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Pfizer, IBM and Microsoft to show small Irish businesses how to make it big

Over 3,000 small businesses in Ireland have already had the chance to take part in the programme which is run by a non-profit support forum.

SMALL BUSINESSS OWNERS in Ireland can now receive mentoring from multinationals based here such as Pfizer, IBM, Paypal and Microsoft through a programme operated by non-profit forum Plato.

The Dublin branch of the support forum, which is also running in over eleven European countries, has already offered the chance for over 3,000 small business owners to learn from senior managers at ‘parent’ companies such as ESB and and Ulster Bank and now some of the most successful multinationals in the country are on board.

Marion Walshe, regional manager of Plato Dublin said the service offers practical training, business counselling and a confidential support service to help develop the necessary skillset for entrepreneurs to grow their business and plan the next step.

“Plato’s core principle is simple: if you remove isolation from the decision making process, small business owners can make better strategic decisions,” she explained. “Plato is there to support SMEs through its network of voluntary group leaders and parent companies.”

She said that the next 12 month programme starts in April and the forum is inviting more small business owners to benefit from what it has to offer.

Jim Roycroft, Biotech Community Leader from Pfizer, said that helping to facilitate the programme is a tangible way that his company can support the SME sector.

“Providing access to ‘large-company’ expertise certainly aids the growth process for smaller companies, while also offering leaders at Pfizer a development opportunity,” he said. “I volunteered because I had a personal interest in understanding how small businesses work and I felt I wanted to give something back.”

To be eligible to participate in the Small Business Development Programme 2014/2015, companies must be at least two years in business, with a minimum of three staff. The deadline for applications is Monday, 31 March for the next programme, which gets underway in early April. Further information can be found on the Plato Dublin website.

Read: Morgan Kelly warns SMEs could ‘go under’ taking a big chunk of the Irish economy>

Read: Nearly half of small businesses feel confident about the next three months>

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9 Comments
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    Mute Aine O Connor
    Favourite Aine O Connor
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    Nov 21st 2022, 3:10 PM

    Everyone was falling over themselves praising David Beckham when he joined the queue for the Queens wake. Not so impressed now that he would take 10 million and be involved in any way with this fiasco of a World Cup. Money is the root of all evil.

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    Mute Maurice Bourke
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    Nov 21st 2022, 3:25 PM

    @Aine O Connor: you quote is in complete. Money is not the root of all evil. The quote is “the love of money is the root of all evil.” Meaning that insatiable greed that causes evil and not the money itself.

    124
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    Mute Michael Nolan
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    Nov 21st 2022, 3:36 PM

    @Maurice Bourke: think u missed the point there

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    Mute Pauline Gallagher
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    Nov 21st 2022, 4:07 PM

    @Maurice Bourke: yea, i think we get what she meant, Mr Pedantic.

    48
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    Mute Michael Nolan
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    Nov 21st 2022, 3:38 PM

    Fair play to him 6500 workers died in the making of this so called entertainment….you’d think Beckham has enough money at this stage of his life

    184
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    Mute Dave Ryan
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    Nov 21st 2022, 5:07 PM

    @Michael Nolan: Beckham would endorse ISIS if they offered him enough money.

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    Mute Alan Byrne
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    Nov 22nd 2022, 12:14 AM

    @Michael Nolan: that’s not really true though….

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    Mute Mick Hyland
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    Nov 21st 2022, 2:59 PM

    I’m getting tired of this guy

    136
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    Mute Gearóid MacEachaidh
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    Nov 21st 2022, 3:44 PM

    @Mick Hyland: Beckham? Yeah me too. Overrated as a footballer and worse as a human it turns out.

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    Mute 2thFairy
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    Nov 21st 2022, 7:38 PM

    @Gearóid MacEachaidh: Joe is self serving here. A poor stunt, in poor taste. DB along with many many others will profit from from this WC. Where was Joe and his ilk for the last 12 years since Quater were awarded the WC? Silent.

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    Mute Gearóid MacEachaidh
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    Nov 21st 2022, 9:22 PM

    @2thFairy: how exactly is he self serving? And Beckham didn’t agree his deal with Qatar 12 years ago, how could he complain about Beecham taking blood money before he knew he was going to? Not to mention Lycett was still at college then. He and others have spoken out against Qatar being awarded multiple times in the last number of years. Not sure what you’re on about here to be honest.

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    Mute Michael Nolan
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    Nov 21st 2022, 3:36 PM

    Fair play to him highlighting the terrible conditions for workers over there and the gay community’s plight … you’d think that guy Beckham would have enough money at this stage of his life ..dragged into the sunshine now…

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    Mute Martin O Connell
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    Nov 21st 2022, 4:02 PM

    The money was about as real as the moral high ground that Lynette is standing on.

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    Mute Cullen Cullen
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    Nov 21st 2022, 9:46 PM

    @Martin O Connell: good call

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    Mute Geoff Bateman
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    Nov 21st 2022, 3:28 PM

    Cheapest publicity stunt ever

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    Mute SquintEastwood
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    Nov 21st 2022, 2:52 PM

    A fake faker…was it fake or is his publicity costing him another 10k

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    Mute Niall Sheridan
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    Nov 21st 2022, 3:37 PM

    Fun he is – fool he isn’t!

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    Mute Nirvana Barbarossa
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    Nov 21st 2022, 10:53 PM

    Gay issues should not take over the world cup, especially as they dont watch it.

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    Mute Jonathan Nolan
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    Nov 22nd 2022, 12:48 AM

    What if Beckham was to donate the 10 million he is earning from his appearance in Qatar to a gay charity. Would all be forgiven then I wonder?

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