Google has launched its Staying Ahead Digital Roadshow which aims to upskill and educate Irish SMEs in reaching new customers, expanding their businesses, and future-proofing their operations for a digital world.
The roadshow is the first in a series of events being held in partnership with Enterprise Ireland.
The first event took place in Limerick and was attended by over 150 people from SMEs across the midwest region.
The roadshow takes its cue from the 'Digital Garage' breakfast briefings which run regularly in The Foundry, Google's innovation centre in Dublin. The series of events will involve talks and workshops on the various Google tools that can help Irish SMEs find and understand new clients overseas, followed by one-to-one sessions with key Google executives.
Fionnuala Meehan, Head of Google Ireland, said the midwest region has a strong tradition of innovation which we see every day, working directly with SMEs from the region to help them break into new markets and reach new customers. "With only 17% of Irish businesses selling across borders online, we see huge opportunities for Irish SMEs, including companies in Limerick, Clare and the midwest, to be innovative in the digital marketplace and to become exporters of goods and services," Ms Meehan said.
Fionnuala Meehan said that every month innovative businesses from all parts of Ireland visit Dublin to learn from Google experts - so the company decided to bring its knowledge, expertise and tools on a 'roadshow' across Ireland in order to help more companies maximise digital and to stay ahead. "I'm proud to launch the first of these events in Limerick today; we will visit Cork in October, and we look forward to taking the tour to other regional centres in the months ahead," she said.
Speaking at the event, Minister Pat Breen welcomed Google to Limerick. He said the Digital Economy is an increasingly important driver of economic growth and it critical that SMEs are positioned to participate. "I am confident that "Staying Ahead" will give participants valuable insights that will increase their ability to respond to the opportunities that digitalisation brings," Minister Breen said.
