ISME announces Spring Business Briefing Sessions for small firms

The Irish Small and Medium Enterprises Association (ISME) has confirmed it will be hosting Spring Business Briefing Sessions aimed at owners and managers of small and medium businesses across Ireland.

The workshops, which will be held throughout the country over the next month, are designed to offer sharp, practical and vital insights into the national economy, giving SME owners encouragement to grow their business.

Mark Fielding, chief executive, ISME, has confirmed that influential economist, Jim Power will address the briefing sessions.

“We are pleased to have economist Jim Power and Shane Hughes of Lean Unlimited with us to discuss the economy, competitiveness, productivity and profitability,” said Fielding.

“The three-hour sessions (funded by Skillnets) are ideal for the busy, time-poor, business person, who will come away with new ideas to boost their business as well as practical new tools and templates to guide them to profit.

“It is essential for SMEs to have an understanding of economic trends and how they can affect business prospects. Jim Power has a knack for explaining the dark art of economics in a way that business people can understand. His session is a must for owners and managers.”

Fielding revealed that firms that have previously engaged in ‘Lean’ business programmes have experienced an increase in annual productivity value to the sum of €37,000 per employee, based on sales per employee.

“The analysis also revealed that the increase in productivity was not at the expense of jobs, where the Lean programme had a 40 per cent positive impact on sales and employment. Shane Hughes will show how this can be achieved.”

The briefings will also include two practical sessions on Employment Law changes and Sources of Assistance for SMEs by Fielding himself.

“These free sessions have been designed to give sound practical advice and to stimulate ideas on how to manage successfully and profitably, with the added bonus of templates to take away for practical use in day to day business,” added Fielding.

Date published 22 Jan 2015 | Last updated 22 Jan 2015