AIBF Business Talk

Episode 157: Leadership, Teamwork and Dedication: The EMH Technical Services Story

This week on AIBF Business Talk, AIBF CEO Elaine Carroll is joined by Eric Howey, founder of EMH Technical Services; to explore the secrets behind his company's success in electrical, technical, and data installation in the South of Ireland. ⚡

Eric shares the key to his achievements: retaining skilled employees and building a positive work culture. By focusing on long-term relationships and values, he's achieved stellar client satisfaction on projects ranging from Tesco store maintenance to complex helipad installations at Cork University Hospital 🏥.

💡 Eric began his career in the trade in the early 2000's, and his leadership journey is shaped by valuable lessons learned from mentors along the way. Notably, he’s worked with one electrician who has been by his side since the very beginning. 

Eric reveals how he keeps his team motivated and engaged through exciting, varied projects, using effective workflow management to prevent burnout while fostering a problem-solving culture that turns challenges into opportunities to succeed. 🔧✨

🏅 Recognised as the Business All Star Electrical Contractor of the Year, Eric sees this as a testament to his team’s hard work. With a focus on continuous improvement, he’s dedicated to building a sustainable business that supports long-term growth.

Catch this insightful conversation packed with leadership gems and industry expertise! 🎧✨

Episode 156: Global Vision, Local Roots: Customer Perceptions/Optimum Results CEO Emma Harte on Business Expansion

🚀 This week on AIBF Business Talk, Emma Harte, CEO of Customer Perceptions and Optimum Results, joins AIBF CEO Elaine Carroll for a fascinating chat. Emma shares her inspiring journey of taking over her father’s family business, continuing its success as a thriving enterprise that empowers SMEs through customer feedback and training. 🌱

Emma discusses how the business started due to a gap in the market for quality SME and management training. The need for customer feedback led to the creation of Customer Perceptions, offering tailored solutions for businesses to improve through direct consumer insights. 📊

She highlights her dedication to lean operations, team development, and transparency, all tracked via a custom-built dashboard. Despite her risk-averse nature, she complements her father’s entrepreneurial flair, driving year-on-year growth.
Emma also dives into how embracing mistakes and strong communication fosters a human touch in leadership 🤝. The company has also expanded internationally, including ventures into the Middle East, through personal contacts and understanding market needs 🌍.

With a strong focus on research, Emma stresses the value of understanding market needs and how her business supports clients in making smarter decisions. Her vision? To continue offering world-class consumer feedback solutions at competitive prices. 🎯
Tune in for engaging insights into leadership, resilience, and growth from this dynamic CEO! 🎧

Episode 155: The Benefits and Steps to Going Global with Mauve Group's Teresa Lewis

This week on AIBF Business Talk 🎙️, Elaine Carroll, CEO of AIBF, speaks with Teresa Lewis from Mauve Group, a trusted partner for businesses looking to expand internationally 🌍. AIBF, in partnership with University of Limerick (UL), is conducting research on the internationalisation of Irish SMEs, with support from Mauve Group.

On this episode, Elaine and Teresa discuss the benefits of global expansion, including increased credibility, cost reduction, market diversification, access to new regions, and broader talent pools 🌟. Expanding internationally allows businesses to grow their market presence, reduce operational costs, and access specialised skills from different parts of the world 🌎.

Teresa also stresses the importance of researching local markets, understanding cultural differences, and carefully planning financials, including contingency funds for unexpected costs 💰. She shares a successful case study of a tech company in Cork that expanded into India and Egypt using Mauve’s Employer of Record service, showcasing the benefits of this strategic approach. 🌐 Over time, they realised the benefits of hiring remotely, avoiding costly relocations while accessing top talent in these regions. This allowed them to grow efficiently, establish a global presence, and reduce costs 💼.

Key steps to prepare for global expansion include conducting a SWOT and PESTLE analysis, understanding the market landscape, and ensuring legal compliance ⚖️. Businesses should also consider whether to set up a local entity or use an Employer of Record to manage foreign employees. 

Teresa emphasises the importance of having strong financial and operational structures in place, as well as researching cultural and legal differences to ensure smooth market entry 💡. Planning for increased demand, setting contingency funds, and understanding local labour laws are all crucial elements of a successful global strategy.

Tune in now for more insights and strategies on the Benefits and Steps to Going Global🌟

This is the second  in a series of podcasts in conjunction with the Mauve Group exploring the area of Internationalising SMEs – Current Practices, Barriers, and Opportunities.

Episode 154: From Security to Complete Protection: A RAYN Perspective

On this week's AIBF Business Talk, Ray Nash of RAYN Safety Security chats with AIBF CEO Elaine Carroll 🗣️. RAYN started as a security company and has expanded to offer a full range of fire and security solutions, including CCTV, fire extinguishers, fire door maintenance 🚒, and more.

