New start-up and innovation academy for medical technology

Thu, Jul 12, 2018

A series of start-up presentations to support Galway’s medical device industry will take place in September.

With the high concentration of innovative people in a tight medical device cluster in the west of Ireland, Medical Technology Ireland is hosting a start-up and innovation academy on Thursday September 27.

Business voice must be heard as Brexit deadlines come and go, says Chamber president

Thu, Jul 05, 2018

As part of last week’s meeting of the EU Council and in light of the snail’s pace in negotiations between the UK and EU, Galway Chamber has called on the EU27 and the UK government to provide clarity to business on what the future trade relationship post March 2019 will be.

You’re the presentation – not the slideshow

Thu, Jul 05, 2018

Q: I’ve an interview for manager of a business incubation centre. They want me to present for ten minutes on ‘What I will achieve in the first year’ – but, and here’s the rub, they have stipulated that I can’t use PowerPoint or Prezi. Zero technology. How should I approach this? (EH, email).

A: With relish, writes Liam Horan, Career Coach, Sli Nua Careers.

Are you getting the best deal on car finance?

Thu, Jun 14, 2018

Thinking of buying a new car in the coming months? Then you’ve no doubt heard about Personal Contract Plans or PCPs. These car finance agreements have been getting a lot of attention – and not always for the right reasons. The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) recently released the first public analysis of PCPs in Ireland. The report found that a third of new car purchases in Ireland are now financed by PCP agreements.

New research shows survival rates of Irish restaurants much higher than perceived

Thu, Jun 14, 2018

A new study by researchers from Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) shows that the average failure rate for Irish restaurants in the first year is just 15 per cent.

Your Career, Your Choices

Thu, Jun 14, 2018

Q: “I come from the other side of the fence - I work in HR and sit on interview panels a few times a month. One thing that really galls me is when a candidate communicates with only one or two members of a three-person panel. I’ve seen engineers only properly engage with the engineer on the panel. It always annoys me and turns me against the candidate. Perhaps it is a topic on which you could elaborate?” - DC, email.

NUI Galway spin-out Neurent Medical raises €9.3 million in funding

Thu, Jun 07, 2018

Neurent Medical Limited, a Galway-based medical device company specialising in the treatment of rhinitis, an inflammatory disease of the nose, has raised €9.3 million in a Series A funding round.

Neylons Facility Management wins for Ireland in Warsaw

Thu, Jun 07, 2018

Neylons Facility Management from Loughrea, County Galway, Ireland has been named Winner of the Workplace and People Development Award in the Grand Final of this year’s European Business Awards sponsored by RSM, at an awards ceremony held in Warsaw.

Manufacturing Solutions 2018 takes place

Thu, Jun 07, 2018

Ireland’s largest manufacturing supply chain conference and trade exhibition - Manufacturing Solutions 2018 - has just gotten bigger, with this year’s event estimated to be worth in excess of €170,000 to the local hospitality sector.

How to make your overseas experience work at home

Thu, Jun 07, 2018

Q: “I have been working as a primary school teacher in London for six years. I’ve worked in some challenging schools, to say the least – in almost every class, I had children from backgrounds where drug and alcohol misuse was rampant. Behaviour was a constant issue in those schools. I have got on quite well. I’ve also done some courses on school leadership. Now I want to move back to my home place in rural Ireland. I’m afraid that what I have done in London won’t really be relevant to rural or small town schools in Ireland, and that I should tone down my CV. Any advice?” (CT, email).

Clearing away the career change fog

Thu, May 31, 2018

Q: I’m thinking about a career change. Well, to be honest, I’m thinking about thinking about a career change. I don’t even know where to start. Can you give me any pointers? Before I even go to meet somebody such as a coach or career direction specialist, I would like to think about questions I should be asking myself. (IT, email).

A: Your confusion is apparent in your question, IT. Career change is all about working through that confusion, rather than backing away from it – chances are if you back away, the confusion will persist or return, or you will live to regret your inaction, writes Brendan Heneghan, Career Coach, Sli Nua Careers.

How to Improve Employee Performance

Fri, May 25, 2018

Although a study in 2017 showed that the average Irish worker only has a 22.2 hour working week, this is certainly not true across all levels of the career ladder. In many professions, the number of hours worked each week far exceeds this number and, in fact, exceeds the 40 hour week which is held up as the standard. For example, those working in the Irish agricultural and forestry industries work over 50 hours per week, while managers and directors in Ireland work an average of 42.6 hours each week. However, it is not only by increasing the number of hours worked that employee productivity can be improved so here are some top tips to increase efficiency in the workplace.

Quarter of all workers in Western Region live in Galway city labour catchment

Thu, May 24, 2018

The Galway City labour catchment is the largest labour catchment in the Western Region with over 70,000 living there and ‘at work’ (70,170) — accounting for 26.9% of the total resident ‘at work’ population within the Western Region (260,261).

This is one of the findings of a new report carried out by the Western Development Commission (WDC), which has carried out in-depth research into the commuting patterns of those at work in the Western Region.

Galway Chamber — Ag cothú gnó le chéile

Thu, May 17, 2018

Are you a member of Galway Chamber? How can you benefit from being one? Here is a flavour of what the Chamber does.

Engineer, entrepreneur, and futurist Nell Watson to speak at AtlanTec 2018

Thu, May 17, 2018

The Information Technology Association Galway (ITAG) is getting ready to welcome Nell Watson as one of the speakers at this year’s AtlanTec conference, which will focus on The Art of AI and Machine Learning.

From teaching computer science at 24 to co-founding a successful graffiti arts company, Nell Watson has an art for bridging the gap between humanities and tech. A dynamo with a philosophical edge, her ability to easily traverse, understand, and innovate within these two worlds is apparent throughout her impressive portfolio of work.

Blake & Kenny Solicitors awarded national law firm awards

Thu, May 17, 2018

Leading Galway law firm Blake & Kenny Solicitors has been named Property, Planning and Probate Law Firm of the Year for Connacht and Ulster in the prestigious 2018 Irish Law Awards.

Expanding Irish medtech solutions company opens in Galway

Thu, May 10, 2018

i360medical, a leading Irish based international healthcare solutions and medical device company, has announced the opening of a new Galway office, based in the Innovation Hubs (iHubs) at Galway Mayo Institute of Technology (GMIT).

Corrandulla pharmacist finalist in national awards

Thu, May 10, 2018

Corrandulla pharmacist Justin O’Connell has been nominated for a prestigious national award, which could yet see him crowned Pharmaton People’s Pharmacist of the Year 2018.

Playing the waiting game

Thu, May 10, 2018

Q: I went for an interview with a company four weeks ago and they said they would get back to me by the end of the following week. I haven’t heard a dicky bird since. I’m getting anxious, even though I don’t have anything else on the horizon. Should I contact them? I don’t want to feel like I’m harassing them either. (PL, email).

A: In my experience, recruitment takes a long while in Ireland. Every company seems to promise that they will get back to you “by the end of the following week”, but it often takes a lot longer. At this time of the year, there are a lot of bank holidays which often slow up the process further.