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Management Development Series
Unlock the potential of your leadership journey with the Future Focus Management Development Series. Join Carlow & Kilkenny Local Enterprise Offices for a series of dynamic sessions curated to empower your leadership skills, strategic thinking, and business acumen. Future Focus provides Owner Managers with a supportive programme environment which is designed to assist in the acceleration and development of their companies.
Each participant will receive:
- Access to 6 Breakfast Seminar Session with Leading National Speakers
- 4 individual mentor sessions
- Access to a Digitalization Mentor
- Access to the Senior Leader Advisory Team with a support diagnostic session
Each session will be facilitated by the LEO Executive Team who will guide the participants on the supports available for their business.
The cost of the programme is highly subsidised at €100 per person.
Session 1: Leadership/Mindset Masterclass by Margaret Valette O’Connor
📅 Date: 24th September 2024
🕒 Time: 8:00 am - 10:00 am
Location: Newpark Hotel, Castlecomer Road, Kilkenny
Embark on a transformative journey with Margaret Valette O’Connor, a seasoned leader, in our Leadership/Mindset Masterclass. Discover the keys to effective leadership and cultivate a powerful mindset that propels you toward success. Topics include building a resilient mindset, leading with authenticity and purpose, navigating challenges to foster innovation, and creating a positive and empowering workplace culture. Margaret will also guide you on starting your mentoring journey, unlocking the potential of mentorship in your leadership path.
Session 2: Strategy in Finance with Susan Hayes Culleton
📅 Date: 8th October 2024
🕒 Time: 8:00 am - 10:00 am
Location: Newpark Hotel, Castlecomer Road, Kilkenny
Dive into the intricate world of finance strategy in our advanced session led by industry experts. Explore topics such as financial risk management, capital structure optimization, strategic financial planning. Gain insights into value-based management, financial modelling for strategic decision-making. Elevate your financial leadership skills to make informed and strategic decisions in a dynamic financial landscape.
Session 3: Sales Strategy for Scaling with Terry Harmer
📅 Date: 22nd October 2024
🕒 Time: 8:00 am - 10:00 am
Location: Newpark Hotel, Castlecomer Road, Kilkenny
Join our Sales Strategy for Scaling session to empower your business growth. Learn from seasoned sales professionals about crafting and implementing effective sales strategies for scalability. Topics include customer acquisition and retention, strategic account management, leveraging technology for sales efficiency, and adapting sales approaches for diverse markets. Acquire the skills and insights needed to scale your sales operations successfully.
Session 4: Productivity & Scaling with John O Shanahan
📅 Date: 5th November 2024
🕒 Time: 8:00 am - 10:00 am
Location: Enterprise House, O Brien Road, Carlow
Unlock the secrets to maximizing productivity and scaling your operations in this dynamic session. Explore strategies for optimizing processes, leveraging technology for efficiency, and fostering a culture of innovation. Learn from industry leaders about scaling without sacrificing quality, managing growth challenges, and building a high-performance team. Elevate your productivity game and position your organization for sustainable growth.
Session 5: Succession & Exit Strategies with Michelle Walshe & John Walshe
📅 Date: 19th November 2024
🕒 Time: 8:00 am - 10:00 am
Location: Enterprise House, O Brien Road, Carlow
Prepare for the future with our deep-dive into Succession & Exit Strategies. Led by industry experts, this session is designed for business leaders looking to secure the long-term viability of their enterprises. Explore the intricacies of succession planning, identifying and grooming future leaders within your organization. Delve into effective exit strategies for business owners, covering topics such as selling a business, mergers and acquisitions, and family succession.
Session 6: Bringing It All Together with Margaret Valette O’Connor
📅 Date: 3rd December 2024
🕒 Time: 8:00 am - 10:00 am
Location: Enterprise House, O Brien Road, Carlow
Cap off your learning journey with our session on "Bringing It All Together." Join experts who will synthesize key takeaways from the Leadership/Mindset Masterclass, Strategy in Finance, Sales Strategy for Scaling, and Productivity & Scaling sessions. Gain insights into integrating these strategies seamlessly into your overall business approach. Engage in a panel discussion and Q&A session to ensure you leave with a comprehensive understanding of how to synergize these elements for holistic business success.
