AIBF Business Talk

Episode 79: The Inspirational Success Story of Capital Switchgear’s Deirdre Mulhern

Deirdre Mulhern's success story is a true inspiration for aspiring business leaders. 

Deirdre joined our CEO, Elaine Carroll on the latest episode of AIBF Business Talk to share her insights. 

As the Chief Finance and Operations Officer at Capital Switchgear two-in-row accredited Business All-Star, she has played a key role in the company's rise to become a global business with a remarkable eight-figure annual turnover.

Mulhern's leadership qualities and can-do attitude have made her a real leader within the organisation, and her insights on career progression, leadership, and growth are truly valuable to all aspiring business leaders.

Capital Switchgear was founded in 2012 by Grainne Behan and Michael Sinkey, and over the last 11 years, the company has grown into a successful business offering a comprehensive range of switchgear products and services to clients across the island of Ireland and overseas.

Mulhern's innovative solutions and growth strategy have helped the company respond to significant industry-wide challenges and achieve remarkable success. 

She recommends remaining true to oneself, continuing to develop, and leading by example to be an effective leader in any business.

The All-Ireland Business Foundation has recognised Mulhern's outstanding contributions to the business world by naming her February's All-Star Business Person of the Month. 

The AIBF would like to thank Deidre for sharing her valuable insights with fellow Business All-Star accredited TRIBE members and the wider public.

Mulhern's success story is a true testament to the power of hard work, determination, and innovation in achieving business success.

To learn more about Capital Switchgear Ltd, visit their All-Star showcase page here.

 

Episode 78: Joseph Clancy, JAC Ltd - “Secrets of a successful family business”

“Hardwork and persistence are the keys to success”

Joseph Clancy is Business Development Director at JAC Ltd - Lightning Protection, engineering and design specialists, who design, install, test and certify lightning protection systems. 

Joseph joined our CEO, Elaine Carroll on the latest episode of AIBF Business Talk to share his insights on:

• The dynamics of a family business
• How perseverance and persistence are key
• How hard work pays off in the long run
• Finding balance between your personal and professional life
• And much more.

The AIBF is delighted to be working with Joseph and JAC Ltd, which is a three-in-a-row Business All-Star. Joseph is also a proud recipient of the best lightning and protection company for 2023 accreditation by the All-Ireland Business Foundation (AIBF). 

The AIBF would like to thank Joseph for sharing his valuable insights with fellow Business All-Star accredited TRIBE members and the wider public.

Episode 77: HUGH LAMBERT - “Create a Habit of Managing your Finances”

“You have to create the financial plans but you also have to look at the blockers for the plans as well and remove all of them”

Hugh Lambert is the Managing Director of Integral Financial Planning. Whether it's pensions, life cover, investment, or savings, Integral Financial Planning is committed to helping clients navigate the complex world of finance with confidence. They are are dedicated to advising company directors and managers on how to structure their life cover, investments & pensions in a cost and tax-efficient manner.

Hugh joined our CEO, Elaine Carroll on the latest episode of AIBF Business Talk to share his insights on:

• Tips to manage your finance,
• The idea of creating a surplus,
• Making a retirement plan,
• Financial planning for your kids,
• The future of Integral Financial Planning, 
• And much more. 

The AIBF is delighted to be working with Hugh and Integral Financial Planning, which is a two-in-a-row Business All-Star. Hugh is also a proud recipient of All-Star Thought Leader in Financial Services accreditation by the All-Ireland Business Foundation (AIBF). 

The AIBF would like to thank Hugh for sharing his valuable insights with fellow Business All-Star accredited TRIBE members and the wider public.

Episode 76: Garry Bradley - “Work hard, play hard”

“Time Management is very important; if you start one task you have to finish it before you move on to something else.” 

Garry Bradley is the Managing Director of Crossphilip Engineering (CPE). CPE caters to jobs of all shapes and sizes from structural steel works, gates/rails, and playgrounds to large production line build and bespoke custom builds. 

Garry has also diversified his interests into learning & development, consultancy and the beauty industry.

Don't miss out on this must-listen episode where Garry discusses:

- Top traits that an entrepreneur must possess,
- The kind of pressure a next-generation entrepreneur faces,
- How he has diversified into different industries

- Mistakes to avoid as well as advice to fellow entrepreneurs,

- And much more

Garry is also a proud recipient of All-Star Thought Leader in Entrepreneurship accreditation by the All-Ireland Business Foundation (AIBF). 

The AIBF would like to thank Garry for sharing his valuable insights with fellow Business All-Star Accredited TRIBE members and the wider public.

Episode 75: Ross MacMahon - “People Put In Orders At All Times Of The Night”

“Hygiene has become a changed landscape; it has become an elevated concept now”

Public hygiene is just as important as private hygiene when it comes to maintaining positive health. But it’s an issue that’s never been properly grasped. Only a few specialist companies are taking the lead in acting to make sure that everyone can remain healthy in both private and public spaces.

Ross MacMahon is Managing Director at Dublin-based company BaileyHygiene, which assists Irish firms with hygiene and cleaning solutions for offices and shared workspaces.

Ross is the latest guest on AIBF Business Talk, where he chatted to Elaine Carroll about…

• The company’s journey & lessons learned,
• The rising focus on workplace hygiene since the pandemic began,
• Simple hygiene tips for Irish businesses,
• And much more.

