Amanda Conroy, Mitchelstown in the company of Willie John O’Flynn, Mallow; Sinead O’Connor, Mallow and Brendan Foley, Mallow at the recent LEO Cork North & West Speed Networking event in Mallow. (Photo: Sean Jefferies)

November 28th was a very wet and windy morning for people in Cork, however there were a number of Cork based entrepreneurs who braved the elements to attend the Local Enterprise Office Cork North and West speed networking event with guest speaker international rugby player, Mick Galwey.

The event, which was held at the Mallow GAA complex, began at 8am despite the storm which hurled outside. Over 40 people attended the event to hear guest speakers, Mick Galwey and Liam O’Sullivan of Irish Rollforming, speak about their journeys in life.

Kevin Curran, Head Of Enterprise, Local Enterprise Office kicked off the morning with details of the supports offered by the Local Enterprise Office.

Guest speaker Mick Galway spoke of the comparisons between sport and business, while Liam O’Sullivan spoke about his journey in business and the importance of building a team to grow a business.

When taking questions from the floor he highlighted the importance of working on your business and discussed the importance of being able to set goals and have vision, while being able to keep your feet firmly in the present and on the operations of what is happening today.

Following the inspirational presentations, the event concluded with an energetic and fast moving speed networking exercise facilitated by Theresa Mulvihill, Smart Marketing.

This event was hosted by Local Enterprise Office Cork North and West as a support to making business happen.

According to Joan Kelleher, Business Adviser of the Local Enterprise Office said that in today’s business climate networking with potential clients had never been more important.

“There is a realisation among most sensible business people that they look beyond traditional ways of doing business and the type of promotional activities that they previously engaged in. We have been delighted with the enthusiastic response that this networking initiative has received, which demonstrate that smaller companies are willing to look at every opportunity that presents itself”.

The event received an over whelming thumbs up from all in attendance as they left with an invigorated pep in their step. If you wish to book a place on any of the Local Enterprise Office Training Programmes, visit www.localenterprise.ie/CorkNorthandWest