Does EI have customers? Or are those grant succors EI clients who exist to draw down grants on the heels of performance? This sounds pedantic but the terms create the reference points here.
They call us clients. Therefore we are customers. I'm sure in some corridor in Glasnevin there is a dusty plaque with an ISO9001 Mission Statement about "delighting customers"
From my first hand experience, when a State agency grants me money, I become a client like a schoolboy in a boarding school. Then I follow the rules to collect more pocket money. That has been my experience with three startups.
Good point. The relationship is distorted by the grants because we effectively become afraid to criticise in any way just in case it damages our chances of future grants. At the minute I want to be openly vicious about the delay in getting some simple paperwork but I'm holding my tongue until it arrives in the door.
There's a lot of companies on PV (including myself) who currently rely on various supports from EI. I hope for for the sake of a sensational article those same companies don't get cold sholder from EI in future. Same journo calls us Paddy's Valley "staff" on page 7!
From 30 years experience of dealing with "Developement Agencies".....
If you need them, you're screwed
If you don't need them, then screw them for whatever you can
I do worry for those that take state benefits from EI, they, to me are akin to being in abusive relationships, never wanting to anger an irriational EI in case funds dry up. What an awful way to live and to try and do business.
Don't worry for us Damien - you have your day job to take care of you - for those that have the balls to risk going out alone, EI start-up supports are a help. I'm never afraid to anger or disagree with EI - though I do it direct, not have friends in newspapers do it publicly.
Ding! End of the round. Time to count to 10, make that 110. I'd suggest everyone sleeps off some of the jet lag then gets up in the morning then a) decide what the real problem is and b) the next constructive step to solving it. Let's not forget the whole PaddysValley trip was a success beyond anyone's imagination. Why all the angst? Good night from Limerick.
10 comments so far
Has anyone ever received an anonymised customer satisfaction survey from Enterprise Ireland, paper or online?
1 year, 11 months ago by conoro
Does EI have customers? Or are those grant succors EI clients who exist to draw down grants on the heels of performance? This sounds pedantic but the terms create the reference points here.
1 year, 11 months ago by topgold
They call us clients. Therefore we are customers. I'm sure in some corridor in Glasnevin there is a dusty plaque with an ISO9001 Mission Statement about "delighting customers"
1 year, 11 months ago by conoro
From my first hand experience, when a State agency grants me money, I become a client like a schoolboy in a boarding school. Then I follow the rules to collect more pocket money. That has been my experience with three startups.
1 year, 11 months ago by topgold
Good point. The relationship is distorted by the grants because we effectively become afraid to criticise in any way just in case it damages our chances of future grants. At the minute I want to be openly vicious about the delay in getting some simple paperwork but I'm holding my tongue until it arrives in the door.
1 year, 11 months ago by conoro
There's a lot of companies on PV (including myself) who currently rely on various supports from EI. I hope for for the sake of a sensational article those same companies don't get cold sholder from EI in future. Same journo calls us Paddy's Valley "staff" on page 7!
1 year, 11 months ago by shaneymac
From 30 years experience of dealing with "Developement Agencies"..... If you need them, you're screwed If you don't need them, then screw them for whatever you can
1 year, 11 months ago by jbkenn
I do worry for those that take state benefits from EI, they, to me are akin to being in abusive relationships, never wanting to anger an irriational EI in case funds dry up. What an awful way to live and to try and do business.
1 year, 11 months ago by DamienMulley
Don't worry for us Damien - you have your day job to take care of you - for those that have the balls to risk going out alone, EI start-up supports are a help. I'm never afraid to anger or disagree with EI - though I do it direct, not have friends in newspapers do it publicly.
1 year, 11 months ago by shaneymac
Ding! End of the round. Time to count to 10, make that 110. I'd suggest everyone sleeps off some of the jet lag then gets up in the morning then a) decide what the real problem is and b) the next constructive step to solving it. Let's not forget the whole PaddysValley trip was a success beyond anyone's imagination. Why all the angst? Good night from Limerick.
1 year, 11 months ago by ghartnett