Guest Writer - Arnold, 28 March

Welcome to the Legal-Island Blog.

Last week saw the start of mental health awareness week . We at Legal-Island took an active role so last Thursday we had a relaxation day, all staff had a 10 minutes break and listened to a relaxation podcast. Friday was a ‘’Fruity’’ day where everybody had a healthy lunch and some fruit smoothies .Today we had the option of going for a short walk or being part of a Wii bowling competition at lunch time.

Our training centre will be use by Royal College of GP’s on Wednesday and Health Improvement Committee on Thursday.

Today is a Julie’s last day before she heads off on maternity leave. We wish her all the best and looking forward to seeing her back in Legal-Island.

Networking:

Jayne

On Tuesday Jayne is attending Recruitment and Selection workshop at the Leighinmor House Hotel in Ballymena

Wednesday morning she is attending the IoD Reform Club in Belfast for an IoD Young Directors Forum

Friday she is in Dublin for Association of Coaching Annual Meeting

Heather

Heather is in Ballycraigy Primary School helping out with the hockey on Thursday.

Ainsley

Ainsley is going to coach junior football at Ballycraigy Primary School on Wednesday afternoon, followed by a visit to Parkhall College to continue with the Young Enterprise initiative.

Scott

Scott will be mediating in a dispute on Tuesday and will be chairing the ‘Age and Retirement’ event at the Ramada Hotel, Shaw’s Bridge, on 31 March. He may be working from home on Wednesday and/or Friday

Kerry

Kerry will be out hosting the Age and Retirement Event at the Ramada,Shawsbridge, on Thursday.

Barry

Barry's head is buzzing today after attending a seminar in London over
the weekend. He's meeting Will McKee from Linkubator over lunch today
and is in the office all day tomorrow. On Wednesday morning he's
attending a breakfast seminar at the Radisson Row Valley Country Park
delivered by the head of the Bank of England. For the rest of the time
he's in the office working on new programmes. On Saturday he flies to
Geneva for the weekend. How do the Swiss say "Lucky Pup" I wonder?

Guest Writer Jayne Finlay 21st March 2011

Hello to another week on the Island! And a busy one it is too...

After a week off it fills like I've never been away, somehow Island House does not have quite the same ring as Top of the Rock but I couldn't stay (or afford to stay!) in New York forever! So I'm back to face the challenges ahead!

A big Legal-Island welcome to our new start Debbie! Debbie joins us as a part time administrator working every Monday, Tuesday and Friday - we look forward to working with you Debbie!

And so this weeks networking begins...

Barry has a packed week as ever. He’s meeting Will McKee Monday afternoon to discuss some business issues. On Tuesday morning he’s meeting Peter O’Reilly from Mediation Northern Ireland before attending the launch of the Irish News Awards at the Belfast Waterfront Hall. That same afternoon he’s attending a seminar delivered by Ira Koretsky through until 6p.m. after which he’s hosting a dinner discussion on the way forward for mediation in NI.

On Wednesday he’s at an export seminar in the morning at the Innovation centre. On Thursday he’s at a breakfast seminar delivered by Brian Dunlop and that yet another seminar straight after that delivered by the Centre for Competitiveness. On Friday Barry’s in the office all day before flying off to London for an all day EBA seminar on Saturday.

Scott is meeting with Joe Blair of MBS and Penny Thornberry on Tuesday to discuss customer care events. On Friday Scott is visiting Decora Blinds in Lisburn as the guest of HR Manager Mark McGurnaghan.

Ainsley is meeting Paula Milligan (Marketing Consultant) on Wednesday morning, followed by football at Ballycraigy and Young Enterprise on Wednesday afternoon. Ainsley as always will be on the ball generating more sales for our conferences.

I am in and our of meetings most of Monday, on Wednesday I am at the Europa Hotel with Kerry for a WIB and Chamber of Commerce Networking event. After this I will be helping out with the Ballycraigy school hockey team.

Heather is off to Dublin tomorrow for a number of ROI events and on Thursday the Training Centre holds Section 75

That's a lot to be getting on with for this week I think!

See you all soon!

Guest Writer - Heather, 14th March 2011

Hello all, or should I say cock-a-doodle-doo!

That's right Barry finally got the Legal-Island hens and what stunning chicks they are! We have 4 Aruncan hens which will hopefully lay some lovely blue/green eggs. Everyone is more than welcome to call round to meet Biatta, Britney, Christina and last but not least Henrietta.

It's an egg-citing week this week at the Island, with of course lots of networking as usual. Here is what we are all at this week:

Barry

is standing in for MD, Jayne Finlay, (who’s in New York) leading the troops in the Monday morning meeting and the Ops meeting immediately after. On Tuesday, Barry’s out for Olympic tickets just like everyone else. Cycling, rowing, and the men’s 100 metres is what he’s after by all accounts. On Tuesday afternoon he’s meeting Bill McCartney from Net4wise owls. On Wednesday he’s attending a seminar delivered by John McKee all about better export techniques. On Wednesday lunch he’s meeting Peter O’Reilly from Mediation Northern Ireland and then coach, Richard O’Rawe. He’s taking his St Patrick’s Day on Friday going to Milan for the weekend for a dose of the dolce vita. I wonder will his chicks miss him?