Facilitators:
- Kieran Comerford – Head of Economic Development & Enterprise – Local Enterprise Office – Carlow County Council
Kieran Comerford has been involved in enterprise development since 2002, offering guidance to numerous startup and growing businesses. He is currently Head of Economic Development & Enterprise and manages the Economic Development , Business Support and EU Project portfolio for Carlow County Council. He has overseen a range of economic development and business support programs at local, national, and international levels. Earlier in his career, he gained experience in the fields of education, banking, ICT, and retail.
Currently serving as a Director of Carlow Community Enterprise Centres CLG, a social enterprise in County Carlow, which provides space and services for the incubation and growth of businesses.
His international engagements have seen him contribute to EU projects across various sectors including Food, Drink, Life Sciences, Creative & Craft, Digital, social media, and policy development. He holds a degree in business from UCD , Higher Diploma in Management (SETU) and a Postgraduate Diploma in Co-operative & Social Enterprise (UCC).
- Aileen Mc Grath – Head of Enterprise –Local Enterprise Office - Kilkenny County Council
Aileen is a graduate of the University of Limerick, she holds a degree in Law & Accounting, complemented by a postgraduate diploma in Software. Aileen's journey in enterprise and economic development commenced in 2002 and has since been marked by invaluable experiences. Her career trajectory includes roles at Shannon Development, Cavan & Westmeath County Enterprise Boards, where she served as a Business Advisor, offering strategic guidance and support.
More recently, Aileen held the position of Senior Enterprise Development Officer at the Local Enterprise Office in Kilkenny. Since assuming the role of Head of Enterprise at Kilkenny County Council's Local Enterprise Office in June 2022, Aileen has been responsible for spearheading economic development initiatives, championing digital transformation, delivering direct assistance to enterprises, and fostering the growth of tourism in Kilkenny. With her unwavering commitment and expertise, Aileen is dedicated to propelling Kilkenny's business landscape towards sustained prosperity and innovation.
Séamus Doran - Assistant Head of Economic Development & Enterprise - Local Enterprise Office - Carlow County Council Séamus has worked in the fields of economic development and enterprise support since 2011 in counties Wexford, Laois and Carlow. In that time, he has supported the development and growth of hundreds of Irish businesses. A number of start-up businesses he supported at their establishment have grown to be high profile and significant employers. Prior to 2011 Séamus held a number of management roles in the Social Enterprise and Community & Voluntary sectors and worked on the political staff of a government minister. He is an accomplished presenter and public speaker and regularly gives presentations on business topics at conferences and seminars in Ireland and overseas. Some of the high profile agencies who have invited him to speak at their events include several Chambers of Commerce, Technological University of Dublin, Lean Business Ireland and the Heritage Council of Ireland. Séamus is a qualified trainer and is a graduate of the University of Limerick and the University of the Highlands & Islands (Scotland). He holds a Bachelors Degree in Business Studies, a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) and a Masters Degree in Rural Economic Development. He is a Member of the Institute of Economic Development.
- John Mulcahy – Business Advisor - Local Enterprise Office - Kilkenny County Council
John has over 10 years of experience in the enterprise development sector, in counties Carlow, Kildare and Kilkenny. John is a change management expert and a business advisor at Local Enterprise Office (LEO) Kilkenny, where he supports local entrepreneurs and small businesses to start, grow, and innovate. He has contributed to the development and implementation of strategic plans, policies, and programs for LEOs, and has facilitated multiple workshops, seminars, and mentoring sessions for clients.
He has achieved multiple professional certifications, including Project Management (PRINCE2 Certified), and Certificate in Insurance Practice (CIP), to enhance his skills and knowledge. John is passionate about helping local businesses thrive and achieve their goals.
He has a M.Sc. in Management (Business) from Dublin City University and a Post Graduate Diploma in Business (Change Management) from National University of Ireland, Galway. John has worked with various organisations and sectors, including hospitality, insurance, information technology, voluntary, and education/training.
