Mentor Clinics
The role of the Business Mentors is to offer a short one-to-one session with delegates who would like to discuss some aspect of their business, be that getting feedback on a new idea or getting input on a particular aspect of the business.
The one-to-one will last approximately 15 minutes and is aimed at facilitating a general discussion that may lead to identifying what are the next steps to be taken.
The tone of the mentor clinics is to be informal, friendly and helpful.
Registeration for a Mentor Clinic
NB: The sessions will be managed by appointment, so delegates will have to register for a one-to-one mentor session on the National Women's Enterprise Day Booking Form.
Mentor Panel & Their Area of Expertise
Bernadette Farrell - Business Start Up & Sustainability
Bernadette is a Chartered Accountant with an Honours Degree in Business Studies from Dublin City University. She worked in the corporate world for a number of years before setting up her own training company ten years ago. Over the past ten years, Bernadette has built a successful training company – ACE Training Ltd. ACE is based in Mullingar and provides training to groups and individuals in the areas of finance and business management. Bernadette specialises in Finance for Non Finance Managers, Costing and Pricing, Start Your Own Business, Business Planning and Cashflow Management.
Joanne Coughlan - Finance
Joanne is a Commerce graduate of UCC, a member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants and a member of the Irish Association of Corporate Treasurers. She has a wide range of experience in this area, having worked in banking and finance areas for the past 10 years. Joanne worked with Bank of Ireland for a number of years before joining Musgrave Group where she was Treasury Manager. She has given workshops and seminars in the 'Banking & Finance' areas for other Enterprise Boards and has worked with their client companies on various financial issues such as cashflow management, banking and general accounting issues.
Fiona Brown Johnson - Human Resources
Profile Training & Development was established in 1996 by Fiona Brown Johnson. She specialises is supporting Small & Medium size Enterprises by providing Human Resource Consultancy, Training and HR Management Support. A graduate of UCD, Fiona is an affiliate of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, a member of the Institute of Training and Development and a former tutor with the Institute of Employment Consultants.Originally from Dublin, Fiona now lives in Waterford and is highly regarded as a most energetic trainer that enthuses participants by making course material interesting and relevant. Fiona is a FAS registered trainer.
John Clarke - Sales & Marketing
With a Consultancy background based in servicing a wide variety of company's needs around Branding, Information Design & Marketing, John became well used to finding clarity in dealing with a cross section of management styles and 'impossible' challenges.John has combined this Business expertise with many years spent in Coaching, Facilitating & Tutoring in both Business & Sport.He has put all this knowledge to good use by further honing his skills to help others find their creativity, clarity and direction.Through a process John describes as "Branding through people" he has also established a solid reputation working with leaders, managers & teams to bring true meaning to their tasks.
Elaine Hyland - Finance
Elaine is a qualified Chartered Management Accountant and has a broad range of experience having worked in senior roles within manufacturing and service organisations for the past 15 years. She now runs her own consultancy and training business which she combines with raising a young family.Elaine is a part time lecturer in the Institute of Technology in Carlow and also runs training courses for Laois & Kilkenny Enterprise Boards as well as working as a Business Mentor with Laois County Enterprise Board.Elaine is familiar with the issues facing start-up organisations and her expertise is in equipping owner-manager with the skills to maintain basic books of accounts and obtain information to help them understand and run their business more effectively.
Heidi Corr - Sales & Marketing
Heidi developed her skills originally in sales, marketing and business management in the Retail, Healthcare and financial sector, both here in Ireland and the International markets. Heidi is qualified in Business Studies, holds a Bsc Hons Degree in Psychology and holds Diplomas in Advanced Business Coaching for mentors as well as an advanced Diploma for Personal and Business Coaching. Heidi’s experience expands over 20 years working in a Knowledge Economy driven environment, ensuring the success of Start-ups, SME’s and International Companies. Heidi uses her extensive experience to aid SMEs to develop feasibility studies, business plans, strategic development and growth planning while always offering practical business solutions.
Kieran Hanrahan - Business Start Up & Sustainability
As a consultant and trainer, Kieran specialises in business start-ups and works with many of the Enterprise Boards on a nationwide basis. Holding a 1st class Masters degree in Strategic Management and Planning from the Smurfit Business School, Kieran is a returning CIPD member. He leads a specialist team of similarly practical consultants recruiting carefully over fifteen years and drawn from every sector of business skills need – finance, taxation, marketing, sales, law, soft skills, ICT, etc. Having worked in the public, commercial semi-state and private sectors and having travelled extensively, Kieran enjoys working with clients from every sector imaginable.
Joanne Hession - Business Start Up & Sustainability
Joanne Hession is frequently invited to speak on enterprise development to networking groups and groups of SME’s. She has recently been listed as one of the top 100 All-Island Business Women by Irish Entrepreneur and in 2006 was listed as one of the top entrepreneurs in Ireland by Prudence magazine. Joanne has extensive project, training, financial and enterprise development experience. Joanne is involved in the design and delivery of innovative strategic management, consultancy and training programmes in the SME sector. An entrepreneur herself, Joanne established RH Consulting in 1998 and later QED Ireland and SpeednetworkingTM Ireland.
Rob Marr - Sales & Marketing
Rob has forged a successful career in sales, marketing, business development and management over the past 12 years. He has worked at every level and has a wide range of experience. Rob has worked in a variety of areas including leisure, retail, semi state and government run organisations. He has also delivered training, coaching and mentoring in manufacturing, food and extensively in the construction industry. This diversity has provided a number of opportunities to work on different projects where he has consistently delivered results. Rob provides motivation, direction and support to his clients.
Johnny Beirne – Internet, E-Commerce
Johnny has 14 years business experience specifically in Internet Technology and Business Innovation. He has a proven track record in business start-up & expansion and professional networking. Johnny provides training and consultancy on Internet Marketing specifically focusing on Social Media Marketing using LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and IGOpeople.
Johnny is also co-founder of the online music service downloadmusic.ie and textatrack.co.uk.
Padraig Considine of Professional Accounting Solutions - Tax Advisor
He started Professional Accounting Solutions eleven years ago to cater for the bookkeeping/taxation requirements for the small businessperson. He also instructs small business people in how to set up bookkeeping systems and advising them on taxation, VAT, PAYE/PRSI etc. He currently employs seven people.