2009 funding secured for Financial Solutions Skillnet

Thu, Dec 18, 2008

Financial Solutions Skillnet (FSS) has been awarded €136,500 to continue its subsidised training programme in 2009. The network of more than 60 members offers tailored training courses and networking events to financial services companies and the banking sector.

“We are delighted that our funding application has been approved for next year”, said Nuala Martyn, network manager of Financial Solutions Skillnet. “We had a very busy year in 2008 and network members were really happy that we could bring more than 50 tailored training courses to their doorstep at affordable prices.

Chamber traffic forum hears from interested parties at second full meeting

Thu, Dec 18, 2008

Galway Chamber’s Traffic and Transport Forum under the chairmanship of Dr Chris Coughlan, met for the second full forum meeting last week and heard submissions from interested parties regarding the future of Galway’s transport infrastructure.

The need for advertising in a recession

Thu, Dec 04, 2008

In times of a downturn one of the easiest areas to cut is advertising. It is easy because managers can simply decide to make the cut and, unless they are tied into a contract, then do it. It’s not like trying to get a reduction in rent, which means negotiating with the landlord, or reducing overheads like phone or electricity bills which entails putting controls and systems in place. Advertising can be cut, just like that.

You would do this, of course, only if you view advertising as an overhead. If you consider it an investment, which your marketing budget is, you wouldn’t dream of cutting it. Marketing, which includes advertising, is an investment in growing your business.

KPMG Galway candidates achieve impressive results in exams

Thu, Dec 04, 2008

KPMG in Galway has announced that three of its people have achieved some of the highest results in Ireland in the final accounting exams of The Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland (ICAI). Galway based Caoimhe McLoughlin (second place) John Harney (third place) and Maria Morris (joint eighth place) are all based at the accounting firm’s Eyre Square offices.

Irish shoppers attracted by offers and promotions as recession bites

Thu, Nov 27, 2008

Despite an ongoing recession Ireland will head European Christmas household spending this year, according to an annual survey by accounting firm Deloitte.

Irish find work-life balance no hassle

Thu, Nov 27, 2008

A new EU-wide survey reveals that after the Finns and the Dutch, the Irish find it easiest to combine work and family life.

Almost six out of 10 (59 per cent) say it is very or fairly easy to combine the two.

And the password is cheers

Thu, Nov 27, 2008

The gushing garden fountain, giant ‘triffid’-like plants, towers, and parapets are all dead giveaways. This is no ordinary entrance; this is no formulaic hotel.

Leading architects open office in Galway

Thu, Nov 27, 2008

OBK Equator European Architects has expanded its Irish practice by opening a dedicated office in Galway. The office will be lead by Eugene Mulcaire, former principal director and driving force behind OKM Architects. His completed projects include; the sustainably designed Galway City Webworks and Bus Station, Castlehope mixed use development, Fairgreen mixed use development and other significant works.

Recent large-scale master planning projects have included Crown Plaza, Mervue, now under construction; and the nine-acre architectural and urban redesign in the heart of Tuam town centre at Bishops Palace, currently with An Bord Pleanala.

Leading architects open office in Galway

Thu, Nov 27, 2008

OBK Equator European Architects has expanded its Irish practice by opening a dedicated office in Galway. The office will be lead by Eugene Mulcaire, former principal director and driving force behind OKM Architects. His completed projects include; the sustainably designed Galway City Webworks and Bus Station, Castlehope mixed use development, Fairgreen mixed use development and other significant works.

Cotton Box awarded Ardilaun contract

Thu, Nov 27, 2008

Clarinbridge-based interior design company, Cotton Box Design Group, has been awarded the contract to provide a complete interior design package for the new extension planned for the The Ardilaun hotel.

Marketing in a recession

Thu, Nov 27, 2008

Welcome to the first of six articles on marketing in a recession. In the last few months the companies I have met with have been divided into two camps regarding the recession. About half of them were cutting back on everything possible in an attempt to ride out the storm. The other half have been re-evaluating their marketing strategy and increasing their spend. Which is right?

Seminar to discuss how to create wealth in a recession

Thu, Nov 27, 2008

Entrepeneur, stock market trader, investor, seasoned stock market trainer, accountant and MBA holder Pat Lynch is running a seminar in Galway this weekend teaching the tools to make money in the stock market in a recession.

Regional businesses to ‘go to the wall before Christmas’, warns Healy Eames

Thu, Nov 20, 2008

Regional businesses are at risk of “going to the wall” before Christmas, due to their inability to access credit so the banks must “urgently provide cash flow” to protect the city’s businesses and economy.

Dublin is world's ninth dearest retail city

Thu, Nov 20, 2008

Dublin has ranked ninth in a league table of the world's most expensive places to have a retail business, the latest survey from CB Richard Ellis (CBRE) shows.

Dublin is more expensive than Los Angeles and Milan but cheaper than New York, Hong Kong, Moscow and London which make up the top four.

NCPP director to speak at Galway event

Thu, Nov 20, 2008

NCPP director Lucy Fallon-Byrne will be the keynote speaker at a conference on workplace strategy taking place in Galway next week.

Gaillimh le Gaeilge’s search begins for the best bilingual business

Thu, Nov 20, 2008

Gradam Sheosaimh Uí Ógartaigh the annual business award that recognises, honours and celebrates all the great bilingual work done in Galway City is now open for nominations.

Money talks … speak wisely

Thu, Nov 20, 2008

The telephone is a powertool in sales, it is one of the most widely used tools for increasing business, it produces excellent and predictable results, yet it is something sales people will always try to avoid.

Rid your home of the silent killer

Thu, Nov 20, 2008

Radon gas, known as the silent killer, is a naturally occurring radioactive gas which you cannot see, smell or taste, but it may be present in your home. In fact, the west of Ireland has the highest radon levels in the country. But fear not, a new and innovative invention will be hitting the market early next year which could rid your home of this harmful killer.

Women are more qualified, are getting more jobs, but less pay

Thu, Nov 13, 2008

Female Honours Bachelor Degree graduates are performing better academically and are more likely to be employed than their male counterparts but are still, on average, ending up with lower salaries, according to the report, What Do Graduates Do? The Class of 2006, published this week by the Higher Education Authority (HEA).

Females are more likely to achieve the highest award class (first class honours) in almost every faculty (except veterinary medicine and architecture), furthermore more females than males gained employment nine months after graduation, however these higher grades and greater employment levels for females are not borne out by salaries. More females (six per cent) than males (four per cent) reported earning less than €12,999 (lowest salary bracket) while twice as many males as females reported earning over €45,000 (highest salary bracket).

Taking advantage of Olympics and Volvo race among priorities for new Chamber president in west

Thu, Nov 13, 2008

Taking advantage of the spin-off from the London Olympic Games of 2012 and next year’s Volvo Ocean Race should be uppermost in the minds of Galway businesses, according to the newly-elected president of Galway Chamber.

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