Thirty-eight of the best small businesses in Ireland are undertaking a strategic management masterclass in the Hodson Bay Hotel, Athlone this weekend, as part of their prize-package for being short-listed as finalists in the SFA (Small Firms Association ) National Small Business Awards 2011 competition.
Avine McNally, acting SFA director commented, “Participants will be immersed in an entrepreneurial environment that is sure to stimulate ideas for development and growth. As well as hearing from an expert panel of presenters on such issues as leadership, strategy, finance, marketing, international selling, managing people, and personal effectiveness, companies will be able to share experiences and learn from both from the achievements and the mistakes of others, which is often the best learning”.
The aim of the awards is to celebrate the achievements of small business in Ireland, and to recognise the vital contribution of the small business sector to Irish industry.
“In these challenging times it has been great to see so many small companies positively focused on the growth of their businesses which really gives me confidence that small business will be the vital force in our economy in the coming years,” commented McNally.
The finalists are competing across six categories (manufacturing, food and drink, services, outstanding small business with less than five employees, innovator of the year, and environmental sustainability ) and for the title of Overall Small Business of the Year 2011. Also in attendance at the masterclass are representatives from five new businesses that have been chosen to be featured as the best emerging new businesses.
