Enterprise Ireland
Annual Report and Accounts 2005
Annual Report and Accounts 2005
Focused Support to Clients
The new strategy re-positions Enterprise Ireland to better meet the needs of our clients, working with them on a one-to-one basis and collectively to deliver sub-sectoral agendas. Three business units focus closely on the development of key growth sectors: Food and Retail Consumer Markets; Industrial and Lifesciences Markets; and Software, Services and Emerging Sectors.
Under the strategy, Enterprise Ireland moved quickly to implement the Government’s Enterprise Strategy Action Plan. Our overseas offices have been integrated into one central structure, covering five key markets. Our research and development (R&D) activities have been re-focused to address agendas now increasingly set by industry.
In line with the Lisbon Agenda, strategic R&D targets have been agreed with the Office of Science and Technology and the early approval of support for industry-led research projects in the Power Electronics and eLearning sectors gives confidence that this activity will be successfully built upon in 2006. In addition, an International Selling Programme, to increase the number of sales professionals within our client companies, has been put in place.
High potential start-up clients and small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) identified as having high growth capability, have welcomed the priority we have placed on driving growth, including assistance with securing key reference sales. In addition, a new Productivity Improvement Fund, dedicated to improving client competitiveness to enhance export growth, has had some success in its first six months of operation, with strong progress expected in 2006 and 2007.
Enterprise Ireland works proactively with individual clients, industry partners and client fora to identify and drive the development of key growth sectors. Significant progress was made in 2005 to develop sectoral strategies and to commence a programme of joint initiatives. As a result, 18 Strategic Agendas were agreed with industry.
In 2005, Enterprise Ireland conducted a client satisfaction survey to ensure we are well positioned to help clients meet the demands of an increasingly challenging and sophisticated marketplace. In response to the results, specific groups have been set up to address the issues raised and to ensure our staff has the necessary technical and specialist skills and knowledge to best support our clients. We also conducted a staff survey and continued the Performance Development Programme to identify the development needs required to achieve our key targets for client growth. We will conduct both surveys on an annual basis to allow us to benchmark our performance.
Enterprise Ireland is committed to improving operating efficiencies and the quality of service we offer to clients. In 2005, progress included: new supports to proactively help clients submit a grant claim with minimum difficulty or delay; changes to client funding decision-making structures to speed up response to clients; the launch of an online applications facility for the new Productivity Improvement Fund; and continuous monitoring of our commitments under the Client Charter. Pursuant to the Government's decision on decentralisation, Enterprise Ireland has identified a suitable site in Shannon.
I am confident that our new strategy and structure will ensure we provide an exceptional service that is closely aligned to our clients’ changing needs. Our services to clients focus on five main areas of activity:
