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From wardrobe makeovers to confidence boosts, personal styling has become a growing industry, helping people decide not just what to wear, but how they want to be seen.
But what does the business of personal styling actually look like in Ireland? Who is paying for these services, and how has the industry evolved?
For this week’s Industry Review, we’re looking at the world of personal stylists with three experts from the sector.
Joining Bobby are:
- Conor Levey, Personal Shopper at Brown Thomas
- Heather Shelley Fitzpatrick, Personal Stylist
- Eider Leite, Personal Shopper and co-founder of New Chapter,
Joining Bobby to go through the main business stories from the Saturday papers is Robert Whelan, Managing Director of Rockwell, and Louisa Meehan, of Woodview HRM.
How is the Irish food sector doing? With external threats like fuel and fertilizer costs and domestic costs going up around labour, is it a good time to be a producer?
Bobby was joined by Conor Kilduff, CEO of Love Irish Food and Lucy Ryan, Head of Food & Beverage at Bank of Ireland to discuss.
Now, running a business can be all-consuming, and without the right systems in place it's easy to become trapped in the day-to-day.
In his new book, Build, Scale, Sell, entrepreneur Paul Flavin uses the fictional story of a business owner to explore the four pillars of building a successful company: marketing, sales, operations and finance.
Paul joins Bobby to discuss.
Irish food businesses are facing higher costs on almost every front, but many are still planning to invest. Bobby travels to Wilton Terrace in Dublin, to ask Mark Moriarty why this is.
Caroline Bocquel, Chief Executive Officer, Fáilte Ireland joins Bobby in this week's Executive Chair.
Bojana Djordjevic, CEO and Director at Silver Stream Healthcare Group joins Bobby for this week's Executive Chair.
Bobby popped out to County Clare, to meet a 9-year-old businessman going viral for his honesty box. Bobby meets Paudie Murray, founder of Ubh by Paudie.
Joining Bobby to go through the main business stories from the Saturday papers is Bob Hoffman, managing partner at Vista Executive Search, and Sarah Stone McDevitt, author of 'The Round Table - How Relational Intelligence Will Become Your Human Advantage in the AI Age.
How much time should you give yourself for meals when you're working from home? What kind of food should you eat? How can food impact your performance? Adam Kingl joins bobby to discuss his new book on the subject, 'Executive Eats'.
The Irish economy is in a strange position - we have strong employment and rising wages, yet many people feel under increasing pressure from housing costs and the tax system.
House prices continue to rise despite widespread agreement that they are unaffordable for many buyers, while the debate over whether middle-income workers are carrying too much of the tax burden is intensifying ahead of the Budget.
To look at the pressures facing households and the choices facing policymakers, Bobby's joined by Cliff Taylor, columnist with The Irish Times.
It’s an industry that every one of us will encounter at some point in our lives, but one that we don’t often talk about from a business perspective.
Funeral directors provide an essential service, but behind the scenes they are also running complex businesses facing changing customer expectations, rising costs and evolving traditions.
For today’s Industry Review, Bobby's looking at the business of being a funeral director - the challenges, the opportunities and how the sector is adapting in modern Ireland.
Joining is:
Niall Mulligan of Heffernan Funeral Directors in Trim, Former IAFD President
Gus Nichols, Director of Fanagans and 30 year veteran of the business, Former IAFD President
And Jane Clarke, Public Relations Officer for the Irish Association of Funeral Directors and General Manager of Lakeside Memorial Park Cemetery in Portmarnock
This week’s Industry Review, we’ll be hearing all about the medical professionals who keep us eating well, Dietitians.
We’ll ask how to tune out social media fads, what the differences are between dietitians and nutritionists, and much more.
Joining Bobby are three CORU registered Dietitians: Sarah Keogh, Gabriella Cruz, and lecturer in nutrition at SETU WaterfordAoife Hearne
It’s a technophobe’s worst nightmare. A piece of technology seems to have more powers than its inventors thought, and, in modern parlance, it goes rogue. In the age of AI, the fear becomes more real. Earlier this month, a test by OpenAI seems to have done just that. It went beyond the parameters set for itself and launched a cyber attack on what it was testing. The scion of science here in Newstalk joins Bobby to calm our nerves. Jonathan mccrea, presenter of Futureproof
Joining Bobby to go through the main business stories from the Saturday papers is Ronan Reid of Cantor, and Linda Daly, business reporter for the Sunday Times Ireland.
Bobby is joined by the UK's speaker of the year 2026, Robin Kermode, to discuss the value of effective communication in business.
With the summer economic statement this week, Bobby is joined by economist Austin Hughes to make sense of Ireland's economy in the context of domestic and international matters.
Liam Kearney, CEO and co-founder of environmental engineering company The Revive Group joins Bobby in this week's Executive Chair.
Bobby goes on the road this week to visit the husband and wife team behind Two Pups Cafe in the Liberties.
Joining Bobby in the executive chair this week is Diarmuid O’Brien, CEO of Research Ireland.
Solar power has gone from being a niche technology to one of the fastest-growing parts of Ireland’s energy landscape.
But as the sector expands, there are big questions around investment, grid capacity, planning, and whether Ireland has the infrastructure needed to make the most of this renewable resource.
So, to look at the future of solar in Ireland, Bobby is joined by three people working across the industry:
● Morgan Pierce, CEO of Solar Smart
● Declan Cullinane as Managing Director, Amarenco Ireland
● Justin Brown, CEO & Co-Founder of Power Capital Renewable Energy
10 years ago Bobby interviewed a man called Emmet Savage, who was building a subscription service for stock recommendations. After a decade, and a few brand transformations, the company, now called MyWallSt, has finally taken off. Emmet joins Bobby to discuss.
Bobby popped out to Dunboyne in Co. Meath to check out a company providing modular solutions for new builds - Steel Frames Direct Ireland.
Did you have a summer job? Do your children currently have one? When is too young to start working or should teenagers just be given the summer off? Saoirse Hanley of the Irish independent recently did a deep dive into the area - she joins Bobby to discuss as does Sinead English a career management specialist from ‘HILT'.
Joining Bobby to go through the main business stories from the Saturday papers is Susan HayesCulleton. Presenter of Taking Stock here on Newstalk &Ciaran Hancock, Business Editor of The Irish Times.
Joining Bobby to go through the main business stories from the Saturday papers is Ciara McDonagh of Healy Communications & communication consultant Doug Keatinge.
Sarah Stone McDevitt was made to sit at the back of the class when she was a child in school due to her dyslexia but this experience helped her on the road to writing her book ‘The Round Table- How Relational Intelligence Will Become Your Human Advantage in the AI Age’. She joins Bobby to discuss.
Joining Bobby in the Executive Chair this week is Professor Nicola Ralph, Consultant Dermatologist and Co-founder of the Institute of Dermatologists, Surgical Institute Dublin and ID Formulas & Professor Caitriona Ryan, Consultant Dermatologist and Co-Founder at Institute of Dermatologists, ID formulas, and Surgical Institute Dublin and a Clinical Professor at University College Dublin.
Wages are rising, unemployment is relatively low, lots of people are making Ireland home, and tax receipts are buoyant thanks to our US cousins who manufacture or headquarter here. What could possibly go wrong? One person who thinks things aren’t as rosy, is economist and columnist with The Sunday Times, Cormac Lucey. He joins Bobby to discuss.
Food trucks have become a major part of Ireland’s food scene, bringing everything from gourmet burgers and wood-fired pizza to seafood, Asian cuisine, and locally sourced produce directly to customers.
But behind the popularity of the movement is a challenging business model, with rising costs, licensing issues, competition, and the ongoing struggle to find suitable locations.
Today, Bobby looks at the opportunities and obstacles facing food truck operators in Ireland with:
- Kwanghi Chan, Bites by Kwanghi
- Julia Hemingway, Julia's Lobster Truck
- Nathan Diamond of Ginger’s BBQ
As it’s agricultural show season, Bobby takes a trip to Tipperary to visit Clonmel Show 2026.
Andy Burnham is expected to become Labour leader at a special conference on July 17th and hence the Prime Minister. One of his plans is to have a Number 10 in the North and he’s attempting what’s being called ‘ Manchesterism” that attempts to rid England of the North South divide - but is that possible? Political Economist Will Hutton joins Bobby to discuss.
Paul English is a serial tech entrepreneur best known as the co-founder and former CTO of Kayak.com. He is also the author of The Meeting Book: How the Best Companies Meet Better, which outlines his strategies for cutting out wasteful corporate meetings and improving decision-making. He joins Bobby to talk about his life in business, philanthropy, and more.
For this week’s Industry Review we look at the stock market - what it actually is, what drives it up and down, and why it matters even if you’ve never bought a share in your life.
From interest rates and inflation to global tech giants and pension funds, we’ll unpack how money really moves through the system and who is making the big decisions behind the scenes.
Joining Bobby to make sense of it all are three experts with very different perspectives on how markets work today.
- Rory GIllen, Investment Strategist at Quilter Cheviot
- Aidan Donnelly, Head of Global Equities at Davy
- Kathryn Hannon, Investment Manager with RBC Brewin Dolphin
Joining Bobby to go through the main business stories from the Saturday papers is journalist and author, Valerie Cox & Deputy Business Editor of the Sunday Times Ireland, Jon Ihle.
Joining Bobby in the executive chair this week is Tony Lanigan, MD of Creative Technology Ireland.
ApexGolf is your personal AI coach for golf and fitness - helping you train smarter, move better, and lower your scores. Bobby speaks to its creator, Barry Moroney to find out more.
This week, Down to Business was coming to you live from the River Court Hotel in Kilkenny as part of Newstalk’s 2026 Summer Tour, all with thanks to ESB - Ireland’s largest EV charging network. There, we heard from local band Lincoln Skins as well as Anthony Smith, General Manager at the Kilkenny River Court Hotel to chat about how the hotel is faring in 2026, tourism numbers, and more.
Bobby continues his chat with some of Kilkenny’s movers and shakers in the business world as part of Newstalk’s 2026 Summer Tour with Peter McCreery, Managing Director at Sherry Fitzgerald McCreery; Edward Hayden, Chef and owner of Edward Hayden School of Cookery; and Naoise Nunn, festival creator, producer, and co-director at Schweppe Curtis Nunn.
Joining Bobby to go through the main stories from the Saturday papers is Eimear Ní Bhraonain, author of ‘The Dodger: DJ Carey and the Great Betrayal’ and owner of communications firm Eimear.ie & Claire McInerney Brown, President of Kilkenny Chamber of Commerce and export development consultant at Suas Mane consulting.
This week, Down to Business was coming to you live from the River Court Hotel in Kilkenny as part of Newstalk’s 2026 Summer Tour, all with thanks to ESB - Ireland’s largest EV charging network. There, he had the chance to chat with Kilkenny hurling legend, T.J.Reid.
Joining Bobby to chat about the health of local tourism in Kilkenny as part of Newstalk’s 2026 Summer Tour is Sheena Dignam, founder and owner of Kilkenny and Galway Food Tours; Colin Ahern, GM on the Kilkenny Ormonde Hotel and co Chair of Kilkenny DEDP (Destination Experience Development Plan); and Anthony Morrison, owner of Christy's Bar and former chair of the Vinters Federation of Kilkenny.
Joining Bobby in the Executive Chair this week is Stephen O'Malley, CEO & Co Founder of Civic.
Joining Bobby to go through some of the main business stories from the week is Bob Hoffman Managing Partner Vista Executive Search & Gina London Sunday Independent Columnist and Communications expert.
Rising costs, higher interest rates, and continued uncertainty are putting fresh pressure on Irish farming - but what does the outlook really look like in 2026?
Bobby is joined by Eoin Lowry, Head of Agri at Bank of Ireland to discuss.
Bobby was out & about again this week at Druid Padel in Kimmage to find out why padel has become the fastest-growing sport in the world, and why it’s taking off in Ireland.
This week’s Industry Review on Down to Business, Bobby digs into the world of the garden centre - the, "one-stop shops" behind one of the nation’s favourite pastimes.
- Oliver Schurmann, Owner of Mount Venus Nursery Ltd
- Barry Doyle, CEO of Arboretum
- Paul Harvey, of Windyridge Garden Centre
Next Tuesday marks 10 years since the UK voted to leave the EU. Bobby is joined by award-winning journalist and author of A History of Brexit in 256 Disasters, Jonty Bloom, to look back at the morning after the result, the immediate shock in markets, and why he wasn’t surprised by the vote.
With the business world changing quickly, we talk to Mike Soutar, one of Lord Sugar's trusted advisors on The Apprentice, on his new book 'Next Gen CEO'.
Bobby was out & about in Dún Laoghaire, discussing a sport near and dear to his heart, sailing.
Joining Bobby to go through the main business stories from the Saturday papers is Linda Daly, business reporter with the Sunday Times, and Stephen O'Leary, founder of Olytico.
The European Central Bank has raised its interest rates for the first time in almost three years.
To find out more Bobby's joined by economist Jim Power.
The founder of Hildun Beauty and winner of Arnott's Pitch 2025 competition, Suzy Griffin Dunne, joins Bobby to discuss her business.
For this weeks' Industry Review, Bobby will be taking a look at the EV market.
With Ireland having set the ambitious goal of 845,000 EVs on the road by 2030, the question remains, is this possible?
Joining Bobby was Conor Faughnan, Independent Motoring Expert with Carzone, Derek Reilly, General Manager at Nevo.ie, and Brian Cooke, Director General of SIMI.
The quest for love seems to be an eternal one, but the business of helping others find it is more contemporary.
As disillusionment in dating apps, speed dating, and social media rises and AI poses new challenges, matchmaking is ready to become mainstream again.
Joining Emmet Oliver to discuss the industry’s rebirth was Feargal Harrington, MD & Co-Founder of Intro Matchmaking, Sharon Kenny and The Matchmaker, Jennifer Haskins, Two's Company Dating Agency
Emmet, in for Bobby, was joined in the Executive Chair this week by Zoe Kavanagh, Repak CEO.
We have spoken about what makes a great workplace many times here on Down to Business.
My next guest believes a happy and safe workplace is crucial for recruiting, nourishing and retaining employees. It will also help with your bottom line.
Dr Audrey Tang Chartered Psychologist joined Emmet Oliver to discuss
We take our connected lifestyle for granted these days. The shiny bells and whistles websites may look easy to navigate, but how accessible are they if you have any form of disability?
My next guest has personal experience of living with a disability. He is also the founder and CEO of a company that offers clients solutions to make their websites accessible to over one billion potential customers worldwide who have a disability.
Kyran Mahoney is the Chief Executive Officer and founder of Nexus Inclusion, and he joined Emmet Oliver to discuss his company.
Ireland's tax revenues continue to surge, driven largely by a small number of US tech and pharmaceutical giants.
But with Brussels warning about over-reliance on multinational corporation tax, unemployment beginning to tick upwards, and growing uncertainty around US trade and tax policy, questions are being asked about how resilient Ireland's economic model really is.
Emmet Oliver was joined by Cliff Taylor, Managing Editor of the Irish Times, to discuss
Joining Emmet Oliver in for Bobby to go through the main business stories from the Saturday papers, Louisa Meehan of Woodview HRM and Declan Ralph of BWG Foods
Now, for this week’s Industry Review, we’re talking about one of Ireland’s most iconic food traditions - the chipper.
So, how are operators adapting to changing tastes, rising costs, and major staffing challenges?
To discuss Bobby was joined by
- Nuisin Jalilvand, Manager at Hooked in Galway
- Roberto Macari, Operations Manager with Romayo's Diner Group
- John Beshoff, Co-owner of Beshoff' Bros
Bobby is joined in the Executive Chair this week by Seamus Hunt, Managing Director of Huntoffice.ie
Now, a couple of weeks ago as part of the EY Entrepreneur of the Year Annual CEO Retreat, Bobby had the opportunity to speak with Bill Gifford, who is a bestselling author and keynote speaker on the subject of health & longevity. As part of their conversation, Bobby and Bill explored some of the cutting edge thinking when it comes to diagnostic technologies and preventative measures we can all take to improve health and help us live longer.
Bobby was joined by one of the few Irish entertainers whose stage is the globe. He has the title of being one of the best Magicians to perform in Vegas, and he is also ready to hack our brains. He joined Bobby to discuss his career and what a working week looks like for him.
Joining Bobby to go through the main business stories from the Saturday papers is Caroline Reidy of the HR Suite and Doug Keatinge, Communications specialist.
It’s the dream of every business leader. Doing more in less time and with far less stress. Can it be done and how easy might it be?
Bobby was joined by e Barry Cryan of DoMoreBetter to the show to discuss how we might be able to be more efficient in the way we work so we can all work less be less stressed.
Last week, Down to Business brought you the show from Canada for the EY Entrepreneur of the Year annual CEO Retreat. One of the people Bobby met there was David Walmsley who is the Editor in chief of the Globe and Mail, Canada’s best-known newspaper.
Joining Bobby to go through the main business stories from the Saturday papers is journalist and author Valerie Cox & Robert Whelan of Rockwell Finance.
Bobby was out & about in Stradbally, County Laois checking out ‘Riding for the Disabled Association Ireland’ and seeing how horse-riding can help people with disabilities.
As part of this year's EY Entrepreneur of the Year CEO retreat, Bobby had the opportunity to speak with Dr. Hayley Wickenheiser. Hayley is considered one of the best female hockey players of all time. Canada’s all-time leading scorer, she has won seven world championships, made six Olympic appearances, and won five Olympic medals, four of them Gold.
As part of this year's EY Entrepreneur of the Year CEO retreat to Toronto, Bobby spoke with fellow Canadian "Dragon", from CBC's Dragons’ Den, General Partner at District Ventures Capital & Bestselling Author, Arlene Dickinson.
This week, Bobby and the team were broadcasting from Japan as part of this year’s EY Entrepreneur of the Year CEO Retreat. You’ll hear from the likes of Colonel Chris Hadfield, Ontario resident and Irish footballing legend, Kevin Kilbane, Laura McCarthy of Drink Botanicals Ireland, Bobby Healy of Manna Air Delivery, and Jennifer Rock of Skingredients.
As part of the EY Entrepreneur of the Year CEO Retreat in Toronto, Bobby had the chance to chat with former Ireland soccer international, Kevin Kilbane, to talk life in Canada, the forthcoming FIFA World Cup, and more.
As part of this year's EY Entrepreneur of the Year CEO retreat, Bobby had the opportunity to speak with Goldy Hyder, President & CEO of the Business Council of Canada, about his role representing Canadian business leaders across the country and around the world.
This week, Bobby and the team were broadcasting from Toronto as part of this year’s EY Entrepreneur of the Year CEO Retreat. Here, Bobby speaks to some of Ireland's most promising entrepreneurs and gets a sense of the business landscape from some of Canada’s most distinguished business minds.
As part of this year's EY Entrepreneur of the Year CEO retreat, Bobby had the opportunity to speak with some of this year's finalists involved in the medical and personalised care space:
- Brian Shields of Neurent Medical
- Dr Harriet Treacy of Beyondbmi
- Danny Buckley of ADHD NOW.
Colonel Chris Hadfield is an astronaut, business leader, hi-tech entrepreneur, five-time bestselling author, and global speaker on leadership, change, and managing life. Having commanded the International Space Station and directed companies, he has deep experience with best practices and tactics on guiding teams through extreme circumstances of complexity and change. As part of this year's EY Entrepreneur of the Year CEO retreat to Toronto, Bobby spoke with Chris about his flying career, becoming a viral sensation, and more.
Jay Klein is the Founder & CEO of The PUR Company Inc., where he leads a global brand committed to making simple, better-for-you substitutions – without compromising taste or quality. As part of this year's EY Entrepreneur of the Year CEO retreat to Toronto, Bobby had the opportunity to speak with him about the success of the business and more.
As part of this year's EY Entrepreneur of the Year CEO retreat to Toronto, Bobby spoke with three people who have all been first movers and innovators in their field:
- Laura McCarthy of Drink Botanicals Ireland
- Bobby Healy of Manna Air Delivery
- Jennifer Rock of Skingredients.
Joining Bobby, from Toronto, as part of this year’s EY Entrepreneur of the Year CEO Retreat was Frank O’Keeffe, EY UK & Ireland Managing Partner.
Bobby is joined in the Executive Chair this week by Jean O’Sullivan, Chief Executive Officer, Bus Éireann.
Joining Bobby to go through the main business stories from the Saturday papers is digitisation consultant, Joan Mulvihill & DC Cahalane of Sure Valley Ventures.
The wonders of weight loss drugs have only been with us for over two years, but they seem to have profoundly changed the way we look at food, drink, exercise and all points in between. But what impact do these drugs have on the wider economy? Conor Pope, Consumer Affairs Correspondent of The Irish Times, joins Bobby to discuss.
Irish traditional and folk music is in a remarkably strong place right now, reaching new audiences, producing a new generation of exceptional young musicians, and enjoying fresh energy both at home and abroad.
From sold-out festivals to bold new collaborations, trad is proving itself not just enduring but constantly evolving.
To take the temperature of the Irish folk and trad scene right now, Bobby is joined by three musicians who’ve each helped shape its sound in very different ways:
- Mike Hanrahan, formerly of Stockton’s Wing
- Dónal O’Connor, traditional musician & co-founder and artistic director of Belfast TradFest
- Rossa O'Snodaigh, founding member of acclaimed Irish world music band Kíla
- Edel Fox, award-winning concertina player & experienced TV producer/director specialising in arts and cultural documentaries
Outwest is an outdoor apparel brand born and bred in Dingle, Co. Kerry, but they have just opened their second store in the heart of Greystones. Bobby took a trip out there to find out more.
Business is all about confidence, knowing what you are doing and giving off an air of confidence to those around you. Doubt has no place in this kind of world. Or has it? Jenny Williams, author of ‘Harnessing Uncertainty to Lead with Impact’, thinks that nagging feeling is completely misunderstood. She joins Bobby to discuss.
CEO of Imagine Niall Tallon is next up in the Executive Chair and he joined Bobby this morning
Comedian Rory O'Hanlon sits down with Bobby to talk about his upcoming sold out gigs in Dublin and life in comedy
This week on Out & About Bobby visits award-winning children's bookshop Half Way Up The Stairs based in Greystones, Co Wicklow
Dr Marcia Goddard joins Bobby to discuss what business lessons we can learn from Neuroscience and Formula from her new book Driving Performance
Susan Haye Culleton and Roan Reid join Bobby to talk about the biggest business stories of the week
This week on the Industry Review, Bobby talks all things insurance.
He's joned by founder of Yes Insurance Ciaran Mulligan, Hastings Group's Shane Hennelly and Campion Insurance's Caroline Dunne
For this week's Industry Review, Bobby goes beyond the headlines and takes a look at the job of being a childcare worker.
Joining Bobby are:
● Karen Clince, Tigers Childcare
● Alec Flood, Little Rainbows
● Ida Lane, Treasures Montessori Preschool in Bray
Bobby is joined in the Executive Chair this week by Sean Mullaney, Founder & CEO, Seapoint
Sinead O’Sullivan is an economist who has had a very interesting career. She trained as an aerospace engineer and then moved to economy and strategy, she joined Bobby earlier on the show
When we hear the phrase ‘well being’, we often think it’s slightly airy-fairy and has very little to do with business success. Chris Cummings’ new book sees well-being as the engine that drives innovation, resilience and results.
This week it was announced that Tim Cook will officially step down as CEO on September 1. What has Tim Cook’s legacy been to Apple and what do we know of the man who is due to fill his shoes.
There’s only one man we could talk to about this and that’s Tech Guru Andy O’Donoghue.
To look at the business stories making the pages of the morning newspapers. Bobby is joined by Louisa Meehan of Woodview HRM and Paul Allen of Paul Allen and Associates.
Starting a business can be terrifying. It is estimated that 90% will crash and burn. That means heartache and pain, both emotionally and financially, both for the entrepreneur who came up with the idea and the investors who backed it. It doesn’t have to be that way. Why Startups Fail’ has just been launched. It’s written by a man who has worked in venture capital for 21 years & has also been part of that 90%, but he dusted himself down and went again. Dr Bernard J Bulkin joins Bobby to discuss.
Bobby is joined in the Executive Chair this week by Peter Hyland, CEO of Carroll's Irish Gifts.
With the midterm elections in sight, the strength or weakness of the US economy will resonate more with US voters than ‘that’ AI image of Donald the Messiah. US economics commentator and columnist for The Times, Irwin Stelzer joins Bobby to chat about it all.
Ice cubes used to be quite functional, but Richie French, the founder of the LXRY Ice Collection, thinks it is just an important feature in any luxury setting. He joins Bobby to discuss.
Joining Bobby to go through the main business stories from the Saturday papers is Breda Browne of Unique Media & Ciaran Hancock, Business Editor of the Irish Times.
For this week’s Industry Review, Bobby goes goes beyond the headlines and takes a closer look at the job of being a columnist.
● Tanya Sweeney, features writer and columnist for the Irish Independent
● Mick Clifford, Special Correspondent for The Irish Examiner
● Brenda Power, columnist with the Sunday Independent & Irish Daily Mail
The Irish bridal sector is a significant and competitive market, built on reputation, precision, and trust.
For this week’s Industry Review, Bobby is joined by three business owners operating at the sharp end of that industry:
- Marina Hogan, owner of Stylicious Hair & Makeup
- Yvonne Maher, of Makeup by Yvonne
- Mairéad Kennedy from MK Bridal Ltd
Bobby is joined in the Executive Chair this week by Louise Whelan, MD of Pioneer Homecare.
Joining Bobby to go through the main business stories from the Saturday papers is Linda Daly, Business reporter with the Sunday Times & Stephen O’Leary, founder of Olytico.
Founded by three friends, Sisterly is the smarter, simpler way to supplement that was developed for women by a team of doctors, female health experts and nutritionists. Bobby was out & about in Brown Thomas to find out a little bit more about the company.
There has been a lot of coverage all week about the ongoing fuel crisis. Joining Bobby to look at the cost analysis and whether the protests could actually achieve anything is economist Cormac Lucey.
