That Great Business Show

E211 That Great Business ShowWant to start your own food company, then this is the episode for you. You could be the next worldwide food brand, or you may have more limited aspirations, to keep it simple and local. Either way, author and food industry expert Oonagh Monahan, author of 'More Money for Jam', joins That Great Business Show with a checklist of ingredients to make sure your business is properly baked from the start. She also gives one really, really great business idea that she hasn't had time to finish herself...so if you know something about software, have a listen. Barry Lunn, founder of Shannon based Provizio, says that the EU will switch on the speed limiters on cars across Europe possibly in two year's time, a move he says that could cut road deaths by 20%. The technology could well be supplied by the 30 strong team at Provizio, a veritable brains trust of PhD's who know everything you need to know about very, very advanced radars. He claims the operate in the 5th Dimension, 5D, which he admits is 'pure marketing'. Provizio has already raised $12m but it sounds like they could be gearing up to go again...and he mentions an IPO. He has also found a new pitch for the IDA - selling Ireland's 'four seasons in a day' weather to companies who need to properly need to test their products in all weather environments!

E210 That Great Business ShowA biking business that has taken some years to flourish. GoBike.io founder, Ronan Whelan, has spent a couple of years refining his cycling holiday booking platform and now is looking for cycling tour providers to contact him, to check out his site and, ideally, to post holidays on the platform. A bit like mountain cycling, the road to success has been a bit bumpy. Learn from him about hiring a team, maxing available State funding - he also queries whether he needs his business to be global (his target Irish market is 50,000). He announces a new deal with Sunway Holidays.He'd love Taylor Swift as his 'hire in a heartbeat', as his brand ambassador (and his daughter would be MOST impressed), but failing that he has a soft spot for the lads at Fontaine DC.We last spoke to Aaron Hannon, co-founder of Luminate Medical, three years ago. His worldbeating product looks like a bicycle helmet, but it's stuffed with medtech inside - making it a boon for the millions who undergo chemotherapy every year, and who lose their hair because of it. Galway based Aaron re-joined TeamGBS on That Great Business Show to announce a $15 million funding, to bring Lily to the world. Lilac is following and then there's Lotus.He hasn't changed his mind about his 'hire in a heartbeat' since he was last on That Great Business Show. He's plumped for David Hannon aka his dad, again. (And again, and again...)A week is a long time in AI. On the last episode we were discussing what AI could do to help forecast sales for SMEs. Then we got a call from Mark Kelly, co-funder of Alldus, to tell us that it's all changed. Strawberry has been launched. That's the latest iteration of ChatGPT , the one that 'deliberately' pauses to think of an answer...to make it seem more 'reflective' (they couldn't be that cynical, could they?). As ChatGPT and all of its cousins are going to change your world, you'll just have to listen.

E209 That Great Business ShowPeter Davitt, CEO, FIT. (spoiler alert, nothing to do with fitness).No matter what your age or qualifications, you can switch to tech, thanks to FIT - fast track to information technology - basically a tech internship - earn while you learn. There are many, many vacancies, there are many, many opportunities. If you've passed a Leaving Cert equivalent (and even on that they're flexible) and you and have the aptitude and attitude, then you could be in...on the road to a well paid career, either as employee, or self-employed. This could be your liberation. Have a listen.Also, John Clancy, CEO Galvia, everything you ever wanted to know about AI (machine learning for SMEs), he can forecast what's going to happen to your business in the next six months. He wants to talk to companies with lots of data, but who don't can't see into the future (i.e. most or all?). He gives SME case studies that explains now Galvia can be so good for your business - and we ask the questions you want. Yes, it's affordable - it's a license model, paid by the month.This should make your business more profitable.Mentioned - Microsoft nuclear powerMentioned - digital death of 1,500 languages, including Irish or GaeilgeHis 'hire in a heartbeat', Denis O'Brien.With thanks to De Facto Shaving Oil - the world's greatest shaving oil

E208 That Great Business ShowGovernment backed MicroFinance Ireland, the micro business specialist lender, has doubled its lending limits and businesses can now apply for loans of up to €50,000. MFI CEO Des McCarthy joins us on That Great Business Show to explain who can get this cash, and how best to go about getting it -but not if you're in sex, drugs or 'rock and roll' aka distilling (but brewing is OK?!). But if you're in food for example, and your business is under the cosh, they're more than happy to hear from you. One of their biggest 'wins' so far is Zeus scooters that started with an MFI loan.The Lonely Planet and Condé Nast Traveler travel guides highlight Kerry’s Gap of Dunloe as one of the top natural wonders in Ireland. National Geographic says it’s one of the most scenic drives in the world. But to Dennis Pio Moriarty it’s just called ‘home’, home to his family top end souvenir business for the past sixty years, originally set up by Dennis’ mum and dad. However, during Covid, it all came to a shuddering halt and there was nothing pretty about the Gap or the business. He talks about the process, and how they made the business survive and thrive. And, we find out that there's a world shortage of blackthorn sticks for shillelaghs. His 'hire in a heartbeat' is Michael O'Leary 

