Course

Course Description

Dates & Times

Cost

Start Your Own Business

Aimed at those preparing to set up or have recently set up in business.

Topics to be included: 

• Legal Aspects of Starting a Business 
• Market Research 
• Sales & Marketing 
• Financial Considerations 
• Preparing a Business Plan

Workshops from
6.30pm – 9.30pm

Programme 1:
Thurs. 26th January

Programme 2:
Tues. 28th February
In Castleblayney

6 evening workshops

€30
Free to those unemployed

Taxation & Financial Management for Small Businesses

Aimed at owner/managers of small businesses. 

Topics to be included:

• Tax registration & Compliance
• Revenue/VAT/PAYE/PRSI
• Income & Corporation Tax
• Self Assessment
• Effective financial management to avoid penalties and take advantage of tax planning opportunities.

Workshops from
6.30pm – 9.30pm

Weekly commencing
Tues. 21st February

4 evening workshops

€50

Cash flow Management & Credit Control:

Aimed at assisting businesses to develop an effective credit management system covering: 

Topics to be covered:

• Collection of bad debts
• Dealing with non paying customers
• Handling new accounts
• Legal options and drafting credit application forms
• The impact of credit control systems on cash flow.

Workshops from
6.30pm – 9.30pm

2 consecutive weeks commencing
Tues. 17th April

2 evening workshops

€50

Computerised Accounts for Small Businesses

Aimed at those setting up a computerised accounts package.

Topics to include:

• Sales and purchase ledgers
• Bank Reconciliations
• Maintaining books
• Credit control
• VAT and reporting.

Workshops from
6.30pm – 9.30pm

Weekly commencing
Tues. 13th March

3 evening workshops
2 on-site visits

€100

Advertising & P.R. for the Small Business

Aimed at giving practical insights into the preparation of different types of advertising or developing a P.R. campaigns.

Topics to include:

• Tips to get the right media coverage
• Developing a consistent message
• Identify how to measure results.

Workshop from
9.30am – 1.00pm

Thurs. 24th May

1 half day workshop

€50

Social Media Marketing for the Small Business

Aimed at providing owner/managers with the tools to communicate effectively with their target audience.

Topics to be included:

• Introduction to Social Media
• Blogs & Discussion groups, Facebook, Twitter etc
• Sales & Customer relationship development
• Content creation and what to avoid
• Legal & Ethical Issues

Workshops from
9.30am – 4.30pm

Thurs. 29th March
in Castleblayney

1 Day Workshop

€50

Costing & Pricing

Aimed at providing owner managers with the different methods of calculation prices.

Topics to be included:

• Calculation of costs
• Costing Procedures
  
• Margins
  
• Relationship between costs and pricing.

Workshops from
9.30am – 4.30pm

Wed. 9th May
in Castleblayney

1 Day Workshop

€50

Internet Marketing: How to promote your business online

Aimed at providing owner managers with the skills to use their website to market and promote the business. 

Topics to be included:

• Selling on line
• Search engine optimisation
  
• How to get listed & pay per click
  
• Updating your website for search engines
  
• Submission techniques
  
• Analysis of website statistics

Workshops from
6.30pm – 9.30pm

4 consecutive weeks
commencing Wed. 7th March in Castleblayney

4 evening workshops

€70

Marketing for the Small Business

Aimed at providing participants with the knowledge and skills to adopt an effective marketing strategy in
the business.

Topics to be included:

• Market research
• Market segmentation
  
• Customer profiling
  
• Marketing strategy/plans
  
• Advertising/promotional materials.

Workshops from
6:30pm – 9:30pm

4 consecutive weeks commencing Tues. 17th April

4 evening workshops
1 on-site visit

€70

How to submit a winning tender

Aimed at owner managers who want to enhance their skills in submitting tenders for work.

Topics to be included:

• Where to look for tenders in particular business areas
• How to get included on tender lists
  
• How to respond to tenders in such a way that participants are likely to win the contract

Workshops from
9.30am to 4.30pm

Thursday, 19th April

1 Day Workshop

€30

Financial & Business Management Programme

Aimed at providing owner managers with the tools to interpret financial information in order to enhance the performance of their businesses and plan effectively.

Topics to be included:

• Basic principles of accounting
  
• Principle concepts; profit & loss accounts, balance sheet, cash flows etc.
  
• Cash flow management, budgeting and controls
  
• Costing, pricing and break even analysis
  
• Working capital management
  
• Sources of finance and funding
  
• Key performance indicators to include setting goals and monitoring performance.

Workshops from
9:30am – 4:30pm

Thursday, 19th April
Thursday, 3rd May
Thursday, 17th May
Thursday, 31st May

4 day workshops
3 on-site visits

€150

Effective Sales Techniques

Aimed at ensuring that partipants understand the sales process and develop a sales sequence.

Topics to be included:

• What makes people buy?
• Identifying sales leads.
  
• Preparing for sales conversations.
  
• Negotiations
  
• Monitoring sales process
  
• Closing sales

Workshops from
9:30am – 4:30pm

Thursday, 26th April

1 Day Workshop

€50