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AIBF Business Talk is an original podcast brought to you by the All-Ireland Business Foundation. In each episode we talk to innovators, entrepreneurs and leaders to bring you practical lessons and actionable insights that you can apply to your business and in your daily life.
Episodes
Friday Feb 09, 2024
Episode 123: Aidan Harte: Pioneering SME Development Across Continents
Friday Feb 09, 2024
Friday Feb 09, 2024
In the latest AIBF Business Talk Podcast, AIBF CEO Elaine Carroll speaks with Aidan Harte, a seasoned entrepreneur with a rich history of founding and nurturing successful businesses. 🎙️
Aidan is the mastermind behind two thriving ventures: Optimum Results, specialising in management skills development, and Customer Perceptions, dedicated to customer research and mystery shopping services. With a mission to enhance the business performance of their clients, both companies have been instrumental in shaping the entrepreneurial landscape over the past three decades.
Aidan's journey into entrepreneurship was fueled by a gap he noticed in SME management skills development. Recognizing the dearth of support for small businesses, Aidan embarked on a mission to empower entrepreneurs with practical, tailored assistance. He understood that small businesses aren't just scaled-down versions of larger ones; they require unique strategies tailored to their busy schedules and specific needs.
Through his holistic business model, Aidan emphasizes seven fundamental pillars: self-management, strategic planning, marketing, finance, people development, operations/systems, and innovation/change management. These pillars form the bedrock of success for any business, ensuring a well-rounded approach to growth and sustainability. 💼
Aidan's impact extends far beyond the shores of Ireland, with his programs gaining international recognition. From pioneering SME development initiatives in the Middle East to sharing expertise across Europe, Aidan's commitment to excellence has left an indelible mark on businesses worldwide. 🌍
Transitioning into the digital age, Aidan's companies have embraced advanced online learning platforms, catering to the evolving needs of modern businesses. With a focus on quality and innovation, Optimum Results and Customer Perceptions continue to set a high standard with their shared mission of being dedicated to improving the business performance of their clients.
While Aidan has handed over the CEO reins to his daughter Emma, his passion for training and mentoring remains undiminished. With a wealth of experience spanning various sectors and a slew of accolades to his name, Aidan embodies the spirit of entrepreneurship and continuous improvement.
As Aidan aptly puts it, "what got you here ain't going to get you there." In an ever-changing business landscape, it's crucial to revisit and fortify the foundations of success. Aidan's story serves as a testament to the transformative power of visionary leadership and unwavering dedication to excellence. 🌟
🎧 Tune in for valuable insights now and wonderful wisdom from Aidan Harte!
CLICK TO DOWNLOAD OPTIMUM RESULTS’ HOLISTIC BUSINESS MODEL
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.
Friday Feb 02, 2024
Friday Feb 02, 2024
In the latest AIBF Business Talk Podcast, Elaine Carroll speaks with Tom Galway of Card Fox, a professional consultancy network specialising in merchant services. 🎙️
With over 30 years of experience in banking and financial services, CardFox offers independent advice and consultancy, working with 14+ leading banks/payment processors. 💼💳
If you are in the business of taking payments by credit or debit card Cardfox can help you save money, by offering a rounded approach analysing blended, interchange plus, and mixed method options. They are bank-agnostic, ensuring the best deal for clients based on their needs. 🔄💰
Tom emphasizes the risks businesses face in payment processing, particularly in-store, phone, and online transactions. In-store methods like Chip and PIN are secure, but phone payments pose a 180-day chargeback risk. E-commerce has improved with PSD 2, introducing additional security measures. Tom predicts that accepting phone payments might be outlawed in the near term due to risks. ⚠️💳📱
He also discusses Visa's Merchant Performance Program, aiming to reduce costs for commercial debit cards by 40-70%. Businesses can qualify by meeting specific criteria, leading to significant savings. 💳💼💰
Looking ahead, Tom highlights a game-changer in B2B payments for 2024 – Open Banking Initiation. This new method bypasses Visa and MasterCard, enabling same-day receipt of funds, eliminating chargeback risks, and offering a 40-80% discount on processing B2B cards. The Irish banks are working towards instant transactions by 2025. 🔄💳💸🚀
Plenty of food for thought to delve into in an insightful podcast into the world of financial transactions, make sure to tune in. 🎧
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.
