We will have our first Buddy night next week 6th Feb at 7.30pm in the Menlo Park Hotel

“There is a tide in the affairs of men,
Which, taken at the flood, leads onto fortune…:”

Your self esteem is on the floor, you procrastinate each day away and you feel very much alone. Perhaps you need to read one of the many self help books that clutter book store shelves or, maybe, the zillion column inches on New Year resolutions that bulk up story starved newspapers at this time of year. Better still, it maybe that you just need a good kick up the backside.

Well, you’ve got to start somewhere and I suggest that your attendance at a WIN seminar would be a great place to do so and it is free!  WIN = West of Ireland Networking, is warm, inclusive and non judgemental. It is the product of award winning social entrepreneurship and at it’s core is the commitment to provide advice, guidance and support to all those who believe that “no man is an island” and that new beginnings can occur in the most unexpected fashion.

I have asked myself “why does Susan make an 80 kilometre round trip to participate in a WIN session and she on an Amazon best sellers list or why does Mike contribute so enthusiastically and engagingly to so many of the discussions activated during a WIN gathering and he busy establishing his own enterprise?”  I guess the answer is, simply, that they want to reciprocate some of the benefits they have derived from their own early participation and in doing so provide encouragement to newcomers to go out there and give it their best shot.

“People who need people are the luckiest people in the world”.

They may be just words from a popular song but right now they could not be more apt. We must connect, communicate and consult like never before and in doing so each of us will expand our own personal network and be in a better position to exploit the ideal opportunity when it finally comes our way.

Don’t let dense fog, the forecast of choppy waters or the threat of pirates on the high seas prevent you from sailing into a rewarding future. It is your life, your career and your responsibility to exploit every opportunity that comes your way. WIN can help you on your journey.

p.s. I hope you enjoy this YouTube link on the “Science of Persuasion” directed to me by Eamon, another considerable WIN contributor – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFdCzN7RYbw

What is Stress?

“Stress is what we experience when there is a significant lack of balance between the resource s we possess and the demands made on us. (Stressors)

Awareness of your own “stress signals” is key so that you can learn to quickly spot when you are becoming stressed and need to take stress management action.

A good place to start is to take some time to think about-

1. What is contributing to or causing stress in your life? think about different areas of your life – personal, family, academic, job related.

2. How is stress affecting you in your body, your mind, your feelings and in your behavior?

3. What are you currently doing to cope with stress day to day?

4. What is proving helpful/unhelpful

5. What are some new ways of managing stresses that you could try out?

Your  personal list of stressors will serve some useful purposes

You can see if there are any patterns.

• What is that you usually turn to?  Who do you turn to?
• Think about how you feel and behave in those triggers.
• You can develop and rehearse appropriate coping strategies, such as assertiveness and relaxation.  This will prepare you to handle the people or situations to which you typically react.
• Finally, you can set about changing the triggers that are open to changes, and accepting the ones that are not

  Cathy Scanlon is an experienced Human Resource and Business Professional She is also an accredited Coach and Trainer and is the onlyTrainer accredited in Ireland by the Stress Management Society U.K.

Cathy is passionate about helping and guiding both individuals and businesses to move forward and enjoy a healthy and balanced life. She has successfully mentored with Win over the past two years.

Cathy is rolling out Well- Being Management workshops in January. She is also supporting individuals and businesses in this arena.

Contact Cathy at  086-3348409 or email cahtyscanlonhrs@gmail.com

****Please note change of location to the Menlo Park Hotel. The session will take place from 10am – 12.30pm***************************************

Social Entrepreneurship

The next WIN session on December 7^th will focus on the area of Social Entrepreneurship and its importance within Irish society. WIN is a social enterprise and Caroline McDonagh will lead the discussion on the role that WIN plays in the lives of job seekers in the West of Ireland. This will be followed with a guest presentation from Olwen Dawe, who through her work, has been engaged on projects which support the development of social entrepreneurs as well as working directly with individuals seeking to make a contribution to their community and environment through their business. Olwen has identified a move towards a more “collaborative culture” in Irish business since the recession, through the establishment of networks, clusters and progressive policies in enterprise development and support. Olwen has worked with Caroline on training projects and this WIN meeting has come about due to their collective focus on nurturing and supporting entrepreneurial capability and the importance of social and cultural policy in the development of entrepreneurship in Ireland. Olwen Dawe owns Irish Business Intelligence, and works with enterprise development agencies and authorities in the Western region. Olwen also provides strategic ‘business partner’ support to SMEs, focused on communications and strategic business planning. A former President of Network Mayo, Olwen is currently Secretary of Network Ireland.

The next WIN Buddy Session will meet on December 5th from 7.00pm – 8.30pm in the Menlo Park Hotel.

This is an opportunity for WIN members to attend in an informal way and share, feedback and connect with other group members while focusing on a topic that concerns the majority of the group. We will consider and connect on each individuals’ current ‘market profile’ at the next WIN buddy session, please bring along ‘something’ you may need to market or use as marketing in the next 3 months.

