Scandinavian students enjoy an enterprising visit to Waterford City

From March 24^th to 27^th 40 Norwegian and Swedish students and 5 teachers visited Waterford City on the invitation of Ciaran Cullen CEO (Acting), Waterford City Enterprise board. The students are studying a 3-year entrepreneurship program, this is the student’s 3^rd and last year and the Irish visit is the highlight of their year.

A full itinerary was planned for the group including visits to Waterford City enterprises, WIT, historical venues such as the Medieval Museum and on Tuesday March 25^th they attended a private morning seminar. Held at the Garden Room in the Medieval Museum, the seminar included talks by Eamonn McEneaney, Director of Waterford Treasures, Ciaran Cullen CEO (Acting) Waterford City Enterprise Board and the Norwegian Ambassador to Ireland, Roald Næss on Irish/Norwegian trade relations over the 1,100 years that Waterford has been a city.

This is the fifth year Waterford City Enterprise Board has hosted a Norwegian student group. Ciaran Cullen emphasised the importance of the visit, “We have spent a number of years developing friendships with Norway and hosting student groups. This is the second year Swedish students have also travelled."

"The total numbers have doubled in size in the past three years, which I believe is a testament to the success of the relationship. Our approach to enterprise development is a good example to the students and their enterprise teachers, and we have much to learn from them also” Mr. Cullen added.

The group took particular interest and learned much from visiting some of the Enterprise Board’s clients. These included a trip to the Kite Studios, Spraoi and Emerald Crystal where they learned how local enterprises start, grow and competed on a national and international stage. The most fun had to be the visit to WIT and TSSG were they partook in a ‘start your own business’ Pizza game, discovering the pitfalls and various stages of business growth.

Norwegian teacher, Anne Karin Sveinall described the importance of the visit, “I am delighted we have made this study visit a permanent fixture for our 3^rd grade entrepreneurship class. Ireland is in many ways similar to Norway, it is a small country with about 5 million inhabitants. Our students need to learn that Norway is a small country on the edge of Europe, and we depend heavily of the rest of Europe and the world. Many Norwegians seem to think that we will get along fine on our own because of the oil; this is definitely not the case. Not many have been to Ireland before, so this will open their eyes to what Ireland has to offer.”

The group returned home on Thursday March 27^th, tired from a full schedule but having learned much about Ireland and Waterford City’s entrepreneurial challenges and skills.

Getting personal with Shannonside FM and Northern Sound

Following a series of focus groups during the summer of 2013, Shannonside FM and Northern Sound radio stations commissioned B2B communications to develop a marketing campaign for 2014.

Working closely with the station’s listeners we got a taste of what’s important to the audience of the region’s award- winning Shannonside FM and Northern Sound radio stations.

The concept of uncovering the real “personalities” of the on-air personalities was brought to life in a fun, imaginative and creative 8 hour photo-shoot.  The on air and news crew were fantastic to work with and the resulting 12 creative concepts were recently rolled out across the regional press, large format 48 sheets and through social media. 

De la Salle College succeeds at the Waterford City Student Enterprise Awards

Deputy Mayor of Waterford Cllr. Tom Cunningham recently presented the Waterford City Enterprise Board perpetual student enterprise trophy to Cathal Daly for his business, Upright Cycles.
   
The winning entry saw the from De la Salle College pupil founda business where he made hardwood cycle stands for bicycles.  The stand with clipless pedals holds the bicycle by the pedal so it does not touch the frame or rims of the bicycle. 

Cathal will now go on to represent Waterford City at the National Finals in Croke Park on April 2^nd.  

Mr. Bertie Rogers, Chair of Waterford City Enterprise Board, praised the teachers, judges and students for all their effort.  He said, “This programme is designed to prepare students for a possible future in Enterprise. As two thirds of students today will be self-employed at some stage in their lives, it is particularly relevant.  Given the quality of entries today the future looks bright for Enterprise in Waterford City”.

The Waterford City Student Enterprise Awards involves over 350 Waterford transition year students every year. It is part of a national competition.  Each year almost 15,000 students from all over Ireland get to find out what it’s really like to be their own boss and run their own business by taking part in the Student Enterprise Awards Programme.

Mr. Ciaran Cullen, Waterford City Enterprise Board CEO (Acting), praised the winning group itself.  “Whether it is student enterprise or SMEs, good ideas always shine. organisation and determination are very important but a good idea will always stand out and Cathal certainly had the idea, the organisation and the determination. We are delighted with this year’s city winner and are optimistic for the National Finals next month.” 

   

Other Waterford Student Enterprise winners included; 

2nd place: Pet Protects by Eimear Buggy, Aisling Fitzgerald, Laura Maher, Heather Doyle of Abbey Community College

3rd place: Banter Bars by Matthew Kelly, Lilly Rose Fitzmaurice and John Jephson of Newtown Secondary School.

Best Display: The Cake Shop by Sophie Lee of Newtown Secondary School

Best innovation: At Your Finger Tips by Sarah Hickey, Niamh Casey and Rebecca Mulhall of Mercy Convent Secondary School

Students’ Choice Award also went to Cathal Daly of De la Salle College

Waterford City Enterprise Board offers support services for start-up and existing SME’s in Waterford city. If you have a new business idea or are running a business that requires assistance you can contact the Enterprise Board by phoning Celia on 051-852883 or logging on to www.waterfordceb.com.