Approvals outstanding (to be claimed) at 31/12/2016 €367,362 of which €127,343 (34.66%) was refundable Jobs associated with LEO activity in 2016 2016 Jobs in applicant companies (36) at application 107.5 Jobs associated with 2016 approvals 110 approx. 3 jobs per applicant Overall Jobs Survey 2016 Total portfolio 302 clients Gains 315 Losses 190 Net zero jobs (same as 2015) from 150 clients Overall net gains in 2016 125 jobs Total number of jobs in portfolio of 302 clients Full Time Other/Part time FTE Jobs All Jobs 1387 469 1621.5 1856 (average of 6 jobs per company) Figure 4: Analysis of Measure 1 grant approvals 2016 by industry sector 1.8 Customer Care Strategy/Plan Information Good quality and timely information has been highlighted as one of the most consistently important areas for most customers. LEO Limerick has taken a proactive approach in providing information that is clear, timely and accurate and that it is available at all points of contact, and meets the requirements of people with specific needs. We also ensure that the potential offered by Information Technology is fully availed of and that the information available on public services web sites follows the guidelines on web publication. We continue the drive for simplification of rules, regulations, forms, information leaflets and procedures. Timeliness and Courtesy The LEO during 2015 has tried to ensure that we deliver quality services with courtesy, sensitivity and the minimum delay fostering a climate of mutual respect between provider and customer. Also we ensure that contact names are used in all communications to ensure ease of ongoing transactions. We will at all times treat our customers with courtesy, respect and privacy and make every attempt to accommodate any specific needs. Likewise we expect the same courtesy to be extended to our staff. Consultation and Evaluation LEO Limerick will provide a structured approach to meaningful consultation with, and participation by, the customer in relation to the development, delivery and review of services and will ensure meaningful evaluation of service delivery. Consultation mechanisms currently in place will be further developed over the next couple of years.
LEO Limerick has identified the key upgrade goals (KUG) associated with each of these strategic objectives and has also identified the interventions that will be required, either directly or in collaboration with partners, to achieve these objectives. Table: 3 - Summary of Key Upgrade Goals 2017-2020 Key Upgrade Goals 2017 - 2020 Strategic Areas Key Upgrade Goal Intended Outcome Indicative timescale and key milestones Business Information & Advisory Services First Stop Shop Enterprise Information points located throughout the City and County in key Customer Service centres and Libraries Information on Enterprise, the services of LEO as well as the key information from LEO’s protocol partners will be available in 13 locations in Limerick City and County To be completed by the end of quarter 2 2017 and maintained on an ongoing basis. Enterprise Support Services Based on an analysis of the client portfolio of LEO limerick it is intended to shift the balance of Measure 2, training and development activities, to business expansion and growth potential companies Owner managers of business expansion and growth potential companies will have the tools to better manage and run their businesses, leading to increased turnover, jobs and export capacity during the period. To commence in quarter 3 of 2017 and be ongoing until reviewed at the end of 2018 Entrepreneurship Support Services Develop a new “pilot” enterprise programme for Primary level schools in Limerick City and County in conjunction with Mary Immaculate College and Introduce enterprise concept and terminology etc to 10/12 year old pupils across the City and County. Work in conjunction with partners to Once developed the programme will be offered, in 2018, on a 1 year pilot basis to selected schools in Limerick. On the basis of the analysis of the outcomes of the
Key Strategy No. 2: Support for New Business Start-ups STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE 2017 ACTION TARGETS/OUTPUTS OUTCOME TIMESCALE Enterprise Advice To enhance the enterprise advice servicein order to provide a quality service to clients of LEO To meet all clients that request 1 to 1 advice and to ensure that business advisors are up to date with information and details of programmes. All requests for advice are met and quality advice given. Q1 – Q4 Business Planning Provide guidance to clients on completing business plans Ensure that template plans, information and cash flow templates are available on website To meet the demands from clients for business advice Quality resource materials available on website Bernie Moloney Clients can source material as needed either directly or via website. Q1 – Q4 Q1 – Q4 Start Your Own Business Training To organise SYOB courses in order to satisfy the demand. Review of SYOB course delivery and trainers 5 courses to be organised in Review after each course 5 courses successfully completed To ensure that only quality programmes are delivered Q1 – Q4 Q1 – Q4 Skills training for start ups To deliver a range of basic skills to owner managers of start up business To work through the 3 Local Development Companies to ensure that training is available universally To deliver training as required in the area of running a business e.g. finance, marketing, E business. Owner managers will be provided with the tools to run their business better. Q1 – Q4