We all know AI might do some of the day-to-day ‘heavy lifting’ for some tasks, but we still need leaders engaging with their teams. Claire Brumby thinks the human connection that all good leaders should possess will be key to business success. She is also the author of ‘Forget Normal, I Want Magic: The 5 Rules of Leadership’ and joins Bobby to discuss.
NASA’s Artemis II mission has safely returned to Earth after a 10-day journey around the Moon, marking the first time in more than 50 years that humans have travelled to lunar distance and back. The four-person crew splashed down in the Pacific Ocean following a high-speed re-entry that tested the Orion spacecraft under extreme conditions - a crucial step as NASA prepares to send astronauts back to the lunar surface later this decade. Joining Bobby to dissect the mission is Space Commentator Leo Enright.
Bobby is joined in the Executive Chair this week by Rory O’Hanlon, CEO of NetZero Group.
Cross-border working is a feature of many European Cities - think of Malmö’s relationship to Copenhagen or Bratislava’s relationship with Vienna. People live in one and work in the other, commuting daily. Paschal Taggart has a proposal to have Newry create something similar, where people would live there but commute to and work in Dublin. He joins Bobby to discuss.
Ciarán Casey has over three decades of senior leadership experience. His new book, ‘Leadership in Tune’, looks at the idea that leadership is more about what he calls the ‘space between people’ rather than control. He joins Bobby to discuss.
Joining Bobby to go through the main business stories from the Saturday papers is Gina London from the Language of Leadership & Robert Whelan of Rockwell Finance.
During the week, Bobby was at an event all about food trends called ‘Table to Tech’, organised by the Irish Food Service Alliance. There, he chatted to Simon Stenning, Food Futurist and Doug McMaster of ‘Silo’, which is a zero-waste business.
Bobby is joined by EY Ireland Head of Assurance & EY Entrepreneur of the Year Partner Lead, Roger Wallace, to talk about this year’s EY Entrepreneur of the Year Awards.
Ireland’s housing market remains one of the most pressing issues facing the country, with prices stabilising in some areas, still rising in others, and supply continuing to lag behind demand. For first-time buyers, it’s a question of access; for developers and agents, it’s a question of viability. So, where exactly are we now and what happens next?
Joining Bobby to discuss is:
- Clement Herron of Clement Herron Real Estate, Portlaoise
- Brendan McGee, Managing Director of Franklins Estate Agents in Donegal
- Michael Broderick, CEO of the First Home Scheme
We all know life is all about choices. Those sliding door moments when we find our lives changing direction for any number of reasons, explained or not. Johan Depraetere thinks these moments can be deeply enriching and that life isn’t like a box of chocolates but more like a bag of gummy bears. He joins Bobby to chat about his new book, Pick Your Gummy Bear: Lessons from my biggest life choices.
Art Evolve is Ireland's newest contemporary art fair, set for its 2nd year in Dublin at the RDS from March 27th to 29th. Bobby went out and about to find out what the dos and don'ts are when it comes to buying art.
For this week’s Industry Review, we’re taking a closer look at Ireland’s coffee sector through the lens of engineering and operations.
These are the men and women who keep the country caffeinated day in and day out, 365 days a year. From how coffee is delivered and scaled across national networks, to the know-how that powers machines, this is the side of the coffee business most customers never see, but one that’s critical to every cup.
Joining me now to discuss are:
● Ronan McCullough, Insomnia Coffee National Account Manager
● Anthony Buggy, Director of PVI Engineering
● Paul Flanagan, of P.F. Coffee Services
One of the consequences of the Middle East war is the way Dubai and the wider Emirates region have fallen off an economic cliff. From its status as the premium airline hub to trying to attract world-class sporting events, the war has disrupted the Emirati economy at lightning speed. We also know that many Irish people have decided to make the Gulf region their home while building their careers. So what is it like for them as the war enters its fourth week? Paul Kearns is an Irish journalist based in the region, and he joins Bobby to discuss.
Now in its 30th year, Rugs.ie has gone from strength to strength, expanding its horizons to include an extensive website filled with a variety of high-quality products. Phoebe Holland, MD of Rugs.ie joins Bobby to discuss.
Joining Bobby in the Executive Chair this week is Maurice Pratt, Chairman at Uniphar Group.
Joining Bobby to go through the main business stories from the Saturday papers are Kathleen Gallagher, Markets Correspondent with the Business Post & Lorcan Allen of Keating and Associates.
We have a long and proud history of furniture making in Ireland - much of it defined by a balance of heritage and contemporary design.
With craftspeople across the country shaping this distinctive identity, Bobby thought for this week’s Industry Review, he’d look to find out more about this fascinating line of work.
Joining Bobby to discuss is:
● Dave Pettigrew of Irish Woodcraft in Meath
● Tricia Harris of Studio Harris from Killarney
● Paul O’Brien, Furniture Designer and Maker at Modet
JP Wright is an award-winning voice actor with over 15 years of experience across TV, radio, gaming and advertising, working with global brands like Netflix, Nintendo and Sky Sports but he’s recently captured Irish audiences online with his viral GTA-inspired character, Longford Larry. He joins Bobby to chat about his career.
O’Flaherty Stone has been shaping, carving & creating stone for generations. Bobby took a trip out to their Wicklow workshop to find out all about the business.
This week saw a report that was looking at the future of Irish industrial policy and its reliance on FDI. Bobby is joined by John Fitzgerald, Adjunct Professor of Economics at TCD, to discuss.
Joining Bobby to go through the main business stories from the Saturday papers are Ciara McDonagh of Healy Communications and Declan Ralph of BWG Foods.
Sean Blair is the author of the new book ‘Systems Synergy: Developing Human Intelligence That AI Cannot Replace’. He joins Bobby to tell him all about it.
Joining Bobby in the Executive Chair this week is Rory King, Founder of Rory’s Travel Club.
Joining Bobby in the Executive Chair this week is Richard Tierney, CEO of the St Patrick’s Festival.
Glamping and outdoor experiences have become big business in recent years, as more people look for ways to disconnect from busy lives and reconnect with nature.
From luxury tents and unique outdoor accommodation to premium outdoor gear and equipment, the “great outdoors” economy continues to grow.
To discuss, Bobby is joined by:
● Wendy Riordan, Owner of Pitched Perfect
● John Brennan, Managing Director of Dromquinna Manor
● Ken Costigan, Co-Owner / Co-Director of Great Outdoors & Columbia Store Dublin
Dublin has recently been ranked among the most congested cities in the world by the TomTom Traffic Index, which is a surprising statistic for a capital city the size of Dublin. But the real question for business is not just traffic but what that congestion means for the economy of the city. Joining Bobby with some interesting suggestions is Planning Expert, Conor Skehan.
Joining Bobby to go through the main business stories from the Saturday papers are Joan Mulvihill, Digitisation Expert and artist & Bob Hoffman of Vista Executive Search.
Joining Bobby to chat about what the oil crisis means for Irish consumers is the Deputy Business Editor at The Sunday Times Ireland.
We all know we need to buy and use sustainable products, but our wallets also guide us. Bobby speaks to the co-author of a new book that says sustainability programmes often fail because of this. Goutam Challagalla, co-author of ‘Clean Winners: Sustainability Strategy That Puts Customers First’, joins Bobby to discuss.
It’s Super Saturday in the 2026 Guinness Six Nations, and the championship race is down to the wire. Ireland’s campaign has swung from challenge to opportunity, with a win against the Scots needed to give us a glimmer of hope to clinch the title. Joining Bobby to break it all down is former international front‑row legend Shane Byrne.
For this week’s Industry Review, we’re stepping into the world of craftsmanship and the precise, hands-on art of shoemaking and repair.
Bobby is joined by two skilled shoemakers and one experienced cobbler to talk about what it really takes to build and rebuild quality footwear in Ireland.
● Michael Walsh, Marketing Director with Dubarry of Ireland
● Michael Tutty of Tuttys Shoemakers, Naas, Co. Kildare
● Isaac Jackman, of ‘Isaac Jackman Shoe Repairs’
Joining Bobby in the Executive Chair this week is Alan Coleman, Chief Product Officer of Plume Design.
Financial markets are still reeling as the US & Israel’s war on Iran continues, sending oil prices higher and stock markets tumbling, and Irish shares caught in the crossfire. To unpack what this could mean for inflation, interest rates, and the wider economy, Bobby is joined by Business Editor at the Irish Independent, Donal O’Donovan & economist Jim Power.
Joining Bobby to go through the main business stories from the Saturday papers are Susan HayesCulleton, presenter of Taking Stock here at Newstalk, and Ronan Reid of Cantor.
Bobby took a trip to the foothills of the Sugarloaf in Co. Wicklow to check out one of the country’s best garden centres, Outdoorliving.
Helan Wada, author of ‘Human Wise: How to lead from within and sell with confidence’, knows today’s managers are under multiple types of pressure from shareholders, market sentiment, and their own expectations of what being a manager is. Her solution is simple - remember you are a human with feelings. She joins Bobby to chat about it all.
Joining Bobby ot go through the main business stories from the Saturday papers is Linda Daly, Business Reporter with the Sunday Times & Robert Whelan of Rockwell Finance.
Kingsley Aikins, CEO of the Networking Institute and author of Networking Matters: The Power of Human Connection, joins Bobby to chat about the transformative power of networking, the ‘glue’ that makes everything happen.
Bobby took a trip to Silver Works on Drury Street in Dublin city centre to get to grips with the ins and outs of jewellery making.
Joining Bobby in the Executive Chair this week are Tom O’Connor & Leo Crawford of the Petal Group.
It's been eight days since the US Supreme Court struck down President Trump’s tariff regime in its entirety, but how has the market reacted? Bobby is joined by Paul Sommerville of CEO Sommerville Advisory Markets to try to make sense of the past week.
For this week’s Industry Review, we’re focusing on one of Ireland’s most important sporting and economic sectors - horse racing - and asking how the industry is faring at a pivotal time.
Joining Bobby to discuss is:
- Michael Moloney, CEO at Galway Racecourse
- Suzanne Eade, CEO at Horse Racing Ireland
- Ross O'Sullivan, Racehorse Trainer from Greenhills, Co. Kildare
Bobby is joined by veteran broadcaster & journalist Matt Cooper to chat about his book ‘Dynasty: Scandals, Triumph, Turmoil and Succession at the Heart of Dunnes Stores’.
For this week’s Industry Review, Bobby delves into the world of sound engineering and sound production. As Ireland continues to be at the forefront of some of the biggest creative industries around the world, Bobby speaks to three people in different areas about how it has evolved and the challenges for the future.
- CEO of Windmill Lane Recording Studios, Naomi Moore
- Founder and CEO of Gorilla Post Production, Barry Reid
- Sound Engineer and Designer at Blast Audio, Will Farrell
Joining Bobby to go through the main stories from the Saturday papers is Caroline Reidy, Head of HR Solutions with NFP & Ciaran Hancock, Business Editor with the Irish Times.
Bobby also spoke with Chief Economist at the Institute of International and European Affairs and Columnist with The Currency, Dan O’Brien, about the US Supreme Court striking down President Trump’s sweeping emergency tariffs.
Bobby was out & about in Simmonscourt at the 2026 Hardware Show, where he spoke to a few people spearheading innovation and shaping the future of hardware and tools.
Joining Bobby in the Executive Chair is Ursula Kelly, Managing Director at Cormac Tagging.
Conor Lynch is a digital innovator, educator and entrepreneur, and he has just launched his new book ‘Learn Earn Own: Learn More. Earn More. Own More’. He joins Bobby in studio to discuss.
For this week’s Industry Review, we’re talking about the business and future of graphic design - exploring how brands are built, how creative decisions get made, and what separates good design from design that actually works.
Bobby is joined by three leading figures from across the industry:
- Brian Nolan, Founding Partner of Detail.
- Sinead Lawlor, aka Designer G, is a Freelance Graphic Designer
- Keith McGuinness, Creative Director at Red&Grey
Bobby was out & about this week at the Hospitality Expo 2026 where he got a sense of the hospitality sector & chatted to the likes of TV Chef and Tallaght native, Anna Haugh.
Bobby is joined by Stephen O’Leary, founder of Olytico & Louisa Meehan of Woodview HRM to go through the big business stories from the Saturday papers.
Magnum Ice Cream reported its first full-year results since its December demerger from Unilever, but posted a disappointing 3% drop in sales volumes in the fourth quarter but is it down to the widespread use of GLP-1 drugs? AJ Bell's Investment Director, Russ Mould joins Bobby to discuss.
Bobby is joined by Anne-Maartje Oud, author of 'What To Do If...?: How to Handle Any Situation at Work and Come Out Winning'.
The Giant is a cutting-edge visitor attraction concept consisting of three shapeshifting 15-60 meter tall LED-clad statues with moveable arms and heads. It is spearheaded by Irishman Paddy Dunning, who chats to Bobby about it all.
Joining Bobby in the Executive Chaor this week is John O'Neill, CEO & Co-founder of SeatFair.
For this week’s Industry Review, we turn to the business of wellness, speaking to three operators about building and running spa and wellbeing spaces, the pressures behind the scenes, and how the sector is evolving in a competitive service market.
Joining Bobby to discuss is:
● Adrienne Stewart, Founder of hotelandsparesorts.com / Director at Powerscourt Springs Health Farm & Owner at Rainforest Spa in Summerhill House Hotel, Enniskerry, Co. Wicklow
● Tara de Courcey, Director of Spa & Wellness at Cashel Palace Hotel
● Eileen Fleming, Co-owner of The Buff Day Spa
Have you ever sat on an interview board and the candidate facing you is just too good to be true? In the age of AI and online interviewing, the reality is that more candidates are using AI tools to impress or even fool interviewers into giving them the job. Bobby is joined by Sinead English, Founder and CEO of HILT, to look at both sides of the recruiting equation and to explore how common this scenario is becoming.
The Michelin Awards are set to be hosted in Dublin for the first time this coming Monday. There’s much talk about who might be added to the list or if Ireland will finally get its third star, but what is the significance of getting a star, and how are they awarded? One man who knows a thing or two about it is Ross Lewis of Chapter One, who received his own coveted star many years ago.
Bobby took a trip out to Dixon Hempenstal on Suffolk St, where he spoke to owner, Mike Wyley, about the business of eye care, how the industry has changed, and to get an eye exam.
To go through the main stories from the Saturday papers, Bobby is joined by Susan HayesCulleton aka The Positive Economist and presenter of Taking Stock, as well as Doug Keatinge from Avolon.
John Corley, CEO and co-founder of Spanish Point Technologies, joins Bobby in the Executive Chair.
For this week’s Industry Review, we turn to Ireland’s booming distillery sector, finding out how Irish whiskey has been growing at home and abroad, and what that means for producers on the ground and the wider industry.
Joining Bobby to discuss is:
- Eoin Ó Catháin, Director of the Irish Whiskey Association
- Pádraic Ó Griallais, Co-Founder at Micil Distillery in Galway
- Pat Rigney, founder & owner of The Shed Distillery of PJ Rigney in Drumshanbo
How do you tip and who do you tip to are two of the hardest questions to answer on a night out. This week, the consumer watchdog tried to make things clearer as the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) issued a report which said technology has changed the tipping landscape. It also issued guidelines to ensure that people more clearly understand where their money is going and why. Conor Pope, Consumer Affairs Editor from The Irish Times, joins Bobby to discuss.
Ireland’s economy shrank in the last three months of 2025, in a time when we hear about bursting government coffers, but how can this be? Joining Bobby to talk through the details is economist, Austin Hughes.
Bobby is joined by Paul Sloane to talk about his book 'The Art of Unexpected Solutions: Using Lateral Thinking to Find Breakthroughs', a guide to fostering innovation by embracing unconventional and indirect thinking methods.
Joining Bobby to go through the Sunday papers is Gina London, Leadership communication expert and Bob Hoffman of Vista Executive Search.
Following one of the strangest weeks in geopolitics, where the eyes of the world were on Davos, Emmet Oliver wanted to look at where Ireland now stands in the world when it comes to American relations. Cliff Taylor, Managing Editor of the Irish Times, has been watching events all week - he joins Emmet to discuss.
For this week’s Industry Review, we looked at businesses that operate partly or entirely through the Irish language and asked what that choice means in practical terms for growth, customers, and competitiveness in the modern economy.
Joining Anton to discuss is:
● Deirdre Ní Thuathail, Managing Director with Cló Iar-Chonnacht
● Darren Ó Rodaigh, CEO & Founder of Coláiste Gaelchultúr
● Deirdre Ní Choistín, Director General at TG4
Liam Collins, journalist for Mediahuis Ireland covering the Irish Independent and Sunday Independent, joins Emmet Oliver to chat about the publication of his late father's book 'Kings, Druids, and Traitors'.
Joining Emmet Oliver in the Executive Chair is Jenny Johnston, CEO at Azure Communications.
How threatened by AI do you feel? Will it take away large chunks of your employment skills? Andrew Bryant, author of 'Potential-Ize: How Leaders Unlock Human Potential in the Age of AI' thinks we may be overthinking things, and that humanity can never be matched by AI. He joins Emmet Oliver to discuss.
Joining Emmet Oliver to go through the main business stories from the Saturday papers is Linda Daly, business reporter with the Sunday Times and Robert Whelan of Rockwell Finance.
Joining Emmet Oliver in the Executive Chair is Sheila O’Donnell and John Tuomey of O’Donnell + Tuomey Architects.
For this week’s Industry Review, we’re looking at the business behind sports journalism. It’s an industry driven by deadlines, digital subscriptions and intense competition - but what’s it really like to build a career covering sport in Ireland today?
Joining Emmet Oliver to discuss is:
- Roy Curtis, Sportswriter & Columnist for The Irish Daily Star and The Irish Mirror
- David Kelly, Chief Sports Analysis Writer with the Irish Independent
- Alanna Cunane, Sportswriter with the Irish Independent
Across the world, governments are exploring ways to boost food reserves as political instability and climate concerns bring food resource management into sharp focus. Emmet Oliver is joined by Susannah Savage, Commodities Correspondent for the Financial Times, who has been writing about this and how it may affect the market.
Joining Emmet Oliver to go through the main stories from the business pages of the Saturday papers is Ciara McDonagh of Healy Communications and Ronan Reid of Cantor Fitzgerald.
Down to Business has a long association with the EY Entrepreneur of the Year Award, and that will continue this year. This year’s awards programme has just been launched, and joining Emmet Oliver to discuss is Roger Wallace, Head of Assurance and EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™ Ireland.
Creativity is something we all understand, but does it differ across cultures and societies worldwide? Frederick Heren, author of The World of Creativity, A Journey Across 37 Countries to Discover the Secrets of Creative Minds, joins Emmet Oliver to discuss.
Joining Bobby in the Executive Chair is Daniel Rubin, founder of Dune London and author of ‘Sole Survivor: How I Built a Global Shoe Brand'.
In C.O.U.R.A.G.E., Christopher O. H. Williams reveals how to harness innate courage in everyday life to make a lasting impact and live authentically, without regret. He joins Bobby to discuss.
Kopper Kreations is an industrial homewares brand that uses reclaimed and recycled materials to create unique and eye-catching homewares. Bobby stopped by their site just off Capel Street in Dublin, where founder Emmet Bosonnet told him all about the business.
As a family doctor, Dr Mark Rowe has seen first-hand the impact of investing in your future self with simple, small changes to your daily routine that leverage the science of habits for lasting results. He joins Bobby to chat about his book, ‘Things Your Future Self Will Thank You For’.
Joining Bobby to chat about his new book 'How To Think About AI: A Guide for the Perplexed’ is Richard E. Susskind.
For this week’s Industry Review, Bobby looks ahead to the year in travel. Joining him are three industry leaders:
- Claire Doherty, Product and Operations Director at Travel Department
- Peter Cullen, Chief Operating Officer of Click&Go
- Martin Skelly, Director of Navan Travel
This week on the Executive Chair Bobby sits down with Justin van der Spuy & Ray Armstrong, Co-CEOs of Saros Consulting
More than 40 years ago a man called Robin Knox-Johnson became the first to sail singled handed and solo around the world. Back in 1969 Sir Robin earned the ‘golden globe’ award for completed the journey as one of the last great uncharted maritime feats
2026 is set to be a busy year with Sir Robin’s Clipper entering 2 boats in the Round Ireland Race. He also due to speak at a special event in Dublin raising money for UNICEF in February
Robin spoke to Bobby about is life and the year ahead
Staying motivated when life gets tough isn’t easy, but it’s often those moments of adversity that define us.
For this week’s Industry Review with a twist, Bobby explored the mindsets and strategies that help us keep going when the going gets tough. He was joined by Motivational Speaker Mark Fennel, Motivational Speaker & Endurance Athlete Enda Doherty and Psychotherapist & Founder of The STLL Daniella Moyles
Bobby is joined by economists Colm McCarthy and Barra Ronantree to examine the economic prospects for 2026
Bobby sits down with founder and managing director of Poachers drinks from Wexford
They chat through the business and some of their most popular products
Bobby is joined by Olytico's Stephen O'Leary and Artist and Digitization Consultant Joan Mulvihill to discuss the biggest business stories of the day
Joining Bobby to run through the main stories of the year are Susan HayesCulleton, presenter of 'Taking Stock', Conor Faughnan, Transport Commentator and Host of the Driving Life Podcast; and Bob Hoffman of Vista Executive Search.
Bobby is joined by Cormac Lucey, Economics Commentator with The Sunday Times, to discuss the idea that the Irish economy is simultaneously in the best of times and the worst of times.
Bobby takes a walk down Dublin's Grafton Street, where he talks to retailers like The Camera Centre, Dubray Book, flower vendors, Weir's, The Irish Design Shop, and Patrick Sheary Menswear.
Joining Bobby to chat through some of the best gadgets to buy the tech-lover in your life is Andy O'Donoghue, technology broadcaster and columnist.
Joining Bobby in the Executive Chair this week is Tom O'Brien, Group CEO of Nephin Energy.
Motivational speaker, David Meade, joins Bobby to chat about how he got into keynote speaking, helping people to analyse the challenges around them critically, and running what he calls 'lightbulb teams'.
For this week’s Industry Review, Bobby focuses on the very serious business of Christmas Dinner - not just what ends up on the plate, but the whole experience around it.
He is joined by four leaders who bring expertise from every angle:
- David Whelehan of Whelehan’s Wines
- Adrian Martin, Chef, Author, who is one of the longest serving resident chefs on the Six O'Clock show on Virgin Media 1
- Aoife Comerford, Pastry Sous Chef at Glover’s Alley (One Michelin Star)
- Etiquette expert, Noel Cunningham
Mike Hanrahan, Singer-songwriter and guitarist with Stockton's Wing, joins Bobby to play 'Wishing You Were Here'.
Inflation is at its highest level since February 2024, after growing by 3.2% in the year to last month. Business reporter at the Irish Times, Ian Curran, joins Bobby to discuss.
Joining Bobby in the Executive Chair this week is Michael Kelly, CEO of FAIN Ireland & Subsidiaries.
Bobby is joined by Breda Brown of Unique Media and Louisa Meehan of Woodview HRM to go through the big business stories from the Saturday papers.
Bobby is joined by John Lowe, aka 'The Money Doctor', to get some of his tips ahead of what is the busiest spending period of the year.
Pitch '25 invites Irish start-up's and budding entrepreneurs to pitch for their chance to be mentored in the world of retail with Arnotts. Bobby took a trip out to the Arnotts in Dublin city centre to chat to a few of the finalists to see how they’ve been getting on.
Christmas is a wonderful time of year, and here in Ireland, we have an incredible array of products made by homegrown talent to choose from.
To find out a little bit more about some of the kinds of food producers we have at our disposal, Bobby is joined by:
- Andy Pratt from The Raw Juice Company
- Alice Tevlin from Rua Food
- Lisa Quinlan from Clever Foods
For this week’s Industry Review, Bobby takes a deep dive into Ireland’s recruitment landscape - a sector that’s evolving rapidly as talent shortages, hybrid work, and shifting employee expectations reshape how organisations hire.
Bobby is joined by three leading voices in the Irish recruitment sector to discuss:
- Frank Farrelly, CEO & co-founder of Sigmar Recruitment
- Rachel Tubridy, Managing Director of PeopleSource
- Elaine Brady, Managing Partner, Barden in Leinster
Tax rises and tighter spending could hinder UK economic growth, according to the OECD. Joining Bobby to discuss is David Smith, Economics Editor of The Sunday Times.
Zoë Arden works at the intersection of leadership and storytelling. She joins Bobby to discuss her new book ‘Story-Centred Leadership: Crafting Cultures of Change’.
Joining Bobby to run through the main business pages from the morning papers are Caroline Reidy of the HR Suite & Doug Keatinge, Head of Communications at Avolon.
Bobby went out & about at Gifted in the RDS, Ireland's iconic Christmas craft fair, featuring hundreds of makers, designers and artisan food producers.
Linda Daly, Business Reporter with the Sunday Times and Tom Molloy, former Group Business Editor at The Independent and until recently the Director of Communications at the Green Party join Bobby for this week's business story round up.
A look into any high street window across the country will show that Ireland's tailoring trade is evolving - blending tradition with fresh demand for quality, personal service, and sustainable fashion. Louis Copeland of Louis Copeland and Sons, Robin Johnson of Johnson's Tailors in Tullow and Sean Treacy, Owner of Hunter Treacy Tailors join Bobby in studio to discuss how the craft is thriving.
Áine Kennedy, founder of the Smooth Company was chosen as the winner of the Emerging Entrepeneur category at the EY Entrepeneur of the Year Awards on Thursday evening. She joins Bobby on the show to discuss her journey.
Ireland’s housing crisis is often framed around supply and affordability, but Colm Lauder, Founding Partner at Lauder Teacher and Business Post contributor argues that an ageing population - and a housing stock poorly suited to older residents - is the real structural challenge now coming into view. He joins Bobby to discuss...
It may be chilly outside, but this week, Bobby is out and about at Sun Bear Gelato on Dawson Street! He had the chance to meet David Hennessy, the owner of Sun Bear, and chat all things gelato!
