start and grow your own business - Eurocities

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CITIES SUPPORTING NEW BUSINESSES

DUBLIN

START AND GROW YOUR OWN BUSINESS

Disseminating enterprise support in Dublin’s Central Library

In 1996, Dublin City Libraries submitted a proposal to the Dublin Enterprise Board to disseminate enterprise start-up information to the public via the library network. The library environment is welcoming, and it is a comfortable and familiar place for people who might otherwise lack the confidence to approach the formal enterprise start-up organisations. A series of free lectures on entrepreneurship was delivered in six branch libraries by experts drawn from the private sector, area partnerships and state agencies. 181 people attended the lectures that were funded by the Irish Enterprise Board. A second series took place in the Dublin City Council Central Library (DCCCL). Twice as many people attended these thanks to the library’s central location, the time they were held at and a focused publicity campaign. The lectures are now held annually in spring and autumn.

Lecture topics include suitability for self-employment, idea generation, market research, finance and business planning. The objective is to enable potential entrepreneurs to start a viable business and help existing entrepreneurs to expand their business and create employment. The lectures are for anyone, young or old, considering selfemployment or who has recently started a small business. New lecture topics address current topics for example ‘the ethnic entrepreneur’ and ‘digital marketing and social media’, reflecting business trends in Ireland today. The programme is constantly revised and updated to include changes in Ireland’s economy while providing support for business start-ups.

CHALLENGING THE ECONOMIC RECESSION Recession has taken its toll on start-ups. New business activity in the Dublin area fell by 45% between 2005 and 2010.1 Together with the Dublin City Enterprise Board, the DCCCL addresses the recession’s challenges such as slow economic growth, unemployment, domestic market stagnation, undercapitalisation of small and medium sized enterprises, access to credit, debt, ideas generation, potential of export trade and support networks for entrepreneurs.

A PLACE FOR ALL PEOPLE The location of the DCCCL is paramount in the success of the lectures. It is housed in the first floor of the ILAC shopping centre in the heart of Dublin city. The library is used by people of all ages and walks of life, commuters, students, shoppers and visitors and serves the local community which includes the most diverse demographic mix in Dublin city. It hosts a range of services such as reading groups and book clubs, exhibitions, language exchanges and children’s activities. People who visit the library may not previously have considered being selfemployed, might not know how to start a business or lack the confidence to do this. By hosting lectures in an environment where the attendees are comfortable, it makes them more likely to be proactive.

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CONTACT Margaret Hayes Dublin City Librarian [email protected] or Anne Linnane Senior Librarian business services www.dublincitypubliclibraries.ie  

SUCCESSES The results are both encouraging and impressive. Since the courses were revamped in 2010, 1 843 people have attended the lectures in the central library. Feedback from them proves that the lectures are useful and provide the participants with relevant information. Participants are encouraged to use the library’s stock collections and market research reports, books, trade magazines, government reports, databases, user education programmes and staff expertise to enhance their business knowledge.

CHALLENGES

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The biggest challenge faced over the last three years is marketing the programme to the target audience, one that is fearful of starting or growing a business in an economic downturn. To overcome this, the DCCCL refreshes its marketing strategy each year in advance of the first lecture. Email alerts are sent to relevant stakeholders, organisations, state agencies, websites, radio, newspapers and library newsletter subscribers. It is vital that the programme’s content meets the participants’ needs and those of the city’s business and economic sectors. The DCCCL invites reputable and engaging speakers to deliver the lectures. The DCCCL regularly analyses the participants’ evaluations.

A BRIGHT FUTURE The project continues in 2013. Dublin city council announced plans in April 2013 to develop a cultural quarter in the nearby Parnell Square. This will see the library moving from the ILAC centre to new premises that will include an enterprise and innovation hub. The new hub will offer more services to budding entrepreneurs in the city.

FUNDING The project is funded by Dublin City Enterprise Board (€4 700). This mainly covers speakers’ fees. Dublin city council manages the promotion and marketing of the programme. The Dublin City Public Libraries staff facilitate and report on the programme.

informative and wide ranging great to have input from different perspectives totally inclusive of all persons present Feedback from some of the participants in the DCCCL entrepreneurship lectures

very informative, impressed with the amount of new information I have obtained especially in further help and obtaining finance

made content relevant to non-minority businesses

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