Speaker Panel:
- Margaret Valette O’Connor
Margaret Valette O’Connor is an award-winning Irish businesswoman, Business Consultant, and an Executive Life Coach. She is the former Managing Director of Quigleys, Café, Bakery, Deli – a bakery and coffee shop chain based in the Republic of Ireland which Margaret and her team grew from one location in 1988 to eighteen, employing 195 staff on the back of sales of €9 million.
Margaret stood down from her role at Quigleys in June 2019 and has completed her Diploma in Business and Executive Coaching at the UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School, Dublin and is now a part of the UCD Alumni Network.
Susan Hayes Culleton, CFA, “The Positive Economist” is managing director of the Hayes Culleton Group, with clients across Europe and the USA. The businesses include Active Peers AI which unlocks, diffuses and records strategic tacit knowledge within networks and #SavvyTeenAcademy which manages the entire experience of teenage work experiences in corporate organisations.
The company also provides training, speaking and content development services, in the subject areas of the financial markets, economics and entrepreneurship. Susan has published “Money Matters”, a textbook sponsored by CFA Society Ireland, to go into every secondary school in Ireland to promote and democractise financial literacy right across the country.
She serves on the boards of the Irish International Business Network and the Ireland Hong Kong Business Forum. Susan holds a Chartered Financial Analyst charter, MSc Executive Leadership, BSc Financial Maths and Economics and a Diploma in Taxation.
Terry Harmer is a Member of the Institute of Training & Development (MIITD), a Fellow of the Sales Institute of Ireland, (FSII), a Member of the Marketing Institute of Ireland, (MMII) Member / Qualification, is a Licensed Practitioner of NLP, (NLP Prac.), holds qualifications in Business Administration, a Certificate in Training & Continuing Education, (1st Class Honours, NUI Maynooth), ROI Impact, Measurement, (training on training evaluation and transfer of skills to the workplace)
Terry delivers City & Guilds and QQI certified courses and a portfolio of training programmes ranging from a half day to over a year in duration. He is on the Enterprise Ireland Mentor panel, and has been working and training with West Offaly Training and Offaly Local Development Company (West Offaly Partnership) since 2001.
Terry Harmer has worked with 22 LEO’s (Formerly Enterprise Boards) since their inception around the country, delivering training on Sales, Marketing, Business Development, People and Management Skills. His engagements for those LEO’s have been with new and established businesses delivering training and operating as a mentor.
John is a vastly experienced Lean Consultant with 30+ years industry experience having completed 200+ successful Lean projects across many different industry sectors. John’s extensive operational experience includes a variety of senior management roles in the US, Asia, and Europe that delivered transformational results. John enjoys applying Lean best practice, thought leadership, and Digital Innovation to streamline processes that ultimately lead to increased business performance, reduced costs, and a delighted customer. John takes great satisfaction in being impactful and delivering sustainable results. He does this by applying his excellent leadership, interpersonal and change management skills, while collaborating closely with clients to achieve outstanding results.
John is a highly accomplished CEO and chairperson with a proven track record in designing and implementing strategies to grow, acquire and transform companies.
John is a chartered accountant and has worked across several industries including large multinationals and Irish SMEs. He was appointed Managing Director of Callan Bacon, a small business with turnover of under € I million, 12 employees and a record of continuous losses. Under his expert leadership, the company grew into an international consumer group with a turnover of €125 million and 500 employees. John successfully sold the business and exited in 2020.
Under John’s stewardship Callan Bacon received a Gold Star award in Deloitte’s Best Managed Companies competition. He was also a finalist in EY Entrepreneur of the Year awards.
Michelle is a highly accomplished executive director with substantial experience in leading teams through momentous change, designing and implementing strategic objectives and streamlining initiatives.
Michelle is a chartered accountant and worked for 8 years with PricewaterhouseCoopers in Ireland, the UK and America and spent 18 months working for GOAL in Malawi and Ethiopia.
In 2011, she was appointed Managing Director of Ribworld and led the company through significant growth from a turnover of €7m to €50m, turning it from loss making to profitable within 6 months. She spearheaded the company’s entry into new markets, successfully launching numerous brands into multiple retailers.
Michelle sits on the board as treasurer of three charities and is a board member of Bord Bia’s PCF Board.
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