Scott

Scott will be chairing the HR Network meeting on 15 March. The guest speaker is Bill McCartney from Net 4 Wise Owls. Bill will be discussing the positive uses of social networking for HR professionals.

On Friday Scott will be getting his picture taken alongside other speakers from the Northern Ireland HR Conference at the Ramada Hotel in Belfast. Watch out for allegorical carrots. The picture will be used in their Business Section by our partners at the Belfast Telegraph. The conference will take place on 14th April at the Ramada Hotel.

Ainsley

Tuesday – meeting Bill McCartney to discuss social media, particularly our Facebook strategy
Wednesday – meeting Paula Milligan (consultant) re: marketing initiatives, then out in the afternoon to Ballycraigy Primary School (football) and Parkhall College (Young Enterprise).
Friday – morning photoshoot at the Ramada Shaw’s Bridge with the speakers for the HR Conference

The Events team

We will be attending the Holiday Inn, Belfast Launch Night

Donna

Will be volunteering on Wednesday at Ecos centre as part of the 'Saint for a Day' scheme run by Business in the Community.

Independent health care providers will be using the training centre on Wednesday.

Please check out our 'Recommendations of the Month' page online where we provide up- to-date information on the very best contacts that we use.

Guest Writer - Donna - 7th March 2011

I have to say March is one of my favourite months as it means the evenings are getting longer, the birds are singing, the lambs are skipping in the fields and we can hopefully say goodbye to the dull cold days and nights of winter - although this is Northern Ireland, our weather doesn't always abide by the months of the year!

March is full of wellbeing awareness days including International Womens day on 8th March, No Smoking Day on 9th March and it is the Ovarian and Prostrate cancer awareness month - for further information see http://www.ovarian.org.uk/
www.prostate-cancer.org.uk.

The older folks around North Antrim have a saying that if "March comes in like a lion it will go out like a lamb" - here at Legal Island we are charging into March like a lion with a full programme of events in NI, ROI and GB, for full details see our website at http://www.legal-island.com/or http://www.legal-island.ie/

Who is doing what this week?

Barry

Barry's week started early with a meeting at 8.30a.m. this morning with Quintin Oliver from Statagem. He has another with a representative of BITC at lunch today and a business dinner this evening at the Stormont. On Tuesday evening he's attending a business book review club in Belfast whilst on Wednesday he's meeting barrister, Mark McEvoy for lunch at the Hilton. On Thursday he's a phone call conference with Guy Levene and so far Friday is completely free but no doubt that will change before he's got stuck into even part of the week.

Jayne

On Monday Jayne is meeting John Heaslip from BITC with Barry. On Tuesday Jayne and Heather will be attending the Women in Business and IOD event at the La Mon and on Wednesday she will be meeting lisa McIlvenna and Lindsay McKee from BITC to discuss our membership. On Thursday she will be jetting off to New York for a "mini shopping major spend" break - we are not at all jealous!

Heather

Ballycraigy hockey team will have the assistance of Heather on Thursday afternoon

Kerry

Last week Kerry hosted in the Stillorgan and was so impressed by the table lighting provided for the delegates at lunchtime that she took a photo -they were treated like royalty.

This week Kerry will be hosting at theEssentials of Employment Law event on Thursday at the Hilton, Belfast.

Ainsley

On Thursday Ainsley and Peter will be at Ballycraigy Primary school coaching the football team and then he will head onto Parkhall college for his YENI slot.

Staff News...

We are thrilled to have John Hardy back with us, he will be covering the Email Service Manager post when Julie is off on maternity leave.

In admin we will be conducting second round interviews to appoint a new part time administrator.

We are looking forward to meeting the new telesales addition to the marketing team. Her name is Rose Henry and I hope she will enjoy her time with us.

And Finally....
In case you wondered, Legal Island wont be going out of March like a lamb we will do it all again in April.

Guest Writer: Julie - 28 February 2011

March is upon us and Spring is in the air!


This is the first of one of our very busy weeks in the South with 4 events in total taking place in Dublin over the 2nd and 3rd of March. On the 2nd of March we are hosting 'Employment Law in the Public Sector' followed by ' Stress and Bullying at work'. ' Mastering the HR Function' and 'Education Law Update 2011' will take place on the 3rd of March. It's quite a busy week for Heather and she will be joined by Kerry on Thursday to help co-host the 'Education' event.


Schrader will be using the Legal Island training centre today right through until Wednesday and then on Friday the 'Public Health Agency' will be using it in the morning time.

