Realt Consulting - Case Studies

Programme Development and Management

The following are examples of programmes delivered by our consultants for réalt* Consulting and for other consultancy firms in Ireland and Scotland over the past 6 years.

How to Write a Winning Tender - Meath CEB, Sligo CEB, Tipperary North CEB

réalt* Consulting developed the 'How to Write a Winning Tender' programme in order to help businesses take a strategic approach to the development of their tender process. This programme enables the creation of structured and customer centric tenders which display a clear competitive advantage.

Effective People Management - Meath CEB

In 2008 réalt* Consulting developed a detailed 'Effective People Management' programme. This programme consists of 4 separate half day seminars plus a 3 hour mentoring session. The seminars comprehensively details how the business should deal with Employee Strategy, Role and Job Specification Development, Recruitment, Performance Appraisal, Motivation, Influencing Uncooperative Staff, Employment Law, Contracts and Disciplinary and Grievance Procedures.

Small Business Marketing Programme - Meath CEB

réalt* Consulting and brilliant red Consulting are currently delivering the Small Business Marketing Programme on behalf of Meath CEB. This programme entails the delivery of 6 seminars and 6 mentoring sessions for each participant company. The Seminars being delivered include Introduction to Marketing, Market Research & Segmentation, Promotion, Selling skills, Channel Management and Marketing Strategy & Action Plan Development. The development of a tailored Marketing Plan for each participant business is one of the major outputs of this programme.

Start Your Own Business - Cavan CEB

réalt* Consulting and brilliant red Consulting are currently delivering the Start Your Own Business Programme on behalf of Cavan CEB. This programme entails the delivery of 8 seminars on subjects including Self Assessment for an Entrepreneur, Legal Issues, Preparing a Business Plan, Marketing for a Small Business, Researching the Market, Sales, Finance and Book Keeping.

Power Programme- Donegal CEB

From 2006 to 2008 Peadar Tóibín managed the Donegal County Enterprise Board 'Power Programme' The 'Power Programme' was aimed at facilitating the development of female entrepreneurship through one to one mentoring. All entrepreneurs encounter formidable barriers. These hurdles can be magnified in the cases of female entrepreneurship and rural enterprise. The Power Programme provides practical business development tools to female entrepreneurs to help move from having a vision, an aspiration and a commitment to the implementation and the realisation of business goals. Over 300 women at different stages of business development received tailored mentoring.

Cross Border Business Development Programme - NW Leader+

Peadar Tóibín delivered components of this micro business export development programme. Utilising a combination of training, workshop sessions and one to one mentoring, businesses were provided with knowledge and skills in the areas of Marketing, Sales, Presentations, Product Development, Pricing Strategies, amongst others. In addition by conducting a Business Appraisal with each business, an overview was developed for Action Plan objectives and implementation. Prospecting for each business also took place to assist their development of sales in the cross border market.

Border Innovation Gateway, Enabling Entrepreneurs

While working with brilliant red Consulting, Peadar Tóibín delivered large portions of the training modules of this Enterprise Incubation Programme. This programme was designed by Greenshoots Newry Ltd (a collaborative initiative of Newry Institute, the University of Ulster and Dundalk Institute of Technology). BIG is an initiative focussed on helping entrepreneurs who are at the early stages of a potentially innovative knowledge based business idea. This programme involves the delivery of the following training;

o "Self-employment - What personal attributes are required and is it for me?"

o Generation and evaluation of new ideas

o Market research/Due diligence/Voice of the market/Knowing your customer

o Business Plan Development

o Managing Innovation

o Project / Time Management

The Sligo Women in Business Network - Sligo CEB

Between 2006 to 2008 Peadar Tóibín was the Managing Agents of the Sligo County Enterprise Board's 'Sligo Women in Business Network'. This Network was designed to develop a number of key areas which are important in the growth of female led enterprise. Firstly Networking Events allow participants communicate, interact with other women in like situations, develop contacts both on a local basis and in an all-Ireland market context and meet with and learn from female entrepreneurial role models. The Network also focused on Entrepreneurial Dynamism and Creativity. To enhance these skills training and mentoring have been delivered. As a result participants have displayed increased market orientation and new product development. Finally Peadar Tóibín organised All Ireland Conferences, Best Practice Cross Border Visits and authored the Sligo Women in Business Newsletter.

InterTradeIreland FOCUS Programme

From 2005 to 2008 Peadar Tóibín on behalf of brilliant red Consulting delivered major components of the InterTradeIreland FOCUS Programme. The FOCUS Programme was a Strategic Marketing & Sales programme which was designed to increase existing levels of cross border sales for North of Ireland and Republic of Ireland companies. The programme involved the recruitment of appropriate companies, recruitment and placement of graduates within the companies and sales and strategic marketing consultancy support to the company. So far the Programme has seen 40 Irish companies embark upon 18 month graduate programmes. Overall cross border sales recorded to date as a result of the programme has reached €4,703,000. 4 new offices have been opened by participant companies in their target jurisdictions.

Marketing Advance Programme- Scottish Enterprise

Peadar Tóibín was part of the brilliant red Consulting team which delivered the UK National Training Award winning Marketing Advance Programme. This Programme offers a unique combination of practical workshop sessions and one-to-one consultancy supports which allows participants to develop an export marketing plan with focused objectives and strategies. The strategic use of marketing as a business tool has resulted in some remarkable results for participants, with an average turnover increase of 34% and an average export turnover increase of 27%.

Rural Retail Support Programme - Rural Development Council

The Rural Retail Development Programme was developed to assist rural retailers in the development of their business. Under the guidance of Peadar Tóibín rural businesses on this programme undertook a Business Appraisal, Needs Analysis and SWOT Analysis. Each business received Training, One-to-one Mentoring and assistance with the completion of grant applications.

Business Support Programme- Armagh City & District Council

This programme consisted of comprehensive training sessions in a number of relevant areas such as Merchandising, Promotion, Customer Care, Stock Control, and Health and Safety. Participants also benefited from one-to-one business mentoring. Peadar Tóibín provided individualised support and assistance with the development of a retail action plan.

Craft Export Development Programme- Craigavon/Armagh Rural Development

This programme was designed to generate export awareness and external trading opportunities for ten craft businesses in the CARD area and to assist craft producers in improving their business and management skills in the context of generating business from export and external trading opportunities. Participating businesses were able to draw on a network of specialist craft and business mentors who provided additional support on specific areas of the business. The programme established an informal network among participating businesses and identified best practice elsewhere and conducted company visits.

Retail Renaissance Programme - Down District Council

This programme assisted retailers in Ballynahinch, Downpatrick and Newcastle to identify options for growth and competitiveness. Peadar Tóibín delivered mystery shopping, business appraisals to diagnose areas for improvement and one to one mentoring to retailers on behalf of brilliant red Consulting . A further option to avail of specialist advice in window dressing and merchandising was made available. The programme involved working with 100 retailers and over half of the retailers have made changes to their businesses.