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Plato Louth/Newry & Mourne News & EventsIf you would like to book or receive more information on any of the Plato Louth Newry & Mourne events please contact Una at or phone 042 9327169 or 087 6812031.
Past Events Plato’s National Networking Day 2007 Over 150 companies attended the annual Plato National Networking Event in M ay. As it is a national event, its planning is a collaborative affair between all the Plato regions nationally, i.e. Belfast, Blackwater, Louth Newry Mourne, Mid West, Cork and Dublin, and attendees are welcomed from all over. As the title states, this event is all about the networking, and in this case, speed networking, which proved hugely successful. The feedback from the event would suggest that the speed networking element of the day was the main attraction and did not disappoint, with attendees leaving the event with business cards falling out of every pocket. Many claimed to have made viable business connections. Barry Murphy of 'Après Match' brought a light-hearted element to the day with his après lunch presentation, or rather that of his German alter-ego 'Gunter'. The afternoon also involved an interactive workshop delivered by Professor Connell Fanning and Dr Eleanor Doyle of University College Cork. The subject area for the workshop was 'Clusters and how to make them work'. A very successful day that Plato hope’s will be repeated next year. Plato’s Summer BBQ Current and past core programme participants were invited to partake in a spot of golf on this, perhaps the most beautiful day of the year in terms of weather. Those who teed off said it was a wonderful day for golf and they thoroughly enjoyed it. It was mentioned on numerous occasions that Plato staff must have done something right to earn such fabulous sunshine, and the sun did not stop shining. Those who played golf were later joined by other core programme members, group leaders, board members and funders, for what turned out to be a great BBQ, thanks to the staff at the Nuremore. Of course, being a Plato event, the food and drink did not prevent anyone from carrying out some successful networking! A wonderful day that we hope can be repeated next year. Creativity & Innovation Seminar - Jason Donaghy This was an enjoyable and inspirational day-long seminar, presented by Jason Donaghy. Ten Plato members attended the intensive event and each of them said they found it thought provoking and felt the innovative and creative models and exercises presented were very applicable and could prove to be very beneficial to their business in the current ever-changing business climate. This seminar was very much an interactive one and Jason successfully managed to get all attendees participating enthusiastically. Team Building Workshops - Optimum Results Upon commencing the Plato core programme, Plato participants quickly realise that the success of the programme rests on the degree of openness at each group’s monthly meetings and the willingness of each individual member to share experiences and knowledge. In order to create this environment of trust and openness, each team took part in a workshop at their September monthly meeting, which hopefully will enable them to be confident in the skills needed to build, lead and motivate effective teams. Plato’s M1 Dublin to Belfast Cross-Border Corridor To Success Conference - “From Nags to Riches” 120 attended this all-day cross-border motivational conference. The day was designed to highlight the Dublin to Belfast corridor as an area of great success and opportunity and to provide attendees with often difficult-to-find information on both financial and non-financial supports available to businesses along this geographic stretch. It was tailored to motivate and upskill business owners to become great leaders. The objective was to have attendees leaving the event feeling enthusiastic, determined and more confident about your business’ progression. The event was also used as an opportunity to showcase examples of projects & networks where businesses working together can tap into funding and other benefits to stimulate growth. As usual with Plato events, this conference facilitated networking with other businesses and agencies. In the morning, Jim Lawless spoke of 'Taming the Tiger' within us all. He is the only speaker to have developed a unique model for personal and business success and proved it in response to an audience challenge. He put his life on the line by becoming a licensed jockey in 12 months from being an overweight non-rider. Jim’s presentation was both light-hearted and mind-expanding, and the feedback from all 120 attendees was amazing, with an overall consensus that the presentation as inspiring. Following a wonderful lunch supplied by Dundalk Stadium, attendees had the opportunity to attend two of three afternoon workshops: Jay Bourke’s Business Mentoring session; Alma McManus’ Clothesology session; and Grainne O'Malley's Financial Success workshop. Each session proved extremely popular, with each one offering something different. The idea behind these workshops was to give attendees the basic tools needed when owning and managing a SME in Ireland. So whether someone wanted to gain financial planning advice, first hand owner-manager advice, or tips on how to give your business the right image through your own image, there truly was something for everyone at this event. The Marketing Masterclass - Denise Fay of Achieve Marketing Following a survey completed by Plato LNM during the summer, it emerged that the majority of our current members identified sales and marketing as an area in which they would like training. Denise Fay, a Plato core programme participant) met with all of our current core programme participants in order to determine the areas of marketing that are of interest to them. Every business has different, more specific needs, and so this tailored seminar was designed to address Plato LNM members’ individual requirements. 18 members, past and present, attended this seminar, and the feedback was very positive. Marketing is an extremely broad subject area and Denise only had a morning to cover the areas of interest, and she did so most effectively. Plato LNM Christmas Meeting & Party All three Plato LNM groups (Drogheda, Dundalk and Newry/Kilkeel) joined forces for their December monthly meeting in Drogheda Concentrates. This was an opportunity for all members to share experiences with one another and to enjoy a fun evening of festivities together. John Oakes very kindly hosted the meeting in Drogheda Concentrates. Eamonn Fitzpatrick of FM Environmental (also a Plato past participant) presented himself to the group and showed a BBC produced documentary in his company. This, along with the Q&A session really gave the group an insight into the ups and downs of an entrepreneur like themselves, and into the difficulties associated with family succession. Following Eamonn’s presentation, we (group members, group leaders, Plato LNM staff) made our way to Bru Restaurant where Colm Devine (Plato member) and his staff served up a wonderful meal (as well as some good wine!). It was a super night, and having spoken to some members since, it would seem that the three groups enjoyed meeting each other once again.
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