ISME, the indefatigable small firms' lobby group is holding its annual conference in Killarney this year and a glance at the conference brochure shows that it means business. The theme of the conference is Achieving a Competitive Edge and, according to the schedule, one session is scheduled for 8 a.m. on the Thursday.

Forbairt chief executive, Mr Dan Flinter will be one of the speakers. However, the Margin is not fooled by this new-found zeal for early morning starts and breakfast meetings. The time should, in fact, read 8 p.m. Speakers at this year's conference include MEP Pat Cox, Philip Halpin, chief operations officer in National Irish Bank and Bill Attley, SIPTU general secretary.