Bobby was out & about in Baldonnell Business Park at Amazon's fulfilment centre, where he had the opportunity to see the scale of the operation and to chat to Alison Dunn, Amazon's country manager for Ireland & Marcus Mallon, Site Lead at Amazon.
Joining Bobby in the Executive Chair is Paul Jacob, CEO and founder of Smart Storage & Wicklow Hub.
For this week’s Industry Review, Bobby dives into a growing trend in the property world: Home Staging.
It’s the art of transforming a house into a space buyers can instantly connect with, and it’s becoming a powerful tool for sellers looking to stand out in a competitive market.
Bobby is joined by three business owners who are at the forefront of this industry:
- Vanya McCarthy, MD and Owner of Stage My Home
- Martyna Wilk, Co-Director & Founder of Smart Home Staging
- Sinead Considine co-owner of The Interiors Project
Regular listeners will know that Down to Business has a long association with the EY Entrepreneur of the Year Awards. This week, Bobby is joined by some of this year’s finalists and alumni to look at the changing nature of financial services.
Joining Bobby is:
- Eddie Dillon, who is a finalist in the emerging category
- Derek Foley of Grid Finance who is in the established category
- Roger Wallace, Head of Assurance & EY Entrepreneur of the Year Partner Lead
Bobby is joined by Charlie Curson to chat about his new book 'Be More Strategic: 12 essential practices to build the life and career you want'.
Joining Bobby to run through the business pages from the morning papers is Joan Mulvihil, Digitization Expert & Bob Hoffman of Vista Executive Search.
For today’s Industry Review, Bobby explores the challenges and opportunities facing driving schools and driving instructors today.
Joining Bobby to discuss is:
- Kevin Horgan, Founder of the National Driving School
- Dominic Brophy, Co-Director of the Professional Driving Instructors Association
- Lara Lewis, Driving Instructor.
Dr. David Oxley joins Bobby to chat about his new book 'The Artificial Death of a Career', which reminds us that it's all too human to seek to reduce uncertainty, but in doing so, it creates a 'cocoon' that is limiting and ultimately energy-sapping.
If you are one of those people who feel they’ve been spending too much time on their phone, The Irish Times' Business and Technology journalist Ciara O’Brien has been using a device that might actually help. She joins Bobby to discuss.
Regular listeners will know that Down to Business has a long association with the EY Entrepreneur of the Year Awards. This week, Bobby is joined by some of this year’s finalists and alumni to look at the topic of education and how entrepreneurs are changing the nature of learning.
Joining Bobby is:
- Brendan Noud, co-founder and CEO of LearnUpon
- Karl Fitzpatrick, CEO of Chevron College
- Louella Morton, co-founder and co-CEO of TestReach
Joining Bobby to go through the main stories from the business pages is Carolie Reidy of the HR Suite & Lorcan Allen, Director of Business Development with Keatings & Associates.
Emmet Oliver is joined by Marc Woods, author of Best Teams: Creating and Maintaining High-performing Teams.
Joining Emmet Oliver in the Executive Chair is Steve MacNicholas, CEO for Ireland at Ekco.
For this week’s Industry Review, Emmet Oliver dives into the booming world of sports travel - a business that sits right at the crossroads of adventure, competition, and tourism.
Joining Emmet is:
- Sean Baird, Business Development Manager with Killester Travel
- Marty Carr, Founder & Chairman of Carr Golf Travel
- Francis Roche, Managing Director of Marathon Sports Travel
What began at her kitchen table during lockdown, designed between nap times and night feeds, has grown into a thriving Irish brand now stocked in Carrolls stores across the country and sold online to over 40 countries. SnooZip is a clever, family-focused sleepwear brand whose creator, Aisling Ryan, joins Emmet Oliver in studio to discuss
Down to Business has a long association with the EY Entrepreneur of the Year Awards, and over the next few weeks, we’ll be hosting discussions around some of the issues faced by entrepreneurs with some of this year’s finalists and alumni of the programme. Joining Emmet Oliver to look at sustainability and how to keep it a concern while also turning a profit are two of this year’s finalists:
- Seamus Fahy of ICS Medical Devices
- David Corcoran of Soltec
- Rose Hyde of Ballymaloe Food
Joining Emmet Oliver to go through the main stories from the Saturday business pages is Susan HayesCulleton, presenter of Taking Stock here at ewstalk & Ronan Reid of Cantor.
We all know AI is a challenge that most of us look at with fear and trepidation. Mike Wright, co-writer of The 14 Behaviors Driving Successful Digital Transformation in the Age of Gen AI, joins Emmet Oliver to look at some behaviors that might help us succeed.
Joining Emmet Oliver in the Executive Chair is Brendan Nourse, Managing Director of Image Supply Systems Audio Visual.
Vinyl is back, and it’s not just down to some passing trend or nostalgia. Across Ireland, record players are being dusted off, and a whole new generation is discovering the magic of the album. Emmet Oliver is joined by Chris Keena from Anthem Vinyl, Ireland’s only record pressing plant; Ray O'Brien, owner of Music Zone in Togher, Cork; and Enda Gogarty from Spindizzy Records in Dublin to talk about the vinyl revival, what’s behind it, and why it’s here to stay.
In a world full of uncertainty, we love to cling to control and systems. Dr Margaret Heffernan thinks that if we embrace uncertainty in the way artists and creatives do, we might find solid ground to walk towards the future. Dr Heffernan joins Emmet Oliver to discuss.
Irish Pop Up Collective was set up in 2019 to support small Irish brands and businesses and give them a retail platform, as they are unable to afford a bricks & mortar space. They have approximately 50 makers/brands at each event, with a minimum of €100k worth of business being done on the day. There have been seven events so far, with two more Irish Popup Collective events taking place on 7th & 14th December in The Royal Marine Hotel. Emmet Oliver is joined by Kate Fine, co-founder of the collective & Una Burke, whose leatherwork will feature in both events.
Joining Emmet Oliver to go through the main business tories from the Saturday papers is Lousia Meehan of Woodview HRM & Declan Ralph from BWG Foods.
Bobby is joined by Sara Daw, Group CEO of The CFO Centre and The Liberti Group, to talk about the concept of fractional leadership and why business leaders are buying into the concept.
Joining Bobby in the Executive Chair this week is Jim Meade, outgoing Chief Executive of Irish Rail.
In an age of tapping, is the smell and feel of paper money dead? Joining Bobby to discuss whether cash is still king is Conor Pope, consumer affairs correspondent with the Irish Times.
What or how do you want to feel when you want to go out to eat? Two people who know a thing or two about making customers feel welcome and cared for are Robbie Bargh, founding partner of Gorgeous Group & renowned Michelin-starred Chef Ross Lewis. They join Bobby to chat about the industry.
From homegrown skincare to high-end makeup, Irish brands are making serious waves both at home and abroad.
Joining Bobby to discuss the sector are three of the driving forces behind that success:
- Nicola Connelly from Nunaia
- Niamh Ryan, Co-Founder of Ella & Jo
- Amy Cahill, Owner of Oxmantown Skin Care
Joining Bobby to go through the main business stores from the Saturday papers is leadership & communication expert, Gina London & Ronan Reid of Cantor
Bobby is joined by Nic Marks, author of 'Happiness is a serious business: Why happy teams are more successful and how to build them'.
Joining Bobby in the Executive Chair is Dorothy Creaven, Co-Founder & Chief Operating Officer of Jentic.
Ireland’s visual art scene is full of creativity, challenge, and conversation, and today Bobby hears from three people right at the heart of it.
For this week’s art-focused Industry Review, Bobby is joined by:
● Jerome O’Drisceoil, founder & owner of the Green on Red Gallery
● Thais Muniz, visual artist
● Geraldine O’Neill, Artist and member of Aosdána
Last night, people nationwide from schools, communities, and companies slept outdoors to shine a light on child homelessness and, of course, to raise funds. Newstalk’s Own Josh Crosbie was at various locations throughout the night - he joins Bobby to discuss.
If you are looking to buy gold, you may be in for a shock as the price of gold levelled off at $4,000 per ounce this week, marking a 53% gain in 2025. Joining Bobby to discuss what is behind this shift adn whether there may be wider implications for the economy is economist, Paul Sommerville.
Joining Bobby to run through the main business stories from the Saturday papers is Linda Daly, Business reporter with the Sunday Times & Doug Keatinge of Avolon.
The words "hero" and "legend" are often thrown about like confetti, but when it comes to Philip King, those two words fit like a glove. As a member of Scullion, he added another level of soul to folk music; as a TV producer, he showed us how far the reach of Irish music really was, and as the co-creator of Other Voices, he literally brought the music back home to Dingle. Philip joins Bobby in Dick Mac's as part of Blás na hÉireann 2025 to chat about all things music and more.
Broadcasting out of Dick Mac's in Dingle for Blás na hÉireann 2025, Bobby is joined in the Executive Chair by TV Chef & owner of MacNean House & Restaurant, Neven Maguire.
Having become one of the world’s leading stunt coordinators, whose work is seen from James Bond to Gladiator, Mike O’Shea joins Bobby to chat about how he got into this line of work, what's involved in working on major Hollywood blockbusters, and more.
Broadcasting out of Dick Mac's in Dingle for Blás na hÉireann 2025, Bobby is joined by three local food champions whose businesses have become part of Dingle’s identity.
Joining Bobby is:
● Mark Murphy of The Little Cheese Shop
● Justin Burgess from Bean in Dingle
● Sean Murphy from Murphy’s Ice Cream
Joining Bobby to talk about the abundant talent and top-quality ingredients available to us here in Ireland is Paula McIntyre, Chef and Food Writer, and Chair of the Irish Food Writers Guild.
Bobby and the Down to Business team were broadcasting out of Dick Macks in Dingle for the Blas na hEireann Irish Food Awards and the Dingle Food Festival. Bobby is joined by Artie Clifford, Chairperson at Blas na hEireann; John Doyle from Asset Finance at BOI, who has been involved in the awards for many years, as well as Keith Loftus, Founder of All About Kombucha.
This week, Bobby and the Down to Business team were broadcasting out of Dick Macks in Dingle for the Blas na hEireann Irish Food Awards. Joining Bobby to look at the front pages and the business stories of today’s papers are Francis Fitzgibbon of Story Stock Media & Majella O’Sullivan, journalist at Kerry’s Eye.
We know the government is planning a package of €9.4 billion for Budget 2026 – including €7.9 billion in additional public spending and €1.5 billion in the tax package, but is that a good idea? In the past few weeks, both IFAC - which advises the Government on fiscal matters - and the ESRI have advised the Government of the dangers of overheating the economy at a time of economic uncertainty. Joining Bobby to run through it all is economist, Dan O'Brien.
Joining Bobby in the Executive Chair is Stephen Dowling, President International at Fanatics.
Paul McGee's international bestselling personal development heavyweight S.U.M.O (Shut Up, Move On)has helped hundreds of thousands of people around the world fulfil their potential. Paul has just come out with a new edition of the book to mark 20 years of S.U.M.O - he joins Bobby to discuss,
Three tour guides who spend their days turning our history, myths, and the odd pub story into adventures for us Irish people and international tourists alike join Bobby for this week’s Industry Review.
- Tommy Graham, Editor of History Ireland Magazine & Historical Walking Tours of Dublin
- Trudy Carmody, Private Tour Guide and Genealogist
- Colette Farrelly, National Tour Guide & Director of ATGI
'Roll It All Butter Pastry' is a family-run business specialising in ready-to-use pastry that has been going for more than 12 years. Joining Bobby to chat about the business is its owner, Mairead Finnegan.
Joining Bobby to go through the main business stories from the Saturday papers is Joan Mulvihill, Digitization Expert, and Ciaran Hancock, Business Editor of the Irish Times.
Bobby was out & about at the 2025 National Ploughing Championships in Screggan, County Offaly, to get a sense of the state of the farming sector in Ireland and what the future holds.
Irish taste buds have come a long way over the years - from Peking Duck to Tonkatsu Ramen, and Nepali Momo Dumplings to Kimchi Fried Rice.
But what’s it really like running a business in Asian food today?
Joining Bobby are three people who know it best:
- Eva Pau, Commercial Director of the Asia Market
- Lina Gautam of Monty's of Kathmandu
- Kevin Hui, Managing Director of China Sichuan
In the week where Jerry Greenfield of Ben & Jerry's announced his departure from the company after almost 50 years following an increasingly acrimonious dispute with Unilever, Enda Kelly, Managing Director & Head of Strategy at Folk VML, joins Bobby to discuss if customers actually care about a company’s stance or if it's all about price.
Joining Bobby to go through the business pages from the Saturday papers is Robert Whelan, Managing Director of Rockwell Financial & broadcaster and businesswoman, Norah Casey.
Bobby is joined by Isobel Rimmer, founder and Director of Masterclass and author of 'Present with Presence: Everything you need to plan, prepare, and deliver with impact in any situation'
Following a hugely enjoyable broadcast from Monart Destination Spa in Wexford, with thanks to Eirgrid, Bobby ended the show with a chat and a song with Gavin Glass.
Every year, in the last two weeks of October, Wexford becomes the centre of the musical world as the Wexford Festival Opera takes centre stage in the city. Loughlin Deegan, Wexford Festival Opera's Interim Director, joins Bobby to discuss.
Bobby is joined by Diarmaid Gillespie, Director of System Operations at EirGrid, to talk about the future of Ireland's energy infrastructure.
In a digital age where visibility and efficiency can make or break a business, the right mix of personal branding and smart tools is more important than ever. Joining Bobby to chat about this and how they help businesses make the most of their online presence is Samantha Kelly of Samantha Kelly Media & Deborah Jordan, founder of Chuzeday and advocate for the solo business owners
Bobby was out & about with the CEO of the Griffin Group, Michael Griffin, at Monart Solar Farm to find out about this green initiative and what future plans the hotel group has regarding their push for sustainability.
Bobby is joined by one of Ireland's most successful authors, Eoin Colfer of the Artemis Fowl series, to talk writing, his love of Wexford, and more.
The Down to Business team was broadcasting from Monart Destination Spa in Wexford, with thanks to Eirgrid. Joining Bobby to go through the main business stories from the Saturday papers is Alan Corcoran, News Editor and Presenter at South East Radio, and Cillian Bolger, journalist from the Wexford People.
From steel sheds to jams & sauces, to gelato, Wexford has no shortage of great business stories. For this week's Industry Review, Bobby is joined by five people who know that better than most:
- Paul Nolan, Owner of Adman Steel Sheds
- Anthony O’Toole, founder of Fat Tomato
- Willie Devereux, co-founder of Scúp Gelato
- Tom and Laura Sinnott of Wexford Home Preserves
Bobby is joined by Lord Mark Price whose latest book is titled 'Work Happier: How to be Happy and Successful at Work'
Joining Bobby in the Executive Chair this week is Luke Mackey, Co-founder & CEO of Kota.
For this week’s Industry Review, we’re uncorking the business of wine in Ireland.
From independent retailers to the expert palate, we’ll explore how trends, taste, and commerce shape what ends up in your glass.
Joining Bobby is:
- Michelle Lawlor, The Nude Wine Co
- Tom Doorley, Food and wine writer & consultant
- James O’Hara, Premium Wines Limited
In the UK, with government debt rising and gilt yields under pressure, some commentators have even raised the spectre of an IMF bailout but how realistic are those fears, and what do they tell us about the state of the UK economy right now? David Smith, Economics Editor with the Sunday Times took a call from Bobby to assess the health of the UK economy and discuss whether the idea of the IMF having to step in is far fetched.
Bobbby takes a trip out to Hidden Hearing on the Merrion Road in Dublin to get an assessment and chat with Enda Dooley, audiologist with Hidden Hearing about the work that they do there.
Joining Bobby to go through the business pages in the morning papers is Caroline Reidy of the HR Suite and Jon Ihle Deputy Business Editor at the Sunday Times Ireland.
Valio is Finland’s biggest food exporter, which brands itself as “the most innovative dairy and food company in the world”. Valio's chief innovation officer, Kevin Deegan, joins Bobby to chat about the business and why the death of dairy has been overstated.
The world of work is changing fast, and few people see that more clearly than those working in HR.
For this week’s Industry Review, Bobby chats with three HR professionals to hear how the sector is doing, the challenges they’re facing, and what they think is coming next for the workplace.
Joining Bobby is
● Damien McCarthy, Managing Director of HR Buddy
● Crystel Robbins Rynne, CEO of HR Locker
● Alison Hodgson, CIPD Market Country Director
‘NestiFi’ is an AI-powered platform that helps families co-invest for children. The idea is to modernise pocket money by allowing parents, grandparents, and relatives to pool contributions into a child’s future nest egg, blending traditional index funds with blockchain, while also teaching kids about financial literacy in a simple, engaging way. Niall Dennehy, CEO and Founder of 'NestiFi', joins Bobby to discuss.
Bobby took a trip out to Finglas in north Dublin to chat to the owner of Olivier's Bread, who operates a bread vending machine outside their premises.
Joining Abobby to run through the main stories from the business pages is Louisa Meehan of Woodview HRM and Stephen O’Leary, Founder and CEO of Olytico.
Joining Bobby in the Executive Chair this week is Chris Lauder, Founder of The Dublin Academy of Education & CEO of the recently formed Axis Education Group.
As a manager, or even as a worker, how well do you know the personalities of those around you? Have you thought that knowing this might be good for your business? Lewis Senior is the co-author of a new book, Personalities Remixed, that helps you do just that. He joins Bobby to discuss.
Joining Bobby to chat about the state of the play when it comes to car sales in 2025 is:
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Rowena Dooley, Dealer Principal at Dooley Motors Carlow
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Brian Cooke, SIMI Director General (Society of the Irish Motor Industry)
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Vincent Doyle, car salesman and bass player with ‘Cry Before Dawn’.
Joining Bobby to chat about the utility of the one-pager and how they can attract and increase the level of investment into a company is Margaret E. Ward, CEO of Clear Eye Leadership Consultants.
Derek Walker, Future Generations Commissioner for Wales, joins Bobby to chat about his role and discuss whether this is something we need here in Ireland.
Joining Bobby to run through the main stories from the business pages on Saturday was Doug Keatinge of Avolon & Linda Daly, Business Reporter with the Sunday Times.
This week on Executive Chair Bobby is joined by Karl Deeter who is the founder of Online Application to discuss his life and career.
What makes an idea turn itself into a business that is profitable in both the short and long terms? That’s the challenge Eddie Hartman interrogates in his new book. Bobby caught with Eddie on all things about his book; Scaling Innovation: How Smart Companies Architect Profitable Growth.
Whether you’re looking to invest in stocks and crypto, or if you’re simply trying to save money to put down for a mortgage – a financial advisor might be just the kind of sensei you need to help guide exactly what to do with your money.
So, for our Industry Review this week, we’re talking money and Bobby was joined by three of Ireland’s best financial advisors who’ll share all the secrets of a financial guru and where the business is going. He spoke to Jonathan McDonnell, MD Castle Capital in Limerick, Robert Whelan, Managing Director at Rockwell Financial and Margaret Barrett, Managing Director at Mortgage Navigators.
Now, the fraudsters are getting smarter – and it’s not just consumers they’re after.
From fake ads on social media to CEO impersonation and invoice redirection, businesses are increasingly in the firing line.
Paul O’Brien from Bank of Ireland’s Group Security team joins Bobby to discuss the best ways to protect yourself, online and on the phone.
Now, it’s time to throw a sausage on the barby. Bobby went out to Herbert Park in Dublin for the Big Grill ‘25 - celebration of all things barbecue. He spoje to Andy Noonan, The Big Grill Festival Director, Daniel "BBQ Snob" Vaughn, John Bates, Head Chef and fire tender at InterStellar BBQ and Raquel Acosta aka the Jamonfluencer
Valerie Cox and John Ilne join Bobby Kerr to discuss the days biggest business stories.
Bobby meets Roddy Greene, Managing Director of Mondello Park, at the world famous track to about running Ireland’s only International Motorsport Venue and navigating the Business of High-Speed Racing.
Listen here.
Technology Commentator Andy O’Donoghue examines Meta’s Multi-Billion Investment into AI Superintelligence, its implications for the Workplace, and the broader societal risks.
Listen here for all the details on a potentially world-altering announcement.
Three Independent Furniture Retailers join Bobby for the Industry Review this week.
Grainne Cassidy, Founder of Pieces.ie, Orla Walsh, of Rightstyle Furniture and Conleth McKernan, of Benmore Studio
The guys discuss trends, challenges, and opportunities in the sector — from shifting customer tastes to supply chain pressures.
Listen here.
Bobby heads to the RDS to soak in the atmosphere, meet Exhibitors, and explore why this Summer staple continues to draw crowds year after year.
The Horse Show is one of the biggest events of the equine calendar. Bobby gets to see exactly what keeps the show going for so long by meeting some of the biggest names in the business.
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Cliff Taylor, Managing Editor of The Irish Times, explains the potential impact of Donald Trump’s apparent Global Trade War on Ireland’s Economic Stability and Export Markets.
After a tumultuous few months of global trade, there isn't many signs of slowing down.
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Ronan Reid, Senior Stockbroker at Cantor, and Journalist & Author Valerie Cox join Bobby to run through the weekend’s top business headlines.
From Trump tariffs to Ryan Tubridy's big fine, get all the biggest business stories here.
Join Bobby Kerr on this week's episode of "Down to Business" as he dives into the intricate world of trade tariffs and their impact on the Irish economy.
With renowned broadcaster and businesswoman Norah Casey and Declan Ralph from BWG Group, Bobby navigates the latest developments in the EU-U.S. trade deal and the ongoing uncertainties that could affect various industries, from pharma to spirits.
Discover how companies are strategizing in response to U.S. tariffs and get insights into the current state of the airline industry as Aer Lingus reveals impressive profit numbers. Plus, the discussion touches on DIY woes and the joys of the upcoming bank holiday weekend.
Bobby's out and about again and this week visits the bustling world of Bambino, a New York-style pizza shop located on Dublin’s Stephen Street.
Bobby sits down with founders Nick and Shane to uncover the story behind their successful venture.
Hear how a late-night Zoom call during lockdown sparked their passion for pizza, and get insights into their unique operation that keeps customers coming back for more. From the psychology of queues to crafting the perfect slice, discover what makes Bambino a local favourite.
Join Bobby Kerr in this engaging episode as he delves into the world of corporate culture with playwright Catriona Daly and HR expert Louisa Meehan.
Catriona shares insights about her new comedy, "The Lunch Punch," which humorously critiques the often absurd jargon and flawed hierarchies of modern workplaces. With sold-out performances already, she reveals the inspiration behind the play and how it reflects everyday office life. Louisa adds a layer of expertise as she breaks down the difference between corporate culture and the "felt culture" experienced by employees. Together, they explore how language can often confuse and mislead, leaving many feeling disconnected in their work environments.
In this episode of "Down to Business," Bobby Kerr sits down with Hari Abburi to delve into his thought-provoking book, "Ideas Don't Die, Companies Do."
Hari challenges the prevailing notion of customer obsession, arguing that the future lies in organizations that prioritize innovative ideas.
He shares insights on how many companies focus on efficiency but neglect the importance of curiosity and imagination in driving true innovation.
In this episode, Bobby welcomes Donnchadh Casey, CEO of Calypso AI, who shares his fascinating journey from a petrol forecourt in Cobh to leading an innovative cybersecurity firm.
Donnchadh reflects on his diverse career in engineering, including his time at McKinsey and Qualtrics, before diving into the world of AI and its transformative impact on business and society.
Discover how Calypso AI is safeguarding organizations as they harness the power of artificial intelligence, and hear insights on the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead in this rapidly evolving landscape.
Bobby Kerr dives deep into the evolving landscape of Ireland’s hotel sector with three industry leaders.
Join Bobby as he chats with Allen Flynn from the Flynn Hotel Collection, Paul Gallagher of the Irish Hotels Federation, and Dee Nix, CEO of Lawlor's Hotel in Naas.
They discuss the current state of the industry, the impacts of tourism fluctuations, staffing challenges, and innovative steps being taken to attract guests.
Former Airbnb executive Aisling Hassell now leads Daha Wellness.
She sits down with Bobby to talk about leaving the corporate world behind and building something with purpose.
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Aidan O'Shea from Otonomee, Caitlín McConn, Operations Manager at Grow Remote, and Dee Coakley, Co-founder and CEO of Boundless, join Bobby to explore how remote working has evolved from a pandemic fix to a permanent fixture.
What will employers' new approach to work mean for productivity, culture, and the future of business?
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Rafe Uddin of the Financial Times joins us to explain how autonomous taxis are gaining ground in Silicon Valley and what it might mean for cities around the world.
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Declan Murphy, Founder and Chair of Allsorter, talks about how AI-generated CVs are flooding recruitment and how his company is helping separate fact from fiction.
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Bobby is out and about to visit Éist Coffee in a Glenegeary to find out if coffee and commuting really go hand in hand — and what it takes to run a business in a unique location like a train station.
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Lorcan Allen of Keating & Associates and Joan Mulvihill, Digitisation Lead at Siemens, join Bobby to run through the top business headlines from the weekend papers.
Trump tariff talks continue, and Intel's troubles are among the stories in the headlines this weekend.
Listen here.
Joining Bobby in the Executive Chair is Luke Hanlon, Managing Director of SuperValu & Centra.
Charlotte Otter is the author of 'We Need New Leaders', a book that helps aspiring CEOs from diverse backgrounds land and keep the top jobs. Charlotte joins Bobby to discuss.
This week marks the 25th anniversary of Lidl's arrival in Ireland. Conor Pope joins Bobby to discuss the impact Lidl has made on the Irish supermarket sector and more.
For this week's Industry Review, Bobby is joined by three leading voices in Ireland’s digital marketing and transformation space.
- Caroline Dunlea is the CEO and Co-Founder of Core Optimisation
- Jane McDaid is the Founder of Thinkhouse
- Seamus White, Co-founder & Head of Digital Marketing at Granite Digital
Together, they explore how their companies have evolved in recent years, how they’re responding to changes in client needs and consumer behaviour, and where the digital marketing landscape is headed next.
