As a leading business development and growth specialist in Ireland, a management accountant and a certified management consultant, Paul Davis’ work with hundreds of businesses over the years has led him to believe that everyone has it within themselves to truly succeed in business – to truly succeed.

 In EVOLVE, which has been acclaimed by Senator Quinn and Ian Talbot of Chambers Ireland, Paul shows us that there is a blueprint for success.  

The book has also been commended by Tina Roche, CEO of Business in the Community.  “For some unknown reason, during the last decade many people parked their values at the door of the job and gave in to the call of Mammon,” says Tina.  “This has led directly to the times of high anxiety we live in. Now people are once again examining their values. Are the principles we espouse carried through in the practice and behaviours? Paul addresses these questions and comes up with interesting conclusions.” 

 According to Paul Davis, “when we lift the veil on who we are as individuals and marry that with our business skills, then we have the ability to reach our full potential.  By working with this inner knowing and applying the principles outlined in this book, you can build a successful business. If you get these foundations right, you will have a business that is sustainable for years into the future.  From this evolved space, you can make a real difference in your organisations as leaders.”

 “Many of Paul Davis’s concepts will resonate with readers as elements they bring, or aspire to bring, to their own business lives but his new book EVOLVE gives a context and holistic approach which will be invaluable and inspirational,” says CEO of Chambers Ireland, Ian Talbot. 

Senator Feargal Quinn says the book “reminds us that successful businesses are those that make a profit while at the same time bringing benefits to the wider community. To enable employees to ‘get up in the morning looking forward to coming to work’ is an objective that every business can strive to achieve because, with that spirit, everyone wins, including customers!” 

Scientist and author, Dr David R Hamilton, says that what Paul explains in this book “is how you can harness the forces of destiny and the power of your thoughts so as to reach your own success in business and more importantly in life to make this a better world.” 

“Rarely do we get an opportunity to obtain the insights of a successful business growth specialist,” says publisher Brian O’Kane of Oak Tree Press.  “This book opens us up to a world of possibilities that are often ignored in a business context, although they are critical both for businesses and for businesspeople personally as we EVOLVE in the way we do business.”

EVOLVE: Look within Yourself for Business Success by Paul Davis is published by Oak Tree Press €12.95.

www.thebookevolve.com / www.oaktreepress.com

More about Paul Davis:

 Paul Davis FCMA CMC is a leading business growth specialist and trusted advisor in Ireland, and has turned every loss-making business he has worked with into profit. He is known for being a classic lateral thinker, for his strong commercial acumen, and his exceptional ability to identify the constraints of a business. He takes a down-to-earth approach, and quickly implements plans for change within an organisation and its individuals.

Combining his unique abilities with his business growth expertise and practical approach to developing businesses, he is a positive force to be utilised by businesses who want to gain a competitive advantage.  Having trained as a Management Accountant and become a Certified Management Consultant, Paul worked across a wide-range of industry sectors, including: consultancy, construction, high- and low-tech manufacturing, service, and nationwide retail, before setting up Davis Business Consultants.

 Clients say that his straight talking solid advice provides them with inspiration and motivation and with the tools to succeed.  They also describe Paul's hit rate as "awesome," "amazing," "unbelievably accurate." Some go so far as to say they will not make an important business decision without consulting him first!

 MEDIA QUERIES: Trish Hegarty: 086 1740057; trish@iniscommunications.com

B&B Ireland, the all-island body

“I have been very impressed with the evolving marketing strategy of combining classified 3, 4 and 5 star accommodation with activity holidays like walking, golfing, angling and so forth.  I believe this joined-up thinking to market products and accommodation to specific target audiences is the way to go'.

B&B Ireland CEO, Helena Healy says Mr McLoone has over 16 years of experience of serving on a range of national and regional bodies and will make a major contribution to the ongoing development and regeneration of the organisation.  “He brings a knowledge and experience that will assist the Company grow further in these turbulent economic times.”

