Around 30 locally based companies attended a seminar in Derry City Council offices to meet with other like-minded businesses to consider practical and effective strategies to help small and medium sized business owners and managers develop effective action plans to drive growth forward. 

Companies attended the event had the opportunity of completing an online Competitiveness Health-check in advance which was the focus of the morning workshop exploring different growth strategies.

The event was conducted by Dr. Adrian Gundy of the Centre for Competitiveness as part of its local initiatives in the North West in conjunction with Derry City Council and Londonderry Chamber of Commerce. 

Participants also heard from Jennifer McKeever, Airporter Ltd who shared experience and benefits accruing from their newly accredited Gold Star for Customer Service Excellence which is part of the Centres accreditation portfolio and contributing to the continued growth of this important transport sector business connecting people and planes.  

In his welcome address to the group, the Mayor Alderman Maurice Devenney said the seminar was a great opportunity for businesses to learn new business strategy opportunities.

“We hope that seminars like this will continue to encourage to work together in these commercially difficult times to support a return to economic growth and prosperity,” he said.

Londonderry Chamber of Commerce, CE, Sinead McLaughlin, welcomed the opportunity to participate in such a positive programme.  Individual businesses must concentrate all efforts on building positive growth strategies.  It has been proven that in times of economic strife many companies emerge stronger and move into recovery with greater focus and a healthier understanding of their business strengths.  Today’s event  will help support our local businesses and members to put in place growth strategies and mechanisms that will strengthen their business model going forward. 

Established by the Private Sector, the Centre for Competitiveness (CforC) is an independent, not-for-profit, membership organisation, dedicated to assisting organisations across the island of Ireland build best in class performance. 

With an active membership base and governing board drawn from the Northern Irish’s private, public and voluntary sectors, the Centre has established and continues to develop linkages with industry, academia and government agencies as well as National and International partnerships.

Speaking at the event the CforC North West representative, Willie Donaghy commented that the attendance and participation in the workshop signified the determination and resilience of the local businesses to look at growth options despite the economic downturn. “Seeking market opportunity is always on the agenda - exploiting this and overcoming the barriers is what differentiates those businesses who have created competitive advantage. CforC supports private and public sector bodies to achieve and sustain through innovation and best practice.”

 Further information on the Centres activities and services can be accessed at compete@cforc.org or contact Willie Donaghy through C-TRIC offices at Altnagelvin Hospital Campus.