Bees On The Roof was established in 2019 by Emma Finn, a professional beekeeper with a passion for nature, biodiversity, and making a real difference to Ireland’s declining bee population. Bobby popped out to her earlier in the week to find out what all the buzz was about.
Joining Bobby to go through the main business stories from the Saturday papers is Doug Keatinge of Avolon & Linda Daly, Business reporter with the Sunday Times.
Conserving the environment, supporting local communities, and providing meaningful experiences for visitors - it’s all part of ‘Ecotourism’ - a fast-growing arm of Ireland’s tourism strategy for the future.
Joining Bobby to discuss is:
· Paddy Mathews, Head of Operations for Ireland's Hidden Heartlands with Fáilte Ireland
· Liam Feeley, Chief Executive Officer at Mountaineering Ireland
· Niamh Lunny, from the Irish Landmark Trust
· Jarlath O’Dwyer, CEO of the Burren Ecotourism Network
Things may be getting serious for Ireland’s pharma industry after Tuesday’s threat by Donald Trump to impose a 200% tariff on US pharma companies who fail to repatriate their production within a timeline. What would that mean for Ireland? Bobby is joined by economist Cormac Lucey & David Anchell, the founder and managing director of Camida.
Bobby is joined by James Eagle, author of 'From Chaos to Clarity: How Data Visualization can Save the World'.
Joining Bobby in this week's Executive Chair is Jayne Owen–Gauld, Market Manager for IKEA Ireland.
Joining Bobby to run through the main business stories of the day are Susan Hayes-Culleton, host of Taking Stock here at Newstalk & Robert Whelan of Rockwell Finance.
From the age of 30, evidence shows that we naturally lose significant muscle mass and bone density. Bobby headed out to 'Stronger You For Life’ in Rathmines, a personal fitness business that looks to create a solid, sustainable, and well-informed framework that helps people develop their own fitness toolkit.
Bobby speaks to chefs & restaurateurs to get a sense of just where this vital industry sits as we face down inflationary and staffing pressures.
Guests:
● Anna Haugh, Executive Head Chef & owner of Myrtle Restaurant in London
● JP McMahon, chef, restaurateur, and author (owner of Cava, Aniar, and Kombu)
● Jessica Murphy, Murphy Head Chef and co-Proprietor at Kai Restaurant in Galway
● Will Dempsey, Restaurateur & Owner of Hang Dai on Camden Street
Brian Walsh, CEO, VHI Group sits down with Bobby to discuss the work his group does in the area of healthcare.
Bobby is out and about again and this time he's steaming up in a sauna on Killiney beach and learning more about The Hot Box Saunas.
Derek Kavanagh, the Head of Motoring with Bank of Ireland, joins Bobby to discuss why 2025 is a hive of activity for the Irish motor finance sector.
The Sales Professional’s Handbook is essential reading for anyone working in sales, considering a career in sales or just curious about how a key element of the world of business functions. Alan Whelan chats to Bobby about his new book.
Bobby is joined by Breda Browne and Ciaran Hancock to discuss this week's top business stories.
Joining Bobby in the Executive Chair this week is Enda Keogh, Owner & Director of Peters Pub.
Inspired by her time studying Japanese business & language in Tokyo as part of her BESS degree from Trinity College Dublin, Ciara Troy founded Oishii Foods fresh out of college, wanting to share her love of Japanese food with the Irish public. Ciara joins Bobby in studio to chat about the business and to try a few samples.
Indispensable is the no-nonsense guide to getting ahead, thriving at work, and building a successful career. It's also about taking back control in a time where AI, the cost of living crisis, and general job market competitiveness are causing everyone anxiety. Author Chris Hirst joins Bobby to chat about it all.
Joining Bobby for this week's Industry Review to chat about what it's like ot be a comedian are Julie Jay, Al Foran, and Chris Kent.
John Fitzgerald, Adjunct Professor in Economics at Trinity College Dublin, joins Bobby to assess whether the cup is half full or half empty when it comes to the Irish economy and public finances.
Joining Bobby to go through the main business stories of the day are Caroline Reidy of the HR Suite & Stephen O’Leary of Olytico.
Joining Bobby in the Executive Chair this week is Mary O'Dea, Chief Executive of the The Institute of Banking
Bobby speaks to Sarah Bird about her new book 'Nail Your Narrative: How to Use Storytelling to Reinvent Your Career in Midlife'.
Agricultural shows are a vital part of the rural economy, contributing to community engagement and acting as a platform for showcasing local products and celebrating rural culture.
For this week’s Industry Review, Bobby wanted to look under the bonnet of three of the biggest Agricultural Shows we have to offer.
Joining Bobby is
- John Flynn Chairperson of the Iverk Show
- Willie Cecil, Chairperson of the Gorey Agricultural Show
- John Keena, Chairperson Tullamore Agricultural Show
- Rebecca Dromey, co-chair of Clonmel Show
Bobby is joined in studio by Architect and presenter Hugh Wallace to chat about his early life, the tough years following the recession, the issue of building vacancy and dereliction, and more.
Held between July 10th & 13th, the Volvo Dún Laoghaire Regatta is Ireland's biggest sailing event. Bobby was out in about in Dun Laoghaire this week where he met up with Paddy Boyd, the Event Director, to chat about his year's regatta.
Joining Bobby to go through the main stories from the business papers is broadcaster and businesswoman, Norah Casey & Jon Ihle, Deputy Business Editor with the Sunday Times.
Once the purview of the rich and famous, the likes of botox, facelifts, and hair transplants are now a part of the daily lives of Irish people. So, today we're exploring the fast-growing cosmetic procedure sector in Ireland, examining the challenges, and the impact it's having on individuals and the wider healthcare landscape.
Joining Bobby ot discuss is:
- Dr. Emma Cunningham, Aesthetic Doctor and Founder of Dr Emma Clinics in Newry & Slieve Donard
- Ioan Mares,Trichologist from Premier Hair Restoration Clinic in Rathmines
- Liz Dwyer, Co-founder of the Future Beauty and Health Show
Joining Bobby in the Executive Chair this week is David Varian of the Guinness Enterprise Centre.
Any manager knows the best work happens when a team is all pulling in the same direction. Gaëlle Devins' new book 'Flow Leadership: Unleash the Power of People, Purpose, and Performance' offers an easy way to ensure this happens. She joins Bobby to tell him more about it.
It can be one of the most annoying things a person can do to you. You’re chatting away, and they nonchalantly pick up their phone and look at it. 'Phubbing' is the act of ignoring someone physically present in favor of using a smartphone or other digital device. Gina London, joins Bobby to chat about it.
Barry’s is a high-end gym chain with locations across London and San Francisco. Dublin's first outlet has recently opened on Dawson Street, and so Bobby stopped by to work up a sweat and to find out what sets this gym apart from the rest.
Writing in the Irish Independent this week, Conor Skehan thinks that we’ve bought into the myth that more houses mean more people can buy a home. He joins Bobby to discuss.
Economic growth increased by 9.7% in the first quarter of the year, with the CSO saying the significant growth was driven by an increase in exports of goods, which rose by nearly 15%. For more on these stories, Bobby is joined by economist Austin Hughes to discuss.
Doireann Healy launched art and fashion brand Begley & Bowie in 2019 and is based in Kenmare, Co. Kerry. She joins Bobby in this week's Executive Chair.
William Syrigos is the 9-year-old Owner of William Alexander Toys, who has been creating 3D-printed and laser-cut toys, other children's products, and selling them online. He joins Bobby in studio with his father, Ioannis, to chat about his business.
As Ireland gets more culturally diverse, so does its workforce, and according to recent estimates, over 420,000 workers in the country are non-Irish. Dr. Mamobo Ogoro is the founder and CEO of GORM, she believes businesses are key to building a culturally diverse and resilient society and has recently launched Ireland’s first intercultural business programme. She joins Bobby to discuss.
Joining Bobby to look at the business stories that are making the morning papers is Doug Keatinge, former journalist turned communications consultant & Linda Daly, Business Reporter with the Sunday Times.
The bicycle retail sector in Ireland is experiencing a dynamic phase at the moment, characterized by a shift towards e-bikes and a strong emphasis on sustainability and community engagement. But following a boom during the pandemic years, is the local bike shop still as healthy as before? Joining Bobby to discuss is:
- Michael Fearon, Co-Owner of Cycle SuperStore
- Ryan Hanratty, Director & Owner of Penny Farthing Cycles in Dublin
- Simon Worley, Co-Owner of The Edge Sports Superstore in Cork
We all know that AI will change the way we'll do everything, but do we actually understand how massive a paradigm shift that will be? Bobby is joined by Michael Wad, author of 'GAIN: Demystifying GenAI for Office and Home', which offers an optimistic view on the future.
This week, Bobby and the team were broadcasting from Japan as part of this year’s EY Entrepreneur of the Year CEO Retreat. Here, Bobby tries a bit of karaoke, speaks with Mark Matthews, Head of Research Asia for Julius Baer, about how the stock markets in Asia and elsewhere are responding to Trump's Tariffs, takes a bullet train to Kyoto, is joined by Japan Rugby Head Coach, Eddie Jones, and more.
This week, Bobby and the team were broadcasting from Japan as part of this year’s EY Entrepreneur of the Year CEO Retreat. Here, Bobby speaks to some of Ireland's most promising entrepreneurs and gets a sense of the business landscape from some of Japan's most distinguished business minds.
Bobby and the team were broadcasting from Japan as part of this year’s EY Entrepreneur of the Year CEO Retreat, where they visited the Ameyoko Market, hopped on a bullet train to Kyoto, and tried their hand at a bit of karaoke.
Joining Bobby, from Kyoto, Japan, as part of this year’s EY Entrepreneur of the Year CEO Retreat, is Frank O’Keeffe, EY Ireland Managing Partner.
Joining Bobby in the Executive Chair this week is Eddie Jones, Head Coach of the Japan national rugby team.
This week, Bobby and the team were broadcasting from Japan as part of this year’s EY Entrepreneur of the Year CEO Retreat. Here, Bobby speaks to some of this year's finalists as well as some of the competition's alumni about how doing business in Asia differs from Ireland and elsewhere in the world.
Joining Bobby is:
- James Kelly, Managing Director at LMH Engineering
- Alan Doyle, CEO of Aerlytix
- Mark Gilmartin, COO & co-founder of T-Pro
This week, Bobby and the team were broadcasting from Japan for this year’s EY Entrepreneur of the Year CEO Retreat. As part of the trip, Bobby got to speak with Mark Matthews, Head of Research Asia for Julius Baer, about how the stock markets in Asia and elsewhere are responding to Trump's Tariffs.
This week, Bobby and the team were broadcasting from Japan as part of this year’s EY Entrepreneur of the Year CEO Retreat. Here, Bobby speaks to Ken Shibusawa, Chief Executive Officer of Shibusawa and Company, Inc., a strategic advisory firm for alternative investments, ESG/SDGs alignment, and human resource development.
This week, Bobby and the team were broadcasting from Japan as part of this year’s EY Entrepreneur of the Year CEO Retreat. Here, Bobby speaks to Rika Nakazawa, Chief Commercial Innovation Officer at NTT, about organic intelligence, the future of AI, and more.
Bobby is joined by the Ambassador of Ireland to Japan, Damien Cole. Together, they discuss Ireland House, a new centre for Ireland’s presence in Japan, as well as the opportunities for Ireland to develop relationships and partnerships in the region
Joining Bobby from Tokyo, Japan, as part of this year’s EY Entrepreneur of the Year CEO Retreat is:
- Aine Kennedy, CEO & Founder of The Smooth Company
- Caitriona Ryan & Nicola Ralph from The Institute of Dermatologists
- Laura Dowling, Founder and CEO fabÜ
This week, Bobby and the team were broadcasting from Japan as part of this year’s EY Entrepreneur of the Year CEO Retreat. Here, Bobby speaks to Professor Hiroshi Fujikawa from Hitotsubashi University Business School about Japan's ageing population and the potential consequences for their economy.
Lisa Brankin, Chair and Managing Director of Ford Britain and Ireland, joined Bobby Kerr in this week’s Executive Chair. She told the story of the first foreign Ford factory founded in Cork in 1917 and the automaker's expansion plans here
Now, home is where the heart is, but at the heart of every home is the kitchen.
For this week’s Industry Review, Bobby chatted to three people who make it their business to make your kitchen everything you’ve ever dreamed of…
· Pat McGrath, MD at Kube Kitchens & Interiors
· Stephen O’Beirne, The Kitchen Doctor
· Deirdre Duffy of Dee Design, Kitchen Design Specialist
One of Ireland’s most famous artists during the boom years, attracting fans and income from A-listers. Then the boom stopped, and he found himself becoming just another artist trying to get noticed and sell some work. Rasher joined Bobby to discuss his latest exhibition, ‘Don’t Anger the Gods’, which opened last Thursday at the Flux Gallery on Chatham Row
Next week, Down to Business will be broadcasting from Japan! Yes, that’s right. As you know,w we have a long association with the EY Entrepreneur of the Year Award,s and like we’ve done for the last 10 plus years, we’re travelling as part of this year’s CEO Retreat, which will see us join 140 entrepreneurs in the Far East. You’ll be hearing all about it next week. Joining Bobby to give us a little flavour of what we might expect was Roger Wallace, Partner Lead of the EY Entrepreneur of the Year Program.
Sunday Independent Columnist and Leadership expert Gina London and Lorcan Allen of Keating and Associates. Join Bobby Kerr on Down to Business to break down the biggest business stories of the day. Get all the week’s business news here.
Father and son team John and Gerard Loughran join Bobby Kerr in this week’s Executive Chair to tell the story of Dublin’s longest-running family-owned hotel, The Sandymount Hotel.
Listen here.
Bobby looks at the music and arts festival business in this week’s Industry Review.
He sits down with Declan Forde from Beyond The Pale Festival; Co-Founder of Night and Day Festival, Brendan Hurley, and John Crumlish, CEO of Galway International Arts Festival.
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Maddy Alexander-Grout, author of Mad About Money, joins Down to Business to talk about running a business as a neurodiverse entrepreneur, parenting with ADHD, and turning challenges into strengths.
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Damien McCarthy of HR Buddy and Chris Kane, author of Where’s My Office?, join Down to Business to debate Denis O’Brien’s claim that working from home has hurt Ireland’s work ethic.
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Tech commentator Andy O’Donoghue joins Down to Business to explain why subscription-based models aren’t just for streaming — and why small businesses should consider them for sustainable income.
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Louisa Meehan of Woodview HRM and Bob Hoffman of Vista Executive Search join Bobby Kerr to review the biggest business stories making headlines this weekend.
Listen here.
Joining Mandy Johnston to for this week's Executive Chair is Ryan Lasmaili, Chief Strategy Officer & Co-Founder of Vaultree.
While protecting human rights and recognising the importance of marginalised cohorts of societies were features of how society operated in the 2000s, the return of President Trump has ushered in an era where the importance of human rights have taken a back seat. Michael Posner, Lawyer and former United States Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor & author of 'Conscience Incorporated: Pursue Profits While Protecting Human Rights', joins Mandy to discuss.
For this week’s Industry Review, Mandy Johnston wanted to find out about the growth of the “Whiskey Bar”, the idea of a separate bar within a pub tailored to the needs of Irish whiskey fanatics.
Joining Mandy to discuss is:
· Micheal Casey Manager of The Habour Bar In downings Co.Donegal
· Willie Ahern Owner of the Palace Bar Dublin
· Eoin Ó Catháin Director of the Irish Whiskey Association
Wink with Mink Lashes won Arnotts' Pitch '24 competition, securing their brand's place in-store and online at Planet Beauty in Arnotts & Brown Thomas, allowing customers to experience Wink with Mink's innovative lash solutions firsthand. Shona Mahon, the owner of Wink and Mink, joins Mandy Johnston to chat about how things are going so far.
Pitch ’25 is open to founders, makers, and innovators living in the Republic of Ireland or Northern Ireland, across fashion, beauty, jewellery, lifestyle, food, circular goods, or technology. You must have a developed product or service, and the ability to scale for the peak Christmas season. Apply now to pitch your brand and bring your vision to life at Arnotts this Christmas.
This week Weight Watchers filed for bankruptcy. At one point Weight Watchers was the go-to place for those looking to shed the pounds but that was before the advent of Ozempic. Writer with the Guardian Doona Ferguson has been looking at this and joins Mandy Johnston to discuss.
Joining Mandy Johnston to run through the main stories in the Saturday papers is Linda Daly, Business Reporter with the Sunday Times & Robert Whelan of Rockwell Finance.
Joining Bobby in the Executive Chair this week is Ashley McDonnell, Founder of Tech Powered Luxury & Ireland Fashion Week.
Bobby was out & about at The Flight Club, an establishment that combines a fine cocktail & food menu with high-tech social darts.
The Global Economic Summit 2025 is taking place at The Europe Hotel in Kerry on 26-28 May. The weekend retreat will host a number of economic heavy hitters from around the globe, including NASA’s first chief economist, Alex MacDonald, who joins Bobby to chat about the economics of space flight.
When it comes to our green spaces, the more attention we give them, the more we get out of them.
And what with the nice weather we’ve been having this week, Bobby thought it would be timely to explore the realities of working in garden design with three of Ireland’s leading lights in this space.
Joining Bobby is:
- Renowned garden designer, Diarmuid Gavin
- Ingrid Smyth of Ingrid Smyth Garden Design
- Alan Rudden of Alan Rudden Garden Design
It's an uncertain time for business with talk of tariffs and trade wars, not to mention that businesses are finding that they need to focus on sustainability, but how are businesses interacting with banks? Michael Lauhoff, Head of Specialist Banking - Corporate & Commercial Banking at Bank of Ireland.
Joining Bobby to go through the main business stories from the Saturday papers is Stephen O’Leary of Olytico & Joan Mulvihill, Digitization Lead at Siemens.
Bobby's guests this week were Vinny Brownefrom Charlie Byrne's Bookshop, Liam Donnelly, Bookshop Manager with Hodges Figgis & Louisa Earls, General Manager of Books Upstairs.
Joining Bobby on the Executive Chair this week is Adrienne O'Sullivan - CEO ARAG Legal Protection Ltd
It is sad to say but there is still some hesitancy around allowing women to realise their full potential in the workplace. Elizabeth Willets has made challenging these perceptions and helping women maximize their careers a passion. Her new book Flex is a practical guide in negotiating today’s work spaces where flexible work can become more than a buzz word.
Susan Hayes Culleton and Declan Ralph sat down with Bobby to talk through all the business stories hitting the headlines.
Zoe Sinclair, founder of Employees Matter, joins Down to Business to share why companies need to take staff wellbeing seriously — and how her work helps bridge the gap between work and life.
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Paul Candon of United Hardware, Sean Moran of Home Project Centre, and Colin Baker of Decwells Expert Hardware join Down to Business for this week’s Industry Review — looking at the hardware and DIY sector amid rising costs and shifting consumer habits.
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Cathal Friel, pharmaceutical entrepreneur and founder of Raglan Capital, joins Down to Business to explain why Trump’s trade talk is making waves in Ireland’s life sciences sector.
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Bobby visits the Diamond Rocks Café in Kilkee to find out how a seasonal seaside business manages to stay open all year round.
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Norah Casey, broadcaster and businesswoman, and James Loutit of Impactful Ltd join Down to Business to review the week’s biggest business stories and what’s making the headlines in today’s papers.
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Dominc McGrath of the Business Post sits down with Bobby to go through how the UK will cope in the face of President Trump's tariffs.
LIsten Here
The performance arts help us to foster creativity, communication, and collaboration while also providing a platform for self-expression and community building. We here in Ireland have a strong tradition in this space, and so Bobby wanted to get a sense of how the next generation of dancers, actors, and musicians are coming along.
Joining Bobby to discuss is:
- Will Wollen, Director & CEO of Gaiety School of Acting
- Aidan Curran, Music Director with the School of Rock
- Samantha Lyons, Artistic Director with The College of Dance
Joining Bobby in the Executive Chair is Eamonn Brennan, former Chief Executive of the Irish Aviation Authority,
Power is something that most people strive for in their lives, but it can also be a difficult and sometimes toxic partner that changes everyone who holds it. So, how can we better understand it and have a healthier relationship with it? Nik Kinley, author of 'The Power Trap: How Leadership Changes People, and What to Do About It', joins Bobby to discuss.
Tech guru Andy O'Donoghue joins Bobby to chat about the looming sale of TikTok’s US operations.
Defying the logic of decades of economic trade policy, Donald Trump had been doubling down on his hugely damaging reciprocal tariff plans. But, in an unforeseen turn of events and with the exception of China, a 90 pause has been initiated, which has given markets a welcome reprieve. Joining Bobby to make sense of it all is Peter Goodman, Global Economic Correspondent with The New York Times & author of ‘How the World Ran Out of Everything: Inside the Global Supply Chain’.
Joining Bobby to go through the main business stories from the Saturday papers is Gina London from The Language of Leadership & Robert Whelan of Rockwell Finance.
Joining Bobby for this week's industry review was:
- Vincent Brady of Rathbornes
- Mark Van den Bergh Creative Director of Max Benjamin
- Lisa Barnett, Owner of The Irish Chandler
Joining Bobby to explain how Trump's tariffs are impacting businesses and markets was Simon MacAllister, Co Head of Geopolitical strategy at EY Ireland and Corporate Finance Partner, Economist Cormac McCarthy, and Pat Rigney of the Shed Distilery.
Joining Bobby this morning to recap the business stories making the headlines was Caroline Reidy and Doug Keatinge.
A new book reveals how working backwards can help you work smarter and live better.
Bobby was joined by Author Tim Duggan to speak about his new book, and a perhaps revolutionary way to look at work-life balance.
Lisa O’Connell shares her journey from primary teacher to CEO of Forus Training with Bobby Kerr.
Get the whole conversation here.
Pat Conway from Smokin’ Soul in Wexford, Catherine Fulvio, from Ballyknocken House, Farm & Cookery School and Darina Allen from Ballymaloe Cookery School talk about the business of teaching people to cook.
Listen to our Industry Review here.
Charlie Taylor, Technology and Innovation Editor at The Business Post discusses how the music giant is reshaping the industry and why some artists are pushing back.
Get all the latest here.
Economist, Jim Power and Cormac Lucey, Chartered accountant and Economics columnist Sunday Times (Ireland) explain what the incoming U.S. tariffs mean for Ireland.
Listen here.
Businesswoman and broadcaster, Norah Casey, and Louisa Meehan from Woodview HRM. join Bobby Kerr on Down to Business to break down the biggest business stories of the day.
Get all the week’s business news here.
On this week's Executive Chair Bobby spoke to Stephen Faloon, General Manager, Bord Gáis Energy Theatre.
Ireland has committed to halving its greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and reaching net zero by 2050 but with those ambitions comes a lot of hard work and graft. So, what are the challenges facing homeowners when it comes to making their homes more energy efficient and how are the businesses involved keeping up with demand? For this week's Industry Review Bobby was joined by Martin Grogan, Director of Green Energy Homes, Briain Kelly, Editor with Energy Efficiency Ireland & David Walsh, Owner of Energy Efficient Homes.
James Louttit, Author of Leading Impactful Teams is an award-winning project manager. He has also seen the stress that comes with managing large projects as you juggle timelines, budgets, and stakeholder expectations. He joined Bobby to discuss his new book
It has been something Irish customers have been wishing for since they clicked a mouse - Amazon.ie saw daylight this week but what will it mean to both consumers and businesses? One man has all the Answers. Conor Pope, the Consumer Correspondent from The Irish Times joined Anton to discuss.
Tesla has seen its sales across the U.S., China, and Europe decline in recent months and its stock price dropped almost 50% from a mid-December peak. Is all of this down to Elon Musk mixing business with politics and if so, what can the company do to stem the tide? Adrian Wecker from the Irish Independent spoke to Anton
Joining Bobby to recap the business papers is Robert Whelan of Rockwell Finance & journalist and author, Valerie Cox.
The AI Leadership Institute is an organization founded in 2015 to help businesses and individuals understand and implement artificial intelligence responsibly. That’s nearly 10 years ago and its founder Noelle Russell has spent most of her recent career advising businesses how to use AI. She has distilled all this in her latest book Scaling Responsible AI: From Enthusiasm to Execution. And she joined Bobby earlier.
Karen O'Reilly of Employ flex joins Bobby to examine what 'hybrid' working actually means.
Spring is finally here with longer days, warmer evenings, and lots of life and colour on show.
Bobby was joined by three fruit & veg business owners to chat about some of the challenges the variability of Irish seasons can bring.
Joining me is:
- Eamon Crean of Greenhills Fruit Farm Wexford
- Tom Keogh of Keogh’s Farm in Dublin
- Michael Kelly, founder of GIY (Grow It Yourself)
Joining Bobby was the author of 'There's Nothing Like This: The Strategic Genius of Taylor Swift', Kevin Evers.
Is Dublin retail in a state of decline or is it simply a changing of the guard? Joining Bobby to discuss is Neil Bannon of Bannon, Ireland’s largest independently owned commercial property consultancy & Vinny O'Brien, e-commerce and marketplace consultant.
Joining Bobby in the Executive Chair this week is Katie Farrell & Matthew Coffey of Dublin-based loyalty app, Squid.
Bobby is joined by Mark Wilkinson, co-author of 'Money Remixed', a guide designed to reshape your mindset, redefining your relationship with money, and unlocking the abundant life you've always desired.
The concierge industry is undergoing a transformative phase at the moment, driven by technology, personalisation, and sustainability.
So, for this week’s Industry Review, Bobby wanted to chat with three of the county’s finest to find out just what makes this line of business tick.
Joining Bobby is
- Padraig Casey, Head Concierge at The Killarney Park Hotel & President of Les Clefs d'Or
- Sally McGrath, Concierge at the Cashel Palace Hotel in Tipperary
- Martin Mulholland, Head Concierge at The Europa Hotel in Belfast
Can Ireland win three Six Nations Championships in a row and bag a Grand Slam along the way? Bobby is joined by former Irish International, Shane Byrne and Cameron Hill from Off the Ball to preview today's crunch game in the Aviva Stadium.
