Have You Been Left Behind by Digital Marketing?

Dungarvan Enterprise Centre in association with Digital Marketing Institute are delighted to run the highly sought after Professional Diploma in Digital Marketing again in April 2014.

This globally recognised qualification carries with it the distinction of being the only course available to carry the much coveted Digital Marketing Institute accreditation as well as the brand awareness associated with it.

All course materials and lectures are identical to those used in the Dublin courses so participants will enjoy all the advantages of this excellent course without the hassle of travelling to Dublin.

This course is specifically designed for those responsible for developing and implementing their organisation's online marketing strategy. People that could benefit immensely from this course are small business owners, IT and Marketing Managers as well as anyone from a marketing background.

Course Content 

A former graduate of the course summed up her interpretation of the courses' suitability by saying "It's suited to anyone who is being tasked with creating a marketing plan for their business or workplace" Director of Irish Operations, TEFL Express

The key output of the course is a digital marketing plan for your business.

The Digital Marketing Institute is Ireland's top provider of courses in online skills and marketing strategies. It has worked with Internet giants such as Facebook, Twitter, Google and eBay and their expertise is one that is sought after by hundreds of companies.

Another participant in last years course had this to say  "I have worked in the marketing industry through a pace of change that is challenging for marketers to stay on top of! The need to understand the implications of emerging technologies and trends is more important than ever; the change in strategies from 'sell sell sell' to 'engage engage engage' and the move from 'brands being seen' to 'brands being found' means that Digital Marketing education is becoming more and more important" Project Officer, WIT

Cost is €1500 with an early bird discount of €250 if you book before March 14th. Small businesses can also avail of a 15% rebate from Waterford County Enterprise Board. 

Further details or to book your place please contact Mags on 058 23598 or email dungarvanec@gmail.com

Other testimonials include: 

"What I found most useful about the course was the content.  It covered all the areas of digital marketing that I required in order to successfully return to marketing.  Of particular interest to me was the SEO, Analytics and Email Marketing lectures as these were areas I was less knowledgeable on and the lectures provided me with the tools I required to be able to confidently say yes this is something I can now do. I found the access to the notes, which were provided prior to each lecture, most helpful as I was able to print these out and write in my own notes during the lecture. Since undertaking the course I have secured a new job in marketing.  I instantly noticed my
confidence levels and expertise when talking about digital marketing in my interview were paramount and I was even able to present a digital marketing strategy to my new employers. This course definitely stood to me and without it I would never have been able to return to marketing." Marketing Professional, PE Global 

I took the course because I felt we were being left behind in the world of digital marketing and I needed to come up to speed.  What I found most helpful was the push it gave me to design a  digital marketing strategy and to just get out there and get posting as opposed to sitting wondering where to start. Owner-Manager, Engineering Firm 

CROWDFUNDING WORKSHOP WITH LORNA SIXSMITH

Lorna Sixsmith Media Consultant and author at Write on Track

When: Thur 20th March, 9.30-13.00 
Where: Town Hall, Augustines Street, Dungarvan 
How much: €35 per person 

 What is Crowdfunding?
Crowdfunding is usually used in the creative world where someone has  publish a book, film or music they want published and can't find funding to get started,
 By reaching out to the public via the internet and social media you seek donations to get your project up and running. Members of the  public are asked to donate any amount they wish to enable you to produce your product. This can be as small as €10 or as large as €1,000, it is up to the donor, there is no pay back on the money and no necessary gain for the lender.  Two of the well-known sites for Crowdfunding are Kickstarter and Fundit.

Crowdfunding has many advantages besides providing you with the finance to get started it also develops:
• Brand Awareness
• Free Press Coverage
• The Creation of Brand Ambassadors

One example of brand funding in recent times is that of film Director Simon Fitzmaurice. Simon suffers from motor neuron disease and was successful when he asked the public  through the Ray D’arcy show to fund him in the process of completing his latest film, "My name is Emily".
 Lorna offers training and bogging services to SME's and start-ups. She works with many of the Enterprise Boards and Partnerships as a social media trainer and mentor.
Lorna's blog has reached the final of the Irish Blog Awards and Social Media Awards on numerous occasions. She has spoken about her blogging and social media platforms at various national conferences and business events. She is a successful Crowdfunder and has self-published her book "Would you marry a farmer".

The content of the workshop entails:
• Explaining the concept of Crowdfunding
• How much should you ask for ?
• What needs to go in a pitch/video?
• The importance of creating rewards that people want
• The importance of community and social media

Participants will be put into groups (e.g 5) and provided with different sample projects. They will decide on
• Main message
• Time Scale
• Selection of rewards
• Action Plan/ social media/press strategy.

For more information on this workshop you can contact Mags on 058 23598 or email: dungarvanec@gmail.com

SALES STRATEGY WORKSHOP WITH MICHAEL GARLAND.

When: Tue 11th March, 9.30-13.00
Where: Town Hall, Augustine Street, Dungarvan 
How much: €35 per person 

Dungarvan Enterprise Centre are delighted to have secured Michael Garland founder of Biz Boost  Waterford and former CEO of Waterford Chamber of Commerce to give an interactive work shop on his Sales Strategy “Best is Best”
The workshop explores some of the key techniques needed to drive a business forward in today’s tough economic climate. The interactive session will consist of Michael giving an introduction of his background in Sales and Marketing. His own key skills and traits and how he found his own unique selling pitch in terms of selling himself and the business. Some of his talking points

• Getting rid of the attitude “I can’t sell”
• Getting people out of their comfort zone
• How business can go wrong
• How to bring staff on board with selling and contributing to the business
• How to make your business and staff stand out from the crowd
• Communication ideas
• How to get your customers to love you

About Michael Garland
Michael is a vibrant inspirational and engaging leader with a hand on approach to work. He has created a proven track record, is an extremely successful negotiator and has a very long and successful list of professional achievements.
In 2013 Michael founded BizBoost in Waterford. The company specialises in working with SME’s to realign Sales and Marketing strategies.  From 2009 to 2013 he held the position of C.E.O of Waterford Chamber of Commerce and under his guidance and hard work the chamber has returned to profitability.
Previous to this he held the position of Director of Golf at the Waterford Castle Hotel &Golf Club where he quickly built the reputation as a respected industry leader. Michael has also held positions in the Royal Highland Centre, Edinburgh, Scotland and the Turret Group England.