Enterprise Workspace To provide information on available/suitable workspace for start ups Register of available workspace in Limerick, suitable for start ups to be available on the LEO Website Clients better informed of options in this area Q1 – Q4 Key Strategy No. 3: Support for Business Expansion and Growth STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE 2017 ACTION TARGETS/OUTPUTS OUTCOME TIMESCALE Business Advice Reconstitute Specialist mentor programme To organise Advice clinics To provide 1:1 mentor support to 40 companies 4 clinics organised Needs of companies for mentoring met Specialist advice available as demanded Q1 – Q4 1 clinic each quarter Business and Management Development To organise Management Development Programmes for growth companies To organise Lean for Micro programme 2 programmes to be organised Identify growth potential and deliver Lean for micro programme to 6 businesses Business owners given the tools and skills to better run their businesses Savings and productivity achieved in participants business. Q2 – Q4 Q2 2017 Networking Deliver networking to general and sectoral groups in the established business category including Women in Business; Childcare and Engineering Clusters. 3 networks active More opportunities to network for these selected groups Q1 – Q4
Exporting and internationalisation Collaborate with Enterprise Ireland to deliver information and workshops business To promote and actively use the Enterprise Europe Network Programme 2 workshops Business to be aware of the EEN network Increase the number of companies exporting. Increase the use of the EEN programme Q1 – Q4 Q2 and Q4 Brexit To keep business informed of developments and new information and to organise workshops and information sessions as required. Exporting companies who are effected by Brexit Businesses better able to respond to Brexit in an appropriate manner Q2 – Q4 Key Strategy No. 4: Provision of Financial Assistance STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE 2017 ACTION TARGETS/OUTPUTS OUTCOME TIMESCALE Grant/Refundable Grant Aid To administer the following grant schemes Feasibility/Innovation Priming Business Expansion Refundable Aid 10% of approval capacity, 4/5 grants 16 approvals 40 jobs per annum 20 approvals 60 jobs per annum 30% of priming grant aid 40% of Business Expansion grant aid approved to be in refundable form. Overall outcome is the creation of 100 extra net jobs in Limerick as a direct result of financial assistance. Q1 – Q4
Export Assistance Grant Aid To assist business who are export ready to get a foothold in selected export markets and to assist them to establish a presence in such markets. Target is to assist 10 business to access export markets Increase in exports Q2 – Q4 LEO Microfinance Ireland Assist applicants to prepare applications Assess and submit applications to MFI Allocate mentors to approved clients 15 applications in 2017 Applications from qualified business to be supported and recommended for loans For each MFI approval as requested by MFI Business who require finance and cannot access bank finance will be assisted to access MFI Q1 – Q4 On-Line Trading Vouchers To promote the use of on line trading vouchers by assisting applicants to apply, get approval and drawdown the vouchers 50 voucher applications to be processed and paid out as required. Increase the online presence of micro enterprise in Limerick Q1 – Q4 Evaluation and Approvals Committee To maintain an Evaluation and Approvals Committee and to keep the Committee Members up to date with current information. To ensure that the committee receive quality inputs 1 EVAC to be maintained and Members to be kept up to date with new projects etc. Quality reports and information to be given to the Committee at all times A timely evaluation and decision to be made on all applications for grant aid. Q1 – Q4
Key Strategy No. 5: Support Economic Growth and Development STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE 2017 ACTION TARGETS/OUTPUTS OUTCOME TIMESCALE To support economic growth and development of Limerick City and County To contribute to the economic growth of Limerick by assisting small business to grow and contribute jobs and wealth to the City and County An increase in the contribution from small business to the Limerick Economy in terms of investment, jobs and outputs. Small business contributing to the economic development of Limerick Q1 – Q4 To develop Strategic Alliances To develop strategic alliances with as many partners as possible in order to achieve goals To ensure that LEO protocol partners are aware of LEO and to develop partnerships A better co-ordinated service to small business in Limerick Q1 – Q4 Key Strategy No. 6: Continuous Improvement and Staff Development STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE 2017 ACTION TARGETS/OUTPUTS OUTCOME TIMESCALE Staff Training and Development To complete the individual personal development plans for all staff and to identify training needs of staff to ensure that LEO Limerick has the necessary skills to deliver a quality service to clients. To ensure that LEO staff are up to date and in a position to deliver a quality service to clients Reputation of LEO as relevant and offering a quality service to clients enhanced. Q1 – Q4
Industry Briefings To facilitate industry briefings for staff and clients To keep up to date with industry developments Staff and clients kept up to date with industry intelligence. A better service to be delivered to clients Q1 – Q4 Research and Evaluation To carry out ongoing research into the needs of clients and the services/products offered by LEO Annual feedback from programmes and specific research as require to keep LEO up to date with enterprise sector information Up to date information and services available to clients. Q1 – Q4