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Dublin: 12.02.2012

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START-UP KIT

All you need to know to start a business from the ground up,
from concept to realisation.

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The need to master business model design

Entrepreneur Alex Osterwalder's top tips for people starting out.

Using 'the cycle of influence'

Executive coach Pamela Milne outlines how she came up with this approach.

The ‘Idea, People, Money’ formula

Author of 'How to Manage' Jo Owen shares a formula she has used to starting businesses.

People buy from people they like

Carol Anne Lowe advises not to focus on your lap top when pitching to potential clients.

Grab opportunities now

Blaise Brosnan urges entrepreneurs to break away from the herd.

Changing a 'no' to a 'yes'

Head of business marketing at Ulster Bank, John Boyle's tips on going for a bank loan.

Start Up Kit

Case study – system: slim

22.03.2010
Pharmacist David Kerins has become the master licence holder for the system: slim franchise in Ireland and after a few weeks has already introduced the weight loss programme into 21 pharmacies around the country.

Launched in 2003 in New Zealand, system: slim provides a weekly programme that supports weight loss, creates well-being and increases energy through a healthy eating programme and natural supplements tailored to individual requirements.

Kerins is running it as a separate business to his four pharmacies in Dublin and Dundalk. “I became aware of system: slim through a colleague of mine who was introduced to it in New Zealand and following in-depth research I decided to bring it to Ireland.

“Over many years as a pharmacist I have seen slimming fads come and go but I believe this programme is credible and authentic and will revolutionise slimming in this country. This programme is about eating whole foods and has an important detoxing aspect, so the approach is sensible and helps to prevent weight going back on. I used it myself and it worked,” he says.

Back-up to licence holders

Similar to a franchise operation, Kerins provides support to any pharmacy or practitioner that decides to take on the programme.

“I provide a day’s training to the pharmacy staff to be system: slim consultants; supply the products and my team of nutritionists and therapists then give their expert opinion on each individual client. There are three main eating programmes to choose from, which have been developed in New Zealand.”

Kerins has employed a Cork-based nutritionist; and a naturopath and master herbalist and nutritionist and personal trainer in Dublin. Each has been trained by the New Zealand parent via Skype.

Rolling out the programme to more pharmacies

“I aim to develop a team of different experts and introduce the programme into more than just pharmacies, as is the case in New Zealand where it’s available in gyms and from other practitioners.”

Since January, 50 individuals have signed up to the programme. Kerins intends launching a revamped website with interactive features in the next week.

Photo: system: slim takes to the shelves of Irish pharmacies, with pharmacist David Kerins having become the master licence holder here in Ireland for the New-Zealand-originated system

by Sorcha Corcoran

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Useful Links

Business
1. Business and Leadership
  Ireland's leading online source for breaking business news from Ireland and the world; plus analysis, features and interviews with the decision makers and thought leaders.
2. Companies Registration Office
  The Companies Registration Office is the central repository of public statutory information on Irish companies and business names.
3. Endeavour
  Endeavour is an intensive global launch pad for entrepreneurs. It is targeted at ambitious, high achievers who are totally focused on changing the business space they are about to enter. They need not necessarily have been in business up to now, but will have proven themselves as achievers in their career or some other aspect of their lives.
4. Irish Franchise Association
  The Irish Franchise Association promotes the development of franchising in Ireland through exhibitions, seminars, newsletters, awards and networking.
5. Irish Internet Association
  Established in 1997, the Irish Internet Association (IIA) is the professional body for those conducting business via the internet from Ireland. The IIA provides leadership to enterprises and society conducting business in Ireland.
6. Irish Patents Office
  The Patents Office provides an efficient and effective system of industrial property protection through the implementation of the relevant legislation.
7. Revenue Commissioners
  Provides information on Irish tax and customs.
8. Social Entrepreneurs Ireland
  Social Entrepreneurs Ireland aims to encourage and support the development of social entrepreneurship in Ireland. Its mission is to promote social entrepreneurship by fostering the early stage development of a new generation of social entrepreneurs and by actively working in conjunction with the business, third level, public and voluntary sectors to support the development of a new social entrepreneurship movement. 
Education
1. FÁS
  Ireland's national training and employment authority
2. M50 Enterprise Programme
  The M50 Enterprise Programme is an enterprise support programme provided in partnership by four higher-education institutions located in the M50 economic corridor.
Funding
1. AIB Business Banking
  Details of AIB's business start-up package.
2. City and County Enterprise Boards
  CEBs provide direct grant support to new and existing enterprises and promote entrepreneurship, capacity building and women-in-business at local level.
Networking
1. Plato Ireland
  Plato Ireland is a confidential business support forum for owner managers of SMEs.
Support
1. BASIS - Business Access to State Information and Services
  This website has been developed in order to provide business with a single access point to all government information and services.
2. Enterprise Ireland
  Enterprise Ireland is the government agency responsible for the development and promotion of the indigenous business sector.
3. InterTradeIreland
  InterTradeIreland has been given responsibility by both governments to boost North/South economic co-operation to the mutual benefit of Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
4. Shannon Development
  A government-owned regional development company dedicated to promoting and developing the Shannon Region.
5. Synergy Centre
  Synergy Centre at ITT Dublin is the innovation centre of South Dublin County, providing office space and business supports to early-stage enterprises.
6. The Health and Safety Authority (HSA)
  The Irish state-sponsored body with responsibility for securing safety, health and welfare at work.
7. Údarás na Gaeltachta
  Údarás na Gaeltachta is the regional authority responsible for the economic, social and cultural development of the Gaeltacht.
8. Young Entrepreneur Programme and Awards
  The Young Entrepreneur Programme is dedicated to illustrating the validity of entrepreneurship as a career choice, helping to identify, inform, recognise and celebrate Kerry’s next generation of business leaders - and their educators.
Technology
1. Digital 21
  Digital 21 is a campaign to highlight the imperative of creating an action programme to secure the digital infrastructure and services upon which the success of the Irish economy depends.
2. Gadget Republic
  A great guide to all the latest gadgets and gizmos!
3. Silicon Republic
  Ireland's technology news service, winner of ‘Best Technology Website’ Award at the Realex Irish Web Awards 2009
4. Tibus
  eBusiness solutions provider encompassing web design, web app development, networks infrastructure, hosting and broadband provision.

Bizstartup.ie - Start Up Kit

START-UP KIT

Browse by topic

The need to master business model design

Using 'the cycle of influence'

The ‘Idea, People, Money’ formula

People buy from people they like

Grab opportunities now

Changing a 'no' to a 'yes'

Start Up Kit

Related Articles

Case study – system: slim

Back-up to licence holders

Rolling out the programme to more pharmacies

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Education

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Bizstartup.ie - Start Up Kit

START-UP KIT

Browse by topic

Start Up Kit

Related Articles

Case study – system: slim

Back-up to licence holders

Rolling out the programme to more pharmacies

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Education

Funding

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