“Jobbio Partnership Couldn’t Come at a Better Time,” Dun Laoghaire BID

By March 22, 2016For Companies

We have some exciting news on our front – apart from matching top Talent with the best available opportunities on a daily basis, we have made some brand new partnerships to help careers flourish and hiring be less of a headache… now in Dun Laoghaire!

We are thrilled to be partnering with the Dun Laoghaire BID. What is the BID? We met the CEO of Dun Laoghaire BID Sven Spollen-Behrens to find out everything you should know about the partnership and the whole new bunch of opportunities arising from it.

How was the idea of the Dun Laoghaire BID project born?

As perhaps every other initiative, it arose from the need of innovation. Prior to the incorporation of BID, there had been a very strong Business Association operating in Dún Laoghaire for a number of years. The members of the Association felt it was time to increase the efforts and the Business Improvement District model was perfectly suited to Dún Laoghaire.

We believed that the businesses in Dún Laoghaire needed to come together and work with each other to strengthen what our town has to offer. And it worked.

Dun Laoghaire BID follows the philosophy ‘Standing still is not an option.’ How exactly does the project empower local businesses?

The world changes at a much more rapid pace than in the past and Dún Laoghaire must adapt, not only to keep up with this rapid pace but be part of setting it.

The BID Company helps provide a voice for the business community in the town and a solid platform for growth. And I am proud that according to our recent Business Survey (conducted in 2015), we found out that up to 60% of the respondents indicated an increase in turnover compared with 2014.

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Sven Spollen-Behrens (far left) joined us at the partnership launch event

What challenges has the DLBID overcome since its launch?

Like many parts of Ireland, Dún Laoghaire has experienced a turbulent decade. The BID Team have come up against numerous challenges. I could definitely name the high vacant property rate as one. To overcome it, BID established a Property Forum and Business Attraction Working Group’. Over 70 new businesses have set up in the town over the past 2 years so we are starting to see the fruits of our labour.

How important is technology for the growth of Dun Laoghaire? Is it well received?

Technology is key and at the centre of our activities for 2016. We have many great BID members from multi-nationals to start-ups with operations in Dún Laoghaire.

At the end of 2014, BID together with Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council rolled out free public WIFI in Dún Laoghaire where almost 900,000 users logged onto the system in 2015.

We didn’t stop there, BID is currently updating to the latest Cisco technology to increase speeds offered. 

How has the Dun Laoghaire BID transformed local businesses?

BID has helped to develop relationships within the town at various networking and B2B events. One of our most successful partnerships is the Dún Laoghaire Financial District.

Over 70 BID members located in the town are financial businesses, Dún Laoghaire has the biggest cluster of financial, legal and professional services companies in Ireland outside of the IFSC, employing over 500 people. The Financial District was officially launched at the first Dún Laoghaire Business to Business exhibition last week.

How do you see the newly launched partnership with Jobbio?

Last year BID developed the 2020 Vision, which is a 5-year strategic plan for the town. We are forward-looking, so the Jobbio partnership is a really exciting one and ties in with our strategic priorities. Ireland is full to the brim with excellent talent and this partnership connects our BID members to this talent directly and without the usual hiring hassle.

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Jobbio partnership couldn’t come at a better time.

BID want to see more people working in Dún Laoghaire. The Business Survey I’ve already mentioned also revealed that almost 30% of BID members expect to bring in new hires, so this partnership couldn’t come at a better time!

How do you think it will help to effectively communicate available opportunities to the local community?

This partnership provides an excellent platform for our BID members to communicate new roles to potential candidates. Jobbio is going from strength to strength and this is an excellent opportunity for companies to get on board. It is vital for us not to waste opportunities that we have and talent that is available out there.

What is a piece of advice you wish to share with everyone looking to grow their business?

The customer should be at the centre of all your activities. It sounds simple, but it is the very core – without customers, a business can’t survive.

Based on your experience, what are the tips you would give young entrepreneurs?

Carry out extensive research. Make sure there’s a need for your product or service. Then it takes a massive amount of hard work and dedication. It is important you believe in yourself, but at the same time always be open to advice and new ideas.

You have done a lot of travelling, how has it contributed to your career?

Travelling and working in other countries has been a fantastic experience. Experiencing new cultures is so important in the world we live and work in today. I would definitely recommend all the bright minds just kick-starting their careers to go and experience the outer world. It is worth it.

What is your favourite part of the job?

I believe in what I do and am fascinated by the positive changes we are bringing to the region. I find it rewarding to welcome new businesses to Dún Laoghaire and develop links within the business community that allow partnerships flourish.

 


“Entrepreneurial Skills Are Becoming More Important Than Ever,” Eibhlin Curley

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