Summary of last open coffee as published on http://opencoffeemallow.wordpress.com/
photo credit: philcampbell

Another day down, another Bank Holiday closer to summer. Some would ask “What summer?” but we know it’s on the way (once the ash clears!). There is a lot of scary stuff going on at the minute in Ireland. The country is mourning the loss of a favourite radio broadcaster, Gerry Ryan, while they are quickly approaching election day in the UK. Meanwhile an Irish rower has just traversed 2500 nautical miles across the Atlantic ocean, spending 118 days away from his family, and the Gulf of Mexico is slicked with crude oil. Some may be celebrating sporting wins over the weekend, and others drowning their sorrows, Irish style!

But in the library and then the bar of Springfort Hall today, there was little talk of losses today. Conversations crossed from twitter to local news to national politics and current affairs. There was  a lot of interest in the subject of Social Media and Social Networking, and especially the different takes on whether it should be used or not, and is it of any benefit.

With Web 2.0 firmly in place, who could argue that Social Networking is not the future, it’s the present. Businesses who are not “buying into” the concept of connecting with their clients and customers online, may find themselves in a dilemma by 2011.

So, Mallow Open Coffee are asking the question, are small businesses interested in learning more about the Web 2.0 world? Head over to the POLL page right now and cast your vote. We will certainly run a workshop if the need is there, even a taster of the benefits and uses of the various platforms that are now part of everyday business internet usage.

“Hi Everyone ,

At last Spring has sprung !

We would love to see you all at the next meeting of Mallow Open Coffee . This Tuesday the 6th of April 2010 in Springforthall, Mallow .

At this meet-up we hope to welcome along members from the newly formed Tralee Open Coffee whom would like to meet us all after hearing such great reports through linkedin and on our blog .

Looking forward to seeing you all !

This is the blog again if any of you would like directions or more information . http://opencoffeemallow.wordpress.com/ “

Springfort Hall, New Twopothouse, Mallow, First Tuesday of the month from 10am to 12 noon.

The Open Coffee Club was started in London to encourage entrepreneurs, developers and investors to organise real-world informal meet-ups to chat, network and grow. There are already 8 OCCs operating in Ireland.

Open Coffee Club Mallow will meet on the first Tuesday of every month and play host to a network of diverse and progressive businesses in and around the North Cork area. The Club/Network is free to join and operates as a casual drop-in opportunity for busy entrepreneurs and business owners, all with one common goal: to grow their business. The only cost is a cup of coffee and possibly a scone.

Founders of the Mallow Club, Elaine Rogers of Seefin Coaching and Gráinne Sherlock of Local Discounts decided to set up the club as a support and platform for entrepreneurs to come together and share their experiences.

Speaking of the initiative, Elaine Rogers of Seefin Coaching said “Our collective interest will ensure the Business Communities of the North Cork region connect and build quality business contacts and relationships to enrich and boost our local economies. The Open Coffee Club meetings offer an informal venue for people from all walks of life to meet up as long as they have an interest in business. You can meet new people, exchange experiences, form bonds and do some business. Most of the more established Open Coffee Clubs have generated successful new ventures, and I am confident that the Mallow Club will do the same”.

Gráinne Sherlock of Local Discounts added that “Building connections between businesses is imperative to provide for the sustainability of our local economy, as businesses, and in particular start ups feel more and more isolated. Each month we will have a key speaker to provide expertise and advice on a number of issues concerning setting up and running a business in today’s economic climate”.

She continued, “Up until now a lot of business networking activities have been limited to cities, this in spite of the fact that towns like Mallow, Charleville and other rural areas also have a thriving entrepreneurial community”.

The club is open to all business people and budding entrepreneurs in North Cork, East Limerick and other nearby areas.