Tom Neville (Limerick County, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I wish to discuss LEOs. I understand the one-stop-shop approach. I have had a lot of interaction with my local LEO and found the service provided to be excellent, given what we were looking for at the time. The biggest problem a small business or sole trader, be it a cabinet maker or plumber, encounters when he or she tries to move from trading into the business world is generating sales. Time and again many small business owners have told me that sales is their biggest challenge. They feel they are good at what they do but are less confident when it comes to sales. They often find the office business side easier but sales prove troublesome. The LEOs run courses and provide mentoring. As the economy evolves I would like the LEOs to evolve and thus there should be a greater focus on sales training for owners of small businesses to help them grow. I am referring to what I have learned from working with small businesses.