Laois Chamber Alliance CEO, Caroline Hofman, caught up with Dónal Kearney, Community Manager with Grow Remote…
Tell us a bit about Grow Remote and your role within the organisation?
Grow Remote is a social enterprise on a mission to make remote work local by spreading the social, economic and environmental impact of remote employment. As Community Manager, I engage with thousands of remote workers on a daily basis and support them to build their localised groups.
We call these localised groups “chapters”, and our chapters strive to increase connection among remote workers locally, support jobseekers into remote employment and curate meaningful offline events locally.
When was Grow Remote established, and how has it evolved and grown since then?
Back in 2018, a group of passionate early adopters set up a WhatsApp group about remote working in Ireland. In September 2018, they held their first Meitheal gathering offline to discuss the future of this niche movement, focusing on learning best practices from remote-first companies and spreading awareness locally of remote employment opportunities.
Months before the outbreak of a global pandemic, Grow Remote formally set up as a small social enterprise and, nearly five years on, Grow Remote remains a volunteer-led organisation. We hosted 218 events last year, we’ve supported 148 companies in their remote journey, and we’ve trained 1,338 people in doing remote work better.
Can you share any news or upcoming events with us?
We will host the very first Grow Remote Summit in Portlaoise on 8th and 9th June 2023. This is our national conference event, which also involves an Exhibition Space and Festival Trail. This will be a unique gathering of employers, influencers and changemakers, all committed to making remote work local.
We will welcome some of the world’s most important figures in remote work to Portlaoise and we’re also curating connection spaces and live performances. There is something for everyone at the Grow Remote Summit and is not to be missed!
Why do you think Laois is so well placed for people working remotely?
Laois is located in the heart of the country and is accessible via several main roads. We also know that, pre-Covid, there were 11,000 commuters leaving Laois every single day for work. So Laois is an amazing test case for remote employment in 2023!
What would be your advice to a company looking at hybrid or remote working for their staff?
My advice to a company interested in hybrid or remote work would be simply to join the Grow Remote community. It’s free and there is so much opportunity for connection and learning from other employers who are in the same boat.
For those who want to work with us directly to develop their own policies and strategies (just like we’re doing with eBay, Liberty Insurance, etc.), you can become part of Grow Remote’s Employer Partnership Programme.
Visit www.growremote.ie to find out more.
Business News
Congratulations to Laois Chamber Alliance member FRS Recruitment, who recently picked up two international awards for their work. In the first award, the company has been named ‘Best Recruitment Agency’ in the Republic of Ireland in the European Enterprise Awards presented by EU Business News.
The second award, which was presented at a ceremony in Miami, awarded the company ‘Best Staffing Firm in Ireland’ from global research and advisory firm Staffing Industry Analysts (SIA). A record 450 firms sought participation in the global awards this year, conducted by SIA in conjunction with Quantum Workplace.
The line-up has been announced as the Old Fort Quarter Festival is set to return to Portlaoise this summer. After a two year Covid-enforced hiatus, the festival returned in 2022 and crowds flocked – with similar levels expected this year.
Line-up announced as Old Fort Quarter Festival set to return to Portlaoise this summer
For the first time in Ireland, there will be guaranteed access to a degree programme that starts in further education and concludes in higher education.
A brand new collaboration between Laois Chamber Alliance members, Laois and Offaly Education and Training Board (LOETB) and South East Technological University (SETU), where no CAO points are needed, will open for application in July.
To begin with, LOETB and SETU are collaborating to provide two different programmes with plans to expand the range of programmes into the future. Find out more here:
(2) New degree opportunities at Portlaoise Institute | LinkedIn
Business Supports
Enhancements to the TBESS have been recently approved by the European Commission. These include:
- extending the scheme to 31 May 2023, with the option to further extend the scheme by Ministerial Order to not later than 31 July 2023
- reducing, with effect from 1 September 2022, the energy cost threshold for qualification for the scheme from a 50% increase in electricity or gas costs to a 30% increase
- increasing, from 1 March 2023, the level of relief from 40% to 50% of eligible costs
Find out more here: gov.ie – Minister McGrath welcomes State aid approval for enhanced Temporary Business Energy Support Scheme (www.gov.ie)
- Considering investing in solar panels, heat pumps or LED lighting? Did you know that AIB and Bank of Ireland are just some of the providers offering the Energy Efficiency Loan Scheme to fund energy-efficient equipment? Find out more here: https://sbci.gov.ie
- Are you a small-to-medium business owner-manager? Complete the Skills For Better Business online self-assessment and receive a bespoke report highlighting the critical development areas that could unlock growth for your business – Skills for Better Business | Online Assessment
- The new Enterprise Ireland Post-Brexit Market Growth and Diversification Grant aims to help Irish companies impacted by Brexit to avail of consultancy support to diversify into new markets. The grant will be provided at a rate of 80% subject to a maximum grant of €36,000. Find out more here: https://rebrand.ly/P-B
Upcoming Events and Training
- EisnerAmper and The CUBE Low Carbon Centre of Excellence invite you to an in-person information seminar, Enabling International Trade for your Business. This is open to any business located in the Midlands region – Laois, Offaly, Westmeath and Longford – with an interest in trading internationally. Do you have a product or service you would like to trade internationally with? Then this event is for you!
This event takes place on Wednesday, 26th April 2023 from 10.30am to 1pm in The CUBE Low Carbon Centre of Excellence, 18 Church Street, Portlaoise, Co. Laois R32 TP89. Book your free place – E-mail caroline@cubecentre.ie
- Need some practical doable steps to help you identify the ideal customer and develop a digital marketing strategy? Sign up for Local Enterprise Office Laois’ 5-Tuesday Marketing course: An in-person programme kicking off on Tuesday, May 2nd. Find out more and book your place here: https://bit.ly/LaoisMktgDev
- The deadline for the Sustainable Business Impact Awards is fast approaching. Make sure to complete your submissions ahead of the 28th April deadline. Apply here: https://sbiawards.awardsplatform.com/
A look back at the 2022 Awards: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WVLpkFKLnLs
- General Data Protection Regulation workshop with Local Enterprise Office Laois – This workshop will provide small businesses and enterprises with a solid understanding of the implications of data protection and GDPR. It takes place online on 9th May from 10am to 1pm. Book your free place here: https://lnkd.in/e4mb4kHG
SEE ALSO – Check out previous interviews on our Business Briefing here
