Partner Profile
SUPPORT IN UNCERTAIN TIMES WITH BREXIT LOOMING ON THE HORIZON, THERE ARE UNCERTAIN TIMES AHEAD ON THE ISLAND OF IRELAND, BUT INTERTRADEIRELAND IS THERE TO OFFER SUPPORT. InterTradeIreland’s quarterly Business Monitor survey is the largest and most comprehensive business survey in Ireland. The monitor covers business owners' views from both the north and south of the island, based upon interviews conducted with more than 750 SMEs. Through its latest survey, InterTradeIreland has been analysing the response from the business community across the island to the UK’s decision to leave the EU. One of the most alarming pieces of information to emerge is that, when asked about making plans to deal with the post-Brexit world, 98 per cent claimed that they had no such plans in place. This lack of planning is thought to be driven by two key issues – the first relating to businesses' understandable focus on the present, and the second to do with a lack of information available. Even before considering the implications of Brexit, there exists already an intensely competitive market for small businesses across the island of Ireland. This is reflected in the respondents to InterTradeIreland’s All-Island Business Monitor, who are already facing the challenges of rising costs of energy and overheads, new competition and difficulties recruiting appropriate skills, as well as many others. Finding the time and resources to plan for potentially significant structural changes is a perennial problem. The second issue facing businesses is the degree of uncertainty surrounding Brexit, due to a perceived deficit in reliable information. This complicates and constrains the scenario-building process for companies looking ahead. InterTradeIreland’s message is simple – while it recognises the pressures facing small business owners dealing with the here and now, there is, nevertheless, a window of opportunity that must be grasped to prepare for the challenges and indeed the opportunities that will be
Sweetspot Sourcing Directors/Owners Fiona Craul and Susan Dempsey
presented by a new cross-border trading relationship. InterTradeIreland currently runs a Brexit Advisory Service, which can be used by businesses to navigate the uncertain times that Brexit has brought about. The agency also has funding up to €5,000 available through its sales and marketing programmes, Elevate and Trade Accelerator Vouchers, which are specifically aimed at micro businesses across a range of sectors. This funding can offer businesses sales and marketing consultancy support to identify and capitalise on cross-border sales opportunities. One company that benefitted from support is Sweetspot Sourcing from Naas, a product sourcing, manufacturing, promotional products and consultancy firm founded by Sue Dempsey and Fiona Craul. “Our experience in the market over the past two years in Northern Ireland has been extremely positive,” says Craul.
“We started with Elevate, and this allowed us to engage with potential clients in Northern Ireland. Our consultant was invaluable in the support and mentorship she offered, and as a direct result we have a number of Northern Irish clients now and a strong pipeline of business. InterTradeIreland has also supported during the uncertainty of Brexit. “There is no doubt that, without the support of the Elevate programme, we would have had to navigate the dayto-day minutiae, which would have prevented us from properly focusing on the Northern Ireland market,” adds Dempsey. “I would encourage other small businesses to look at the range of supports that InterTradeIreland provides.” To apply and find out more about the Elevate programme visit www.intertradeireland.com/elevate. For other InterTradeIreland supports visit www.intertradeireland.com. SFA | BETTER BUSINESS 75
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