For example

• a new product concept you have thought about
• first page of your CV
• a business card
• Website
• product brochure
• product/service
• Something you worked on previously
• Job spec you are interested in pursuing
• another concept/item of your choosing

Those in attendance can receive and give feedback and we hope to impact your current position in a positive way. These events to date have proved very useful and we look forward to seeing you on the night.  For more information on both events go to: www.westofirelandnetworking.com

To register for one or both events please email: winwestofirelandnetworking@gmail.com

WIN is a training, mentoring and networking organisation for unemployed work seekers, entrepreneurs and small enterprise owners.

The ethos is that through communication, training and networking, we will help and encourage our participants to create business and employment opportunities for themselves and others.

WIN seeks to assist individuals to confront these issues through:

• Participation in the formalised group structure
• Training (1 on 1 and group training)
• Skills Enhancement
• Personal Development
• Increasing self-esteem
• Building long-term, sustainable relationships through the group
• Giving hope for a better future

Impact of WIN

Participants of WIN West of Ireland Networking and the impact to date

• 36 participants have reengaged in the workforce (34%)
• 15 participants are actively interviewing (14%)
• 30 participants are working on a potential business start up (28%)
• 25 new participants (24%)

STRUCTURE

The Enterprise Ireland Galway office hosts WIN on a bi weekly basis from 10am until 1pm.

Part 1 consists of: The Elevator Pitch – each participant ‘sells themselves’ or their ‘business idea’ to the group.
Part 2 consists of a relevant training session.

To date some of the training has included (all previous training sessions can be found on this website):

• CV and Interview Preparation: Colman Collins, Owner and Director of Collins McNicholas
• Finance For Starting Your Own Business: Ralph Smith, Do My Books
• Design Thinking: Michael Brougham, Manager, Prospect Identification, Entrepreneurship and Regional Development Division, Enterprise Ireland
• Networking: Talent Fusion
• Introduction to Lean Manufacturing: Pat Bennett and Pat Regan
• Compliance issues for SMEs: Gert O’Rourke, Gert O’Rourke Training and Development and Ralph Smith, Do My Books
• Strategic Planning: Dr. James Cunningham, Director, Centre for Innovation and Structural Change, J.E. Cairnes School of Business & Economics, NUIG
• New Opportunities through Licensing: P.J. O’Reilly, Regional Manager Technology Transfer and R&D, Enterprise Ireland

How WIN is different:
WIN Is a volunteer focused and a lean organisation working with minimum resources and bureaucracy with strong commitment to value and committed to addressing previously unmet needs.

WIN is young; dynamic; innovative and responsive to needs. It is not carrying any preconceived ideas on how people can be helped and is highly flexible in changing process to become more effective.

WIN engages with and works closely with people needing help and therefore is in touch with their needs and very much client focused.

WIN provides development and confidence building opportunities primarily by member participation.

WIN has a strong belief in networking and will work with other groups where this is to the advantage of its members /clients.

WIN is committed to using most up to date technology and processes and also to providing support outside the normal working week.

WIN brings its unique qualities to the party and is not in competition with other groups but addresses current unmet needs.

RIAI supporting unwaged Architects and Architectural Technologists at WIN, Friday 16th November

**Please note change of venue to the Menlo Park Hotel. Time will be as normal from 10am – 12.30pm**

As part of WIN’s Professional Workshop Series and we are delighted to be hosting the RIAI with representative David Power from Cox Power Architects who will be in attendance at this session, which is free of charge and open to all.

The Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland (RIAI) is the independent national body for architects and architectural technologist member for the promotion, regulation and support of architecture in Ireland. The Institute’s involvement with architects and architectural technologists starts when they are students and continues with advice throughout their professional lives. The RIAI has a range of measures in place to support their members, both in employment and unwaged. RIAI staff members are always available on the phone or in person to support members, answer queries and offer advice.

The quality of a graduate’s practical experience is the single most important factor contributing to successful completion of the final stage of professional formation. With this in mind the RIAI operate graduate training programmes with the OPW (24 architects, 3 year contracts) and the Department of Education and Skills (2 architects each year, up to six places in total) with new scheme to be announced shortly offering 3 places with a local authority.

Continuing Professional Development is an essential element of the practice of Architecture. To facilitate greater access to CPD programmes the RIAI operate a CPD Lottery offering free or discounted places to unwaged members and those paying the hardship rate members. The scheme is designed to encourage members to up-skill in a diverse range of practice areas in order to be in a better position when economic conditions improve. RIAI members have free access to RIAI CPDEngage, an online CPD recording tool that supports the management and delivery of CPD. Benefits to members include access to CPD courses any time, many low cost or in some cases free, increased subject matter and easily maintained records.

The RIAI is constantly working to promote Irish Architecture nationally and develop international employment opportunities for Irish Architects. Recent initiatives include free architectural consultations at the Ideal Homes Shows and the National Ploughing Championships, the Simon Open Door annual fundraising initiative, the Irish Architectural Showcase in Shanghai, September 2012 and an RIAI international research project on Exporting Irish Architecture funded by Enterprise Ireland.