Joining Bobby to run through the main business stories from the Saturday papers is Linda Daly, Business Reporter with the Sunday Times and Declan Ralph of the BWG Group.
This week's industry review looks at hairdressers, joining Bobby was:
- Ciara Burke, Owner of Glow Studio
- David Marshall, Founder of David Marshalls
- Hillary, Founder of Hillary’s
Bobby chats to exhibitors and vendors as he visits this year's CATEX, Ireland's Largest Foodservice and Hospitality Event.
Consumer Affairs Correspondent for the Irish Times, Conor Pope, joins Bobby to chat about an upcoming crackdown on illegal streaming services.
Joining Bobby to run through the top business stories from the Saturday papers is columnist with the Sunday Independent, Gina London and Bob Hoffman of Vista Executive Search.
Whether it's an engagement ring, a necklace, or a bracelet for that special someone in our lives, a piece of jewellery can often speak louder than words.
For this week’s industry review, Bobby speaks to three people who have made it their business to help us do just that.
Joining Bobby is:
- Denise O'Connor, Founder of Rare Jewellery Design
- Chris Andrews, Weir & Sons
- Mette O’Connor of Amoc in Greystones
Joining Bobby to chat about what we can learn from bees and reflect on our own role as leaders and role models is Philip Atkinson, author of 'Bee Wise - 12 Leadership Lessons from a Busy Beehive'.
Finding a job as a person who is neurodiverse can be a huge challenge but Yvonne Brewer, country manager for Auticon - a tech company which employs neurodivergent workers in high powered roles - is looking to change all that. She joins Bobby to discuss.
Joining Bobby in the Executive Chair this week is Richard Shakespeare, Chief Executive of Dublin City Council.
Joining Bobby to chat about the changing landscape of doing business in America is dual-qualified accountant, Stephen Casey who operates in Ireland and New York as well as Brian Tyrrell, Director at Kilrock Capital.
With springtime well underway what better way to freshen things up than with a home renovation or design project to really tap into that sense of renewal, but where to begin, what are the current trends telling us, and what are the do’s and don’ts?
Joining Bobby to discuss is:
- Clodagh Doyle, Creative Director & Project Manager of Placelift
- Natasha Rocca Devine of Interior Architect of NRD Design Studio
Joining Bobby to run through the top business stories from the Saturday papers is Caroline Reidy of the HR Suite & Robert Whelan of Rockwell Finance.
Wrapping things up following a hugely successful and enjoyable 'Open for Business' Roadshow in Kenmare is Steven O’ Leary and Thomas Barrett who are all members of The Rising.
He’s climbed Everest from both north and south sides and he’s been to the South Pole. Joining Bobby to talk about his career as an adventurer, his life in business, and staying fit in your older years is author and motivational speaker, Pat Falvey.
'Nest', situated in the heart of Kenmare, specialises in interesting and beautiful gifts for the home and family. Bobby popped in to check out some of their wares.
Broadcasting live from Kenmare Golf Club for the 'Open for Business' roadshow, Bobby is joined in the Executive Chair by John Brennan.
Broadcasting live from Kenmare Golf Club for the 'Open for Business' roadshow, Bobby is joined by some local businesses in Kenmare to get a sense of what its like to do business in the town:
- Karen Coakley aka 'The Kenmare Foodie'
- Patrick Hanley, co-owner the Lansdowne Hotel Patrick
- Christina Foley of Inish Living
- Padraig Hanley of Kenmare Boat Tours
- Heather O’Sullivan, co-owner John Ross Jewellers in Tralee
- Charlie Vaughan, Men's Captain of Kenmare Golf Club
- Mike Casey, Proprietor Chef of the Lime Tree Restaurant & On the Green at the Kenmare Golf Club
- James Murphy, Founder of BillGenie.ie
As part of each of these ‘Open for Business’ roadshows, Bobby looks to do a bit of a health check to give the town a once over and see what works and maybe what could be improved. Joining Bobby to do that in Kenmare is Retail Consultant, Vinny O Brien & Planning Expert, Conor Skehan.
Broadcasting live from Kenmare Golf Club for the 'Open for Business' roadshow, Bobby is joined by ichael Healy-Rae, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine with Special Responsibilityfor Forestry, Horticulture and Farm Safety.
Broadcasting live from Kenmare Golf Club for the 'Open for Business' roadshow, Bobby is joined by Jerry O’Sullivan, host of Kerry Today on Radio Kerry & Sinead Kelleher, journalist with the Kerryman to go through the main business stories from the Saturday papers.
Joining Bobby in the Executive Chair this week is Caroline Jackson, owner of Jacksonstone Recruitment.
Joining Bobby for this week's Industry Review is Gavin Murphy of These Charming Men; James Bermingham of The George Michael Experience; and Graham Carey of Absolute Eagles.
Joining Bobby to chat about the impact of Brexit 5 years on is David Smith, Economics Editor of The Sunday Times.
Could you be held back by low self confidence in work? Dr Julie Smith is the author of Coach Yourself Confident - she joins Bobby to discuss.
Joining Bobby to discuss the impact of DeepSeek on the AI sector is Mark Kelly, Founder of AI Ireland.
Joining Bobby to take a look at the business stories that are making the morning papers is Stephen O’Leary of Olytico and Linda Daly, Business Reported with the Sunday Times.
Joining Mandy in the Executive Chair this week is David O’Reilly, Managing Director of Shomera.
Alex Patridge is credited for two of the most successful websites from the naughties. Unilad and Ladbible were go to websites for young males. and while Alex was lauded as an entrepreneur, an argument over ownership led to a fraught court case, a battle with alcoholism, and a late diagnosis of ADHD. All of this is documented in his new book Now It All Makes Sense: How an ADHD Diagnosis Brought Clarity to My Life. Alex joins Mandy Johnston to discuss.
One of the key pillars of any community, the pharmacy plays a pivotal role in educating patients about medication usage, side effects, and general health.
But with recruitment experts expecting a shortage of to continue into 2025, coupled with an increase in demands, and a pay freeze still in place since the financial crash of 2008, just what is the state of Ireland’s pharmacy sector?
Joining Mandy Johnston to discuss is:
- Sheena Mitchell, Independent Pharmacist at Milltown Total Health Pharmacy in Dublin.
- Kathy Maher, chair of the IPU Pharmacy Contractors Committee and who runs Haven Pharmacy in Duleek, Co. Meath
- Eamonn Brady Community Pharmacist with Whelehan's Pharmacy in Mullingar
Joining Mandy Johnston to discuss the Tik Tok ban and how it has become one of, if not the most, influential social media platform around is resident tech guru, Andy O'Donoghue.
Applications for 'Grow with Aldi' 2025 are now open. 'Grow with Aldi' is a product accelerator and supplier development programme gives producers the chance to have their products stocked at 163 Aldio stores nationwide. Joining Mandy Johnston to discuss the programme is Kylie O'Donoghue of FemFuelz, a female supplement brand for women that use unique formulations, providing bespoke products.
Joining Mandy to look at the business stories making the morning papers is Joan Mulvihill, Digitization Lead at Siemens & Ronan Reid of Cantor.
Joining Mandy Johnston in the Executive Chair this week is Donal O'Shea, Chief Executive at Deciphex.
Professor Michael Watkins author of the acclaimed business book ‘The First 90 Days’ joins Mandy Johnston to discuss his book as well as what the future holds for us and our relationship with AI.
Joining Bobby in the Executive Chair this week is Eimear Byrne, Country Lead of SD Worx Ireland.
Bobby continues his conversations with some of the finalists of this year's EY Entrepreneur of the Year Awards. To discuss the importance of networking and mentoring when it comes to making business work, Bobby is joined by Damian Young of Zeus Mobility; Duncan O'Toole, Managing Director of Captured Carbon; and Caroline Dunlea of Core Optimisation.
Long forecast to be going the way of the home movie rental business, cinemas have stayed the course and traversed some rocky waters in recent years.
Indeed, the sector has remained a cornerstone in our social lives despite all the doomsayers and continues to work its way back to pre-Covid levels.
Joining Bobby to give him some of their insights into just how our big screens are faring is:
- Karl Geraghty, Head of Stella Cinemas
- Mark Doherty, Owner, Century Cinemas Letterkenny
- Mark Anderson, Director of Omniplex
Web Summit has been taking pace this week. Tech guru Andy O’Donoghue, who has been there, joins Bobby to chat about what’s been going on.
Since retiring in June, Munster and Ireland rugby legend Simon Zebo has been busy finding his feet in the business world. He Joins Bobby to talk about his backing of Ireland's latest addition to the whiskey world - Black Emerald.
Family run businesses are the backbone of almost any economy in the world. Emanuela Rondi, co-author of 'The Family Business Book: A Roadmap for Entrepreneurial Families to Prosper Across Generations' joins Bobby to talk about how families can ensure their businesses are both profitable and harmonious.
Joining Bobby to run through the top business stories form the Saturday papers is Louisa Meehan of Woodview HRM & Robert Whelan of Rockwell Finance who has just won an award for 'Best CEO of a Small Business'
This week in the Executive Chair Mandy was joined by brothers Fergal and Barry Doyle from Arboretum.
We are living in a world where holding an opinion which differs from others may see you coming into conflict with family, friends and work colleagues. If you are a manager. How do you make sure conflict of opinion does not interrupt your business.
Karthik Ramanna, professor of business and public policy at University of Oxford’s Blavatnik School of Government, and author of The Age of Outrage joined Mandy this morning.
In this week’s edition of the industry review we explored the world of sports journalism
Joining Mandy to do so was
● Kieran Cunningham, Chief Sportswriter at the Irish Daily Star
● Cliona Foley, Sportswriter, broadcaster, and podcaster
● John Fallon, Managing Editor of Media West Ireland
On Monday January 20th 2025 Donald Trump will be inaugurated for the second time as the president of the united states after wining a comprehensive victory in elections last Tuesday. With Trumps economic policies aiming to incentivise American business to return home the economic implications for Ireland and the United Kingdom could be potential devasting.
Joining us to discuss this further is economist Jim Power and Kathleen Brooks, Research Director At XTB.
MSCI/SCSI Ireland Property Index for the third quarter of 2024 was released last week. One interesting trend that emerged from the index is that retail property prices in the provincial retail sector seem to be increasing in value. Joining Mandy to unpack the variables explaining this is Neil Bannon Executive Chairman of BANNON Property consultancy and Retail Consultant Eddie Shanahan.
Joining Mandy to recap the biggest business stories of the week is Jackie King, Executive Director with IBEC Global and Jon Ihle, Deputy Business Editor with the Sunday Times Ireland.
Joining Bobby in the Executive Chair this week is Conrad Digan of Shaws Department Store.
Ciaran Burke from Swoop; Jonathan Larbey from T-Pro; and Stephen Nolan from Nutritics join Bobby to talk about how AI is powering their businesses and streamlining workflows.
To many, perfume is more than a simple beauty product; it is a tool for expression, personal improvement, and a marker of individuality.
But while the biggest perfume companies sell their wares in some of the most high-end boutique shopping districts the world over, we here in Ireland have a few select businesses that can also help you make your presence known.
Joining Bobby to chat about the perfume business in Ireland is:
- Joan Woods, Founder and CEO of Waters & Wild Perfumery
- Lucy Hegarty from La Bougie in Kinsale
Irish economic growth is expected to continue at a moderate pace as the economy nears full capacity but with a growing population and ongoing challenges around planning and infrastructure - not to mention our ever-increasing reliance on FDI - just how secure is our economic position? John FitzGerald, Adjunct Professor in the Department of Economics at Trinity College Dublin joins Bobby to discuss.
Resident tech guru Andy O'Donoghue joins Bobby to talk about how fintech can benefit SMEs.
Joining Bobby to go through the main business stories from the week is Leadership Communications expert, Gina London & Doug Keatinge, Head of Communications at Avolon.
Bobby is joined by Wolfgang Münchau to discuss his new book 'Kaput: The End of the German Miracle'.
Joining Bobby to assess the state of the pub sector is Ronan Lynch, owner of The Swan Bar in Dublin; Gearoid O’Regan, owner of O’Regans pub in Ballyheigue; and Pat Crotty, CEO of the Vintners' Federation of Ireland.
Joining Bobby to talk about her new book 'Unlock Your Leadership Story: How to Build Understanding and Motivate Teams Using Fables and Folktales' is Pat Wadors, Chief People Officer (CPO) of UKG.
Bobby takes a trip out to Valentia Island in Co Kerry to assess how business is faring in what is one of the most picturesque spots in Ireland.
Bobby is joined by Donal Daly, co-author of 'The Customer is the Planet: A handbook for sustainable business'.
Bobby is joined by James da Costa to talk about his new book ' Fintech Wars: Tech Titans, Complex Crypto and the Future of Money'.
We have a proud tradition of farming here in Ireland but along with that comes another essential part of the equation of getting the finest cuts to our dinner tables - butchers.
The landscape has been transformed in recent decades with the large supermarkets taking a big piece of the pie but we still have incredible artisanal butchers serving our communities up and down the country.
Joining Bobby to chat about it all is:
- Hugh Maguire Jr, MD of The Smokin Butcher in Ashbourne, Co Meath
- Sean Kelly, Owner of Kelly’s Butchers, in Newport, Co Mayo
- Rick Higgins, Master Butcher from Higgins Butchers in Sutton Cross, Co Dublin
Bobby was out & about with Jonathan O’Brien of City Kayaking to explore Dublin city from the River Liffey.
Since its foundation by Shane Mitchell and Rory O’Connor in 2005 the Sligo Live has delighted audiences with a diverse array of international and local talent. Rory O’Connor joins Bobby in studio to discuss this year's festivities.
According to new University of Limerick research published this week, employees are reluctant to step up to senior leadership roles due to concerns over their work-life balance. Dr. Sarah Kieran is Assistant Dean & Associate Professor in the Department of Work and Employment Studies in the Kemmy Business School at UL - she joins me now to tell me more
Joining Bobby to run through the main business stories from the Saturday papers is Susan HayesCulleton aka The Positive Economist & Declan Ralph, Retail Development Director with BWG Foods.
Wrapping things up following a hugely successful and enjoyable 'Open for Business' Roadshow is a song from Gavin Glass.
Bobby was joined by two of Wexford's most famous sons, hotelier and GAA manager, Liam Griffin & Ivan Yates, former Fine Gael minister & co-host of the weekly podcast 'Path to Power'.
Broadcasting live from Greentech HQ in Enniscorthy for our roadshow ‘Open for Business’, Bobby was Out & About at The National 1798 Rebellion Centre to brush up on his Irish history and the struggle for freedom from British rule.
Broadcasting from Greentech HQ in Enniscorthy for the 'Open for Business' roadshow, Bobby is joined by some local businesses in Enniscorthy to get a sense of what its like to do business in the town.
Joining Bobby is:
- Matt Ronan of Evolve Health Store
- Dermot Kavanagh of Smyth's Homevalue
- Esperanza Hernedaz of Old Roots Winery & Vineyard
- Colm Neville, Owner of the Riverside Park Hotel
- Mary B. Walsh Managing Director Ire Wel Pallets Limited
- Pat Hernan of General Manager at Murphy Precast in Enniscorthy
As part of each of these ‘Open for Business’ roadshows, Bobby looks to do a bit of a health check to give the town a once over and see what works and maybe what could be improved. Joining Bobby to do that is Retail Consultant, Eddie Shanahan and Planning Expert, Conor Skehan.
Bobby was broadcasting from Greentech HQ in Enniscorthy for the 'Open for Business' roadshow this week. As a result, he wasn't able to attend the annual sleepout for Focus Ireland where hundreds of people all over the country sleep out in solidarity with Ireland’s homeless community. Newstalk’s John Crosbie was there and he joined Bobby to chat about how he got on.
Broadcasting live from Greentech HQ in Enniscorthy for our roadshow ‘Open for Business’, joining Bobby to take a look at the business stories and front pages that are making the morning papers is Darragh Clifford, Group Editor of People Newspapers and Ann Power of Powerhouse Pr.
Why do some businesses succeed where others fail? Graham Ruddick, the author of 'Risk Roulette: The surprising reasons why some businesses work, and others fail' joins Bobby to discuss.
Joining Bobby in the Executive Chair is Tom O'Brien, Managing Partner with Forvis Mazars.
The summer may be gone but that’s not to say there’s no way to get a bit of life and colour in our lives, and what better way to do just that than to pop into your local florist?
For this week’s Industry Review, Bobby wanted to find out just how the sector is faring.
Joining Bobby to discuss is:
- Fionnuala McAuley, Chairperson of the Institute of Flowers
- Louise Jordan of Forest Green & Celine’s Flowers
- JP Tanner, Owner of Arbour Blooms
Fraud is perhaps a bigger threat to businesses than it ever has been before. Joining Bobby for some helpful advice about staying safe as a business is Nicola Sadlier, Head of Fraud at Bank of Ireland.
Bobby was out & about at The Good Bike Project, an initiative that’s giving Ukrainian people a sustainable mode of transport.
Joining Bobby to go through the main business stories from he Saturday papers is Caroline Bocquel, CEO of Bord Iascaigh Mhara and Ronan Reid of Cantor Fitzgerald Ireland.
This week's Executive Chair has Bobby speaking with Ronan Columb, Managing Director at Castlethorn.
Castelthorn are a construction company that have built over 30,000 houses some of the other biggest projects across the country.
This is a conversation not to be missed, so hit 'play' now.
Bobby is joined by three of Ireland's best businesswomen, making some of the most cutting-edge and intuitive products for parents and babies.
Eimear Fahy, from Accessories4Babies; Ollwyn Moran, from COGNIDS; and Sheena Mitchell, from Wondercare.ie and host of A Wondercare Podcast.
Hit 'Play' to hear this fascinating chat with some of Ireland's leading women in the industry.
Bobby takes a look at the biggest business stories in the papers with some of the industry's best brains.
Broadcaster and businesswoman, Norah Casey, and Bob Hoffman of Vista Executive Search join Bobby this week.
They take a look at the budget predictions and Willy Walsh's comments on the cap at Dublin Airport.
Hit 'Play' to hear this and more.
Did you know we are living and working in a world that spans five generations?
This interesting observation is the focus of new book by Patrick Dunne and Rebecca Robins titled: Five Generations at Work: How We Win Together, For Good.
Bobby is joined by co-author Patrick Dunne for this brilliant chat.
Hit 'Play' for more.
Bobby heads outside to report from Dublin Port's Greenway.
He speaks with CEO of Dublin Port, Barry O'Connell and even runs into the Minister for State on Transport, James Lawless, at the island's most important port before the launch of the Greenway project to the public.
Hit 'Play' to hear more about Dublin Port Greenway now.
Rows and disagreements continue to slow down The National Children's Hospital's build, adding to the arduous cycle of this hospital's semi-existence.
Bobby is joined by Cormac Lucey, Economist and columnist with the Sunday Times to discuss the saga with the NCH, and why these things often happen to Ireland's capital projects.
Press 'Play' for more.
Bobby is joined by Caroline Reidy of the HR Suite and Robert Whelan of Rockwell Finance to look at the big business stories in the paper on Saturday morning
More budget speculation and Irish mortgage arrears at a low, among those in the headlines.
Hit 'Play' for more
Bobby takes us on a Trip to The Taste Of Kildare
It finishes on the 22nd of September and features some of the best producers, chefs and even some live entertainment.
Get all the sounds from the great festival by hitting 'Play' below
Bobby speaks with Ireland’s most famous Fish Chef, Martin Shanahan, who came to studio all the way from Kenmare
Martin is a regular on The Today Show on RTÉ and his Mad About and Still Mad About Fish series garner huge attention
His Fishy Fish restaurant in Kenmare is one of the country’s best, so this is a chat not to be missed
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This week's edition of The Industry Review is focusing on the world of mixology
Bobby is joined by Dave Mulligan from 1661, Darren Geraghty from Hawksmoor and Pat Thomas from The Blind Pig Speakeasy as they discuss the craft and how the business is looking these days
These are some of the best in the business, so it's a chat not to be missed
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Bobby is joined by Peter Stapleton for this week's edition of the Executive Chair
Peter is a Managing Partner at Maples Group, a leading international law firm
Listen to the chat in full by hitting 'Play' here.
Is constant growth in our economy something to be striving for?
Economist at Oxford University, Daniel Susskind, joins Bobby to discuss his new book titled ‘Growth’ that looks to answer that very question
This fascinating book discusses the past and present of economic growth, yet also plotting the future of how to respond to it as we pursue it.
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Following a hugely enjoyable broadcast from the Imperial Hotel in Dundalk as a part of our 'Open for Business' roadshow, the team wrapped things up with a song from musician, Bobby McCarthy.
Bobby took a trip out along the coast towards Carlingford to the Model Miniature Railway & Maritime museum located in the cellar of the historic Greenore Co-operative building.
Broadcasting out of the Imperial Hotel in Dundalk for another 'Open for Business' roadshow, John Colleary stopped by to chat to Bobby ahead of his gig in the Spirit Store in Dundalk.
Broadcasting out of the Imperial Hotel in Dundalk for another 'Open for Business' roadshow, Bobby chatted to Stephen Kenny about his love of Dundalk, all things Irish football, and more.
Joining Bobby to chat about what it is like to do business in Dundalk is Paddy Malone, PRO of Dundalk Chamber of Commerce; Donal Mc Geough, Owner of The Windsor Bar and Restaurant in Dundalk; Jimmy Quinn of James Quinn Transport; Tom Muckian of Roe River Books; and Marty Flemming from Deluxe Bathrooms and Tiling Solutions.
Bobby was broadcasting from the Imperial Hotel In Dundalk for another ‘Open for Business’ roadshow. One of the aspects of roadshow is that Bobby takes a look at the life and relative well-being of a town and to do that he assembled his own 'town team' to take a look at the way the town functions from a business, planning and retail point of view. Joining Bobby is Planning Expert Conor Skehan and Retail Consultant Eddie Shanahan.
When it comes to Irish business royalty, few can boast the cult-like adoration that Michael Flynn, aka Mattress Mick, enjoys. He joins Bobby to chat about all things retail, the Mattress Mick Musical, and more.
Joining Bobby to run through the top business stories from the Saturday papers is Alison Comyn, Fianna Fáil candidate for Louth & David Lynch, former editor of Dundalk Democrat.
Following a hugely enjoyable broadcast from the Three Store on Grafton Street to celebrate Three’s Grants for Small Businesses Programme for 2024, the team wrapped things up with a song from Dublin musician, Paddy Sherlock.
Bobby was broadcasting today from the Three Store on Grafton Street to celebrate Three’s Grants for Small Businesses Programme for 2024, just a stone’s throw away from the Stephens Green Centre. But before the shopping centre was built, the site was home to The Dandelion Market, home to hippies and punks selling everything youth culture in the 70s and 80s needed. Damian Corless, author, playwright, and scriptwriter who has penned more than a dozen volumes on Irish history and culture, joins Bobby to look back at its impact and legacy.
Many independent businesses have left Grafton Street in recent years with large chains replacing them. This is a major contributing factor that has led to the changes felt by many in recent years on Dublin's most famous shopping street.
To discuss, Bobby is joined by:
- Frank McDonald, Dublin author & former Environment Editor of The Irish Times.
- Dairne McCarthy of Cornucopia on Wicklow Street
- Damian Byrne of the Camer Centre here on Grafton Street.
- Mark smith Srore manager Great outdoors on Chatham street
Bobby was Broadcasting live from the Three Store on Grafton Street to celebrate Three’s Grants for Small Businesses Programme for 2024.
Today Bobby was broadcasting live from the Three Store on Grafton Street to celebrate Three’s Grants for Small Businesses Programme 2024. Bobby is joined by three people who know the benefits of this great initiative - the Programme Sponsor, Padraig Sheerin, Head of SME Three Ireland; Niamh Tallon, Her Sport Founder and 2021 Three Ireland’s Grants for Small Businesses winner: and Catherine Devine, Pumpskynz Founder and 2023 Three Ireland’s Grants for Small Businesses winner.
Bobby is joined by David Baker, MD of Decwells Hardware on South Great George's Street, who are celebrating 40 years in business this week.
Broadcasting live from the Three Store on Grafton Street, joining Bobby to look through the business stories making the morning papers is Linda Daly, Business Reporter with the Sunday Times & Conor Faughnan, CEO at Royal Irish Automobile Club & commentator on transport.
Bobby was out and about at Adman Steel Sheds a family run company who manufacture an extensive range of steel garden sheds, garages, garden rooms and greenhouses.
Ireland’s largest manufacturer of wood packaging and Palletsis CJ Sheeran. Showing Bobby around their base in Laois was Mark Sheeran. The two talked about creating sustainability in the wood packaging industry and what challenges such as business brings.
Joining Bobby in the Executive Chair this week is Keith Young, Managing Director of ATC Computer and Logistics
Whether it be a crick in your neck, or serious rehabilitation post-surgery, the world of physiotherapy provides an excellent service that is sure to get you back into shape.
Joining Bobby to discuss how to the Physio industry in Ireland is getting on and how they get started and grew their careers were Physios
• David Dalton x Consultant Chartered Physiotherapist and CEO PhysioCare Ltd in Dublin
· Alison Quinn- Chartered Physiotherapist and owner of the rehab rooms in Deansgrange
· Dr Grace O’Malley - Senior Lecturer at the School of Physio – RSCI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Clinical Lead of the CHI Complex Obesity Service
This week we heard the startingly news that since 2005 over 2,000 pubs have closed. To make sense of this and to ask is the Irish Pub in real danger ? Bobby was I’m joined by economist Colm McCarthy and also by CEO of the Vintners Federation of Ireland and former publican Pat Crotty
How important is a happy workplace and can a happy work environment benefit your bottom line?
Mark Price, author of Happy Economics and former managing director of Waitrose joined Bobby to explain the book and how how to create a happy but also profitable business
Joining Bobby to take a look at the business stories that are making the morning papers is Journalist and Author Valerie Cox and also by Doug Keatinge Head of Communications at Avolon
Joining Bobby in the Executive Chair this week is David Anchell, founder and Managing Director of Camida.
