* 3 in-company half-day training sessions on ANY topic

* 12 facilitated workshops with 3 peer companies ( 4 x Sales, 4 x Marketing, 4 x Strategy)

* Monthly networking events with guest speakers

* Dedicated Project Manager

Tailored in-house training

Members are entitled to 3 in-house tailored training sessions in areas they identify as critical to their businesses.
This training can be delivered either one-to-one or to a group of staff members.
Programmes are delivered by experienced professional trainers who focus their training based on each company's individual requirements.
When a member company identifies their specific needs, Hotbed will source and fund a relevant trainer to meet these needs. To date, member companies have enjoyed a wide variety of expertise on topics from Time Management through to further emphasis on the three core strands of Sales, Marketing and Strategy.
This is a key area where Hotbed differs to other support schemes available. The training offered by Hotbed is truly tailored to member company needs.

Workshops

Members are organised into groups of 4 peer companies for workshops.
Each group of 4 companies work together throughout the 12 half-day workshops which are organised as follows : 4 x Sales, 4 x Marketing and 4 x Strategy.
The grouping of peer companies builds understanding of each other's business and specific challenges. Importantly, trust is rapidly built between the 4 companies. This provides a safe environment for sharing ideas, problem solving and learning.
Workshops are not lecture style. Rather, workshops are very hands-on with each member company receiving focused attention.
Workshops are facilitated by an expert in each of the three areas. Learning is achieved primarily by interaction between member companies as well as intervention by the facilitator.

Monthly Networking Evenings

Hotbed's monthly networking evenings are open to members and non-members alike. (These are free to members and non-members can also attend for a small fee). Monthly networking evenings bring owner managers together in an informal environment. The evenings usually commence at 6.30pm on Thursdays and the venue is a conveniently located hotel. A guest speaker delivers a relevant talk for up to 45 minutes, including Q&A. This is followed by tea and coffee and a chance to mingle. The evening wraps up by 8.30pm. See our Events section for more details.

Dedicated Project Manager

Hotbed take the administration out of members hands as a dedicated Network Manager organises trainers, venues, dates, times and any other associated administration.
David Doran, Hotbed Network Manager, plays a critical role in liaising with member companies, understanding their specific requirements, and ensuring that relevant expertise is delivered to the company, as well as ensuring they work with and meet relevant peer companies.
Dave understands owner manager needs as he is a founding director of one of Irelands leading recruitment firms.
Please contact David with any queries. Contact Details are available here.

Skillnets

Hotbed Skillnet is a member of the wider Skillnet network which has over 50 training networks all across the country.

Skillnets is an enterprise-led support body whose mission is to enhance the skills of people in employment in Irish industry to support competitiveness and employability. Skillnets is funded from the National Training Fund and its stakeholders include leading employer and employee representative bodies - IBEC, CCI, CIF, SFA, ICTU.
Through the creation of enterprise-led Learning Networks, Skillnets supports groups of firms to come together and devise training and development initiatives to meet their collective skills needs. Networks receive grant aid and other forms of assistance from Skillnets through the Training Networks Programme.
Between 1999 - 2005, Learning Networks supported the activities of over 6100 companies and 35,000 trainees. These networks encompass a wide variety of sectors and regions in Ireland, with a particular focus on the needs of small and micro-enterprises. Currently 54 learning networks are being funded under the 2006-2008 Training Networks Programme.

Cost

Membership of Hotbed is €1600 Euro (VAT N/A) from now until the end of 2007. This represents a saving of approximately 75% on the real cost of accessing experts and trainers.

All workshops and in-company training must be completed by December 2007.