RAYN’s clients vary widely, from private homes to industrial factories 🏠🏭, allowing the company to be a one-stop-shop 🛠️. By embracing software innovation 💻, RAYN enables customers to track maintenance schedules and defects, boosting customer satisfaction.

Challenges include finding experienced staff and competing with large corporate employers in Limerick 🏢. Despite these hurdles, Ray highlights the importance of investing in continuous education 📚 and offering flexibility to employees. He also stresses the importance of perseverance 💪, believing in yourself, and staying committed to the bigger vision.

RAYN’s exceptional customer service and technological advancements have earned them accolades, including Business All-Star Safety and Security Company of the Year. Ray's advice to fellow entrepreneurs: never give up and always back yourself 🚀.

Tune in for valuable insights on how RAYN is revolutionising safety and security services! 🎧

Episode 153: The Secret to Advertising Success: Media 365's Mary Power

📢 On this week's AIBF Business Talk 🌟, AIBF CEO Elaine Carroll catches up with Mary Power, founder of Media 365 – Your Partners in Advertising 🎯. Recently honoured as the AIBF Business All-Star Advertising Industry Business Person of the Year 2024-25, Mary shares her journey and insights into the world of media advertising.

Mary highlights the need for a comprehensive media strategy, blending radio, print, out-of-home, and digital channels 🎨. Using research from Kantar and Nielsen 📊, her team tailors campaigns to meet clients' specific needs. She stresses the importance of businesses allocating 20-30% of their turnover to marketing budgets 💰 for effective results.

While technology like AI enhances creativity 🤖, Mary emphasises that human interaction remains essential for building trust and brand recognition 🤝. Media 365 prides itself on personalised service, acting as an extension of their clients’ marketing teams.

In an ever-evolving digital landscape 🌐, Mary advises businesses to prioritise long-term strategies and work with media partners for better results. Her commitment to client satisfaction has led to lasting partnerships and successful campaigns.

Tune in for expert advice 💡 from one of the industry's leading voices! 📻

Episode 152: Overcoming Barriers and Recognising Opportunities in Internationalisation for SME's with Mauve Group's Annette Ord

On this week's AIBF Business Talk, AIBF CEO Elaine Carroll chats with Annette Ord, Commercial Director of Mauve Group, about global expansion opportunities and challenges for SMEs. 🌐✨

The Mauve Group are a trusted partner to organisations of any size seeking to expand their horizons, and achieve growth beyond their home markets.

Annette highlights the importance of recognising your business’s potential to grow internationally. Many SMEs think they’re too small for global markets, but with the right strategy and support, even small teams can expand abroad. 💼🚀

She notes that key challenges include cultural differences, language barriers, and financial concerns. However, services like Mauve Group’s "Employer of Record" can simplify the process, allowing businesses to test international markets without major capital investment. 🌎💡

Annette emphasises that now is a great time to explore global opportunities, especially as many businesses seek to expand post-pandemic. With Mauve Group’s expertise, SMEs can take their first steps into new territories quickly and efficiently. 📈🗺️

Acknowledging the important role they play in helping businesses expand internationally, AIBF have partnered with UL to undertake some research into the Internationalisation of Irish SMEs with support from Mauve Group. ✨

Tune in for more insights and strategies on overcoming barriers to international expansion. 🌟

This is the first in a series of podcasts in conjunction with the Mauve Group exploring the area of Internationalising SMEs – Current Practices, Barriers, and Opportunities.

Episode 151: The Vital Role of Non-Executive Directors in Corporate Success - Insights from Malcolm Hughes on Governance and Growth

🎙️ On this episode of AIBF Business Talk, Elaine Carroll, CEO of AIBF, chats with Malcolm Hughes of Sedgwick International, the 2024 Business All-Star Non-Executive Director of the Year. Malcolm sheds light on the critical role and responsibilities of a Non-Executive Director (NED) in today's corporate landscape.

💼 Malcolm emphasises that while both executive and non-executive directors share the same fiduciary duties, the roles differ significantly. Non-Executive Directors provide independent oversight, ensuring that the company adheres to statutory regulations and governance principles. They bring an external perspective that is crucial for long-term sustainability and growth.

🛠️ Key responsibilities of a NED include corporate governance, compliance, and supporting the executive team. They act in the company's best interest, bringing their experience to foster strategic development and risk management. Malcolm highlights the importance of diversity on boards, as it helps avoid "groupthink" and promotes a dynamic decision-making process.

🌍 In today’s rapidly changing world, issues like ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) and digital transformation are increasingly significant. Malcolm advises that NEDs must be well-informed, proactive, and willing to seek external expertise when necessary to ensure that the board navigates these challenges effectively.

🎧Tune in now for some wonderful insights from Malcolm.