As the obtaining of private information has become a more sophisticated scam, how can you safeguard your online reputation and what if you’re a victim of online disinformation? Bobby is joined by Nicola Byrne from Risk Eye and by Stephen O’Leary of Olytico to discuss.
Joining Bobby to discuss the business of barbecuing is John Relihan of Pitt Bros; food writer, Ali Dunworth; and David Oelke from Bbq4you.ie.
Bobby was out & about at Kilkenny Architectural Salvage & Antiques where he caught up with owner, Harry Maharaj to chat about the business.
Dublin restaurant and karaoke bar Ukiyo is the latest in a fleet of restaurants across the country that have closed due to pressure on the hospitality sector. Bobby is joined by Independent Economist Jim Power and chef Kevin Dundon to discuss.
Joining Bobby to go through the main business stories from the Saturday papers is Susan Hayes Culleton aka 'The Positive Economist' & Paul O’Dwyer, dental surgeon from Portman Dentex.
Bakeries are a business that rank as one of the oldest in the world but between sourdoughs, velvet cakes, croissants, and cookies, how has the industry changed in recent years and how is the business of running a bakery faring in the face of rising energy and staffing costs?
Joining Bobby to discuss is:
- Eoin Cluskey of Bread 41 in Dublin & Wicklow
- Charlotte Leonard-Kane co-owner of Sceal Bakery in Greystones
- Caryna Camerino of Camerino Bakery at IMMA
The days of doing business without engaging in what is happening in the world at large are gone but how do business owners make sure they are doing and saying the right things without sounding false? Rob Hayward, chief strategy officer with Principia Advisory joins Bobby to discuss.
Would the behaviour of a company owner affect your buying decisions? That was the conundrum facing Pilita Clark, columnist with The Financial Times - she joins Bobby to discuss.
John Larkin is the founder & chief soap maker at The Black Stuff, a handmade natural soap company, who has made it his mission to get as much handmade, natural soap into the hands of as many people as possible. He welcomed Bobby to his workshop to tell him all about it.
Joining Bobby to take a look at the business stories that are making the morning papers is Regina Mangan, CEO of Liberty Blue Estate Agents in Waterford & Declan Ralph, Retail Development Director for BWG.
Terence Mauri, author of The Upside of Disruption: The Path To Leading and Thriving in the Unknown joined Bobby to chat about his philosophy for a post-AI age
With the Olympics taking place in Paris, Bobby decided for this week’s industry review, to take a look into the sports centre industry.
He was joined by:
● Liam Harbison, Director of the Sport Ireland Institute in Blanchardstown
● Tina Dowling, CEO of The Watershed in Kilkenny, and
● Clodagh Kilmurray, CEO of Swan Leisure in Rathmines and Crumlin
While we were enjoying last Monday’s bank holiday, stock markets across the world were plunging. The dives began on Friday as weak economic statistics involving US jobless figures spooked the market. Fears of a US recession can also cause worries for the Irish economy as we are so dependent on US multinationals so how real are these fears and is the Irish economy strong enough to withstand a US slow down?
Kathleen Gallagher, Markets Correspondent for the Business Post joined Bobby to discuss.
Intel, once the world's biggest chipmaker, now finds itself squeezed by rivals Nvidia and AMD and despite its significant contributions to the industry and economy, Intel is struggling to stay relevant in the AI-driven future of chip making. With Nvidia's dominance in AI chips and AMD's solid market performance, can Intel reclaim its former glory?
Adrian Weckler, Tech Editor of the Irish and Sunday Independent joined Bobby for an analysis on Intel's current performance.
Joining Bobby to go through the top business stories in the Saturday papers was Louisa Meehan of Woodview HRM, and Jon Ihle, Deputy Business Editor with The Sunday Times Ireland
Booby indulged his sweet tooth by chatting with Sarah O’Sullivan, Founder of SOS Cookies on the importance of social media as a marketing device and how it helped her business grow.
Joining Bobby to go through the top business stories in the Saturday papers was Bob Hoffman of Vista Executive Search Caroline Bocquel, CEO of Bord Iascaigh Mhara
The restaurant industry has experienced a boom in Ireland in recent years. That isn’t to say that it’s all plain sailing. Joining Bobby to discuss their experience in the restaurant industry for this week's Industry Review was
● JP McMahon, culinary director of the EatGalway Restaurant Group, which comprises Aniar, Cava Bodega, and Tartare café + wine bar
● Gina Murphy, the owner of the long-standing and much-loved restaurant Hugo's
● Richie Barrett, Restaurateur and General Manager of Kicky’s on Dame Street in Dublin
Even though we’re in that time when politicians are on holiday, we are also in the run into that most dangerous of events: the pre-election budget. Cormac Lucey, Economic Commentator, Author & Columnist wants the government to be on the side of caution when it comes to what the include in the budget on October 1st. He joined Bobby on the program to outline his argument and analyse the current economic situation.
Investing in the stock market can be confusing and intimidating. Joining Bobby to offer some advice, knowledge and some investing strategies was Paddy Stronge Author of 'Successful Investing: How to Make Money in the Stock Market'
Joining Bobby in the Executive Chair this week is Kieran Ivers of Green Rebel, Irish based, complete offshore survey service who support offshore wind energy projects.
Joining Bobby in the Executive Chair this week is Suzanne Ryan, Managing Director of Bluebird Care Ireland.
NAMA is a four-letter word synonymous with the dark days, months, and years following the 2008 financial crash, but in 18 months, it will disappear. One man who has been following its life from the very beginning is Matt Cooper, presenter of the Last Word on TodayFM - he joins Bobby to discuss.
Harland & Wolff is perhaps the most famous industrial name on the island of Ireland with connections to the most famous ship in history. But there is now a fear that its glory days are in the past and its future in real jeapordy. Margaret Canning, Business Editor with the Belfast Telegraph joins Bobby to go through what the shipyard is facing.
As more and more of our personal and professional lives are based online, we are under increasing threat of cyber attacks.
But what is it like for the people and companies at the coalface of cybersecurity in Ireland right now?
Joining Bobby to discuss this is:
- Raluca Saceanu, Chief Executive Officer at Smarttech247
- Gary Melvin, Security and Compliance Director at Nostra
- Pat Larkin, President of Ekco Security & Chairperson of Cyber Ireland
Bobby was out & about this week at Explorium in Sandyford, Ireland's National Sport and Science Centre.
Joining Bobby to go through the top business stories in the Saturday papers is Ronan Reid, CEO of Cantor Fitzgerald Ireland & Caroline Reidy, Managing Director of the HR Suite.
Joining Bobby in the Executive Chair this week is Emma Maye, CEO of Corebuild and Ardale.
Laura Weber is a Dublin-born designer behind Team Ireland’s official uniform at the 2024 Paris Olympics. She talks about the how she got the contract, her design process, and more.
Bobby is joined by Cliff Taylor of the Irish Times to discuss what we can expect once Dublin’s proposed traffic plan is implemented.
For this week's Industry Review Bobby speaks to three people who are in the coach hire business:
- JJ Kavanagh, Director of JJ Kavanagh Coaches
- Paddy Matthews, Owner of Matthews Coaches
- Cathal O’ Connell, Owner of Paddy Wagon
Joining Bobby to run through the top business stories from the Saturday papers is Susan HayesCulleton, Managing Director of the Hayes Culleton Group & Rebecca Harrison, Managing Director of Fishers of Newtownmountkennedy.
Bobby was out & about this week at the Clayton Hotel where he caught up with one of the longest serving barbers in the city, Gerry Downey of Gerrards Barber Shop.
Wine bars have long been popular among our European neighbours. But how do they fair in Ireland, where the traditional pub is king? Joining Bobby for this week's Industry review were three wine bar operators from around the country.
Joining Bobby for this week's edition of the executive chair was Accountant and CEO of Xeinadin Group, Derry Crowley.
Tech, which was touted as a way of helping free up time, is now bombarding us with messages, mail and reminders of what we need to do. To discuss whether technology inhibits our productivity more than enables it. Bobby was joined by Chris Griffiths, co-author of The Focus Fix: Finding Clarity, Creativity and Resilience in an Overwhelming World.
Earlier in the week the government predicted that they would be spending over 8bn in their last budget later in the year. Is this excessive spending or worse still ‘electioneering’? Can the state’s coffers be in that good shape? Conall MacCoille, the Chief Economist with Bank of Ireland, joins Bobby to tell us more.
Joining Bobby to run through the top business stories from the Saturday papers is Linda Daly, Business Reporter with the Sunday Times and Stephen O’Leary of Olytico.
Bobby was out & about this week where he met up with Luke Joyce, Managing Director of TheCleaningCompany.ie.
Joining Bobby in the Executive Chair this week is Peter Flanagan & Damian Kerins from Flanagan Kerins.
Bobby is joined by Patrick Nelson, author of 'Front-Line Leadership: How to Eliminate Complacency and Build All-In Engagement'.
In the modern world, a good barber has become just as important to men as a good hair salon is to women but with that increased popularity comes more competition and a need to keep on top of changing trends.
Joining Bobby to discuss this are three barbers:
- Sam Donnelly, Owner of Sam’s Barber’s
- Vinny McEvoy from Empire School of Barbering
- Veronica Smith from D16 Barbers
The UK’S election on Thursday ushered in a new Labour Government but what effect might this have on the UK’s economy and does a seemingly stable government mean that investment will flood into the UK? Bobby is joined by David Smith, economics editor with the Sunday Times to discuss.
Joining Bobby to run through the top business stories from the Saturday papers is broadcaster, Valerie Cox & Ciarán Hancock, Business Editor of The Irish Times.
Joining Bobby in the Executive Chair this week is Padraic O'Kane, CEO of Corporate.ie.
They discuss everything from American Football events, to Wagyu cows!
Bobby's guest has developed a new solution for companies not having the expert financial staff they need, especially on full-time salaries.
Sara Daw, Co-Founder of the CFO Centre, joins Bobby to discuss the idea, and how it can help businesses.
From mindfulness to yoga to breathing, the wellness industry is a fascinating one.
Joining Bobby to delve into this week's Industry Review is Vicky Shilling, Business Mentor for wellness entrepreneurs, Julie B, mindfulness & yoga Expert and Níall Ó Murchú, Founder of Breathe With Níall.
Bobby is joined by Executive Coach Shane Craddock in the Mount Usher Gardens to discuss how working in a space with easy access to nature and open air can vastly improve your working life.
The continuing industrial action at Aer Lingus is making holiday makers watch and worry, but what is the impact of this uncertainty?
Joining Bobby to discuss is John O'Flynn, General Manager at Fota Island, Patricia Roberts, Owner of No. 1 Pery Square and Fergal O'Connell, General Manager of Fitzwilliam Townhouse on the Green.
Bobby is joined by Gina London from the Language of Leadership and Doug Keatinge, Head of Communications at Avolon to look at the business stories from Saturday morning's papers.
Bobby speaks to Val Quinn the former head of Coca Cola on a different direction in life and her new book Create Your Best Life: True Stories from Around the World
Bobby talks to Andy Brown the author of ‘The Emotional Overdraft: 10 Simple Changes for Balancing Business Success and Wellbeing’
Joining Bobby in the Executive Chair this week from South Africa was Frank Gormley Entrepreneur and former accountant
Can AI help SME’S? Tech Guru Andy O’Donoghue joined Bobby to explain how SMEs might use AI.
Bobby talks to Pilita Clark of the Financial Times about why people are much less interested in foreign postings and travelling for work
Bobby talks to Padraig Hyland the CEO of the Core Story about working with large organisations to build new ways to connect and engage their workforce and what he learnt as a stand-up comedian
It’s thirty years this year since Charlie McGettigan conquered Europe with Paul Harrington as Rock and Roll Kids claimed Ireland’s sixth Eurovision win. Now living full time in Leitrim, Charlie joined Bobby to chat and to play us out following a hugely enjoyable ‘Open for Business’ roadshow in Carrick-on-Shannon.
While out and about in the Carrick-on-Shannon area for this week’s ‘Open for Business’ roadshow, Bobby got to visit the Shed Distillery which is the home of the now famous Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin.
Broadcasting out of the The Landmark Hotel in Carrick-On-Shannon as a part of the 'Open For Business' Roadshow series, one of the primary goals of these visits is to get a feel for how the businesses in the town are faring.
To discuss Bobby is joined by:
- Ciaran Kelly, co-owner of The Landmark Hotel
- Derry Lynch, Head of Solution Consulting at Cora Systems
- Paul O’Brien of OBN Financial Services & Carrick Camino
- Eileen and Seamus Gibbons of Electric Bike Trails
- Georgia Visnyei, Owner of Artessa Coffee
- Martin Costello, Owner of ChurchTv
- Pamela Ruddy, Moon River, Carrick Day Boats and Riverrun Cruiser
- Colm Keane, Manager at the Hive
As part of each of these ‘Open for Business’ roadshows, Bobby looks to do a bit of a health check to give the town the once over and see what works and maybe what could be improved. Joining Bobby to do that is Retail Consultant, Eddie Shanahan and Planning Expert, Conor Skehan.
Swapping the angst of leading the HSE during Covid for the relative tranquillity of being Captain of his local Golf Club in Carrick-on-Shannon, Bobby was joined by Paul Reid to chat about what he’s been up to since leaving his role as CEO of the Health Service Executive.
Broadcasting live from Carrick-on-Shannon for our roadshow ‘Open for Business’, Bobby is joined by Eoghan Murphy, Managing Editor of Shannonside Northern Sound news & business owner, Sharon Gartland to go through the main business stories of the day.
Economics columnist Cormac Lucey chats to Bobby about preparing the domestic economy from any changes.
Bobby is joined by the three founders of the upcoming Night and Day Festival at Lough Key Forest Park. It's a family affair as they are two uncles and a nephew.
Bobby is joined by Stephen O'Leary of Olytico and founder of Woodview HRM Louisa Meehan to look at the business stories of the day and the week.
This week on the Executive Chair Bobby talks to Alan Connell, Managing Partner and Head of the Tax Group at Eversheds Sunderland Ireland
For this week's Industry Review Bobby is joined by three estate agents to talk house prices and supply.
We spoke to travel editor Eoghan Corry about the implications for Red Bull after they sent three skydivers in between the Poolbeg Towers at wind speeds of 253 km/h.
Joining Bobby this week in the executive chair is Willem Roos, CEO Rain Mobile, & Co-Founder of OUTsurance - a new entrant to the Irish insurance sector.
Joining Bobby, from Cape Town in South Africa as part of this year’s EY Entrepreneur of the Year CEO Retreat, was Frank O’Keeffe EY UK & Ireland Managing Partner.
This morning Bobby was live from Cape Town in South Africa as part of this year’s EY Entrepreneur of the Year CEO Retreat where he visited the Aquila Game Reserve.
This week Bobby was live from Cape Town in South Africa as part of this year’s EY Entrepreneur of the Year CEO Retreat where he explored Robben Island's place in the social and political history of South Africa.
Joining Bobby from Cape Town in South Africa as part of this year’s EY Entrepreneur of the Year CEO Retreat was 'The Beast' Tendai Mtawarira.
Joining Bobby from Cape Town in South Africa as part of this year’s EY Entrepreneur of the Year CEO Retreat was Jannie Durand, the CEO of Remgro.
Joining Bobby from Cape Town in South Africa as part of this year’s EY Entrepreneur of the Year CEO Retreat was:
- Conor Hanley - FIRE1
- Hugh Cormican - Cirdan
- Sharon Cunningham & Orlaith Ryan - Shorla
Joining Bobby, from the wonderful Cape Town here in South Africa as part of this year’s EY Entrepreneur of the Year CEO Retreat, was Angela from Philippi Village.
Joining Bobby, from the wonderful Cape Town here in South Africa as part of this year’s EY Entrepreneur of the Year CEO Retreat, was H&M South Africa Country Manager & CEO, Caroline Nelson on the challenges of adapting to the needs of the South African retail market.
Joining Bobby, from the spectacular Cape Town as part of this year’s EY Entrepreneur of the Year CEO Retreat, to examine the opportunities of doing business in South Africa was:
- Ivor Queally, QK Group South Africa
- Clare Hughes, CF Pharma
- Dr. Barry Flannery, Xerotech
- Ciaran Burke - Swoop
Joining Bobby from South Africa to understand life in Cape Town and its politics was Geordin Hill-Lewis. The Cape Town Mayor.
Bobby was also joined by Prof. Richard Calland, Emeritus Associate Law – and a Visiting Adjunct Professor at the University of Witwatersrand School of Governance, to understand the upcoming election.
This week Down to Business broadcasts from the spectacular Cape Town as part of this year’s EY Entrepreneur of the Year CEO Retreat.
Joining Bobby this week in the executive chair is Padraic Frawley, owner of the Cornstore Restaurants in Cork & Limerick, Coqbull Restaurants in Cork City, Limerick City & Castletroy, Co. Limerick, as well as 65a Restaurant in Spitalfields, London.
Next week’s show will be coming to you from Cape Town in South Africa as part of our annual trip for the EY Entrepreneur of the Year CEO Retreat. Bobby is joined by Roger Wallace, Partner Leader for the Programme, to look ahead to what promises to be an exciting and rewarding week.
The cruise industry is estimated to be worth €70 million to the Irish economy every year as the sector continues to bounce back strongly from the challenges of the last 4 years.
So, for this week’s Industry Review, Bobby got a sense of how the cruise industry has changed over the years and found out just what it has to offer holiday-makers, young and old.
Joining Bobby is:
- Alan Lynch of Travel Escapes
- Suzanne Rowe, Head of Sales Ireland of MSC Cruises
- Brian Hynes, Head of Sales for Uniworld Boutique River Cruises
Temu is now the temple for cheap and cheerful products you probably don’t need but buy anyway, but the downsides are that European regulators claim that it uses manipulative sales techniques illegal under EU law and fails to protect European consumers. Bobby is joined by Conor Pope, Consumer Affairs Correspondent for the Irish Times to discuss.
Bobby is joined by Portia Quinn of Harley and Marley, an Irish-owner pet food company that specialises in fish-based pet nutrition.
Joining Bobby to run through the top business stories from the Saturday papers is broadcaster, Valerie Cox and Ronan Reid, Director of Cantor Fitzgerlad Services. Ltd.
The inaugural Ballymaloe Festival of Food will be running at Ballymaloe from Friday, May 17th to Sunday, May 19th this year to celebrate 60 years of Ballymaloe House.
The three-day event will have cooking demos, pop-up dinners, producers’ stalls and activities celebrating the journey of good food from the soil and sea to your plate.
Bobby's guest today will also be in attendance to chat to Rachel Allen about his legendary career - that is of course, Marco Pierre White….
Joining Bobby to run through the top business stories from the Saturday papers is Bob Hoffman of Vista Executive Search and Susan Hayes-Culleton of Hayes Culleton
Now, AI has been affecting how we work for some time now be it through helping to evaluate job applications, streamlining workflows or for assessing pay and performances.
But in the past year, generative AI has supercharged that potential and for better or for worse, it is here to stay.
But how can AI be utilised to give better feedback to our employees and give them the guidance that can be often left wanting? Denis Coleman, Founder of Work Compass joined Bobby to discuss
With several significant changes at the legendary Berkshire Hathaway we ask what the future holds for the company. To do so Bobby was joined by Stephen Cloonan, Non-Executive Chairman of Shaws Department Stores
Joining Bobby in the Executive Chair today was Kenny Jacobs, Chief Executive Officer at DAA
Now, according to the most recent figures, between 2017 and 2022 there has been an increase in market share of the 79 independent microbreweries that are currently in operation in the Republic of Ireland, with the consumption of craft beer rising from 2.9% to 3.4%. But with a hugely competitive market out there and the power of the likes of Diageo and other heavy-hitters still ever-present, how are our own craft beer companies faring in 2024? Joining Bobby to discuss was ● Quincey Fennelly, CEO & Founder of Wicklow Wolf Brewing ● Peter Maguire Sales Director with Rye River Brewing ● Shane Long, co-founder of Original 7
We’ve all heard of blind spots but a new book is introducing us to our so-called “deaf spots” as more and more people ignore the chatter on pressing issues. ‘Tune In: How to Make Smarter Decisions in a Noisy World’ equips fed-up readers with the tools to tackle our own biases in an information-heavy society. Joining Bobby was author Nuala Walsh, CEO of Mind Equity and behavioural scientist.
KALO, created by Kate O’Neill and Michael O’Malley, is an innovative accessories brand which produces luxury handbags and hairbands made using apple “leather”. Their venture saw them being announced as the winner of Brown Thomas Arnotts Pitch ’23 initiative, which is designed to support small Irish businesses. Bobby was joined by Kate and Michael this morning
Joining Bobby to run through the top business stories from the Saturday papers is Caroline Bocoquel of Bord Iascha Mara and Stephen O’Leary, founder of Olytico
As a nation, we love to complain about the weather but for the farming industry, this year’s disastrous weather has brought it to the brink. To understand the gravity of the situation, Bobby is joined by Eoin Lowry, Head of Agri at Bank of Ireland & Bobby Miller, a tillage farmer and head of the Irish Grain Growers Group.
Joining Bobby in the Executive Chair this week is David Nolan and Kevin Glynn, founders of Butternut Box.
This year’s finalists in the EY Entrepreneur have just been announced and it’s a bumper group. As we do every year on the show, we’ll be following the finalists on their journey which next month will see Bobby and the team bring you the show from Cape Town in South Africa. To discuss, Bobby is joined by Roger Wallace, EY Ireland Head of Assurance and EY Entrepreneur of the Year Partner Sponsor, and also by two of this year’s finalists who are Orlaith Ryan from Shorla Oncology and David Maguire, CEO of the BNRG Group.
The 'Moving to Portugal Show' took place this month which provided free access to a range of experts on the tax, investment, legal, financial, and practical aspects of moving from Ireland to Portugal. Bobby was on hand to find out all about it and what Portugal has to offer.
We’re a nation famed for our theatre scene with an abundance of world-renowned authors, playwrights, and actors to call our own.
But it’s a competitive space out there and with rising costs and entertainment increasingly available at our fingertips, how are our theatres faring in 2024?
Joining Bobby to discuss is:
- Donal Shiels, Artistic Director and CEO of The Civic Theatre
- Stephen Faloon, General Manager of the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre
- Louise Donlon, Director at Lime Tree Theatre and Belltable
Joining Bobby to run through the top business stories from the Saturday papers is Caroline Reidy of the HR Suite and Jon Ihle, Deputy Business Editor with the Sunday Times Ireland.
Bobby is joined by Pádraic Ó’Máille, Ireland's number one speaker and mentor to talk about the discipline of success, and more.
To play Bobby out with some music following a brilliant visit to Ballinasloe as part of the 'Open for Business Roadshow' is local man and old friend of the show, Ultan Conlon.
Broadcasting from Ballinasloe for the 'Open for Business Roadshow', Bobby chats to some local businesses in the town to get a sense of how they are faring.
Bobby is joined by
- Seamus Duffy, Chairman of Ballinasloe Area Community Development
- Arlene Naughton of Athlone Hampers
- Joe Ward of Joe Ward's Menswear
- Tyrone Stockil, Manager of Wag and Tails PetShop
- Tommie Costello of Cuckoo Hill Boot Camp
- Padraig Fahy, Beechlawn Organic Farm
- Therese O'Mahony of Coral Leisure
- Raj Lyons of Affinity EV
Bobby and the team are broadcasting out of Ballinasloe in the Shearwater Hotel & Spa as part of the 'Open for Business Roadshow'. Bobby and the health check team give Ballinasloe the once over to see what works and what could be improved with Retail Consultant, Eddie Shanahan & Planning Expert, Conor Skehan.
Bobby is joined by Dave O’Connell, Group Editor of the Connacht Tribune & Joan Mulvihill, Digitisation Lead at Siemens to look at the business stories making the morning papers.
Joining Bobby in the Executive Chair this week is Peter Jelkeby, Country CEO and Chief Sustainability Officer with IKEA Ireland and UK.
Tim Grover, CEO of Attack Athletics has had the unique privilege of calling the likes of sporting superstars such as Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant as his former clients. He is a towering authority on the science of physical & mental strength - he joins Bobby to discuss.
According to recent figures, Ireland is among the countries with the highest internet use in the world, amounting to over six hours every day per person.
If you couple that with the fact that the rate of shortsightedness is estimated to rise by 50% by 2050, our eye health has never been more important.
With this in mind, Bobby wanted to speak to some people in the business of eye care to get a sense of things.
Joining Bobby is:
- Liz Grennan, Clinical optometrist with Optilase and Member the Council of Optometry Ireland
- Stephen Olwell, Optometrist and Director of Stephen Olwell Opticians in Longford
- Mike Wyley, MD of Dixon Hempenstall on Suffolk Street here in Dublin
Joining Bobby to discuss the decreasing number of EV car sales in Ireland is Philip Nolan, motoring correspondent with the Irish Daily Mail.
Are you a board member of a company and thought about how psychology impacts your decision-making? Social and organizational psychologist, Dr. Wieke Scholten, believes we don't pay enough attention to this aspect of our professional lives - she joins Bobby to discuss.
Bobby is joined by broadcaster, Norah Casey & Ciarán Hancock, Business Editor with the Irish Time to look at the business stories from the morning papers.
For this week’s Industry Review, get your green thumb ready, we’re looking at garden centres in Ireland. Bobby is joined by Rachel Doyle, Founder of the Arboretum, Oliver Schurmann, Co-Owner of Mount Venus Nursery and Tig Mays, Co-Owner of Howbert & Mays.
Bobby is joined by Steve Hearsum, author of No Silver Bullet: Bursting the Bubble of the Organisational Quick Fix to discuss the difficulties you can have in business management.
With the advent of hybrid working, it’s important to look at the commercial property sector to see if it is still worth investing in. Bobby is joined by Colm Lauder, real estate capital markets advisor, Principal at Lingard Capital Advisers and columnist with the Business Post to discuss.
For this week’s Out & About, Bobby is down for the Cáis Irish Cheese Awards talking to both Siobhán Ni Ghairbith, Treasurer of Cáis and owner of St Tola Goat Cheese and judge and cheese writer Patrick McGuigan.
