December’05, Youghal, Co Cork, Ireland

The first event of the new Enterprise Youghal industry organisation took place in the Walter Raleigh Hotel on Tuesday, December 6th, with a strong attendance of over 50 local business representatives.

The organisations purpose is to drive Enterprise Development within the Youghal region. The greater Youghal area has a population of over 50,000 people with many small businesses. Through enabling proactive business networking and structured support from the South Cork Enterprise Board, Enterprise Ireland and The Youghal Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise Youghal aims to encourage and drive business development in the region.

South Cork Enterprise Board secured Maidsfield Associates to assist in the establishment of the Enterprise Youghal working with Youghal Town Council and Youghal Chamber of Commerce.

University College Cork operates a successful and highly appreciated Executive MBA Programme. In order to ensure the product continues to meet market needs, Donagh Kiernan of Maidsfield was engaged to facilitate a review.

The review involved facilitating a number of Focus Groups and reviewing the target candidate student (Ideal Client).

The Focus Groups consisted of Industry Leaders, Human Resource Directors, UCC MBA Graduates, UCC MBA Board, UCC Administration and Lecturing Staff took place over two month period in August/September ?¢‚ǨÀú05.

The review report was produced and presented to the MBA Management Board for discussion and review.

January’06, Cork, Ireland

Decare Systems Ireland (DSI), a leading provider of software and Internet solutions, based in the University Technology Centre in Cork have secured a partnership agreement with Amazon, the world’s largest online retailer.

Amazon’s online retail business involves selling product from their own warehouses but also acts as a channel for other merchants to sell their product on Amazon. The size of the merchant companies vary from 1 person selling used DVD movies to established wholesale/distributors/resellers selling a wide range of products.

DSI’s successes already include Avon.com and Figis in the development of their ecommerce platforms but also integration into the Amazon US platform. DSI are also the leading developer of Health Insurance Administration Systems within the US market.

In creating, recognising and realising opportunities Maidsfield have been a tremendous assistance. Working closely with the DSI management team over the past year in development our partnership with Amazon, Donagh has demonstrated the real value of what Maidsfield have to offer, getting things started and producing results. DSI and Amazon have a real sales-generation partnership bringing real value and immediate increased revenue to Merchants, Amazon and DSI.

- John Murphy, General Manager, Decare Systems Ireland