
You can get an application for the Propel programme from Enterprise Ireland. Galway office: 091 735900 . Applications will close on 23 April.
The nationwide business development programme, which follows a successful pilot in the border and midland areas, is aimed at supporting the setting up of start-up companies in the information technology and life sciences sectors that have significant export potential.
The initiative, the latest stage of Enterprise Ireland’s ‘Propel Ideas into Business’ Programme, is geared towards providing a select number of entrepreneurs and early stage businesses with the skills and training required to take the next step in expanding their service offerings, in Ireland and overseas.
Successful participants in the programme will receive top-class training from management consultants, PA Consulting, on how to manage a business during the start-up phase, financial support of up to €15,000 from Enterprise Ireland and office space, as well as advice and networking support to get their business up and running.
To be considered for the programme, applicants must be able to demonstrate a viable business proposition, capable of achieving revenues of at least €1m and employing 10 personnel within three years
You can get an application for the Propel programme from Enterprise Ireland. Galway office: 091 735900 . Applications will close on 23 April.
Next session: 23rd April. Topic: Social Media Channels
This week we are delighted to have Aoife Porter from Bua Marketing coming to talk to us about Social Media Channels.
She will give us an overview of social media channels including: Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn and how to measure success.
Social media marketing is the process of promoting yourself, your site or business through social media channels and it is a powerful strategy that will get you links, attention and massive amounts of traffic. There is no other low-cost promotional method out there that will easily give you large numbers of visitors, some of whom may come back to your website again and again. If you are selling products/services or just publishing content for ad revenue, social media marketing is a potent method helping you develop your business over time.
Bua Marketing works with companies to:
• Build Brands and Markets
• Reach New Customers
• Deliver Integrated and Cost-Effective Marketing and Communication Strategies
• Bua Marketing works with a portfolio of customers across a variety of industries including the telecoms, FMCG, hospitality and public sectors.
Bua Marketing’s services include:
• Market Research and Feasibility Studies
• Competitive Analysis
• Marketing & Communications Strategies
• Optimal use of Digital Marketing Channels
• Operational Marketing Services
Aoife Porter is a proven sales and marketing professional; with a background in the software and eLearning industry, she previously worked for Microsoft and Dublin-based eLearning company ThirdForce.
Aoife Porter is a member of the Marketing Institute and recently completed a Diploma in Digital Marketing with the Digital Marketing Institute.
www.buamarketing.ie
She will give us an overview of social media channels including: Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn and how to measure success.
Social media marketing is the process of promoting yourself, your site or business through social media channels and it is a powerful strategy that will get you links, attention and massive amounts of traffic. There is no other low-cost promotional method out there that will easily give you large numbers of visitors, some of whom may come back to your website again and again. If you are selling products/services or just publishing content for ad revenue, social media marketing is a potent method helping you develop your business over time.
Bua Marketing works with companies to:
• Build Brands and Markets
• Reach New Customers
• Deliver Integrated and Cost-Effective Marketing and Communication Strategies
• Bua Marketing works with a portfolio of customers across a variety of industries including the telecoms, FMCG, hospitality and public sectors.
Bua Marketing’s services include:
• Market Research and Feasibility Studies
• Competitive Analysis
• Marketing & Communications Strategies
• Optimal use of Digital Marketing Channels
• Operational Marketing Services
Aoife Porter is a proven sales and marketing professional; with a background in the software and eLearning industry, she previously worked for Microsoft and Dublin-based eLearning company ThirdForce.
Aoife Porter is a member of the Marketing Institute and recently completed a Diploma in Digital Marketing with the Digital Marketing Institute.
www.buamarketing.ie
Thursday, 15 April 2010
Some more feedback....
I have participated in the West of Ireland Networking Group since the inaugural meeting. The forum has become invaluable with many benefits, especially, that of being able to meet and interact with individuals who are dealing with unemployment in the current difficult jobs market. The information sharing and networking with people outside of my normal circles and industry, the knowledge imparted by the variety of guest speakers are just some of the other benefits enjoyed from my participation with the West of Ireland Networking Group.
Caroline McDonagh founder and CEO of WIN, has proved herself to be a resourceful and determined person in establishing the WIN group, in providing a constant stream of relevant and interesting speakers so that the meetings and the time invested by herself and the participants is always worthwhile and fruitful. Her use of multiple channels i.e. a blog, LinkedIn, Twitter and e-mail has brought recognition of the network (WIN) from an impressive audience, of both national and international observers, some of which are high powered decision makers in the world of industry and commerce, thus ensuring that all communications are first-class and current.
In conclusion I have found the WIN Group, the exposure to the influencers of industrial focus, the interaction with the members of WIN, the bi-weekly meetings of the group, and the guidance, enthusiasm, knowledge and leadership of Caroline McDonagh to be an invaluable resource in my search for focus and understanding, both of myself and my capabilities, in gaining new employment.
Kevin O'Malley
Caroline McDonagh founder and CEO of WIN, has proved herself to be a resourceful and determined person in establishing the WIN group, in providing a constant stream of relevant and interesting speakers so that the meetings and the time invested by herself and the participants is always worthwhile and fruitful. Her use of multiple channels i.e. a blog, LinkedIn, Twitter and e-mail has brought recognition of the network (WIN) from an impressive audience, of both national and international observers, some of which are high powered decision makers in the world of industry and commerce, thus ensuring that all communications are first-class and current.
In conclusion I have found the WIN Group, the exposure to the influencers of industrial focus, the interaction with the members of WIN, the bi-weekly meetings of the group, and the guidance, enthusiasm, knowledge and leadership of Caroline McDonagh to be an invaluable resource in my search for focus and understanding, both of myself and my capabilities, in gaining new employment.
Kevin O'Malley
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