BaileyHygiene’s products meet accredited ISO and environmental certifications. They evaluate what's going on in your business; this can be on the product line, in food service and catering, or the restroom.

The AIBF is delighted to be working with Ross and BaileyHygiene, which is a two-in-a-row Business All-Star and was also recently accredited as Business All-Star Hygiene Services Company of the Year 2023.

The AIBF would like to thank Ross for sharing his valuable insights with fellow TRIBE members and the wider public.

Episode 74: Caroline Treanor - “Everyday is a School Day”

“We’re constantly changing and improving what we do”

 

Getting the right work/life balance is tricky for pretty much everybody, but for ambitious businesspeople, who also happen to be parents, the hurdles are that little bit higher and more plentiful.

 

Mother of five, Caroline Treanor, completed a Masters last year while also continuing to play her crucial role as Director of Operations & Compliance for the Dublin-based financial advisors, Clear Financial.

 

Caroline is the first guest of 2023 on AIBF Business Talk, where she talks to Elaine Carroll about…

 

• How to accomplish goals in a busy life,

• The importance of a personal financial health check,
• How to protect clients,
• Why you’re constantly learning in this sector,
• And much more.

Clear Financial is a leading life and pensions brokerage, based in Rathcoole, where they help clients reach their financial goals and achieve real peace of mind when it comes to the financial well-being of their families and businesses.

 

The company is now a four in-a-row Business All-Star and a valued member of The AIBF Register of Irish Business Excellence (TRIBE).

 

Thanks to Caroline for taking the time to offer her insights to AIBF Business Talk.

Episode 73: Michelle Johnson & Caroline Bourke - “The Sustainability Message Was the Only Way to Go”

“Those Little Changes, They All Add Up”

Most companies are making a concerted effort to cut down on waste, become more sustainable, and ‘go green’. But there are only a small proportion of those that make sustainability part of their core mission.

ASA Brands, established in Cork in 1984, produces and distributes corporate gifts to Irish SMEs and global brands much further afield. After a mid-Covid rebrand and a significant shift to sustainable-only products, ASA is now diversifying into the roll-out of fleet maintenance software.

We’re thrilled to welcome sisters Michelle Johnson and Caroline Bourke from ASA Brands onto our latest episode of AIBF Business Talk with Elaine Carroll, where they chatted about:

• Following the lead of their parents,
• Rebranding during the pandemic,
• Working on a 16,000 gift order,
• Three tips on becoming a more sustainable business,
• And much more.

ASA Brands is accredited as AIBF Branded Merchandise Company 2022, and is a Business All-Star since 2021.

We wish Michelle, Caroline and the entire ASA team continued success into 2023, and thank them for taking the time to chat on AIBF Business Talk.

Episode 72: Sonia McEntee - “It’s Constant Evolution”

“I spent about 12 months taking a giant step back”

The most recent recession prompted chaos which necessitated an urgent rethink in many Irish businesses. In an era when revenue was dwindling, it took courage to step back and reassess your service offering. It’s something Sonia McEntee knew needed to be done.

Sonia set up Cavan-based property law specialists Sonia McEntee Solicitors in 2002, and it’s grown to become the now-accredited All-Star Apartment Law Practice of the Year 2022.

She joined Elaine Carroll on the latest episode of AIBF Business Talk to share her insights on:

• Multi-unit development law,
• Taking a “giant step back” during the recession,
• The challenge of going paperless,
• The importance of one-off advisory calls,
• And much more.

Sonia McEntee Solicitors is also a Two In-A-Row Business All-Star, and we really appreciate Sonia taking the time to chat to the podcast and share her insights.

Episode 71: Angela Canavan - “We Always Go In With A Problem-Solving Attitude”

“Resilience, Adaptability, Positivity”

The three core values by which Angela Canavan continues to lead highly successful childcare consultancy firm Canavan Byrne.

As AIBF All-Star Thought Leader of the Year 2022, we were excited to get Angela’s insights on AIBF Business Talk this week on the Dublin company’s 20-year long efforts to assist early years services with meeting compliance in the sector.

She joined our CEO Elaine Carroll to talk about:

• Guiding companies through an increasing amount of regulation,
• Diversifying their services in recent years,
• Not relying on a single income stream,
• The ability to bounce back from adversity,
• And much more.

Canavan Byrne’s services include HR, training, a jobs board, health & safety, and policy development.

Thanks to Angela for taking the time to chat on our podcast, and we wish her sustained success as member of the AIBF TRIBE.

Episode 70: Colm Hanratty - “When I see them pop into my feed, I will stop”

“I think sometimes when it comes to social media, people don’t give it the same respect.”

As Founder & CEO of Sixtwo Digital, Colm Hanratty is better placed than most to assess digital marketing strengths and weaknesses in a highly competitive field. 

His company, based in Drogheda, offers a wide range of services including content creation, paid social advertising, video production, training, Google Adwords campaigns and much more.

On the latest episode of AIBF Business Talk with Elaine Carroll, Colm shared his insights on:

• Their story as they enter a decade in business,
• Finding the right KPIs,
• Simple errors to avoid,
• Why social media is often under respected in the digital marketing mix,
• And the companies that impress him most with their marketing.

Colm recognises that ‘people buy people’ above all else however, and it was fantastic to get his input on the podcast this week.

Sixtwo Digital has been accredited as Best-In-Class Digital Marketing Agency, and we love having them within the AIBF TRIBE.