Chamber conference to offer advice on how to better compete globally

China-based founder and chief executive of PCH International, Liam Casey, will be among the speakers at the Cork Chamber of Commerce 2012 business conference.

The conference, Smarter Steps to Success, which will take place next month, will look at how Irish companies can compete in the global marketplace by drawing on the experiences of firms and entrepreneurs who have international footprints.

Speaking at the launch of the conference, Conor Healy, chief executive of Cork Chamber, said: “The conference has an impressive range of business speakers and we are delighted with the commitment from our sponsors IBM Ireland and KPMG for the second year in succession.”

The conference will be chaired by MC, broadcaster and author & Anton Savage and will be opened by Seán Sherlock, the innovation minister. &

Other speakers include Peter Morehead, production director at Irish Distillers/ Jameson, Niall Olden of Kernel Capital, and Enda McDonnell of Enterprise Ireland.

Daragh Murphy, founder of Hairy Baby Clothing, and Dr Mary Keeling, manager at the Centre for Economic Analysis, and head of international economics at IBM Institute for Business Value, will also speak.

Gillian Keating, Cork Chamber’s vice president said: “To help the growth of indigenous companies in Ireland and secure jobs into the future, the conference will give key insights to Irish companies looking to grow and expand at home or abroad.

“To compete in today’s highly challenging marketplace companies must start to look beyond traditional business models and routes to market and must seek to be innovative in all areas of their business.”

Gavin Reynolds, marketing manager of conference sponsor IBM Ireland, said: “For some time, businesses have been refining and optimising their network of suppliers and partners; but something just as meaningful has also been happening — the sudden convergence of the digital, social and mobile spheres — connecting customers, employees and partners in new ways to organisations and to each other.

“Now more than ever, organisations of all sizes need to be engaged in this new concept and have the skills and resources in place to interact and respond.

“Given the increasing challenges of the Irish market this is a key step towards an organisation’s future success and growth.”

* The conference takes place on Wednesday, Oct 3, between 12.30pm and 5.30pm in the Radisson Blu Hotel, Little Island, Cork.