Facebook Ireland will be providing free training for SMEs in Cork through its ‘Boost with Facebook’ series. On Tuesday, 20th October, the virtual training event will focus on helping  SMEs develop and improve their online content strategies.

Facebook experts will show SMEs how to drive business results and grow their reach through content creation on Facebook platforms. Guest speaker Aoibhín Garrihy, Irish actress, businesswoman and influencer, will host a small business panel with Cork businesses, The Irish Garden and Happy Feet Reflexology as well as Shabby.ie from Tipperary, to discuss how they have adapted to keep their businesses afloat in response  to COVID-19 to. Conor Healy, Chief Executive of Cork Chamber will provide a regional outlook on the business environment. The online event is free and people can register to attend at Boost With Facebook.

Commenting on the importance of supporting SMEs during COVID-19, Ciaran Quilty, Vice President of Global Business Group at Facebook said;

Small and medium sized businesses in Cork are currently facing the challenge of a lifetime. The need to move fast and adapt has been crucial to the survival of many SMEs. At Facebook, we want to guide and support them as they move their business online by sharing advice, training and inspiration and help boost their digital skills to recover and grow.

Also, we recently launched a Small Business Resource Hub to support Irish small businesses. The hub has a range of resources such as a resiliency tool kit and online training sessions designed to help businesses minimise disruption during COVID-19.

Small businesses in Ireland have been most affected by COVID-19 and need training and digitalisation assistance as consumer behaviour shifts online. A recent survey*, conducted by OECD, the World Bank, and Facebook revealed that over 40% of Irish SMEs adapted to the pandemic by setting up a website or online business presence. For some SMEs in Ireland, the task of moving to a digital platform can seem daunting. With this in mind, Facebook is launching its virtual Boost with Facebook series to Cork, Dublin and Galway over the coming weeks. For more information visit Boost with Facebook.

Register for upcoming Boost with Facebook events at Boost with Facebook:

• Boost with Facebook Cork: Content Strategy
  •  Tuesday 20th October, 12:00pm

• Boost with Facebook Dublin: The Season of Support
  • Thursday 29th October, 12:00pm

• Boost with Facebook Galway: Utilise Messaging
  • Tuesday 3rd November, 12:00pm

Want to get €5, absolutely free? Sign up to the ‘Smart’ Debit Card – Curve today, and earn a fiver on us! Find out more here.