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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 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! 🎧
Friday Nov 17, 2023
Friday Nov 17, 2023
In this week's AIBF Business Talk Podcast, Elaine Carroll speaks with Andrew O'Loughlin, the Founder and managing Director of Trust Matters Financial Planning.
Established in 2016, Trust Matters prioritises building strong relationships with clients, focusing on individuals and families rather than just their finances.
O'Loughlin's journey began in a family brokerage but evolved when he realised his passion for people over sales. Transitioning to an accountancy firm, he envisioned a comprehensive service covering financial, legal, tax, and lending aspects to address clients' diverse needs.
Driven by a genuine interest in people, O'Loughlin pursued coaching, merging 25 years of financial experience with a deeper understanding of individuals. Embracing a "feel the fear and do it anyway" mindset, he founded Trust Matters, a one-stop-shop for expert advice.
Breaking away from convention, the company has ventured into sustainability, planting trees in Ballymacarbry, Co. Waterford, for each client, fostering a sense of connection to their growth. 🌱🌳
The podcast delves into Trust Matters unique approach, emphasising the importance of understanding clients' journeys. Acknowledging the shock of clients expecting financial discussions but being asked about their life stories, Andrew finds joy in guiding individuals through their diverse experiences.
He shares three key pieces of advice when establishing a relationship with a financial advisor:
- Trust your gut
- Embrace transparency
- Allow trust to develop gradually for mutual peace of mind.
As Trust Matters continues to flourish, it exemplifies a commitment not only to clients' futures but also to the environment and future generations. 🌍💼
🎧Tune in today for a wonderful insight into Trust Matters, a company that is breaking the mould in financial services.
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 10, 2023
Friday Nov 10, 2023
In this week's AIBF Business Talk Podcast, Chris Farr, CEO of Sontai, dives into the transformative power of digitization and automation for businesses of all sizes. 🚀
Chris emphasises the essence of digitization, shedding light on its role in automating day-to-day tasks and enhancing various business aspects, from financials to operations. By prioritizing and digitising key processes, businesses can eliminate manual efforts and gain real-time insights, driving informed decision-making.
Sontai, a user-friendly business intelligence platform, plays a crucial role in centralizing data through pre built dashboards, empowering businesses to make data-driven decisions efficiently. 📊
Chris shares a client success story, illustrating the profound impact of real-time information on decision-making.
Sontai's approach starts small, educating businesses on key performance indicators gradually, fostering a data-driven mindset. Chris also touches on the evolving landscape of AI and its potential to revolutionise data analysis, making it more accessible and efficient. 🤖
In a candid reflection, Chris discusses his personal journey, starting in data 20 years ago and founding Sontai in 2018. The challenges posed by the pandemic became an unexpected opportunity for self-reflection and business evolution. His advice echoes the importance of embracing entrepreneurship, taking risks, and leveraging unique skills to unlock business potential. 🌐💡
Tune in to the AIBF Business Talk Podcast for a deeper understanding of digitization's transformative power and insights from a leader driving positive change in the business landscape. 🎙️
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 03, 2023
Friday Nov 03, 2023
On this week's edition of AIBF Business Talk, we are joined by Ian Hunter, General Manager of Swords Pavilions Shopping Centre in Dublin, which has made a significant mark by integrating sustainability and partnership-building into the heart of their retail success story.
With over two decades in business and 101 tenants, including renowned retailers like SuperValu, Zara, TK Maxx, H&M, River Island, Next, and an 11-screen cinema, Swords Pavilions caters to around 10.5 million customers each year. Ian's primary focus is on providing an exceptional customer experience, fostering a sense of unity among his team, and nurturing partnerships.
🌿 Environmental sustainability is a core value for Ian and his team. They embarked on an innovative ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) journey by retrofitting the 500,000-square-foot building. They started with replacing 4,000 light fittings with LED lighting, resulting in a 35% reduction in energy consumption.
🌞 Building on this success, they initiated solar PV projects on the expansive roof, generating up to 45% of their power consumption from solar energy. Additionally, they decommissioned 23 gas-fired air handling units and adopted natural ventilation, eliminating the need for gas, making Swords Pavilions the first gas-free centre in their portfolio.
💨 The team's ambitious future plan involves constructing a wind farm on the roof, aiming to achieve a first-of-its-kind initiative in Ireland.
🤝 Ian emphasises the significance of partnerships with trusted companies, which ensures the success of their sustainability initiatives. He encourages businesses to make upfront investments in environmental projects, citing the long-term ROI and the responsibility to contribute to net-zero carbon goals.
🛒 In the world of retail, Ian's advice is to step back and view the customer journey objectively, stay informed about industry developments, and maintain a positive attitude while striving to make a continuous impact on the business.