Staff movements for the forthcoming week are as follows:

Barry - is having lunch with David Pierce from 'Todd Communications' this afternoon but other than that he will remain on the Island today.
On Tuesday he's in Dublin hearing a mediation appeal and meeting a representative from 'Certification Europe'. On Wednesday he's meeting Pip Jaffa from the 'Parents Advice Centre' and Mary Montague from 'Tidestraining'. On Wednesday evening Barry has a round table dinner with a minister as a guest of the Chamber of Commerce. On Thursday he's in London at another EBA seminar and on Friday he's still there networking.

Scott - This week Scott Alexander will be meeting Penny Thornberry from 'P Thornberry Solutions' and Tom Evans and Alan Scott from 'DEL'. He also hopes to attend the Legal Island ' Employment Law in the Public Sector' event in Dublin in association with McCann Fitzgerald solicitors.

Heather - is hosting the Dublin events this Wednesday and Thursday and on Friday she is attending a WIB & Network Ireland event at the Guinness Store House.

Kerry - is attending an 'Effective Business Writing Course' on Tuesday morning in Antrim.

Ainsley - will be attending Parkhall College on Wednesday afternoon for the 'Young Enterprise Group'.

Jayne - is meeting with Sarah Bondi from NACCO on Wednesday to chat about EFQM. On Thursday she is attending an event with EWN to celebrate International Woman's Day with Ruth Badger (formerly an apprentice candidate), this will take place in Dundalk. On Friday Jayne will be attending a Marketing meeting In-House.


Onwards............

Guest Writer: Vanessa

Welcome to another busy week on The Island. We are holding two events in our Training Centre this week - a seminar on Redundancy on Wednesday which sold out a number of weeks ago and a repeat of the Customer Service course that we ran successfully for the first time last September.

As far as the activities of our staff go - when have we ever let the grass grow under our feet?!

Barry has 5 days of intensive networking ahead of him this week beginning today with meetings with David Gaston, Noel Brady of NB1 and Peter McBride CEO of Niamh. On Tuesday he's meeting Brian Speers of CMG Solicitors in the morning, Dave Vincent of KDS and then David Brittain of the DOENI. On Wednesday he's meeting Melanie Donnelly from Full Circle. On Thursday he's in London attending a seminar delivered by the Entrepreneurs' Business Academy. On Friday he's hoping to have a meeting with Squire Sanders Hammonds before heading off to the Royal Opera House to see the operat they're all talking about at the moment "Nicole". Lucky pup!


Scott will be meeting with Tom Evans and Alan Scott from DEL this week and also Karen Thompson from the Belfast Telegraph along with Peter. Scott is also going to be helping out at the Customer First event on Thursday.

Jayne is attending a Management and Leadership Conference at the University of Ulster on Wednesday with Heather and Ainsley. She is back at Ballycraigy Primary School on Thursday taking a hockey lesson. On Friday she is attending the SOCITM event at the Park Avenue in Belfast - this is an event we are co-sponsoring with Noel Brady and CIPFA.

Peter and Ainsley will also be volunteering at Ballycraigy this week, coaching the football team.

Guest Writer: Peter

Last week saw the successful Winning Tenders in Northern Ireland conference keenly attended by various SME's and large private sector companies. The event was so popular we'd to change the venue!

We don't have any conferences this week, but that doesn't mean there's any slacking on the 'Island...

Here's what's going on this week:

Barry is in the office all day today signing off a few events. On Tuesday he's meeting Brian Speers, President of the Law Society, Ciara Fulton from Tughans and John Brolly from the Irish News. He also has a coaching session with Richard O'Rawe in the afternoon. On Wednesday he's up with the early birds for a breakfast meeting of BNI at Dunsilly Hotel, then meeting Mick Doggat for lunch. On Thursday he has an evening dinner at Parliament Building’s. Barry has a Friday free at the moment, but as we all know, that’s likely to change.

In a comedown from last weeks ‘networking’ at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Scott will be attending the tribunal users’ group meeting at the Office of the Industrial Tribunal and Fair Employment Tribunal on Thursday.

Kerry is meeting with the daughter of Michelle Groves who facilitates our Professional Workplace Investigations Workshops. Claire is completing her final year at UUJ in Events, Leisure and Culture management and is coming in to discuss a proposed business plan she is undertaking in her last semester rather than a dissertation.

Although not on the same scale as Barry, Ainsley has quite a busy week in terms of meetings. On Monday afternoon he’ll be meeting Rachel Morgan and Niall Gormley of DCP PR, on Tuesday morning he’s got our (conveniently located and reasonably priced) Training Centre booked for his meeting with Brian Nelson of Forth Data. Wednesday afternoon is slightly more light-hearted when he’s off to meet with his Young Enterprise team at Parkhall College.

On Thursday, Heather is volunteering with Ballycraigy Primary School, helping out with the coaching of their hockey teams.

Jayne and Heather will don their old clothes on Friday when the head off to help paint the Antrim Counselling Centre on Friday, again as part of our volunteering initiative.

A busy week all round!