Digital marketing and PR consultants, financial advisors, solicitors, commercial insurance providers, estate agents, interior designers and virtual assistants are in demand to join a new network of women in business in the Oranmore area.

The Women in Business Network (WIBN) brings together women in the professions, those running their own business, and skilled employees who want to network and enhance their business expertise.

Uniquely membership is limited to one business or practitioner in each profession or service area, so that group members collaborate and support each other, without competition as to a chosen service provider.

Members support and encourage each other, providing business opportunity amongst the group itself, and the sharing of business contacts and new leads.

WIBN Oranmore had its launch in June this year in Basilico Restaurant in Oranmore. Both the B2B and B2C sectors are represented, with individual members from diverse professions involved, including an Executive Coach, fertility practitioner and a photographer.

Galway West TD Hildegarde Naughton has attended meetings of WIBN Oranmore to support the local business women and hear of initiative and issues locally that can be addressed to promote growth for the area.

Monthly meetings also share business expertise, from sales and marketing to finance, operational or legal concerns, and provide a forum to exchange ideas, develop and pool individual skills, and increase business contacts and knowledge.

Oranmore Co-Chair, Denise Christie says there are many benefits of the WIBN style of networking.

“The Network helps with sharing practical experience, getting business and referrals, and building valuable trusted supplier relationships within the group” she explains.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

A Galway-based international business, which has been shortlisted for one of Ireland’s leading  innovation awards, will be one of three companies competing in the  ‘Fintech’ category of the annual Irish Times Innovation Awards, due to be showcased in the coming weeks.

Nominated for its ‘Conversation Hub’, Econiq’s specialised technology provides consumer-facing companies, including major banks and insurers, with real-time feedback and added value insights on their one-to-one conversations with customers.

Econiq’s proven technology guides front-line staff to ensure that they optimise their engagement time with existing and prospective customers and has been proved to deliver significant benefits in accelerating business-customer relations.

A ‘Conversation Behaviour Intelligence Company’, Econiq has offices in The Dock in Galway city, and in Boston in the US.

Econiq is described as the Conversation Behaviour Intelligence Company, helping brand-conscious organisations transform customer experience by focusing on winning conversation behaviours.

Last year, Econiq’s innovative technology was also recognised, winning the 2016 American Chamber of Commerce and Royal Irish Academy US-Ireland Research Innovation Award for an Irish SME.

“We are delighted that our Conversation Hub has been recognised once again as one of the leading innovations in our sector,” said Econiq CEO Jim Callan.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

Galway County Council – and its Made in Galway Artisan food producers – have joined forces with NUIG to piggyback on the college’s success in attracting globally-significant conferences by using these events to showcase the best of local produce.

It’s an effort to put Galway’s rich local artisan food sector further into the spotlight on foot of Galway’s European Region of Gastronomy 2018 designation.

The plan is to build a platform at NUIG conferences for small artisan producers to showcase the excellence and distinction of their artisan products to an increased international audience.

Recent examples of such international events include the Anatomists on the Edge International Conference whereby delegates tasted and experienced at first hand the excellent range of ingredients available in Galway which were transformed into culinary delights by award winning campus-based chefs and hospitality teams.

Such food innovation along with conference facilities and Galway’s reputation combine to create a wealth of business and education opportunities which deliver strong local economic opportunities.

The European Region of Gastronomy Platform and Award aim to contribute to better quality of life in European regions, by highlighting distinctive food cultures, educating for better health and sustainability and stimulating gastronomic innovation.

The first region in Ireland to receive European Region of Gastronomy 2018, Galway is now presented with an excellent opportunity to build on the strong reputation and the excellent name it has in terms of a tourist destination, by building its profile further nationally and very importantly internationally.

“NUI Galway are delighted to be working with Galway County Council and Made in Galway to promote the European Region of Gastronomy 2018 designation,” said Ann Duggan, Manager of Commercial Services at NUI Galway.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.