Friday Jan 26, 2024
Friday Jan 26, 2024
🎙️ In the latest AIBF Business Talk Podcast, Elaine Carroll discusses storage, rebranding and business culture, with Brian Hefferon, MD of Nesta, a family-run Irish business established in 1989 with six storage locations in Dublin.
Nesta isn't just about secure storage; it's about making room for life's adventures and supporting families and businesses to grow.
🏢 Nesta provides flexible storage solutions for individuals and businesses, from small lockers to micro warehousing. They also offer office space and a Virtual Office service, catering to various needs.
🔄 Brian talks about how Nesta underwent a successful rebrand from "Need More Space" to "Nesta," emphasising differentiation, customer loyalty, and trust. Despite initial scepticism, the rebrand led to significant business growth and improved staff engagement.
🌐 The company values a duty to care, passion, respect, empathy, and resourcefulness. The culture focuses on empowering employees to excel in their roles.
💼 Brian's advice to young entrepreneurs: "Don't be afraid. Go with your gut. It'll be alright."
🎧 The podcast explores Nesta's journey, challenges in the rebranding process, and the evolving storage industry, showcasing the importance of flexibility, differentiation, and a strong company culture.
Tune in for valuable insights now!
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.
Friday Jan 19, 2024
Friday Jan 19, 2024
In the latest episode of the AIBF Business Talk Podcast, 🎙️ host Elaine Carroll sits down with the dynamic Paul Allen, founder of the award-winning PR firm, Paul Allen & Associates, based in Dublin. With a career spanning over three decades, Paul's journey from pirate radio to the RTÉ newsroom and collaborating with CBS Records, now known as SONY Music (the label that signed U2) paints a vivid picture of his rich experience. 📻
Growing up on Dublin's Northside, Paul's story unfolds with key roles in pirate radio, CBS Records, and RTÉ and the wider PR industry. His experience extends to having worked with 5 Taoisigh , 2 British Prime Ministers and 3 U.S. Presidents. He has enjoyed front row seats watching successful historic moments unfold. 🎤
Attributing his company's success to unwavering commitment, a results-driven focus, and a core set of values proudly displayed on their office wall, Paul emphasises respect, humility, listening, engagement, and hard work.
Sharing insightful lessons and with 2024 in mind, Paul stresses the importance of persistence and analysing both failures and victories. He encourages businesses to adapt, plan meticulously, and understand economic changes including geopolitical issues.He is currently running the IrishForBiden campaign. An example he gives is that if Joe Biden wins the U.S. Presidential election, it is the end of Trump. If Trump wins, it could be the end of America, not to mention the rest of the world.
Domestically, he also sees the potential impact of the minimum wage increase on businesses, and a clean energy future and environmental concerns are critical areas to be mindful of in the next 12 months. Paul urges businesses, particularly in the hospitality sector, to reevaluate their plans in light of economic changes.
Discussing communication, Paul emphasises the dual nature of internal and external communication, urging businesses to address both. He concludes by advising progressive Irish businesses to proactively manage their reputation, anticipate challenges, and break self-imposed boundaries for success in the coming year. 🚀
Don't miss out on valuable insights in PR and Communications! Tune in to the AIBF Business Talk Podcast and stay informed on the latest trends and opportunities. 🏡🎙️
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.
Friday Jan 12, 2024
Friday Jan 12, 2024
In this captivating episode of the AIBF Business Talk Podcast, host Elaine Carroll delves into the world of property with Helen McCormack, a seasoned Estate Agent with 22 years of expertise in Property Sales, Lettings, and Property Management.
Helen leads a dynamic team, recently honoured with SUPERTEAM status by the AIBF, focusing primarily on Limerick City and County.
Current Property Market Overview:
The property market is robust, reflecting the wider economy which fosters confidence in the sector. Limerick and the Mid West Region are experiencing phenomenal growth, driving Supply and Demand.
Notably, first time buyers are very active with bidding wars being very common. Listed prices in Q4 were up 9% and sold for prices far exceeding owners expectations in the vast majority of Sales. The PPR will reflect strong closing prices in Q1 2024.
Current Trends in the Marketplace:
- Very good demand for property with higher Building Energy Ratings in the second hand market, partly driven by the more competitive Green Mortgage rates.
- Consumer choices including remote working, broadband availability, affordability and the desire for space has narrowed the gap between the city suburbs and commuter towns and villages.
