THAT’S the suggest being given by stock market training company ILTB (Invest Like The Best) who are running regular workshops and seminars around the country and according to Susan Hayes, support and development manager, ILTB, “We get a lot of interest from both men and women, but only about 10 per cent of the people at our seminars are women.”
As member of Limerick Chamber Susan notes that there has been a striking increase in the number of Irish women entrepreneurs. “A recent Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) report showed that last year the figure for women running businesses had increased to 5.9 per cent from 4.2 per cent in 2006. GEM said this percentage was much higher than the average in the EU and OECD countries.”
Noting that the comfort level has not yet been entirely reached, Susan continues, “We understand that people can feel uncomfortable in the unfamiliar environment of finance and that’s the whole reasoning behind the free workshops. Anyone can attend, no previous knowledge is needed. The workshops give a good introduction to investment and how the financial markets work. Having listened to the basics, attendees can then make an informed choice about booking onto a full day seminar.”
Susan studied at NUI in Galway and at a presentation she realised her interest was immediate. “The presenter simplified the whole process of investment and I realised I could take control of my own finances with confidence.”
Susan adds that, “Of course not everyone will want to actually work in the financial sector, but most people would like to feel confident about making decisions on their investments.
“The next ILTB workshop is in The Castletroy Park Hotel, Limerick on Monday August 17 next at 7pm. Anyone who is interested in going along can reserve their place via the website (www.iltb.ie), call Susan at 086-1003948 or simply come along on the evening.