Bobby is joined by Louisa Meehan of Woodview HRM and Stephen O’Leary, founder of Olytico to look at the business stories that are making the morning papers.
Sitting in the Executive Chair to talk to Bobby this week is Frank Walsh, Founder of 123ink.ie and 123ink.se.
Bobby talks to Fiona Harold, life coach, business mentor and author of multiple books such as ‘Be Your Own Life Coach’ about her life and career.
For this week’s Industry Review, get your sweet tooth ready, because we’re looking at the world of chocolate around Easter. Bobby is joined by Karen and Natalie Keane, sisters and founders of Bean and Goose, Gráinne Mullins, founder of Grá Chocolates and Mary Healy, Director & Co-Owner of The Chocolate Garden.
This guest has written an article that compares running an SME in the countryside to being a contestant on Squid Game, where they struggle to survive. Are things really that dire for businesses in rural Ireland? And what can be done to help? Stuart Fitzgerald, CEO of Fitzgerald Power and Strategy Columnist for The Currency, joins Bobby.
This week, Bobby visits Naoise Barry and his company, Seaweed and Saltwater: a camper rental and camper sales business. He checks out a converted camper Tesla!
Bobby is joined by Rebecca Harrison, MD of Fishers of Newmounttownkennedy and Declan Ralph, Retail Development Director of BWG Foods to look at the business stories that are making the morning papers.
Bobby is joined by Marine Tanguy to discuss her new book ‘The Visual Detox: How to Consume Media Without Letting it Consume You’'. Together they discuss how the imagery we see every day shapes our wellbeing and how to combat information overload.
For this week’s industry review, Bobby speaks to three people in the honey business to find out what it’s like for beekeepers up and down the country.
They are: Emma Finn of ‘Bees on the Roof’; Eoghan Mac Giolla Coda of ‘Lannleire Honey’; and Pat McCormack of ‘Farmhouse Bees and Trees’.
The UK is talking about banning Zero-hours contracts but is this bad economics? Bobby is joined UK Economics Editor, David Smith to discuss.
We are a nation of tea & coffee drinkers and usually, that means the hot kind. But cold brew coffee is also incredibly popular elsewhere in the world, so why not here in Ireland? Dee Schronder & her husband Jeff are the founders of Goodbrew, a company that specialises in cold brew coffee - they join Bobby to discuss.
A recent survey commissioned by Peopl Insurance, showed considerable interest in the idea of pay-as-you-go car insurance cover - but is this the right way to go for insurance and how would it work in reality? Geraldine Herbert Motoring Editor with the Sunday Independent joins Bobby to discuss.
Cameron Herold is a business consultant, top-selling author, and speaker who is going to be in Dublin for the Wealth Summit on May 15th - he took some time to chat with Bobby about his writing, his business career, and some of the lessons he learned along the way.
Sitting in the Executive Chair this week is Catherine Toolan, the Managing Director of Diageo Irish Brand Homes.
Bobby is joined by Sophie Williams, author of ‘The Glass Cliff’ to discuss the phenomenon and the leadership roles women have in business.
This week’s industry review is taking a look at DJ’ing in Ireland. Bobby is joined by 3 DJ’s, Mark McCabe, Aoife Nic Canna and Robbie Kitt.
A survey this week is suggesting that 59% of those surveyed indicated that they were willing to forego pay rises for flexibility. To discuss this, Bobby is joined by Chris Kane, author of ‘Where’s my Office?’ and Rossa Mullaly of Sigmar Recruitment.
This week Bobby is talking to the Co-Founding Director of the Winding Stair, Elaine Murphy in the bookshop / restaurant in the heart of Dublin city.
Bobby is joined by Rebecca Harrison, the managing director of Fishers of Newtownmountkennedy and Doug Keatinge, Head of Communications at Avolon to look at the business stories that are making the morning papers.
Joining Bobby in the Executive Chair is Richard Kennedy, CEO of Carbon AMS.
With thanks to Eversheds Sutherland – Ireland’s largest and most established global law firm.
No Crows are a dynamic world music orchestra from Sligo's diverse music scene, formed in 2005 via a casual session in Sligo’s famous ‘Shoot the Crows’. Eddie Lee & Steve Wickham joined Bobby to chat and to play us out of what was a fantastic first edition to the new roadshow series ‘Open for Business’.
Bobby is joined by TD Dara Calleary, Minister of State for Trade Promotion, Digital and Company Regulation to discuss the Family and Care referendums, the general health of business in Enniscone, and more.
On the face of it, a seaweed bath is nothing more than a tub filled with hot seawater and seaweed, but to leave its description at that would be to do it a grave disservice as thousands of people consider it to be the ultimate bathing experience. Bobby went out & about to Kilcullen’s Seaweed Baths to find out for himself.
Easkey Britton began surfing at the age of four up in Rossnowlagh in Donegal, now holds a PhD and is passionate about women’s rights. Her new book ‘Ebb & Flow: Connect with the Patterns and Power of Water’ discusses how water has the power to heal, inspire, and offer meaning to us. She joins Bobby to discuss.
Bobby chats to some people living and working in the Enniscrone area to get a sense of how they and their businesses are faring.
They are:
- Beatrice Timlin, Facility Convenor of Enniscrone Golf Club
- John Shiel, Chair of Enniscrone Golf Club
- Maeve McCormack, co-ordinator of Sligo Women in Business Network
- Niall McAllister, co-founder of Quick Crop
- Louise McDonnell, founder of SellOnSocial.Media Agency & host of the ‘Social Media Take Away’ podcast
David McGowan burst into our national consciousness with his plans to turn a jumbo jet into a glamping attraction back in 2016. Since then, we have seen him talking about his ‘day job’ in an RTÉ documentary on his funeral business - he joins Bobby for a catch-up.
Broadcasting out of Enniscrone Golf Club as a part of our new roadshow series ‘Open for Business’, Bobby is joined by Dr. Edel McSharry, Head of the School of Nursing, Health Sciences and Disability Studies at ATU St Angelas & Paul Deering, executive editor of the Sligo Champion to look at the business stories that are making the morning papers.
One of the aspects of the ‘Open for Business’ roadshow is that Bobby will be looking at the life and relative well-being of a town by examining the way the town functions from a business, planning, and retail perspective. Planning expert, Conor Skehan & Retail Consultant Eddie Shanahan join Bobby to take a look at what’s working for the town and what, if anything, can be improved.
The Down to Business crew will be in Enniscrone in Sligo next Saturday, March 9th for their new roadshow ‘Open for Business’. As part of each of these shows a dedicated 'Town Health Check' team will accompany Bobby to assess what’s working and what isn’t. Conor Skehan, planning expert & retail consultant, Eddie Shanahan join Bobby to discuss.
With rising costs, supply chain delays, a spiders-web of red tape, and the ever-growing push to move to green energy, the haulage and freight industry has a lot to deal with at the moment.
So for this week’s Industry Review, Bobby wanted to gauge just how the sector is juggling all of this.
Joining Bobby is:
- James Quinn of James Quinn Transport
- Eugene Drennon, former president of The Irish Road Haulage Association
- Paul Toner, Managing Director of Toner Transport & Logistics
- Aidan Flynn, CEO of the Freight Transport Association of Ireland
'Real to Reel: Garech Browne & Claddagh Records' by James Morrissey is a new large-format hardback book together with a vinyl box set that celebrates the life of Guinness heir Garech Browne and his quest to preserve Ireland’s musical and spoken-word heritage with Claddagh Records. James joins Bobby to discuss.
'The Smooth Company' was founded by Aine Kennedy after she spent eight years working in the beauty industry. Bobby took a trip out to Grafton Street to chat with her and her grandfather, Billy Kennedy about the success of the 'Smooth Stick', a specially formulated premium hair styling finishing wand designed to help keep all baby and broken hairs in place all day long.
Bobby is joined by Caroline Reidy of the HR Suite & Lorcan Allen, Business Editor for the Business Post to look at the business stories that are making the morning papers.
Joining Bobby in the Executive Chair is Peter Lantry, the Managing Director of Equinix - Ireland’s largest supplier of data centres.
With rapidly advancing technology - the conversation rarely lands on industries that largely rely on working with your hands? Bobby talks to Kyran O’Grady of Wicklow Thatching Services, Isaac Jackman, Owner of ‘Isaac Jackman Shoe Repairs’ and Colm Bagnall, co-owner of Bushy Park Ironworks to discuss how they’re faring.
Bobby goes to the Hospitality Expo in the RDS and talks to Neven Maguire as well as other hospitality people about the state of the sector today.
Bobby talks to economist Dan O’Brien about how Irish people are some of the most indebted in the world.
How worried should we be about AI in relation to the job market? Bobby is joined by author of ‘AI Unleashed’ Mark Kelly and Commercial Director at Sigmar Recruitment Rossa Mullaly to discuss the role AI might play in the future.
Bobby is joined by Susan Hayes Culleton of Hayes Culleton and Former Director General of the Law Society Ken Murphy to look at the business stories that are making the morning papers.
Joining Bobby in the Executive Chair is Brian Donaldson, Chief Executive Officer of The Maxol Group.
Bridging the gap between the expectations of fresh-faced graduate employees and prospective employers can be a challenge, and failing to do so can lead to strife for all involved.
So, how can we better prepare for, and indeed succeed in, our first job? Colman Collins, author of ‘How To Succeed In Your First Job’ joins Bobby to discuss.
It is one of the most special days of your life and whether it’s a big one or a small one, a traditional one or one that you’ve imagined just for yourself - you want your wedding day to be just the way you imagined it.
But how do you go about achieving that? To discuss, Bobby is joined by:
• Ruth Scott, Wedding Solemniser & Celebrant
• Photographer Paul Kelly of PK Studio3
•Daragh Doyle, The Ireland Wedding Planner
Bobby is joined by Rory Gillen of Gillen Markets & Gary Carvill from the Digital Wealth Group to debate the pros and cons of cryptocurrencies.
Bobby was out and about at OffBeat Donuts in Dundrum Town Centre to hear all about the runaway success of one of the country's purveyors of premium donuts.
It was reported earlier this month that Irish Vodka brand Istil 38 - which launched back in 2022 - has attracted an investment worth around €390,000 as it looks to build upon the success they have seen in the last two years.
Shane Davey, Managing Director of the Sugarloaf Beverage Company joins Bobby to discuss.
Joining Bobby to go through the main business stories from the Saturday papers are Linda Daly Business Reporter with the Sunday Times & Stephen O’Leary the founder of Olytico.
In recent months we saw news that there is a serious shortage of qualified vets facing the Irish veterinary industry, with some practices advertising for more than a year to fill positions.
Couple this with rising costs and ever-increasing demands on our vets for small and large animals, where exactly is the sector right now?
Joining Bobby to discuss is:
- Charles Cosgrave, Co-Owner of Village Vets
- Kathy Enright, co-owner of Rockhall Veterinary Ltd
- Conor Geraghty, former president of Veterinary Ireland and owner of the FarmGate Veterinary Group
Joining Bobby in the Executive Chair this week is Ciaran McCormack of Select Technology Group.
Bobby speaks to Alison Taylor, author of 'Higher Ground: How Business Can Do the Right Thing in a Turbulent World'.
The Laya Healthcare Workplace Wellbeing Index 2024 is the result of one of Ireland's most extensive workplace wellbeing studies and offers invaluable insights into the evolving HR landscape, allowing employers and employees to stay up to date on the latest trends.
Bobby chats to Sinead Proos, Head of Health & Wellbeing at Laya Healthcare to explore some of the key trends regarding people's wellbeing in the workplace and discuss how to sustain high performance in a hybrid working environment.
The Laya Healthcare Workplace Wellbeing Index is available at layahealthcare.ie/wellbeingindex.
With Valentine’s Day coming up Bobby takes a look at the actual rules around romance in the workplace with Damien McCarthy, Managing Director of HR Buddy.
Joining Bobby to run through the top stories from the business pages this morning are Louisa Meehan of Woodview HRM & Bob Hoffman of Vista Executive Search.
Joining Bobby in the Executive Chair is Joe Gilmore, Managing Director of Ireland West Airport, Knock
Castlebar has been found to have the best work-life balance according to a new index. One man who has been singing the praises of this area for a long time has been local TD Michael Ring who joins Bobby to discuss this and everything that Mayo has to offer.
Broadcasting out of the Connected Hub in the Atlantic Technological University iHub in Castlebar, Bobby speaks to some of those people using iHub to find out about the benefits this kind of working environment offers to people.
Joining Bobby is:
- Louise McDonnell, founder of SellOnSocial.Media Agency
- Brian Barrett of Solar West
- Dr. Noreen Curtis
- Stephen Carolan, National Hubs Network Programme Manager at the Western Development Commission
This week Bobby was broadcasting out of the Connected Hub in the Atlantic Technological University Ihub in Castlebar with thanks to Mayo County Council. One of those people who use the connected hubs in Mayo is Sarah Butler, cookbook author, and recipe writer who joins Bobby to chat about her pathway into the culinary world.
Bobby was out & about at the Connacht Distillery in Ballina this week to discuss the vision behind the business which seeks to marry modern techniques to an old tradition of craft distilling.
Joining Bobby to take a look at the business stories that are making the morning papers are two Castlebar locals in the form of Teresa O’Malley, Head of News at Midwest Radio & Tom Kelly, Editor of the Connaught Telegraph.
Last year Mayo was very much on the map when US President, Joe Biden went west and spent a remarkable evening in Ballina. One of the people instrumental in organising that visit was the then-mayor of Ballina Councillor Mark Duffy - he joins Bobby to discuss.
Joining Bobby in the Executive Chair this week is Christophe Mathieu, CEO of Brittany Ferries.
Bobby is joined by Debra & Ken Corey, to talk about their book 'Bad Bosses Ruin Lives: The Building Blocks for Being a Great Boss'.
With the privilege of owning your own home comes the added dilemma of sticking or twisting with the current structure and layout - but where do you begin, who do you call, and what are the costs involved for home renovation projects?
For this week’s industry Review Bobby sought to find out as he was joined by:
● Ruth Kennelly of RK Designs
● Diarmuid Kelly of DKAD Architects
● David Dunne of Timbermill Construction in Kildare
From Next Thursday 1st Feb, when you buy a drink in a plastic bottle, aluminium, or steel can that features the 'Re-Turn' logo, you will pay a small deposit in addition to the price of the drink. When you return your empty, undamaged drinks container to any participating retail outlet, you get your deposit back in full. So how is all this going to work on a national level and will people buy into it? Bobby is joined by Ciaran Foley who is the Chief Executive of ‘Re-Turn’ to discuss.
As the country continues down the path towards net zero, more and more electric charging points will be central to achieving that goal. Bobby is joined by John O’Keeffe, CEO of ePower to discuss the path forward to achieving a carbon-neutral future.
Joining Bobby to run through the main stories from the business pages in this morning's papers is journalist and author, Valerie Cox & Ciaran Hancock, Business Editor of the Irish Times.
Joining Bobby in the Executive Chair this week is Gary Lavin, founder & chairman of VITHIT.
Marga Hoek, author of ‘Tech For Good: Imagine Solving the World’s Greatest Challenges’ joins Bobby to chat about her book and the possibilities advanced technologies offer businesses to drive sustainable growth.
2023 was by all accounts a solid year for the motor and car dealership trade here in Ireland but how is 2024 shaping up and will we see many more EVs on our roads?
Joining Bobby to discuss is:
- Brian Cooke, SIMI Director General (Society of the Irish Motor Industry)
- Rowena Dooley, Dealer Principle at Dooley Motors Carlow
- Philip Mallon, Managing Director of Joe Mallon Motor Group
Bobby chats to Regina Mangan about her new book ‘How to Build a Smarter, Faster, Better Estate Agency’
Bobby is joined by Fiona Smith, author of ‘Zero to Rich: Secrets to Becoming a Millionaire by 30'.
Bobby is joined by Roger Wallace of EY to discuss the details of this year's EY Entrepreneur of the Year Awards which opened this week.
Bobby speaks to Charlie Engle, a former drug addict but now keynote speaker, adventurer, and multiple record holder.
It’s cold out there and with many more months of rain and cloud to come, what better time to start planning that summer getaway than right now?
The travel agency business has seen its fair share of ups and downs over the last few years, so how have they been faring now that the cost-of-living crisis is finally beginning to ease?
Joining Bobby for this week’s Industry Review is:
•Paul Hackett, co-founder and CEO of Click & Go
•Emma McHugh, Managing Partner at Atlantic Travel based in Letterkenny
•Claire Doherty, Product and Operations Director at Travel Department
Earlier in the week Bobby got to meet Dr. John Grey, author of 'Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus’, who was speaking at this year's Pendulum Summit.
Together they discuss the impact of the book, how things have changed since its publication, and the biological underpinnings of some of his opinions.
You may have heard earlier in the week that the decision has been made to close a Dublin alley due to anti-social behaviour and drug use. Naturally, this has concerned many and people are asking if this is the best way to protect a city. Sunday Independent columnist, Conor Skehan has some views on fixing the city and they are not just about more Gardai on the street - he joins Bobby to discuss.
This week saw the 30th Anniversary of CityJet in business. Despite some ups and downs over the years, it has persevered and evolved to a point where it is now a leading provider of jets to European airlines. Bobby is joined by Pat Byrne its founder and chairman.
Joining Bobby to take a look at the business stories featured in the Saturday papers are Caroline Reidy of the HR Suite and Doug Keatinge, Head of Communications at Avalon.
Bobby goes for a jog with Padraic George, Founder and Managing Director of Bodylite Gear, a leading Irish sportswear brand that specialises in visibility products and active gear for runners, walkers, cyclists, and outdoor enthusiasts.
Joining Bobby in the Executive Chair this week is Ciaran Crean, co-founder & CEO of MicksGarage & WaveOMS.
We’re almost a week into the New Year and with that comes hordes of people heading out to shed some of that Christmas weight. Where are they going? Probably the gym. Joining Bobby to discuss the business of gyms in the country are Ger Conroy, Director of Ger Conroy Fitness; Garrett Ivers, Owner of UN1T Dublin; and Siobhan Byrne, co-owner of BodyByrne.
Broadcaster and author, Matt Cooper joins Bobby to discuss his new book 'Who Really Owns Ireland?: How we became tenants in our own land and what we can do about it'.
After several months of price increases in our supermarkets, a shift appears to be taking place as Lidl has followed Aldi in slashing its prices. But what does that mean for food producers? Sinead Ryan, presenter of The Home Show on Newstalk joins Bobby to discuss.
Joining Bobby to go through the main business and news stories from the morning papers is businesswoman and boadcaster, Norah Casey and Ian Curran, Business Report with the Irish Times.
Joining Bobby to give his predictions on how the Irish economy will fare in 2024 is economist, Cormac Lucey.
When life gets us down, we sometimes need a person who can motivate us and give us the confidence to succeed in life and in business.
It is the role of the Life Coach to do just that.
To tell Bobby about this world he is joined by Shane Cradock, an advisor to high-performing leaders and the author of 'Inspire Me'; Mark Fennell, life coach and author of the upcoming book ‘Breakthrough’, and Ciara Conlon, life and leadership coach and author of ‘Rise Before Your Bull’.
Bobby is joined in studio by three business women - Lorraine Keane, Anna Daly and Aimee Connolly, to chat fashion and Christmas.
Bobby is joined in studio by Mark Kelly founder of AI Ireland and the author of AI Unleashed, to chat about how Santa now use's AI to aid in his deliveries.
This week Bobby is taking a stroll through Grafton Street, Ireland’s Premier Shopping Street, to see how retail is faring this Christmas.
Bobby is joined by Journalist and Author Valerie Cox and Stephen O’Leary the Founder of Olytico to discuss the biggest business stories around this weekend.
Tech Guru, Andy O’Donoghue joins Bobby for his usual tech and gadget Christmas gift guide.
Getting that perfect gift can often be a challenge, especially for loved ones who live far away. But a Christmas hamper might be the right choice for those of us still struggling for inspiration, with numerous options and styles to choose from.
Joining Bobby for this week's Industry Review to chat about the business of hampers is:
- Lulu O’Sullivan, CEO of GiftsDirect.com
- Emer Purcell, founder and managing director of Hampers & Co
- Mark Loftus, the founder of Paddy Box
Finding a GP appointment these days can be difficult but Gewardz is one business that aims to change that.
Gewardz is a subscription service that provides online GP and counseling sessions for a flat monthly fee - its Head of Business Development, Iain Cahill, joins Bobby to tell him about this business model.
In this turbulent Irish economy, we have to think of the role industry plays, and manufacturing in particular is something that should be looked at in terms of its importance. Conor Magee, Head of Manufacturing at Bank of Ireland joins Bobby to discuss.
Bobby is joined by Susan HayesCulleton aka ‘The Positive Economist’ & Jon Ihle, Deputy Business Editor at the Sunday Times Ireland to discuss the biggest business stories around this weekend.
This week’s industry review gets in the festive spirit with some food producers who could take your Christmas Dinner to the next level. Bobby is joined by Emmet Harten from Kaylas Kitchen, Lynn Downey from Cookie Dó, Sofie Rooney from Chimac and James Burke, Network Manager of the Dublin Food Chain.
Bobby has Matt Phelan in the studio to talk about his book 'The Happiness Index Why Today's Employee Emotions Equal Tomorrow's Business Success' and what it can do for a business.
This week Bobby is in Arnotts in Dublin City Centre for the Pitch 23’ competition: an open invitation to Irish start-ups which supports and champions new and promising local Irish brands. He talks to Joanne Hyde from Eversheds Sutherland to discuss their involvement in the initiative.
Bobby is joined by Lousia Meehan, owner of Woodview HR and Conor Faughnan, CEO of Royal Irish Automobile Club (RIAC) to discuss the biggest business stories around this weekend.
Bobby takes a dive into the world of antique books. These pages of the past hold historical significance, craftsmanship, and investment value. Who knows, maybe there’s one up in your attic? He’s joined by David Cunningham, co-owner of Ulysses Rare Books, Eamonn De Búrca, owner of De Búrca Rare Books and Alan Gregroy, owner of First Edition on Baggot Street.
Sitting in the Executive Chair with Bobby this week is Gerard Teahon, the CEO of Uniquely.
Bobby talks to Jack Daly, leading sales speaker and trainer, to talk all things sales in business.
Bobby takes a visit to the Cogs the Brain Shop pop-up by Stephen's Green and talks to co-owner Conor Brady.
Today it was confirmed that the Irish economy is officially in a recession. To discuss what these means, as well as recent inflation news, Bobby is joined by Cliff Taylor, columnist at The Irish Times.
Bobby is joined by Joan Mulvihill, The Digitisation Lead with Siemens and Declan Ralph, the Retail Development Director with BWG Foods to discuss the biggest business stories in the papers today.
What makes a good team and how can it add value in a workplace? James Scouller, author of a three-book series on team building: How to Build Winning Teams Again and Again, joins the studio to examine the benefits.
This week’s Industry Review covers the Irish toy makers who compete with the fancy tech and new-age offerings around. Chloe Gardiner, founder of The Wonky Woolins,Michael White,Founder Ro Óg and Geraldine O Connor, Co-Owner and Founder of Lisheen Toys join to discuss the business of hand-made toys in the country.
The end of Stephen Kenny’s tenure as manager caps off a team’s bad string of results - and worries mount as the FAI struggle to find commercial partners for the next three years. Ian Mallon, columnist with the Pitch for the Irish Examiner joins to discuss this potential financial fallout.
Emmet Oliver (filling in for Bobby) is joined by Paul Allen of Paul Allen & Associates and Caroline Bocquel, CEO of Bord Iascaigh Mhara to discuss the business stories relevant today. Plus, Jean McCabe, CEO of Retail Excellence Ireland talks about the impact of the Dublin riots on retail business.
Bobby speaks with some of the winners of the EY Entrepreneur of the Year Awards at the show from last Thursday.
Sam Moffett of Moffett Automated Storage.
Ciaran Marron of Activ8 Solar Energies.
Tom Walsh of Staycity.
This week’s Industry Review is something familiar in the world of audio. Bobby is joined by Síle Seoige, host of ‘Ready to be Real’ in Galway and Chris Johns, co-host of ‘The Other Hand’ all to discuss the business of podcasting in Ireland.
Web Summit took place this week following a turbulent few weeks for the annual technology conference. Andy O’Donoghue joins Bobby to tell him all about it.
Pat Rigney, the founder of The Shed Distillery and Gunpowder Gin, joins the show to give his insight on what Irish businesses can learn from the Asian markets after a trip to China.
Bobby joins bestselling author Damien Hughes in Belfast to talk about high performance sport and business.
Ahead of next week’s ceremony for the EY Entrepreneur of the Year Awards 2023, Bobby chats with some of this year’s finalists about the idea of “pioneering”, doing something new, and everything associated with being on the cutting edge.
- Chris Kelly of EasyGo
- Louella Morton, the co-founder of TestReach
- Neil Skeffington of Novelplast Teoranta
Bobby talks to Kevin Elliott, the Executive Vice President and Head of Global Foreign Direct Investment at Bank of Ireland, to learn all about how the team there supports new international companies to establish banking and operations in Ireland.
Joining Bobby in the Executive Chair this week is Paul Kilcullen, CEO of BNY Mellon Fund Services Ireland.
Bobby is joined by Linda Daly, Business Reporter with the Sunday Times and Bob Hoffman of Vista Executive Search to discuss the business stories making the rounds today.
Joining Bobby in the Executive Chair this week is Melíosa O'Caoimh, 'Northern Trust' Country Head, Ireland.
Continuing our series of interviews with some of this year’s finalists in the EY Entrepreneur of the Year Awards which reveals this year’s winners on November 23rd, we look at the issue of AI and its intersection with businesses.
To discuss, Bobby is joined by Charles Cosgrave of Village Vets who is a finalist in the Established Category; Brian Fahey, CEO of My Compliance Office who is a finalist in the International category; and also by Denise Tormey, President and co-founder of PlanNet21 who was a finalist in 2015.
For many, glass is nothing more than the thing in your windows, but for an entire industry in Ireland, it is so much more. Art pieces made from glass are all over our cities, towns, and homes and so, Bobby wanted to understand that industry from some of the preeminent names in it.