Episode 150: Championing Autism Inclusion: ASD Ireland’s Impactful Journey

🎙️ On our milestone 150th episode of AIBF Business Talk this week, AIBF CEO Elaine Carroll speaks with Keith Enright, CEO & co-founder of ASD Ireland, a charity dedicated to providing socially inclusive activities for people with autism and their families, and AIBF's Charity of the Year. 

ASD Ireland offers a range of services, including autism camps, psychotherapy, gaming groups, and community outreach programs. They’ve even partnered with Lidl Ireland for an employment program and work closely with businesses to create autism-friendly environments. 🧩

Keith shared the deeply personal motivation behind founding ASD Ireland, inspired by the lack of support when his eldest son was diagnosed with autism. Since its inception in 2017, the organisation has grown from serving 14 families to over 350, providing more than 2,500 children's sessions and 1,000 adult sessions annually. 💙

ASD Ireland is a fully volunteer-run organisation, and Keith emphasises the importance of community involvement. From donations to volunteering time, there are many ways to support their mission. One highlight is their mobile sensory room, designed by autistic individuals for autistic individuals, offering a safe space at events. 🌟

Tune in now to hear from Keith about ASD Ireland's work, which promotes inclusivity and support for all. 🌍

To help support the work of ASD Ireland you can donate through their GoFundMe or by simply texting ASDIRELAND to 50300 to Donate €4.

Episode 149: Transforming Accounting for Small Businesses: How Marc O'Dwyer and Big Red Cloud are Simplifying Finance Management

This week on AIBF Business Talk, CEO Elaine Carroll chats with Marc O’Dwyer, CEO of Big Red Cloud, a company offering user-friendly accounting, bookkeeping, and payroll software for small businesses. Marc acquired Big Red Book in 2000 and transformed it into a profitable venture before launching Big Red Cloud in 2012. With over 75,000 customers, the company has seen rapid growth and high conversion rates from trials to sales. 📈

Marc’s impressive sports background includes playing rugby, competing in 15 marathons, and completing eight Ironman races, including the World Championships in Kona, Hawaii. 🏃‍♂️🚴‍♂️ Marc attributes his business success to resilience and discipline gained from sports. He emphasises the importance of following your instincts, taking risks, and pivoting when needed. 💪🔄

Big Red Cloud’s motto is to simplify accounting for small business owners. They offer free online training courses in partnership with the Education Training Boards in Kildare, Wicklow, Donegal, Waterford and Wexford; aimed at upskilling individuals in accounting and payroll. 🎓💼

Marc also recently acquired Turbo Inventory, enhancing Big Red Cloud’s offerings and expanding into the UK market. He advises entrepreneurs to embrace opportunities and delegate tasks to focus on business growth. 🌟🔍

Tune in now for some wonderful insights from Marc from Big Red Cloud - our 'Business All-Star Accounts and Payroll Software Company of the Year' for the third year in a row!

Find out more about Big Red Cloud on https://www.bigredcloud.com

Learn about their free Training Courses on https://www.bigredcloud.com/training

Find out about Turbo Inventory, which is designed to help small to mid-market businesses grow by combining the powerful inventory features of an ERP system with the accessibility of a cloud-based platform and book a live demo on https://www.bigredcloud.com/turbo.

Episode 148: Breaking Barriers: Embracing Neurodiversity with Jeanette Delahunty of TSK Academy

On this week's AIBF Business Talk, Jeanette Delahunty from TSK Academy, an award-winning NeuroInclusion Consultant, speaks with AIBF CEO Elaine Carroll. 🎙️ Jeanette's mission is to promote workplace acceptance and inclusivity, focusing on hidden disabilities such as autism, ADHD, and mental health issues. 🌟

Jeanette explains that many disabilities are not visible, and neurodivergent individuals often mask their true selves in environments designed for neurotypical people. This can lead to significant stress and exhaustion. 🧠💼 

Jeanette emphasises the importance of creating a sense of belonging in workplaces and adapting to diverse communication styles. Employers are encouraged to engage in open conversations and be relatable leaders to build psychological safety. 🛡️ 

Jeanette's training programs primarily aim to educate teams and leaders on embracing neurodiversity rather than directly coaching neurodivergent employees. Her approach is to foster understanding and adapt workplace practices to accommodate different needs. 🏢🤝

Despite facing some resistance due to outdated beliefs, Jeanette highlights that approximately one in four people are neurodivergent. Her passion for inclusivity shines through her work, and she offers bespoke training tailored to organisational needs. 🌍✨

Tune in now for some wonderful insights from our Social Entrepreneur of the Year, Jeanette from the wonderful five-in-a-row Business All-Star accredited TSK Academy.

The AIBF accredits the Business All-Star mark to Best-In-Class Irish businesses based on an independent audit of their performance, reputation, and customer-centricity.

The AIBF is an independent national body that identifies and acknowledges the country’s most ambitious and visionary businesses.