That Great Business Show

Episode 214 That Great Business ShowBrendan Fitzpatrick RESTART JOURNEY – If you've had enough of your job, or your business is getting you down and you crave a change, then Brendan is the man for you. In 20 minutes he'll explain what you should and could do to make change happen. It could be life changing. Literally.His hire in a heartbeat? Sports mad Brendan would love to work with Bill Shankley RIP (and he wanted to play for Liverpool as well)Emma & Éabha Duffy, My Forever Tooth Fairy - Founder Emma has spent two years researching her new business, just launched, that is upping the 'tooth fairy' tradition, something along the lines of Elf on a Shelf. Already available in Arnotts, the next challenge is to produce enough of the gift-sets to meet demand. For that the fairies may need a cash injection of around €500k. Her hire in a heartbeat? Jamie Kern Lima - who has a fascinating backstory of her own.

E213 That Great Business ShowA daring raid by Italy's UniCredit bank has seen them take a 21% stake in Germany's Commerzbank - a pillar support of the Mittelstand (Germany's big SME's) - and German politicians aren't happy. This could be the start of a period of consolidation in European banking and though Ireland is tiny in European terms, there could be value for a predator bank in banks like PTSB and could attract overseas buyers.Financial analysts John Cronin gives his thoughts on what he thinks might happen. He also (you can hear the frustration in his voice) asks why Irish depositors don't switch their billions of Euro into accounts that could earn them five, six or seven times higher returns. He also discusses Revolut's future in the Irish market. And then, there's JP Morgan and how they are already changing the savings market in the UK.His 'hire in a heartbeat'. Andea Orsell of UniCredit (he's a very, very clever guy). He also wants friend and sales and marketing genius, Laura Dowling to promote his newsletter - Financials Unshackled - that's FREE on SubStack. He wants senior bankers to be better paid and he even gives his email for the expected hate mail!Not everyone wants to grow, grow, grow their businesses, some are just happy in their nappy. But Claire Colvin of Simple Scaling has top tips on how 'scale it up'. Some business leaders have a burning ambition to grow. Those people need to hear Claire's Ten Top Tips. It seems to kick in at when a business has revenues of c. €1m with ten employees. At this point, it needs something extra. However, only 2% of SMEs actually manage to scale. Why? Because they may not have found their purpose.Her 'hire in a heartbeat'. Claire wants to have with Will Smith, but her actual 'hire' is Brene Brown who has a Ted Talk about the 'Power of Vulnerability'.

E212 That Great Business ShowNigel Owens, legendary rugby referee, on his life and times and why you should base your business in Wales. He's searingly honest about his own near brush with death, by suicide and his continuing battle with bulimia. This episode is essential listening for any person, of any age, going through tough times. Nigel is simply inspirational. Please share it.And of course, as one of the greatest after-dinner speakers, he tells side splitting stories about Peter Stringer and Leo Cullen, Alan Quinlan's mother and he gives a candid review of Johnny Sexton. There are so many sides to the now retired referee turned cattle farmer, including that the fear of TB in his cattle keeps him wide awake at night. And why did Nigel join Team TGBS? To tell listeners about the benefits of basing a UK focussed business in Wales - just a 9 hour swim (!), or a one hour flight - from Ireland.

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.