Cork businesses could be among the cream of the European crop in an upcoming European business awards scheme. HSBC Corporate Banking Ireland is on the hunt for Cork's premium business talent as the European Business Awards 2010 sponsored by HSBC opens for entries across the EU. Now in its fourth year, the European Business Awards is recognised as the hallmark of innovation, success and sustainability across the EU.

Innovative new software has been introduced by Dairygold Co-Op, Ireland's largest farmer-owned business. COREmill Software, supplied by CORE Integrated Business Solutions has been successfully implemented across Dairygold's two Cork mills in Mitchelstown and Lombardstown. COREagri also has been implemented in Dairygold's thirty-nine stores nationwide in the trading division.

Cork businesses and commuters are set for improved travelling conditions as bus service in the city and county are to receive over €5m in funding. According to Micheál Martin, TD, the monies will improve access into the city. "It has been confirmed that major funding is being provided to ensure people can get access in and out of the city centre as quickly as possible.

Marketing. It's one of those things that became popular during the Celtic Tiger. Both subtly and directly, we're used to being bombarded with marketing images, text, and other messages every second. At home, we see television advertising. We listen to radio advertising. We advertise brand names on our clothes, our furniture and our electronic goods.

1. Name of your business?
Waters Glass & Glazing Ltd.
2. Location?
Deanrock, Togher, Cork
3. Client base?

Progress on the development of the N25 South Link Road is being broadly welcomed by business groups in the city. The recent announcement that flyovers at the Bandon and Sarsfield Road roundabouts are moving to the tender stage has been described as beneficial to both businesses in and around Cork City.

A Cork company is aiming to continue its recent successes having being listed as a finalist in a national competition. Clinical Conduct Associates Ltd. (CCA) has followed on with great success from being a finalist in the Small Firms Association 'the Company of the Year' and 'Innovator of the Year' categories in 2008 with a short listing as a finalist in the Irish Times Innovation Awards 2010.

Strong political leadership is what is required in Ireland to avoid a similar situation as has befallen Greece according to a recent economic outlook. The Friends First Consumer Outlook suggests that house prices will fall further over the coming year, that the recession will end in the middle of 2010, that creating jobs is the biggest challenge facing the Government and that a fundamental reform of taxation and spending is required.

Two of Cork's leading golf clubs, Kinsale Golf Club and Cork Golf Club Little Island were honoured recently at a Failte Ireland Golf Forum, held in Carton House in Kildare. Thirty two golf clubs collected an award under the new Failte Ireland National Standards Framework for golf clubs, developed in conjunction with the Golf Quality Assurance Group. These industry standards are the first of their kind for golf courses in Ireland and offer a guarantee of good service to all customers of clubs which hold the accreditation.

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