🎧Tune in now to hear how Ian Hunter and his team at Swords Pavilions Shopping Centre are setting a remarkable example of integrating sustainability and partnership-building into the heart of their retail success story.
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 Oct 27, 2023
Friday Oct 27, 2023
Join us on this week's episode of AIBF Business Talk as we explore the exciting world of clean, green energy with Copper Coast Renewables Founder, Luke Deasy. 🌍
Copper Coast Renewables is an Energy Saving Net-Zero Partner, committed to providing world-class energy savings to your business while leading the transition away from fossil fuels. Their mission is crystal clear: save your business money while reducing its carbon footprint for a sustainable future.
Luke's renewable energy journey began over a decade ago with wind farms, and today, he's filling a vital gap in the market for commercial and industrial carbon reduction solutions. 🌟
With a mission to help businesses align with Irish and EU targets for 2030 and 2050, Copper Coast Renewables offers a full turnkey service, from the initial phone call to 20 years of maintenance and upgrades in between. Their SEAI registered energy auditors meticulously assess your processes, buildings, and vehicles to provide a comprehensive energy audit and budgetary plan for carbon reduction measures.
🌿💰 Luke shares valuable insights on financial supports available to businesses, including government incentives and grants, which make going green a no-brainer for your bottom line.
Learn about Copper Coast Renewables' recent projects, including a 50-acre solar farm and the electrification of Horse Island in West Cork, resulting in significant cost savings.
Tune in now to gain brilliant insights from Luke Deasy and find out how your business can embark on the path to net zero. 📻🌱
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.
Thursday Oct 19, 2023
Thursday Oct 19, 2023
On this week's episode of AIBF Business Talk, we dive into the compelling journey of Barry Wray, the mastermind behind Barelle Limited. 🎙️
This company specializes in sub-contract sheet metal fabrication and powder coating, dedicated to delivering top-quality, cost-effective products with an efficient and friendly touch. 👨🏭💼
Barry's story underscores the triumph of tenacity over academia. While school didn't quite fit the bill for him, his fervor for working alongside his father in the family business was unwavering. As a teenager, he was already honing his metal fabrication skills. 🔧
Following a rigorous four-year apprenticeship, Barry boldly assumed the role of floor manager, all while still in his late teens and early 20s. When his father's business closed, Barry seized the opportunity, armed with limited business knowledge but a remarkable talent for crafting things. 💪💼
The pivotal shift from steelwork to custom powder coating marked a turning point. Word of mouth and top-notch workmanship fueled his meteoric success. Over the years, he transformed a small operation into a thriving enterprise employing 19 individuals across two factories. 🚀🏭
Valuable lessons gleaned from his journey underscore the significance of comprehending every facet of your business and the indispensable role of a dedicated, skilled team. Barry underscores the importance of investing in the right personnel. 👥💼
Looking ahead, Barry envisions further expansion and streamlining. The business is evolving, and the future looks exceptionally promising.
Tune in for more from this inspiring journey! 👏
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 Oct 13, 2023
Friday Oct 13, 2023
In this week's AIBF Business Talk Podcast, we're joined by the remarkable coach Catriona Kirwan, a 2-in-a-row Business All-Star with a mission to empower ambitious individuals to excel professionally without compromising their personal lives. As a mother of four, Catriona knows the art of juggling multiple responsibilities all too well. 👩💼👨👧👦
Catriona offers corporate workshops that help organisations foster environments where their people can truly thrive. Her workshops include topics such as "Understanding Stress in the Workplace," "Stress and Energy Management," and "Improving Team Dynamics through Effective Communication." 📊🗣️
She believes in the three C's for success: Clarity, Control, and Confidence. These principles, when applied, can help individuals overcome challenges and navigate their career paths with poise. 🚀🌟
Catriona also addresses the stress levels in the workplace, particularly for women in leadership roles. She emphasises that being the only woman in the room can be challenging, but it doesn't define one's competence. She encourages women to focus on their abilities and inner belief, silencing the inner Gremlins that often speak louder in women. 👩💼👩💻
Managing energy levels is essential, and Catriona provides tips for staying balanced and recharging. Techniques like short meditations, deep breaths, and that all-important three-second pause can help you transition from work to home seamlessly. 🧘♀️🌅
Catriona highlights the importance of self-management and self-regulation in team dynamics. Leaders must be calm and grounded to inspire confidence in their teams. Self-awareness is also crucial for improving communication and enhancing team dynamics. 🤝🧘♂️
Her personal mantra is "Stay in my own lane," a reminder to avoid comparison and judgement in the age of social media. Catriona advises her younger self and all aspiring professionals to slow down, savour experiences, and stay present to achieve success. 🛣️🌼
Tune in now for some invaluable insights in today’s fast-paced world from Catriona Kirwan for those seeking a balanced and thriving professional life. 😊🌟
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.