Two hundred attend Taking Care of Business event in Galway

Thu, Mar 27, 2014

Around 200 small business owners and managers attended a one-stop-shop event for SMEs, Taking Care of Business, held in the Radisson Blu Hotel, Galway, on Tuesday.

Knowing about the place where you want to work

Thu, Mar 27, 2014

Q: I felt I was going grand in a recent job interview – I had dealt comfortably with all the questions about my CV, my training and strengths. But I stumbled badly at the end when they asked me what I knew about the company. The truth was I knew very little: I had a look at their website but I found it very technical. Plus I don’t know anyone working there. I took a bit of a guess about one product they have – and got it wrong. I didn’t get the job. Even though I know I did poorly, I’m not sure how I could have prepared any better for this question in the circumstances. Any pointers? (GMcC, email).

Whats your Investment Philosophy?

Thu, Mar 27, 2014

Two weeks ago, in this paper, I wrote an article on what I believe are the main barriers to successful investing. I described how the Investment Industry has created and cultivated a belief that when it comes to managing your money, Process and Philosophy are one and the same. They do this by effectively packaging and productising different investment approaches into complex, black- box type structures and, as a result, most of us come to believe that successful investing is tied into single, point-in-time strategies rather than any long term philosophy.

Whats your Investment Philosophy?

Thu, Mar 27, 2014

Two weeks ago, in this paper, I wrote an article on what I believe are the main barriers to successful investing. I described how the Investment Industry has created and cultivated a belief that when it comes to managing your money, Process and Philosophy are one and the same. They do this by effectively packaging and productising different investment approaches into complex, black- box type structures and, as a result, most of us come to believe that successful investing is tied into single, point-in-time strategies rather than any long term philosophy.

French, German and English speakers needed for gaming giant in Galway

Thu, Mar 20, 2014

Kelly Services, the leading workforce solutions provider, has this week announced that it is currently recruiting for a further 200 positions on behalf of leading gaming giant, ZeniMax, who have recently established their European operations in Galway.

As the creator of a series of popular games including The Elder Scrolls series, ZeniMax is looking for high quality employees to become Gaming Agents, working in a state-of-the-art customer service centre to support the launch of The Elder Scrolls Online, their first Massive Multiplayer Online game.

Galway-based company signs agreement to roll out EU business transformation process

Thu, Mar 20, 2014

LEAP, the Galway-based management and leadership development organisation, has signed a licence agreement to deliver the fully accredited, transformational futureSME business process in Ireland.

Galway can grab greater slice of €450bn sport tourism product

Thu, Mar 13, 2014

Galway can advance its already strong sport tourism product and grab a greater slice of the €450bn global industry in the sector, the organisers of a major think-tank of international experts in the field in May have stated.

Clocking up the miles was crucial in Project Joe

Thu, Mar 13, 2014

We will call him Joe (because that’s not his real name, with a passing doff of the cap to Con Houlihan). Joe is a salesman. He took up the redundancy offer last May. Summer holidays beckoned, and he was happy to spend a few months hanging out, for the want of a better phrase, with his seven year-old son.

The fact that it was the summer of 2013 – the warmest summer in aeons – convinced him his decision was an inspired one.

Major increase in CAO applications for GMIT construction programmes

Thu, Mar 13, 2014

The latest CAO figures (March 2014) show a bounce back in demand for construction and civil engineering programmes in GMIT. Applications for the honours degree in construction economics and quantity surveying are up 80 per cent this year on last, while applications for the honours degree in architectural technology are up 43 per cent.

Other discipline areas showing significant increase compared to last year are business and information system management, mechanical engineering, and film and documentary.

Graham’s School of Motoring turns 45 this year

Thu, Feb 27, 2014

A Galway driving school which has been advertising with the Galway Advertiser classifieds since the first edition in 1970 is marking its 45th year in business this year.