Mr. McLoone spent 44 years in the public service including 25 years with the North Western Health Board before he was appointed chief executive of Beaumont Hospital in Dublin in 1988. He then went on to take up his post as County Manager of Donegal in 1994, retiring just last year.  Outside of this wealth of professional experience, Mr McLoone is chairman of Donegal Airport and Sector chair of the Public Service Implementation Body.

 In the past, he spent 16 years as Chairperson of Donegal County Enterprise Board, has served as Chairman of the Letterkenny Institute of Technology, the Irish Blood Transfusion Board and the Donegal Employment Initiative Task Force and has been a board member of the Western Development Commission, the Commission on Financial Management and Control-Health Services, and the Health Service Executive. 

“The rise covers advance online bookings for the year 2011 compared to 2010.  The increase is mainly due to bookings from the US, France and Germany, and reflects the demand shown by the ITIC figures and our increased in-house IT and e-marketing capability,” she added.

Breaking the figures down, B&B Ireland said online consumer bookings through bandbireland.com were up 35% from Germany, up 17% from France, up 16% from the US and up 5-6% from Britain.

“In addition, to the rise in online bookings, our tour operator business is up 10% which is again in line with the national trend.”

B&B Ireland represents over 1,000 owners from cities, towns and rural areas across the island of Ireland.    Earlier this year, they launched the only B&B iPhone app and have also launched a new range of specialist "package" breaks to cater for a wide range of interests such as walkers, anglers, golfers, farmstay, and Irish language enthusiasts amongst others. 

“In the past year, over 80% of B&B Ireland properties have received star ratings under the new Fáilte Ireland scheme for the sector, and that’s been a real boost to their business,” said Helena.  “Consumers logging into our website www.bandbireland.com can now find approved 3, 4 and 5 star properties at a glance.”

B&B owners from all over the island of Ireland meet in Dublin this week for the annual general meeting of their representative body, B&B Ireland.   The meeting will be addressed by Minister of State for Tourism and Transport, Michael Ring. 

B&B Ireland represents over 1,000 owners from the cities, towns and rural areas of Ireland. Earlier this year they launched their first iPhone app, and have also launched a new range of specialist "package" breaks to cater for a wide range of interests such as walkers, anglers, golfers, culture and Irish language enthusiasts. 

 “In countries like Holland, New Zealand, and the US, there is a patchwork or craft shop in nearly every small town,” says Gaye, who owns and runs her own quilting business – the Fennel Shed - in Buncrana.  

““We need to create more awareness of the potential for growth in Ireland and also of the potential to develop quilt tourism, because quilters will travel the world to get to a quilt shop!  We ourselves have witnessed growth in turnover by 25%-50% each year for the last three years.”  

This trend seems to be backed up by RDS Show organisers, Twisted Thread, who say that as well as the bigger UK craft businesses, about 75 Irish companies now exhibit at the RDS – a rise of 25% in the past 5 years.   

To meet this growing interest, Gaye is holding the Dublin launch of her new book Square Play- Ireland’s first “how to” patchwork quilt book - at the RDS show on the 10^th November, where she will take her biggest stand to date. 

“I’ve spent almost 40 years designing and making quilts, and have been running my own quilting and supply business for ten years. I know that many people would love to give it a try, but are intimidated by the apparently tricky details of getting started: finding the right fabrics, etc.  Square Play aims to answer those questions for first time quilters.”  The book has been launched at shows in England, Scotland and Belfast and is so popular it is already being used as a teaching text as far afield as Italy.  

Gaye also produces pre-cut packs for beginners, which hold everything they need to make their first quilt, and The Fennel Shed supplies patterns, fabrics, quilting sets, and other products to local and visiting quilters.  Gaye publishes the magazine “Irish Quilt and Craft” as well as running courses, workshops and demonstrations, and attending international quilting events. 

 In another indication of the growing demand for quilting skills, Gaye has been asked to formulate a training programme for those interested in teaching the skills of patchwork to others.   The plans are for a year-long course, which is due to start early in 2012.

