The economic growth experienced in Ireland during the mid-90's had many far-reaching consequences for what was, up until then, one of Europe's poorest countries.

While the cash-cow phenomenon was not without its critics, largely due to the mis-management of certain Government sectors (Health, Telecommunications and Transport infrastructures for example), this significant period in Irish history now commonly referred to as 'The Celtic Tiger', 'The Boom' and 'Ireland's Economic Miracle', will mostly be remembered for the accumulated positive impacts it had on Irish society.

For while certain sectors in Government were being criticised for a perceived lack of foresight and management, others operating within the private industry sector were taking their first tentative baby-steps into the big, bad world of self-employment. The trend has shown no sign of slowing down even if the Celtic Tiger has, with the number of start-up businesses being registered continuing to increase with each passing year.

But, as any failed entrepreneur will readily attest, just because the initiative is present and correct one can still not be guaranteed success, particularly with competition growing across the board in this cash-flushed and brave new Ireland. The fact remains that in spite of our standing as one of Europe's richest countries businesses still go under every single day. The reasons for these failures can be attributed to a number of factors, but poor management is by and large the prime culprit.

Which is where Leadership Management Ireland (LMI) come in – for over 30 years the international brand of LMI have been 'improving businesses, helping organisations develop the talents and abilities of their key employees and increasing productivity and corporate profits', in over 70 countries.

Eight years ago the business and personal performance improvement company began an operation in Ireland. Now, following a period of significant growth over the past three years, LMI have expanded their Munster team with the recent addition of Tina McAvoy to the team.

Tina herself says that although she is still relatively new to the job, she already has garnered huge satisfaction from her role within LMI. " I joined in March of 2007. At LMI we concentrate on the development of people, primarily in the executive, managerial and supervisory areas.

"We offer a different kind of process in our training. It's not a quick-fix training scheme with short-term benefits. Rather it is the carefully planned process that makes our business a success with long-term results for our clients."

Tina says the company has developed over the years since Bob McCarthy started the business in Cork. Crucially, she says, LMI has managed to adapt and grow with the ever-changing demands for Irish businesses a key factor in its own success. People nowadays are more focused on customer relations. People want to get as much from their businesses as they possibly can.

"We call ourselves facilitators in that regard. Every business is different in its own personal requirements and demands. We therefore facilitate a particular type of programme depending on their individual needs.

"We get them to look closely at their own business. The process of facilitating requires us to draw people in. It has to be dynamic so as to keep people interested. LMI offer two predominant type of programmes – an Open Programme, where any number of people from a variety of businesses can attend and secondly an In-House Programme, designed specifically to cater for one company."