- In the Commercial sector lucrative choices can be made by examining the local market and landscape carefully; incorporating the past and maintaining a cautious optimism about the future.
- Government initiatives including the First-Time Home Shared Equity Scheme are continuing to gain further uptake. The Cost Rental Tenant in Situ Scheme has been a great incentive to protect tenants but simultaneously has created congestion and fuelled lack of supply in the second hand market, and highlighted the lack of Social Housing and affordable rental property available.
Looking Ahead to 2024:
Helen McCormack Estate Agents express confidence in the property market 2024 anticipating further demand throughout cities, suburbs, commuter towns and rural areas. Challenges remain for those who wish to trade down and the lack of supply of Social Housing. Helen predicts a continued interest in commercial and residential investment, particularly from pension investment interest.
Don't miss out on valuable insights into the property market! Tune in to the AIBF Business Talk Podcast and stay informed on the latest trends and opportunities.
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.
Friday Dec 22, 2023
Friday Dec 22, 2023
In this captivating episode of the AIBF Business Talk Podcast, retired medical doctor - 'reFired' as a publishing entrepreneur, co-founder of Get Up and Go Publications, and now as a life-coach, Dr. Eileen Forrestal shares her transformative journey with host Elaine Carroll. 🎙️
Dr. Eileen, a former Anaesthesiologist, spent 32 years in the medical field, putting people to sleep. Now, she's dedicated to waking them up to their true power and potential. As a Shine Your Light Coach and author of "The Courage to Shine," Eileen inspires individuals to embrace self-expression and personal growth. 💪
Her entrepreneurial story took an unexpected turn when invited to an entrepreneur retreat in Bali, where she encountered the influential Roger Hamilton. Roger, a Singapore-based entrepreneur, introduced Eileen to the concept of Wealth Dynamics, emphasising the importance of self-awareness and collaboration.
Eileen's key takeaway was playing to her strengths and acknowledging others' abilities, fostering a collaborative environment. As she immersed herself in entrepreneurship, Eileen found joy in the spirit of the venture rather than specific skills.
Wealth Dynamics, a profiling tool for entrepreneurs created by Roger Hamilton, became a guiding force for Eileen. It helped her understand the unique energies within her team and embrace change as a natural part of the entrepreneurial journey. 🔄
For aspiring entrepreneurs, Eileen emphasises the significance of self-awareness, knowing your strengths, and recognizing the diverse strengths of others. She believes that success is not just about numbers and figures but an energising, fulfilling journey.
Eileen's entrepreneurial adventure exemplifies the spirit of change, self-discovery, and the pursuit of one's true calling. Join her on this exhilarating journey towards self-mastery and business success! 🌈🚀
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.
Friday Dec 15, 2023
Episode 117 - Shea McNelis: Orchestrating Success in Events and Security!
Friday Dec 15, 2023
Friday Dec 15, 2023
🎙️ Dive into the latest AIBF Business Talk Podcast with Elaine Carroll as she catches up with Shea McNelis, founder & director of Stiles Events and Integrity Security, based in Dublin. With 20 years of experience, Shea has orchestrated events of all scales, from music festivals to corporate gatherings, even providing top-tier security services through Integrity Security.
🌐 Shea's journey from a sound engineer to managing Irish Eurovision entry Mickey Joe Harte; and owning two thriving companies is truly inspirational. His impact on iconic events like the Dublin St. Patrick's Day Parade and DP World Golf Tour is undeniable.
🏅 Recognized as the All-Ireland Business Foundation Business Person of the Year 2023, Shea's leadership and values have not only elevated his companies but also left a lasting impression on the culture and arts community.
💪 Shea's advice? Embrace your values, ignore the noise, and learn from failures. Living by Integrity Security's name, he emphasizes the importance of surrounding oneself with the right people.
🚀 When faced with the challenges of COVID, Shea turned adversity into opportunity. By swiftly pivoting and leveraging his team's creativity, they ventured into online trainings for retail and played a crucial role in securing COVID testing centres.
🌟 Shea McNelis, a true powerhouse in business, proves that success is not just about events and security but also about resilience, values, and embracing change.
🎧 Tune in now - you won't want to miss this inspiration conversation, epitomizing how hard work and graft pays off!
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.