The RIAI issued the RIAI Employment & Social Welfare Rights: Advice Note and the RIAI Policy on Post-graduate Professional Training to all members in July 2011. These documents provide advice to architectural employers and employees on their employment rights and on the quality of experience and training required by those preparing for RIAI examinations or for admission to membership or to the register of Architects.

Don’t forget! The second of the WIN Buddy Sessions is happening this Wednesday the 7th of November at the Menlo Park Hotel from 7.00pm to 8.30pm and is kindly being facilitated by Marie Devane so come along and spread the word all are welcome to attend.

WIN Buddy Sessions are part of our ongoing initiative in WIN to increase member to member support and to encourage WIN members to take responsibility for, and to lead, their own networking. Please confirm your attendance by emailing us at winwestofirelandnetworking@gmail.com

Following our first successful “Buddy Programme” evening we will be holding our second evening on November 7th from 7.00pm – 8.30pm in the Menlo Park Hotel and will continue to be facilitated by Marie Devane of Devane Careers.

Through this programme, WIN members will team up with fellow WIN members as part of a Mentoring Programme adapting a more informal approach of peer to peer guidance and support through meeting on an informal basis. WIN members will act as a support for one another.

We also invite WIN members to “Bring a Buddy” to WIN – where we are encouraging WIN members to bring a new WIN member to the Buddy evening or a WIN session. You will have the opportunity to team up with someone as part of the Buddy Programme.

The next WIN session will take place on Friday 2^nd November where we will aim to demystify the world of technology products such as: notebooks; smartphones; best browsers; virus free solutions; fastest computer speeds, ergonomic solutions; cloud computing and so on.

The session will be facilitated by Maureen Casey, Managing Director of Screenway Computing. She will provide a one-stop opportunity for existing and new WIN members to get up to speed with the latest computer technology.  You will be able to find out what is available or how you can upgrade your own systems without having to trawl online or trail around the shops. She will also introduce suppliers therefore promoting buying Irish and finding local suppliers where you can get a personal backup service.

Screenway are one of only two authorised Apple dealers in Galway. They also have their own repair workshop which is certified by Apple to provide            warranty and other repairs.  Screenway are in business about 10 years selling largely to the Education sector but also to many small businesses, currently sole suppliers of Apple to NUI Galway, UL, many of the ITs and now an ever increasing supplier to secondary schools all across Connaught with the IPAD IN THE CLASSROOM project.

As part of WIN’s Professional Workshop Series we are delighted to be hosting The Career Support Service of The Law Society of Ireland where Karen Sutton, Solicitor and Career Advisor will be in attendance at our next session on the Friday the 19th of October which is free of charge and open to all.

The Law Society of Ireland’s Career Support service is a key resource for solicitors faced with employment related challenges. Career advisor Keith O’Malley provides help to members who are out of work or who are threatened with changed working conditions. The service also assists solicitors who want to move in another career direction and/or work in other jurisdictions.

A wide range of information and practical supports are provided ranging from a telephone and email helpline which anyone with a career related query can contact for assistance and advice, to a CV review and feedback service. If you have drafted a CV and/or covering letter and would like to get feedback on it or alternatively if you have not drafted anything yet Career Support can assist and provide samples.

Other services provided are one-to-one consultations for solicitors who want to discuss their career situation with someone who can provide an objective viewpoint and also expertise on job market; the Skillnet Job Seekers Support Programme is an initiative involving step-up training and work experience aimed at assisting participants to move into new areas of work that not only remain in demand by employers and that also suit the skills and abilities of solicitors. Further the Legal Vacancies section of the Society’s website and a Job Seekers Register are maintained by the Career Support service.

In addition training events, seminars and workshops on job seeking skills are held regularly throughout the year. Information events about job options and emerging areas of opportunity are also organised. All solicitors are welcome to attend these events which are provided free of charge.

A particularly popular element of the service is the Updates on opportunities and developments which are emailed to members registered with Career Support. These Updates summarise the very latest news on jobs becoming available, training opportunities and about supports that can be accessed.

Members of the Career Support team can be reached at Career Support, direct dial: 01 8815770 and by email at: careers@lawsociety.ie

This WIN Session is being held on Friday the 19th of October  from 10.00am to 12.30pm for directions see: westofirelandnetworking.com to register: winwestofirelandnetworking@gmail.com.

Thank you to all who attended the first of the WIN Buddy Sessions last evening at The Menlo Park Hotel it was a great success and there was a great turnout.
The next WIN Buddy Session will be held in November so spread the word that all are welcome to attend.

A theme will be introduced for discussion in advance of our next session and we encourage you to take this opportunity to connect and engage with a group of your peers.

WIN Buddy Sessions are part of our ongoing initiative in WIN to increase member to member support and to encourage WIN members to take responsibility for, and to lead, their own networking by identifying someone in WIN that they would like to “buddy-up” with and take the initiative in doing so.