Some testimonials from companies that have dealt with Michael and BizBoost.

Business Owner & Managing Director:
“Michael Garland is an excellent person to have on any Business Team. Straight Talking – Action Focused. Since joining the Team, on a change management, mentoring and coaching basis, Michael has focused on sales, marketing and restructuring activities and we have seen an immediate result. He is the guy who will always be on the Winning Team.  Strongly recommended.”

Business Owner:
“Michael listens, reviews and coaches actions,with individuals taking responsibility for their own change. Michael’s winning influence on our company is an attributable factor to our business winning a number of National Industry Awards in 2013. We will continue to use Michael as an impact trainer/coach/mentor as part of our Award Winning Team.”

For more information on this workshop contact Mags on 058-23598 or email:dungarvanec@gmail.com

Results of Online Survey "What Can We Do For You"

In recent weeks we ran an online survey to find out your needs in terms of training. In the region of 95% agreed they needed training in both digital skills and business skills.

Statistics for digital skills show that the areas most people are interested in developing are:

Twitter for business 52%, Facebook for business 56% and Web design 46%.

In relation to developing business skills the most popular areas that you wanted training in are

• Advertising 55%
• Increasing Sales 51% 
• Building Brands 47%

When asked what areas would you like a speaker to give a talk/ seminar on, the most popular topics are

• Advertising 55%  
• Entrepreneurialism 38%
• Innovation and Branding (both 36%)

.

The most popular time for the workshops/training to take place was between 9 -1 (62%) and after hours 6-9 (34%)

In relation to fees for the workshops most people felt the the region of €25-35(36%) was an acceptable price with the price range of €20-25 and €35-45 very similar at 23% and 25% respectively.

When asked if there is anything you would be interested in having us facilitate mentoring was the main area that you sought along with web design and marketing skills.

Thank you for your help with this. Watch this space for our programme of events and also to see who wins a free place on one of our courses

Computers and the Internet? Let Dungarvan Enterprise Centre Get You Started

We are again this year offering a basic computer course which will concentrate on basic computing and the Internet.

The course is open to the absolute beginner who has little or no knowledge of computing and the Internet,so if  you have a son, daughter, mother, father or grandparent who have yet to get started or have just never gotten around to take that class this is the course for them. The topics to be covered include:

• What is a browser
• Using a Search Engine
• Setting up an e-mail Account
• Sending an e-mail
• Searching for and booking a holiday/flight
• Using Skype

The course will be run over four 2 hour sessions and will progress at the speed of the students,so no one will be left behind. As it is being subsidised by the government grant scheme BenefIT 4 the cost of the course will amount to just €10. The course begins mid February.

If you know anyone who would like to participate, contact Mags at  058-23598 or e-mail dungarvanec@gmail.com.
image courtesy of (isophere) Free Digital Photos.net

Dungarvan Enterprise Centre Congratulates George Cummins

George Cummins Receiving his Parchment from Professor Ursula Lilkelly

We send our best wishes for the future to George Cummins, Dungarvan who was placed in the top 24 from a class of 176 at the recent U CC Bachelor of Commerce Undergraduate Work Placement Awards 2013/2014. The ceremony took place at U CC on Tuesday January 21st.
The students was nominated by their host employers which consisted of Pfizer's, Ernest & Young, KPMG and FDC Group Dungarvan among others.

George choose the Enterprise Centre for his placement and was with us from April to September 2013. During his time with us he worked on the

• Bill Liao seminar
• BenifIT 4 Grant training
• DMI course 
• Market research 
• Training needs analysis
• Digital marketing for DEC 

George contributed greatly to the centre through his enthusiasm, energy and his natural flair for marketing. We wish George continued success.

George with Mags Durand O'Connor,.The Centre Manager

George with 3 fellow recipients from Waterford

The 24 finalists with Prof Ursula Kilkelly, Dr.Edward Shinnick, Dr. Noel Woods and Ms. Sheila Byrne.

Dungarvan Enterprise Centre Makes a Mark at FBD Dungarvan Chamber Awards

The recent FBD Dungarvan Chamber awards showcased some great success stories from Dungarvan Enterprise Centre.

In a year that saw over 200 businesses enter the awards, tenants from the centre were shortlisted in three of twelve categories:

Technology & E-business: TEFL Express 

Best Use of Social Media: TEFL Express 

New Business: BPC Financial Planning 

This is a reflection of the quality of businesses attracted to the centre and we are very proud to be associated with these businesses. 

Centre manager Mags was also nominated & shortlisted in the employee contribution category, which she won. Well done to a very happy Mags! 

Mags pictured with Colette Bannon, Chamber President  receiving her award which was sponsored by McDonald's

The Awards event which took place at Lismore Castle was a very enjoyable evening, which saw a huge turnout from the business community. There was a great sense of community and support at the event, which was very well organised by Dungarvan & West Waterford Chamber.