From speed mentoring to serious Lego play

By Daniel O’Neill

A wide variety of engaging events have been announced this week as part of this year’s Local Enterprise Week in Cork city.

Organised by the Local Enterprise Office, Cork City, the in-person and online events run from 3 to 7 March.

One of the featured events includes Enterprise After Dark, a workshop that discusses the challenges and what it’s like to work during the night. Some notable figures speaking at the event include Michelin-starred restaurant owner and Night Czar of London Amy Lamé, restauranteur and author JP McMahon and Nighttime Economy Advisor for Cork City Council, Fiona Collins. The event will be held at Clayton Hotel on Lapp’s Quay on Tuesday 4 March.

Building your Entrepreneurial Mindset with Lego Serious Play will be held by Senior Lecturer in Design Thinking at the School of Education UCC Dr Briony Supple. The event includes using Lego bricks to encourage creative thinking and problem solving, and is aimed at people who want to improve on these skills. It takes place on Wednesday 5 March in 1 Horgan’s Quay.

Stepping Stones to Self-Employment and Beyond will feature two local businesses, Izz Café and Wave & Cave Clothing sharing their stories on how they grew their businesses and what supports were made available to them. The event is for those considering starting their own business, and will take place at Republic of Work on South Mall on Thursday 6 March.

Other events taking place include The Business Advice Clinic, running from 9am to 4pm via Zoom on 3 March and Working Smarter, Not Harder which offers advice on cutting waste and boosting productivity will take place at the Talbot Hotel in Ballincollig on 4 March.

Speed Mentoring will also be held at Millennium Hall, Cork City Hall on 7 March and will give attendees the chance to speak to three mentors about challenges or struggles they may be facing in terms of starting up or running their business. Health on the Go will also take place online on Thursday 6 March and is aimed at those trying to find a healthy work life balance.

Lord Mayor, Cllr Dan Boyle, said: “We’re quite proud of the services that are offered by the Local Enterprise Office here in Cork city. I think the week itself is an opportunity for those we want to see operating more efficient businesses, and indeed more businesses, to learn from the direct experiences of people in the Local Enterprise Office and those who are involved in the local economy already.”