The Future is B/right as Cork business woman An Coppens Goes International with the launch of an innovative DVD series for local and international SME markets

    /24-7PressRelease/ - CORK, IRELAND, December 07, 2006 - Answering the need for small to medium sized enterprises to become more competitive in the market place, B/right Coaching has introduced a proactive, simple tool that will enable businesses to expand further in the national markets and encourage international companies to benefit from Irish expertise in how to grow their own business, by utilising the web.

The launch, hosted in Enterprise Ireland's Webworks, was attended by Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Micheál Martin TD, Deputy Lord Mayor Cllr. Michael O' Connell, Rochie Holihan CEO Cork North Enterprise Board, Dave, Vice President Ballincollig Enterprise Board John Curtin, a host of clients and local business people.

With 97% of all businesses in Ireland being classified as small, employing almost 800,000 people it is important to the overall vibrancy of the economy that there is a strong support structure in place to aid their growth. There is no denying that for SMEs a lot of challenges are coming from an economy that is consistently changing and while small organisations may have the benefit of being able to adapt quicker, they do not have the budget larger organisations have. It is anticipated that B/right Coaching will provide the tools for them to prosper, without substantial investment.

The DVD Business Coaching series, which comprises of four DVDS, is the first of its kind in Europe. It tackles areas such as goal setting, work life balance, tools to starting one's own business and taking control of the business that has expanded out of control. Aimed at a cross section of individuals e.g. established business people, fast growth entrepreneurs and start up businesses, the DVDs offer sound coaching hints and tips for those involved in business. They enable one to bring a business coach into the office or home in a private yet practical way. For those on a lean budget the DVD series is cheaper than engaging with a business coach one to one.

Commenting on the concept behind the DVD launch An Coppens, director B/right Coaching, stated "Over the past few years I saw a pattern of questions emerging from clients and felt that if I could package the key questions, then clients could take the coach home and go find answers for themselves. It is here that my idea started for the DVD series and with the newly gained screen confidence from working on a TV programme I decided to go ahead and make the DVD sets. The idea has been well received nationally and I believe there is great potential to grow this market internationally with the use of the internet".

Coppens cites her own personal experience as increasingly typical of what small to medium business owners have experienced. An is very knowledgeable on the challenges SMEs are facing in the current economic environment, having worked with a wide variety of business clients. She has close links with the four Cork Enterprise Boards as part of the Cork Schools Enterprise Programme and as a mentor. In addition, An heads up the European Coaching Institute in Ireland. There is no denying that being quadrilingual (Dutch, English, French and German) will greatly aid An in targeting the international markets.

Congratulating An on this new business tool Cllr. Michael O' Connell, Deputy Lord Mayor commented "I believe An is slightly modest when she talks about her business. I have listened to clients here tonight and realise the great support she provides to companies. The DVDs will provide significant help to the SME market. I would like to congratulate An on receiving today the European Coaching Institute's Achievement Award - this further shows her commitment to developing coaching tools for businesses here in Cork".

Having literally arrived from the airport, after attending the Economic Forum in Turkey, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Micheál Martin TD commended An Coppens on her achievements to date. "Today I spent discussing with the IMF and World Bank how did Ireland get to where we are now. It is only when you go outside the country and speak about it that you realise the extraordinary progress we have made, having doubled our workforce over twenty years. It has been a combination of indigenous business with high manufacturing companies. It is interesting to note that one in ten people at work are entrepreneurs and there is a renewed and enhanced emphasis, from Government, on small to medium size businesses. We are looking at becoming more sophisticated with support, through the Enterprise Boards and Small Business Forum, to provide proper mentoring and coaching which are essential ingredients to businesses in order to succeed. An's work is significant in this area and holds importance. The launch of the Business DVD series offers SMEs an opportunity to develop management structures more effectively and grow. I wish An every success in the future".

The investment cost for SMEs is competitively priced: 47 per DVD when bought individually and 170 for the set of 4 in one sale. For further information on how to purchase the B/right Coaching DVD series please visit http://www.brightcoaching.com/shop/.

About B/Right Business Coaching
Established in 2001 B/Right Business Coaching is one of Cork's leading providers of business coaching. It is a licensed associate of Life Design Systems. The key areas that the company focuses on are one-to-one business coaching on issues such as time management, interpersonal skills, starting, managing and growing a business. For the last 4 years B/Right Business Coaching continues to grow from strength to strength, An has built up a good track record for results with clients in Cork. An holds an MBA in change management from the Open University Business School and a degree in International Marketing and Languages from Dublin City University, she achieved both qualifications whilst working full-time alongside her studies. For more information visit http://www.brightcoaching.com/

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