2.1 Business Information & Advisory Services

OBJECTIVE 1: Provision of first stop shop activities in respect of Business Support, Enterprise Development and Promotion, including Signposting.

Local Enterprise Office Kildare developed and enhanced the First Stop Shop referral and advisory services of the Local Enterprise Office embedded in Kildare County Council by working with all strategic enterprise partners at local and national level to deliver a seamless local support and referral system, into Kildare County Council, Enterprise Ireland and signposting to other State agencies.

Our weekly confidential advisory service is open to everyone exploring self-employment as an option or for those who are currently operating a business. Clients are welcome to discuss their venture with a Business Advisor. During these sessions we provide an outline of the services provided by the LEO and equally act as a sounding board for those with business ideas or challenges.

2017 – 2020 IMPLEMENTATION 2021-2024 PLAN

During the period 2017 -2020 we assisted 805 entrepreneurs /interested individuals to identify the most appropriate supports and steps to take to advance their business proposition.

Information on the available finance and government supports provided to 405 participants through specially organised information seminars.

Weekly LEO Kildare newsletter circulated to 3,800 individuals with information on available LEO Kildare courses, programmes, Government business supports and those from other agencies, and helpful information for entrepreneurs and those considering taking the first step in starting their own busines LEO Kildare will increase the impact of our Business Advisory Service/One Stop Shop in the post Covid-19 recovery period by a 20% increase in entrepreneurs/ interested individuals using the service to access high quality information on starting and growing a business in Kildare, and acting as a gateway to the provision of actions outlined in Section 3.

Develop and enhance the LEO Kildare First Stop Shop referral and advisory services by working with all strategic enterprise partners at local and national level to deliver a seamless local support and referral system that will ensure there is a fully informed and aware SME sector and improve the readiness SMEs to address challenges.

OBJECTIVE 2: Make It Easier to do Business

Provide supports, guidance and solutions that make it easier for entrepreneurs, owners, and managers to identify opportunities and implement actions to start-up, grow and survive within a competitive business environment. Typically, these supports include:

General business advice & information

Information & access to other enterprise related government agencies

Advice & information on accessing public procurement processes

Peer information sharing, learning and connections through access to sectoral networks and clusters

Advice on energy efficiency, sustainable development & alternative renewable energy sources

2017 – 2020 IMPLEMENTATION 2021-2024 PLAN

LEO Kildare undertook an extensive client survey to understand the specific training and development needs of these clients. In response we offered extensive Brexit advisory supports, GDPR training, and strategic planning and Lean for Micro support to clients.

Training and support in business planning, mentoring, leadership, governance, capacity building, financial planning and digital innovation toprovided to approximately to approximately 10,000 businesses to help improve their business potential. LEO Kildare will provide relevant, suitable training and business development programmes to enterprises in County Kildare to make it easier to do business in a post Covid business environment.

We have engaged Bridgewater, an independent consultancy, to conduct direct research and needs analysis with the business community and stakeholders in County Kildare. Using this Data, we will mould our supports, guidance and solutions to make it easier for entrepreneurs, owners, and managers to identify opportunities and implement actions to start-up, grow and survive within a competitive business environment.