 “We have a great opportunity next year to raise the profile of Irish quilting when the first International Quilt Festival of Ireland takes place in Galway in June 2012, and it would be great if the Government could help shine the spotlight on this sector at a time when the island’s economy needs growth industries.” 

The Fennel Shed is in Buncrana, Co Donegal and can be contacted at +353 87 9499070 or on www.thefennelshed.com.

 “Our charity is only one year old but already we have been able to provide crucial support to children from the region who face special difficulties due to separation and bereavement,” says Guardian Project director Deirdre Burke.  “By becoming a “rent partner”, you can help us secure these much-needed services”

“The over-riding ethos of the Centre is that children and young people are the very basis of our society, and that they have an absolute entitlement to be supported, encouraged and nurtured. They are the foundation of our future and at the core of the support of every child is the family”, says Deirdre, who is also a family law practitioner. 

“In today’s society the family structure is very different, and often splintered, and I believe that the supports we provide are absolutely essential in the lives of this generation of children.”

“When children come to the Guardian Project, they realise that they are not alone, and that their family is not the only one affected by separation. They are given tools to help them cope with their individual situations; helped to understand their feelings and to work out their anger, fears and anxieties; they are given a safe space to speak and be heard.   The adult whom children usually turn to in a crisis is often not available to them fully at this time, and that is where the Project can step in.”

The centre provides counselling, therapy, play therapy and additional support services to children who are experiencing Parental Separation and Bereavement.  “We also offer a year round dedicated Centre for Rainbows Ireland, with our Peer Support Programme for children,” says director Deirdre Burke, who is a family law practitioner.

In addition, the project runs Family Law Mediation and an Access Facility, which offers relationship building between separated parents and children, on a supervised basis as required.

To date Deirdre says the project has had a great response from businesses and the local community but in order to continue to support children in need, they must secure their current premises for the future.  “We are looking for local businesses to act as “Rent Partners” so that we can concentrate our limited resources on the services to children.” 

For further details and to support this appeal you can call 0402-91477, email enquiries@guardianproject.ie  or go to  www.facebook.com/guardianproject.

 Highlights include Loinnir’s spectacular illuminated night-time sculptures, Open Recording Studio with award-winning Irish DJs Timmy and Tommy, international song, dance and food, a travelling exhibition on Irish Traditional Music, and an exhibition by Derry artist Locky Morris - best known in Donegal for his large-scale public art works, such as Polestar in Letterkenny.

 As well as exhibitions, Culture Night includes, music, dance, workshops, walking tours, sculpture trails, readings, and theatre. “This year we also now have Derry, Letterkenny town itself and An Gaeltacht all taking part in Culture Night activities, so we can showcase the creative enterprises that make up our vibrant cultural sector across this entire region,” says Traolach Ó Fionnáin.

 “This is particularly important in the run up to Derry’s City of Culture 2012, which can bring these enterprises to a huge new audience.  This year we are also coinciding with Letterkenny 400 and it’s a great opportunity for Donegal County Council to work with the Town Council and to contribute to this major celebration.”

 Letterkenny Mayor Gerry McMonagle says Culture Night again offers the opportunity to highlight the vast array of cultural options within the town.  “The emphasis on free events and family friendly access ties in with the ethos behind events held earlier in the year during the Letterkenny 400 commemorations".

 Letterkenny 400 was planned to mark commemorations surrounding the history of the town through coordinating a series of historic events over the June Bank holiday weekend that focused on the theme of family friendly entertainment. The events were organised in association with local community groups and representatives as well as the Donegal County Museum, An Grianán theatre and the Donegal County Library. 

 Culture Night is an initiative co-ordinated by Temple Bar Cultural Trust and supported by the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht in partnership with Donegal County Council and Letterkenny Town Council.   Culture Night in Letterkenny is co-ordinated by Donegal County Council Cultural Services Department and presented in association with Letterkenny Town Council.

Media queries to:   Trish Hegarty, Inis Communications on +353 86 1740057.