A Record 70 Senior Executives Participate in Enterprise Ireland's 2008 International Selling Programme in Dublin and Cork

Minister Welcomes Company Commitment to Enhancing International Sales Capabilities

(Monday 4th February 2008) Enterprise Ireland's International Selling Programme for 2008 commences this week, with a record 70 senior executives from Irish growth-oriented companies taking part. The programmes commence in Dublin and Cork this week. The International Selling Programme is an intensive ten-month programme designed to enhance international selling skills at senior executive level. The aim is to enable Irish companies to accelerate their international sales growth through the development of successful international sales strategies, capabilities and processes. It is delivered by Dublin Institute of Technology on behalf of Enterprise Ireland.

Commenting on the programme Minster Martin said:
"Ireland's economic success is strongly linked to the ability of Irish companies to sustain sales growth in established and emerging markets. This is reflected in Enterprise Ireland's strategy Transforming Irish Industry 2008-2010, with a key target of €4bn in new export sales by end 2010. Therefore it is essential that Irish companies continue to enhance their international sales capabilities."

Commenting on the impact of the programme, Liam O' Donohoe, Head of Client Management Development at Enterprise Ireland said:

"Now in its third year, the International Selling Programme, targeted at CEOs, Sales Directors and Business Development Executives, has quickly gained a reputation for delivering strong and positive sales impacts for participating client companies. This is reflected in the record demand for places on the 2008 programme. As a result, Enterprise Ireland is providing an extra programme in Dublin,   bringing to three the number of programmes running in parallel this year."

Claire McBride, Director of the International Selling Programme, Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) said:

 "DIT is delighted to be delivering this programme once again on behalf of Enterprise Ireland. The programme content and format has been specifically designed to assist Irish companies to develop and execute sustainable, profitable export sales strategies.

Commenting on the impact of the International Selling Programme Kieran Conlon,
Senior VP Sales (Europe), Globoforce:

"The course is a very hands-on application of best practices in international selling.
The international experience, diverse backgrounds and teaching ability of the module
presenters was first class. Globoforce has adopted a number of the sales processes and tools that were delivered through the course, resulting in a more structured and
process driven approach to selling - in summary, an excellent course and
I highly recommend it'.

--ENDS--

Notes to Editors
The International Selling Programme is Enterprise Ireland's export sales development programme aimed at generating and sustaining export sales. The programme was developed and is being delivered by the Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT), in conjunction with leading sales experts and sales practitioners. 

For further information/programme brochure see:
www.enterprise-ireland.com/internationalselling

For further information contact:

Sarah O'callaghan, Press Officer, Enterprise Ireland T: 01 080 2755 M: 087 1253221