E207 That Great Business ShowWe reveal a great Northern Ireland secret. OS Kitchens started 35 years ago on a kitchen table. Now they have a 450,000 sq ft plant, employing 360 skilled workers. Having conquered the UK and Ireland they have started to export to Chicago partially thanks to That Great Business Show. Listen to learn how. The business is backed by a UK funder called Rubicon, a specialist manufacturing investor. Tim Dillon explains why they're focussed on the US (he once worked for Aer Lingus in New York). Kitchens, bedrooms and bathrooms are now a fashion item he says. He's looking for US connections so make sure to give him a call.He was inspired by the 'John Larkin' episode - the man who makes black soap.His 'hire in a heartbeat' is Johnny Sexton.Being able to call yourself a 'published author' is a pretty cool thing to be able to drop at the dinner party table. Our second guest, publisher Orla Kelly, makes a business from teaching people how to write and publish their own books. Having your own self penned book is the ultimate calling card. You can hand it out as you would a business card, except that it'll truly stand out. If you're an expert in your field, she wants to hear from you.And, if you have a big business ego, what could be better than telling the world about how you could fix the world?Her 'hire in a heartbeat', the Tweeting Goddess, Samantha Kelly.

E206 That Great Business Show'Highly Commended', Irish Podcast Award WinnerConor O'Donovan, Head of the National Enterprise Hub. Why do 100,000 SMEs not avail of government business supports? Too complicated, too much paperwork, too busy??? Not so says Conor, where they're working to simplify application processes and they've brought all supports under one National Enterprise Hub roof. You asked, they delivered, they say. Best of all, according to us, you can talk to a human, person-to-person, about your issues (though only 9-5pm as we find out). Still, progress.Irish people can open doors brilliantly but are cr*p at closing sales. Self-proclaimed failure and Aussie, Steve Donnellan, founder of the SME focussed Soaring Sales Academy, gives us a taster of his 90 day programme that he says can change your selling success. How? Well you'll just have to listen. We love his no-nonsense Australian approach.With thanks to De Facto Shaving Oil.

E205 That Great Business ShowIrish Podcast Awards 'Highly Commended' WinnerTipple is shaking up the alcohol distribution business. Headed by Eoin Bara, based in Tullamore Co. Offaly, they have a growing number of warehouses to supply drink directly to the consumer - D2C. It's a very interesting business model, mixing Amazon know-how with a distillers insights.We spotted an ad for RedZinc, a company we've had on the podcast before, in the Business Post newspaper. RedZinc is raising money to bring their 'hospital at home' tech to the world. We asked RedZinc boss Donal Morris do newspaper ads work? With thanks to De Facto Shaving Oil.

E204 That Great Business ShowIrish Podcast Awards, 'Highly Commended' WinnerAccording to Revenue Commissioner figures customs' declarations jumped from 1.7 million in 2020 to 55 million to 2023. No wonder the process needs to be automated. That's what Customs Window Technologies does. Learn how they keep ahead of their competitors. Customs declarations are the law and if you don't fill out your declarations correctly you are breaking the law. Not good. And Ireland's Revenue Commissioner and HMRC do follow up. Beware.At the end of September the Windsor Framework (fka the Northern Ireland protocol) kicks in and throws up some very curious anomalies that could prove very valuable to the Northern Ireland economy. The company has just closed a short €1million funding round with the support of Enterprise Ireland to expand into the UK.His 'hire in a heartbeat' is Nick Clegg, of Meta and former UK politician.Customer indecision has created a business. Skippio, founded by Dan Coen, has just raised €540k in seed funding to help you and your pals skip the queues at any of our large events venues - wherever a thirsty and hungry crowd gathers. Like the best ideas, it's simplicity in itself. Use the Skippio app. Order your food and drink. Wait until you're called. Go directly to the head of the 'no-queue' and collect your order. Yes, that simple. But wait, there's more. Much more. Skippio will make your business so much more efficient, lowering costs and increasing margins (15%-30% anyone?). So, who doesn't want that? Next he might be standing in women's toilet queues. He says there's also a business in that.His 'hire in a heartbeat' is Peter McKenna of Croke Park (3rd largest venue in Europe) and David French at the Aviva Stadium.With thanks to De Facto Shaving Oil.

E203 That Great Business ShowEmma Meehan, founder of Precision Sports Technology, is about to revolutionise sports physiotherapy globally. She's put in the hard yards to create an incredible bit of tech. We've seen it in action. REAL TIME feedback on how you are moving, all from an iPad.Uses? Physios, sports clubs, gyms, anybody with any mobility problems, anybody who moves (it'll help you move better). The market is worth half a trillion dollars (so that's $500 billion, BIG!). She has funded. She has built a ten person team. She'll be funding again soon, this time to crack the US. She'd love to chat to clever money in the massive US sports market - maybe starting with some of the soccer clubs, but she's happy to have the chats with the NFL, NBA, WBA....they'll all be using her tech in a year or two (it's available right now), so think first mover advantage (see what we did there?).Why didn't I think of that? That was our team's response when they saw what the business called LifeSize Plans was doing. It's a franchise from Australia that allows anyone building or extending a home or laying out an office, to see what it would look, in full size, before a brick is laid, or a wall is built or a door is hung. For just short of €700 for a two hour visit you can 'see' how your new abode is going to work. It gives you the chance to make changes before the expensive tradespeople hit the turf...saving you possible thousands of Euro. It's a lovely business run by husband and wife team John Foley and Emma O'Donoghue who want to hire TV's Dermot Bannon, Hugh Wallace and Sara Cosgrove - all in a heartbeat. With thanks to Maxol.