Aerogen growth continues with thirteen new jobs in Galway

Thu, Feb 20, 2014

Galway-based medical device and drug delivery company Aerogen has announced that it is creating thirteen new high-tech positions at its base in Dangan.

Business owners who have taken part in ManagementWorks programmes are already noticing the difference

Thu, Feb 20, 2014

ManagementWorks, an initiative by the state agency Skillnets, provides a range of subsidised training programmes to SMEs under the Government’s Action Plan for Jobs. Over 700 business people are currently participating on ManagmentWorks Programmes across the country and are already seeing the concrete impact it is having on company performance.

ManagementWorks will be bringing their high impact Business Growth programme back to the Galway area in March 2014 along with their new building Financial Capability programme.

Learning the lessons from teaching job hunt

Thu, Feb 20, 2014

Q: I qualified as a primary school teacher last year. I’ve spent the last few months sending out CVs, but to no avail. Some of my friends are saying I should call into schools, rather than sending on CVs, but I think that might only make a nuisance of me to the principals. I’ve only got a few days subbing along the way. Even though I have applied for about eight longer-term positions (maternity leaves, mainly), I have only got called for one interview, and I didn’t get the job. I’m beginning to despair. Any tips? (DR, email)

Ballinasloe-based association awarded European Commission contract

Thu, Feb 06, 2014

The Association of Ireland Festival Events (AOIFE) based in the Town Hall Theatre, Ballinasloe has been contracted by the EU Commission as one of 28 festival hubs in a major, pilot festival labelling and awards programme for the next two years.

Ulster Bank helps Galway companies ‘Get Ahead for Business’

Thu, Feb 06, 2014

Ulster Bank this week hosted a breakfast business event to help companies in Galway and the surrounding area plan for 2014 and beyond. The event took place in the Radisson Blu Hotel, Galway and is part of the Bank’s networking series, Ahead for Business.

KPMG — at the heart of commerce in the west for almost four decades

Thu, Feb 06, 2014

Leading accountants and business advisers KPMG have been at the heart of commerce in the West of Ireland for almost 35 years. While the economic environment has changed immensely in that period some things have stayed the same.

One of these constant themes is the need for timely and relevant support and advice on a range of matters for all businesses- regardless of scale or sector.

Working from home — how to find and keep your motivation

Thu, Jan 30, 2014

If you want to find and keep your motivation in 2014, this seminar is for you! Nowadays, many of us work from home. We may be in business, setting up a business or looking for employment – whatever the situation, we face similar issues. Have you ever found yourself sharpening pencils or checking social media instead of tackling an important task?

Whether you currently work from home, are considering it as an option, or just want to find and keep motivation, you will learn a variety of tools and techniques to keep you on track.

Galway companies develops students’ commitment to completing Leaving Cert

Thu, Jan 30, 2014

Employees in some of Galway’s top companies recently welcomed fifth year students from local schools into their premises to give them a chance to see what it is really like to work there, as part of the Schools Business Partnership (SBP) which facilitates partnerships between schools and local businesses.

KBC Galway hosts ‘Change Your Bank Day’

Thu, Jan 30, 2014

KBC Bank Ireland is hosting ‘Change Your Bank Day’ in its Eyre Square hub in Galway on this Saturday February 1. With many consumers re-assessing their personal finance arrangements early in the year and Danske customers researching alternative banking arrangements, KBC is opening for a full day on Saturday to offer greater flexibility to customers seeking to change banks.

VAT 2014 and beyond

Thu, Jan 23, 2014

From 1 January 2014, businesses which have not paid for supplies (either in full or in part) within a six month period will be required to repay to Revenue the VAT previously reclaimed on these supplies. This is mainly an anti-fraud measure, however it is hoped that it will encourage prompt payments, thus increasing cash flow for suppliers, as we all know that cash is king!! Where the supplier is subsequently paid, the amount of deductible VAT can be reclaimed by the customer again. This is measured on a pro rata basis.

E-paper

Read this weeks E-paper. Past editions also available from within this weeks digital copy.