ICE presents new workshop series -
Entrepreneur Essentials
Are you ready to take the first step towards launching your own business in Ireland?
Our Entrepreneur Essentials workshop series is designed to equip aspiring entrepreneurs with the key skills and knowledge needed to start and grow a successful business. Over the course of six weeks, you’ll gain valuable insights from experts, covering all essential aspects of entrepreneurship, from business planning to social media strategy. With a combination of online and in-person sessions, this series offers flexibility to suit your needs while providing hands-on learning experiences.
Whether you’re just starting out or looking to refine your approach, these workshops will give you the tools and confidence to turn your business ideas into reality.
Session 1 - Business Planning
February 13th, 10 AM - Location: ICE Hub
This session provides a step-by-step guide to creating a comprehensive business plan. Participants will learn how to define their vision, set clear goals, and organize their ideas into actionable steps.
Key Learning Outcomes:
Showcase the Business Plan:
- Understand the core components of a business plan
- Cultivate the WHY of the business plan and position it as a “personal mentor” tool.
Brilliant Basics:
- Understanding the Entrepreneur Equation© at the root of all businesses
- Learn how to define and articulate a business vision and mission.
- Identify and analyse target customers and market opportunities.
- Do first run of numbers for your financial plan
Action Planning:
- Develop clear, measurable business goals and objectives.
- Create a high-level action plan for market research and completing the business plan
Takeaway Resources:
- Business Plan Template with guided sections.
- SWOT Analysis Template to assess strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.
- Running the Numbers Template
- Access to a video tutorial on writing a winning business plan
Session 2 - Branding Your New Business
February 20th, 10 AM - Online
This session teaches participants how to create a strong, consistent brand identity that aligns with their business values and resonates with customers.
Key Learning Outcomes:
Understanding Your Brand
- Origins of brand and how brand goes beyond brand identity
Brand Identity
- Role of brand values and positioning.
- Understand the elements of a strong brand identity (logo, colors, tone)
- Explore the basics of visual branding and consistency.
- Tools to create a strong brand identity
Brand Execution
- Mapping your customer journey to understand what branding matters for your business
Takeaway Resources:
-
- Branding Checklist
- Guide on ‘How to Brief a Designer.’
- Access to Entrepreneurs Essentials Platform
Session 3 - Marketing for Start Ups
February 27th, 10 AM - Location: ICE Hub
Learn how to create a simple yet impactful marketing strategy tailored to a startup budget. This session focuses on identifying the right audience and effective promotional strategies.
Key Learning Outcomes:
Showcase Marketing Plan
- Understand the core components of a business plan
- Cultivate the WHY of the business plan and position it as a “personal mentor” tool.
Brilliant Basics
- Understand the basics of customer segmentation and targeting.
- Choosing the right channel for your customers
- Explore cost-effective marketing channels for startups.
- Learn how to create a value proposition that resonates with your audience.
- Practice your 60 second pitch to describe your business
Action Planning
- Develop a draft actionable 3-month marketing plan for business launch
Takeaway Resources:
- Marketing Plan Calendar Template.
- List of AI prompts and tools for small business owners
- Value Proposition and Pitch Worksheet to refine their messaging.
- Access to the Entrepreneur Essentials platform
Session 4 - Financial Literacy
March 6th, 10 AM - Location: ICE Hub
This session simplifies finance for entrepreneurs, covering budgeting, cash flow management, and basic financial literacy to ensure sustainable growth. They will also explore different approaches to pricing the product or service. The clients will start to make decisions on the pricing strategy for your product or service
Key Learning Outcomes:
Introduction to Financial Documentation
- Cashflow
- Profit and Loss
Brilliant Basics
- Understand the key financial terms and concepts (revenue, profit, cash flow).
- Learn how to create and manage a startup budget.
- Understand the basics of pricing and cost management.
Pricing Strategy
- Understand how price, volume and cost impact the margins and profit you earn.
- Use a simple Rate Calculator Tool to decide upon a daily and hourly rate for your services.
- Engage in peer-to-peer discussion and learning about pricing wins and fails.
- Develop a clear policy and system around pricing and payment for effective cashflow management and sustainable business success.
Action Planning
- Business plan financial forecast document first sample draft
Takeaway Resources:
- Business Plan
- Cash Flow Tracker (Excel file).
- Rate Calculator
- Quick reference guide to key financial ratios.
- Access to Entrepreneur Essentials Video tutorial: ‘Filling out the financial section of your business plan’
Session 5 - Sales and Negotiation
Mar 13th, 10 AM - Online
This session focuses on creating a robust sales strategy for startups. Participants will learn how to reach out to companies effectively, prepare for meetings, develop a compelling sales pitch, and excel in live selling environments like trade shows or stalls.
Key Learning Outcomes:
Sales Strategy Foundations
- Develop a clear sales strategy to identify and target potential companies.
- Learn techniques for building relationships and trust with decision-makers.
Meeting Mastery
- Understand how to prepare for a sales meeting, from research to presentation.
- Master strategies to ask the right questions and handle objections effectively.
- Learn how to craft a compelling close to convert conversations into sales
Live Selling Skills
- Discover best practices for selling in live environments, such as stalls or trade shows.
Action Planning
- Create a tailored sales pitch for your business.
- Develop a personalized outreach strategy to target potential customers.
Takeaway Resources:
- Sales Outreach Strategy Template: Step-by-step guide to creating an outreach plan.
- Sales Meeting Checklist: A comprehensive list to ensure you’re prepared for meetings.
- Pitch Script Template: A framework to structure and refine your sales pitch.
- Guide to Live Selling: Tips and tricks for success at trade shows, markets, and stalls.
- Access to the Entrepreneur Essentials Platform: Video tutorials on key sales techniques.
Session 6 - Social Media for new business
March 20th, 10 AM - Online
This session focuses on building a social media presence from scratch. Participants will learn how to create engaging content and leverage platforms to grow their business.
Key Learning Outcomes:
Social Media Context
- Understanding social media in its wider role within a full marketing plan
- Identify the best social media platforms for their target audience.
Brilliant Basics
- Learn to create a content calendar and engaging posts
- Explore strategies to grow followers and foster community engagement
- Understand basic analytics to track social media performance.
- Gain confidence in doing Video for social media
Action Planning
- Design the Content Pillars for your content marketing strategy
- Create sample calendar for launch of your business
- Create one video to promote your business
Takeaway Resources:
- Sample content ideas specific to various industries.
- Social Media Content Calendar Templete.
- Links to Social Media Analytics for small businesses.
- List of Tools for Scheduling and Creating Content (e.g., Canva, Hootsuite).