Friday Dec 08, 2023
Friday Dec 08, 2023
In the latest AIBF Business Talk Podcast, Elaine Carroll dives into a captivating conversation with Sinead Doherty, the CEO and founder of Fenero—a multi-award-winning haven for contractors, freelancers, and solopreneurs seeking financial success. 🏆💼
Founded 15 years ago, Fenero has evolved into an industry leader in processing 200 million euros annually for Irish contractors. 💶 The company's success is attributed to a diverse team of 100, blending financial expertise with customer-centric passion. 🤝
Fenero's commitment to simplicity and empowerment shines through their unique approach to supporting contractors in invoicing, tax relief, and financial success. With the surge in remote work, Fenero aligns with the growing demand for flexibility and choice, embodying Sinead's passion for helping people live life on their terms. 🌐🤲
A pivotal aspect of Fenero's journey is their strategic embrace of technology, developing proprietary platforms like "My Fenero" and "Mentis" to enhance customer experience and streamline operations. 🚀💻
Sinead reflects on challenges, emphasizing the importance of managing energy levels and staying in the growth zone. Her advice: embrace learning, nurture connections, and find your tribe. 🌱🤝
Looking ahead, Fenero envisions expanding their expertise beyond contractors and freelancers, aiming to simplify financial planning for a broader audience, including solopreneurs and founders. 🌍✨
Exciting times lie ahead for Fenero as they continue their mission to make financial success accessible to all. 👏📈
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.
Friday Dec 01, 2023
Friday Dec 01, 2023
In the latest AIBF Business Talk Podcast, Elaine Carroll engages in a captivating conversation with Colm McCarthy of Mack Landscapes — a Limerick-based landscaping service that not only transforms gardens but also as Mack Golf offers a full Golf Course Management service, exemplified by Colm's role as director at Rathbane Golf Course. 🌿⛳
Colm's journey began at the age of 12, playing golf and discovering his passion for landscaping by mowing lawns around his neighbourhood. His entrepreneurial spirit emerged as he turned a small lawn-mowing venture into a thriving landscaping business. 🚜💼
A skilled greenkeeper, Colm diversified his expertise through continuous upskilling and, currently, pursues a course in Golf Management. Four years ago, he seized the opportunity to purchase Rathbane Golf Course, simultaneously expanding his landscaping company. Colm's strategic partnership with Darren Deegan enabled the fusion of hard and soft landscaping services.
Adapting to challenges, Colm navigated through the difficulties imposed by the pandemic, showcasing resilience and innovation in business operations. His commitment to professionalism is evident in his meticulous project management approach, emphasising comprehensive planning and execution.
Observing a 45% surge in golf interest throughout Ireland and the UK in recent years, Colm witnesses the positive impact at Rathbane Golf Club. Yet, he reflects on the changing work ethic among younger generations, attributing it to the influence of social media and an expectation for instant gratification. 📱💭
Colm's story is one of dedication, growth, and a commitment to excellence, setting an inspiring example for aspiring entrepreneurs in the landscaping and golf management industry. 🌟🌱
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.
Friday Nov 24, 2023
Friday Nov 24, 2023
🎙️ Join AIBF CEO Elaine Carroll and the dynamic Thomas Browne of Salus Training Services on this week's AIBF Business Talk, for a deep dive into the importance of Safety in Business!
🚀 Since 2005, Salus has been a powerhouse in training, consultancy and traffic management, contributing expertise to prestigious projects globally.
👩🏫 Known for their dedicated educators, Salus Training Services creates a respectful and learner-centered environment. Their expert trainers, with extensive practical experience, ensure top-notch knowledge transfer to clients.
🛡️ Thomas Browne's journey from the Naval Service to safety advocacy is awe-inspiring. From arms training at sea to navigating safety at airports, his diverse experiences shape Salus' commitment to Safety excellence. 💼
🏆 Salus received accolades for their innovative Code of Practice from the Construction Industry Federation, a testament to their commitment to safety in construction using air jets and micro suction to revolutionize underground services, saving companies thousands.
👨🎓 Ridiculed while at secondary school by both pupils and teachers, Thomas has turned things around and is a true advocate for lifelong learning. Recently aged 65 returned to education and earned a higher diploma in forensic criminology and forensic psychology.
🌟 Don't miss this inspirational podcast interview with a man who believes in staying true to yourself and recognizes the power of continuous learning.
Tune in for insights, wisdom, and the remarkable journey of Thomas Browne! 🎧