2nd June 2017
As part of a nationwide Brexit roadshow, Enterprise Ireland will host a ‘Prepare for Brexit’ forum at Thomand Park in Limerick on Thursday, June 8 from 8.00-10.00 am.
Part of Enterprise Ireland’s #PrepareforBrexit campaign, the Limerick event features speakers from SMEs, large companies and innovative start-ups, including Frank Keane, General Manager, Vitalograph, Clodagh Cavanagh, Managing Director, Abbey Machinery and Niamh Treacy, Financial Accountant, Woodco Energy Ireland along with members of Enterprise Ireland’s Global Team and Brexit Unit, moderated by RTE broadcaster Brian O’Connell. Designed to encourage SMEs to prepare for a hard Brexit, the event provides a platform for robust discussion, information sharing and practical advice around the key issues facing Irish companies.
Central to the roadshow is Enterprise Ireland’s ‘Brexit SME Scorecard’, a new interactive online platform which can be used by all Irish companies to self-assess their exposure to Brexit under six business pillars. Based on answers supplied by the user, the Scorecard generates an immediate report which contains suggested actions and resources, and information on events for companies to attend, to prepare for Brexit.
By completing the online questionnaire, the Brexit SME Scorecard will provide companies with an assessment of their preparedness under six key pillars - Business Strategy, Operations, Innovation, Sales and Marketing, Finance and People Management. The tool is a starting point for SME management teams looking to develop an action plan to help mitigate risks and leverage opportunities which may arise from Brexit.
The ‘Brexit SME Scorecard’ is now available for LEO clients. The scorecard will enable the micro and small enterprise sector to take a first step in preparing for Brexit by conducting their own assessment of areas of potential risk and opportunity, and to then develop a plan of action in response.
Opening the event, Minister of State for Employment and Small Business, Pat Breen T.D. said: “The majority of companies, large and small, will be affected by Brexit. The message is simple - prepare now and be fully equipped to meet both the challenges and the opportunities arising from Brexit. The UK continues to be Ireland’s main trading partner and the aim is to uphold these strong trade relations while also preparing Irish companies to look at new opportunities and expand their reach in international markets.
“Time is of the essence for Irish companies in the Mid-West to prepare for Brexit. The Brexit SME Scorecard aims to highlight to individual companies and businesses some of the key operational areas that may be exposed and help them to begin preparing a strategy to deal with these challenges.”
Jerry Moloney, Mid-West Regional Director, Enterprise Ireland said: “Over 700 companies have completed the Enterprise Ireland Brexit SME Scorecard since it was launched just over a month ago. As a next step on the road to preparing for Brexit, these regional roadshows will provide Irish companies with the opportunity to hear firsthand how other companies, of all sizes, are preparing for Brexit. Enterprise Ireland’s Global Team and Brexit Unit will give insights into the challenges and opportunities Brexit presents, and the practical supports that are available to companies.
“The UK continues to be Ireland’s main trading partner and our objective is to equip our client companies to strengthen their presences in the UK, while also preparing them to look at diversifying into new international markets.”
While the SME Scorecard is available to all companies, Enterprise Ireland client exporting companies that utilise the Brexit Scorecard will be able to engage with the agency’s experts both domestically and through the overseas offices in global markets. Enterprise Ireland will also provide funding up to the value of €5,000 to exporting clients to support the development of a business action plan. Enterprise Ireland will then work with these companies on a one-to-one basis to support the implementation of the plan.
‘Prepare for Brexit’ roadshows have taken place in Cork, Waterford, Monaghan and Galway and a further event is planned for Dublin.
The platform can be accessed at www.prepareforbrexit.ie