To do that, Bobby is joined by:
- Tom Watts, Head of Design at Design and Crafts Council Ireland
- Elke Westen, Owner of Studio Elke Westen
- Michelle O'Donnell, Owner of Glasshammer Studios
Bobby is joined by Caroline Murphy of the HR Suite and Ken Murphy, the Former Director General of the Law Society, to discuss the business stories circling today.
Shane Cradock has almost three decades of executive coaching experience and has decided to pass some of that knowledge onto us here at Down to Business. His new book 'The Inner CEO' advocates for a new way of managing your mind to lift your mood, and self-belief and achieve your full potential. Shane joins Bobby to discuss.
Bobby does something quite different today and visits a comic shop in the heart of Dublin city to find out more about the world of superheroes and villains. Is it just a niche? Or bigger than we think?
Taking a look at the business stories that are making the morning papers are Journalist and Author Valerie Cox and Douglas Keatinge- the Head of Communications with Avolon. Mandy Johnston fills in for Bobby this week.
In the evolving landscape of corporate responsibility, the push for sustainable business practices has led to a notable trend: B Corp certification. Pioneered by the non-profit B Labs, this accreditation requires companies to meet rigorous standards in social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency.
Joining Mandy Johnston are two trailblazers who have taken their companies through the B Corp journey: Aoife McNamara, Founder of the ‘Aoife McNamara’ clothing brand and Jane McDaid, the Founder of Thinkhouse.
Sitting in the Executive Chair this week is Brid O’Connell, the CEO of Guaranteed Irish.
Despite high aspirations to delight customers, many companies falter at the execution stage, leaving a gap between grand plans and customer realities.
Steven has spent over a decade conversing with CX professionals and has a wealth of insights on why companies struggle to shine in customer service. His new management book serves as a guide to embedding a genuine Customer Culture within your organisation, offering practical tools and revealing how minor alterations can lead to significant outcomes.
This week Mandy Johnston talks to Steven about his new book.
Meet Conor Kelly, the innovative Irish entrepreneur who's turning heads in the world of artificial intelligence. Nominated for the 'Young AI Role Model Award' at the AI Ireland Awards, Conor is gearing up to launch 'Taxbot' – an AI designed to navigate the complex waters of Irish tax law. With capabilities that allegedly outshine 90% of human accountants on the Chartered Tax Exams, 'Taxbot' promises to be a game-changer for Irish businesses.
Ireland, with its rich tapestry of creativity, boasts over 30 art galleries that curate an impressive array of artistic expression from both local and international artists. Despite the complexities of funding, fierce competition, and intricate red tape, these cultural havens have not just survived but thrived, as evidenced by the nearly 800,000 visitors to the national gallery last year alone. What's the secret to their success?
To find out more about the industry, Mandy is joined by Mary McCarthy, Director of the Crawford Art Gallery, Dr. Caroline Campbell, Director of the National Gallery of Ireland, and Gerard Gormley, Director of Gormley's Fine Art.
Down to Business has a long been association with the EY Entrepreneur of the Year Awards and for the next few weeks, as we get ready for the announcement of this year’s winners on Nov 23rd, Bobby will be talking to some of this year’s finalists and alumni about some of the issues facing entrepreneurs but also exploring what makes them succeed.
Joining Bobby is Nick Keegan of Mail Metrics who is a finalist this year as well as one of last year’s finalists, Lorraine Heskin of the Gourmet Panel, and John Purdy of the Ergo Group who was finalist a number of years ago.
For this week's Industry Review, Bobby is joined by three farmers: Joe Healy, former IFA President and dairy farmer at Milestone Farm in Athenry, James O'Reilly, a tillage farmer from Ballyragget in Kilkenny, and Bobby Miller, Current chairman of Irish Grain Growers Group from Stradbally.
AI is undoubtedly the story of 2023, dominating headlines and rapidly making its mark on industry with Generative AI believed to become a $1.3 Trillion Market by 2032 according to Bloomberg. Despite this meteoric success, many are still scratching their heads when it comes to AI, in fact when surveyed between 60 to 70 percent of business leaders say they are confused by AI. Mark Kelly founder of AI Ireland and author of ‘AI Unleashed: Navigating the AI Revolution as a Business Executive' joins Bobby to discuss.
Bobby took a trip out to the Gravediggers pub in Glasnevin, Dublin to find out why this is a must-see for any tourist or anyone else who calls Dublin their home.
While there is over demand for housing in the country, the market for office space is hurtling towards its lowest ebb in many years. The latest survey by BNP Paribas Real Estate has seen take-up levels fall by 63% in the past year alone. John McCartney the director of research at BNP Paribas Real Estate joins Bobby to discuss.
Joining Bobby to discuss the biggest business stories in the papers today is Susan Hayes Culleton aka 'The Positive Economist' and The MD of the Hayes Culleton Group & Stephen O’Leary of Olytico.
Joining Bobby in the Executive Chair this week is Annelie McCaffrey, Managing Director for Domino’s ROI
Dr. David Oxley believes there are four essential career crises that we will all have to face one day. He is also the author of 'A Career Carol: A Tale of Professional Nightmares and How to Navigate Them' - he joins Bobby to tell him more.
Joining Bobby for this week's Industry Review are three GPs to discuss the ins and outs of the medical profession in modern-day Ireland.
They are:
- Dr. Eleanor Galvin from Rosemount Family Doctors
- Dr. Mark Rowe who is also the host of the podcast In the Doctors Chair
- Dr. Brendan O'Shea, Specialist in Occupational Medicine at The Bridge Medical Centre & Assistant Adjuvant Professor at Trinity College Dublin
Following a recent rebranding from SAP Nurseries to Perenia, The Plant Experts, Bobby took a trip out to Tipperary to speak with owner, John Walsh, to find out more about what keeps him and the business going from strength to strength.
The prevailing narrative around Northern Ireland is that it’s a gloomy time; dealing with both Brexit and the fact that it has no working parliament gives the idea that it’s a state in trouble but David Smith, economist with the Sunday Times, has a much more optimistic take on things. He joins Bobby to discuss.
Mary Murray is from a small Irish startup called JR Games that makes jigsaws dedicated to GAA counties. She came bearing a Kilkenny jigsaw for Bobby as the two chatted about the genesis of the business.
Taking place last week was the Irish Management Institute (IMI) National Leadership Conference. Former Twitter EMEA VP, renowned podcaster, author of the Best Business Book of the Year 2022, and workplace culture thought-leader, Bruce Daisley gave a keynote address on the importance of diverse workplace culture in helping leaders and their organisation to innovate.
He joins Bobby to discuss.
This week Bobby was joined by Sean Keyes of the currency to explain why we need to build more apartments high into Dublin's skyline.
This week Bobby got adventurous and explored his Viking roots, by visiting the Axe Club at North Dock, Dublin!
Former Munster and Irish player, Marcus Horan, talks World Cup Rugby with Bobby ahead of tonight's game.
Bobby speaks to three people in-the-know to find out how the realm of the sommelier has changed in Ireland in recent years, and where the wine world might take us. He is joined by Nicola Curran Zammit from Two Cooks in Sallins, Philip Dunne, Founder of Vinspire Wine and Spirit Academy Ireland as well as group Sommelier at The Doyle Collection, and Morgan Vandermamer, current President of the Irish Guild of Sommeliers and co-owner of Union Wine Bar & Kitchen in Waterford
High-profile, keynote speaker, executive coach, and author on the topic of professional development, leadership, and the future of work and learning, Paolo Gallo joins Bobby to discuss his latest book, 'The Seven Games of Leadership - Navigating the Inner Journey of Leaders.'
Joining Bobby to discuss the biggest business stories in the papers today is Linda Daly of the Sunday Times and Ronan Reid from Cantor Fitzgerald.
Cyber Security is a growing business. Kevin O’Loughlin, CEO of Nostra, is busier than ever helping build protections and first line defenses for businesses. Kevin spoke to Bobby.
To go through the business stories of the week Bobby was joined by Gina London, communications expert and columnist with the Sunday Independent and Declan Ralph, Retail Development Director with BWG Foods.
Dan O’Brien, Chief Economist, Institute for International and European Affairs spoke to Bobby as the nation braces itself for next weeks budget.
This week Bobby was joined in the executive chair by Richard Meehan, President & CEO of Velico Medical
Pat Whelan of James Whelan Butchers who’s book The Irish Beef Book has just been reprinted to celebrate it’s 10th Anniversary and Pat joined Bobby to talk all thing beef.
They say style never goes out of fashion but for those of us who wouldn’t know haute couture if it came up and hit him in the face, finding the clothes that not only fit but make us look and feel like our authentic selves can be a real challenge. Thankfully the personal shopping industry is here to help.
Joining Bobby for this week’s Industry review to look at the work of personal styling was:
- Orla Sheridan, Private Stylist and Fashion lecturer at GTI
- Fiona Doyle, International Personal Stylist
- Laura Jordan, fashion stylist & image consultant and owner of StyleSavvy
This week Bobby went to the Dublin Cookery School in Blackrock which has recently been taken over by a well-known foodie Gerry Devlin. Gerry showed Bobby around the school and introduced him to some of the students.
Behind every success is the unique story of an individual who has transformed their ambition into reality.
21st Century Business Icons: The Leaders Who Are Changing our World is a new book by Sally Percy, which explores the success stories and strategies behind some of the biggest names in business the world over.
She joins Bobby to discuss.
Joining Bobby in the Executive Chair this week is Ronan Reid, Director of Cantor Fitzgerald Services Ltd.
George Horn is a third-generation master glove maker based in the heart of Dublin city. Founded by George in the 1940's, the business is continued by his son, Brian, and grandson, Gerard.
Bobby took a trip out to their shop in Stoneybatter to find out more about the business.
From smart doorbells to fully-fledged 24-hour surveillance, there are many ways to secure your home and business.
But even though there is more technology out there to help keep us safe, are would-be criminals also getting more cunning?
Joining Bobby to discuss the state of the residential & commercial property security sector is:
- Aaron Mooney, CEO of Action24
- Eoin Dunne, CEO of Phonewatch
- Jonathan Pim, Technical Services Director at Manguard Plus
Huawei has made a massive statement in the world of smartphones with its new processor that showcases its capacity to support 5G wireless speeds.
Our resident Tech guru, Andy O'Donoughue joins Bobby to discuss what kind of impact it will have on the likes of Samsung and Apple.
Since 2011, the Very Pink Run has raised in excess of €6 million to support Breast Cancer Ireland's ongoing research and education programmes. This is an opportunity for everyone to participate in a fun-filled morning with music, face painters, and more.
Bobby chats to Lorraine Keane who is taking part this morning.
Joining Bobby to take a look at the business stories hitting the headlines is Breda Browne of Unique Media and Des Doris of Alchemy Events.
Joining Bobby in the Executive Chair this week is David Russell the Chief Executive of Elio Networks
In a period when the world continues to play at denial, Stuart McLachlan & Dean Sanders, authors of 'The Adventure of Sustainable Performance' are seeking to help leaders to instead see foundations.
Stuart and Dean join Bobby to discuss.
It’s an essential skill these days and one that most of us learn how to do in our younger years.
But with backlogs in driving tests an ongoing issue, how are our driving schools and driving instructors faring in what must be a very busy time?
Joining Bobby to discuss is:
- Darragh Dunne, Allied Driving Instructors
- Kevin Horgan, Managing Director of Ladybird Driving School
- Darren Mullane, Mullane School Of Motoring in Cork
Oakberry Açai is a healthy fast food, present in more than 35 countries and with more than 600 stores.
Bobby visits the new Oakberry store in Dublin to find out more about this healthy fast-food treat.
Bobby talks to Conor Pope about why grocery prices are going up when food inflation is going down.
In recent months, as Irish banks enjoy massive profits, consumers were found to have the lowest deposit rates out of the Eurozone, United Kingdom, and the United States.
One of the ways to more evenly distribute the profits of our baking institutions is the implementation of a windfall tax, but Cormac Lucey warns against this - he joins Bobby to discuss.
Bobby talks to author, Ben Mezrich who wrote ‘The Anti-social Network’ which is the basis of the new movie ‘Dumb Money’ - all about the strange buying and selling of Gamestop Stocks in January 2021.
Rounding out a hugely enjoyable broadcast from the Three Store on Grafton Street, Bobby was joined by Jack Lukeman - aka Jack L - who played his song 'Battle of the Hawthorn Trees'.
Joining Bobby in the Executive Chair is Maria Dickenson, Managing Director of Dubray Books.
Described as “Dublin’s best museum experience” the Little Museum of Dublin has twice been voted the number one museum in Ireland on TripAdvisor. It’s just a stone’s throw away from the Three Store where Bobby and the team were broadcasting from this week - to discuss the importance of preserving the social, cultural, and political heritage of the city, Bobby is joined by Trevor White, Director of The Little Museum of Dublin.
Bobby and the team were broadcasting from the Three Store on Grafton Street this week, a street that is integral to shopping in Dublin, and home to some of the biggest brands in the world along with thriving independent offerings. But is Grafton Street a good place to do business and what lies in store for its future? Joining Bobby to discuss is:
- Paddy Sheary, Owner of Patrick Sheary Menswear
- Eddie Shanahan, Retail Consultant
- Sharon Yourell Lawlor, MD of Think Plan Do Consulting
- Severin Plassat, Head of Group Operations Weir & Sons
Broadcasting live from the Three Store on Grafton Street this Saturday to celebrate their 'Grants for Small Businesses' Programme, Bobby chats with Padraig Sheerin, Head of SME at Three as well as two of last year's winners of the grant - Megan White, the founder of Runsafe, and Aidan Morgan, founder of A.M Hurley’s & Sports.
Ireland got their Rugby World Cup off to a solid start with a 82-8 win over Romania in Bordeaux last week.
They now face Tonga who play their first game in this tournament this weekend.
Joining Bobby to preview what is a potential banana skin for us is former Leinster and Ireland player, Shane Byrne.
Joining Bobby to take a look at the business stories hitting the headlines is Susan Hayes-Culleton of Hayes Culleton aka the "Positive Economist" and Conor Faughnan, CEO of the RIAC.
Joining Bobby in the Executive Chair this week is Mary Considine, CEO of The Shannon Airport Group.
We may be known as the emerald isle but Mark O’Byrne has made it his professional life to learn as much as possible about another precious commodity - that of gold.
Back in 2003, he founded GoldCore, eventually going on to make it Ireland’s largest gold broker and storage provider.
But he’s moved on from that now, and Bobby took a trip to his offices on Harcourt Street in Dublin to find out all about it.
Providing education, care, love, and some respite from our children, creches in Ireland come in various forms from family-run to businesses with multiple locations.
But how has the sector changed and what pressures are creche owners facing?
Joining Bobby to discuss is:
- Paula Donoghue, Owner of Clever Clogs in Cavan and National Secretary of the Association of Childhood Professionals.
- John Bowman, Owner of Bel Childcare in Cork
- Karen Clince, CEO Of Tigers Childcare and the Chairperson of Fingal County Childcare Committee
With the government telling the Fiscal Advisory Council thanks, but no thanks, Bobby chats to economist, Dan O’Brien, about managing finances and public opinion.
Headwinds associated with COVID-19, Brexit, and the Ukrainian invasion have heavily impacted the healthcare sector in Ireland. In the face of these issues, private operators continue to face challenges in the delivery of services within Ireland, and joining Bobby to discuss this is Grainne Henson, Head of Health Sector with Bank of Ireland
Later today Ireland will take to the pitch in Bordeaux to face Romania in their first game of the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
It’s a World Cup which holds a lot of hope and expectation for us and so to preview the clash, Bobby is joined by Will O’Callaghan from Off the Ball.
Joining Bobby to take a look at the business stories hitting the headlines is journalist and author, Valerie Cox and Doug Keatinge, Head of Communications at Avalon.
Patrice Gordon author of ‘Reverse Mentoring’ explains her process for removing barriers and building belonging in the workplace.
In this weeks industry review we take to a look inside the world of a solicitor, joining Bobby was Keith Walsh, Vanessa Byrne and Michael Smith.
Joining Bobby to talk about his book and the process of ‘Simple Scaling’ was author Brendan McGurgan.
This week Bobby paid a visit to the team at Kube Kitchens to get a better understanding of the latest trends in kitchens.
Joining Bobby to chart the rise of non alcoholic beer was Lucky Saint founder Luke Boase and Quincey Fennelly MD of Wicklow Wolf Brewery.
Economist and professor Stephen Kinsella joined Bobby to explain why the economy is good but only for some of us.
Joining Bobby in the Executive Chair is Rory Fitzgerald, General Manager of National Express Ireland.
The third Happy Out café in the Dun Laoghaire Baths building has partnered up with the Together Academy.
The Together Academy is a unique social enterprise in Dublin that provides young adults with Down syndrome certified training, practical work experience, employment opportunities, and a critical social and support network.Bobby took a trip out there to find out all about this unique enterprise.
With many pubs across the country closing their doors for good, Bobby was joined by publican Fergus Murphy and
Padraig Cribben from the VFI to investigate what happened to one of Ireland’s staple businesses.
Joining Bobby ahead of the Dalkey Lobster Festival was Hal Dawson, the worshipful fishmonger.
Newspapers and media platforms give people an insight into what is going on across the country and the world, and if it wasn’t for the writers and columnists of these outlets, we wouldn’t be kept up to date with ongoing news and current affairs.
Joining Bobby to discuss what it is like to be a writer for media platforms is:
- Columnist with The Irish Independent, Ian O’ Doherty
- Columnist with The Sunday Times, and The Daily Mail, Brenda Power
- Writer, and Commentator, Liam Collins.
Joining Bobby to take a look at the business stories hitting the headlines is Lousia Meehan the owner of Woodview HRM and also Stephen O’Leary the CEO and Founder of Olytico
Over the course of four days, Herbert Park in Dublin will host a line-up of chefs and barbecue experts from all over the world giving live demos and festival-goers the chance to sample some incredible food at this year’s Big Grill Festival.
Bobby took a stroll around to meet a few of those chefs.
Cherished for their age, beauty, rarity, and condition - antiques represent many things to different people but they also form a huge part of our shared history and heritage and act as a reminder of our rich and storied past.
So for this week’s Industry Review, Bobby peers back into that past by looking at the health of the antique dealers and business owners operating in Ireland right now.
Joining Bobby is:
- Garret Weldon, President of The Irish Antique Dealers Association and Owner of Weldon’s Jewellery in Dublin
- Rody Keighery, of RJ Keighery Antiques in Waterford
- Alyce Ketcher, Head of Fine Jewellry & Gemologist at Courtville
Economists are a different bunch in comparison to politicians as they seemingly delight in not having to sugarcoat any bitter pills they might ask us to swallow. Cormac Lucey certainly fits the bill in that regard when he suggested last week we should actually raise the property tax. Cormac joins Bobby to discuss.
Creating a presentation that is engaging and effective is easier said than done.
Bobby is joined by Dave ‘Fishy’ Fish, pilot extraordinaire and author of 'What it Takes to Create Winning Presentations' to find out how we can improve our presentation skills and how you bring your audience into your story.
In the executive chair this week is Jackie King, the Executive Director at Ibec Global.
This week there was a serious breach when members of the PSNI had their data breached. It serves as a stark reminder of the perils posed by cyber risks in an increasingly digital world. Mandy is joined by Dr Michael Nizich, Professor of Computer Science and Cybersecurity at New York Institute of Technology, and author of The Cybersecurity Workforce of Tomorrow to find out how we are preparing people to enter the cyber attack workforce.
Mandy Johnston fills in for Bobby this week, and to look at the top business stories of the day is Emily Hourican, Author and Journalist, and Ciaran Hancock, Business Editor at The Irish Times.
Laura Moriarty, Group Operations Director at Moriarty Group and Chair of the Licensed Vintners Association talks to Mandy about Dublin City Council's recruitment campaign for a nighttime economy tsar.
This week's Industry Review takes a look inside media photography in Ireland. Joining Mandy is Lorraine Teevan - freelance photographer, Mark Condren with the Irish Independent, and Mark Maxwell - Director of Maxwell News Agency.
Average interest rates attached to new home loans has risen to the highest level in almost a decade. Joining Mandy to discuss is Joey Sheean, The Mortgage Coach, and Sean Canney, Independent TD for Galway East.
Ronan Murphy, Founder & Executive Chairman of Smarttech247 is in the hot seat this week!
Joining Bobby is Scott Davis, an adventurer, tech founder, and author, shares his unconventional approach to finding balance, beauty, and meaning in life in his thought-provoking book "Surf the Seesaw: Unconventional Essays on Balance, Beauty, and Meaning in Life."
Bobby is sampling what the craft brewing industry in Ireland has to offer. He is joined by three people who are in various stages of their companies: Francis O’Flagherty - Owner and Founder of Connemara Brewing Company, Barbara-Anne McCabe – Co-Founder of Bridewell Brewery, and Cuilane Lochnane – Brewer and Owner of Whitefield Brewery.
120,000 visitors, 1,600 horses competing in over 168 classes and competitions – I'm out and about at the RDS ahead of the Dublin Horse Show.
Joining Bobby is Tom Parlon, the Construction Industry Federation’s Director General, who has seen his fair share of scraps, recessions, pandemics, and more besides. But after 16 years of helping the sector to navigate the good times and the bad, he has finally decided to hang up his boots.
Joining Bobby to take a look at the business stories hitting the headlines is Ken Murphy, former director of the Law Society of Ireland and Valerie Cox, Journalist and Author.
X has arrived, Spotify has hiked its prices and TikTok has moved into texting. Our resident Tech guru, Andy O’Donoughue joins Bobby to make sense of it all.
Do you know the difference between the left and the right sides of your brain? Yda Bouvier wants us to engage our right side of the brain more in our work lives, particularly if we manage a diverse team. Bouvier is a coach with 25 years experience and her new book, Leading with your Right Brain is just published.
Bobby was out and about at An Post’s Parcel Hub to take a look at what goes on there, to hear about some of the trends of what’s being sent through An Post, and just how much online shopping we’re doing. Joining Bobby is Garrett Bridgeman, Managing Director, An Post Commerce.
Trees provide us with many benefits in terms of improving air quality, and their visual impact, as well as simply being an integral part of the delicate ecosystems we have here in Ireland.
But managing them can be tricky and making sure they are safe for our communities, essential.
Joining Bobby to discuss the area of tree surgery is:
- Wesley Monaghan of W. Monaghan’s Tree Services
- Paddy Lyne, Abatis Tree Services
Joining Bobby to take a look at the business stories hitting the headlines is Caroline Reidy of the HR Suite, and also Jon Ihle who is Deputy Business Editor at the Sunday Times Ireland.
To wrap up what has been a fantastic experience broadcasting live from Reginald's Tower in Waterford City, Bobby is joined by singer-songwriter, Ryland Teifi.
Bobby is joined by two of the biggest foodies from the Waterford area - Tom Doorley, food writer and former judge on 'The Restaurant' and Michael Kelly of 'Grow It Yourself'.
Bobby is joined by some Waterford Businesses that could certainly be considered institutions at this stage - Johnny Flahavan of Flahavan’s; Kevin Jepsen of Ardkeen Quality Food Store; Elaine Power of East Pier; and Liam McDonnell of Legacy Craft Cider.
Bobby is joined by three people who know Waterford inside out - Clare Barrett, the Commercial Manager of House of Waterford; Jim Power, Economist and Waterford Native; and Paul Nolan, President of the Waterford Chamber.
While down in Waterford City as part of The Newstalk Summer Tour, Bobby paid a visit to The Irish Museum of Time.
A visit to Waterford wouldn’t be complete without a chat with Paul Flynn of The Tannery. This Dungarvan institution is a must-visit for anybody who knows their food and for more than 26 years, Paul has been at the helm.
He joins Bobby to chat about how things are going and how things have changed.
Joining Bobby in Reginald’s Tower in Waterford City as part of The Newstalk Summer Tour to take a look at the stories that are making an impact on the front pages and the business pages of today’s papers is Dermot Keyes, PR & Communications Manager with Green Acre Marketing and Brian Nolan, Head of Communications with Sanofi.
Irish economic growth is still looking relatively strong but with multinational activity slowing, it can be hard to see the wood through the trees when it comes to making an accurate assessment of where the Irish economy stands in real terms. Joining Bobby to help demystify all of this is John Fitzgerald, Adjunct Professor in the Department of Economics at Trinity College Dublin.
Darren Ashby believes a sense of mission is crucial for any company to succeed.
He is the co-author of 'Every Team Actually Doing Business Better' and he’s also Chief Impact officer of Businessfourzero.
He joins Bobby to discuss the importance of having a mission in business.
Joining Bobby to take a look at the stories that are making an impact on the front pages and the business pages of today’s papers is Norah Casey and Conor Faughnan.
This weekend a festival with a difference is taking place at Palmerstown House Estate, Kildare.
'Forever Young Festival' delights in taking us back to the 80’s with a lineup including legends such as Squeeze, Bananarama, Erasure, Andy Bell, Tony Hadley, and lots more.
But despite the nasty weather, festival founder Sharon Alston is still all smiles.
She joins Bobby to chat about what’s going on and how she came to start this retro music festival.
Solving the housing crisis and achieving targets with regard to the Climate Action Plan and the National Development Plan will require a huge effort on behalf of the construction industry.
But do we have sufficient numbers of qualified graduates coming into the construction & surveying professions and if not, what does the future hold as we seek to address the mistakes of the past?
Joining Bobby to discuss the construction and surveying industry is:
- Noel Larkin of Noel Larkin & Associates Chartered Building Surveyors
- Hubert Fitzpatrick, Director General of the Construction Industry Federation
- Kevin Brady, Director at APNA and Immediate Past Chair of Quantity Surveying Professional Group in the SCSI
Joining Bobby in the Executive Chair this week is the Bank of Ireland's CEO Myles O'Grady.
Bobby goes to Rathcoole to visit Well Cann'd Water where he meets the founders. They tell us of the benefits of storing water in cans.
As part of this week’s industry review, we’re getting some fresh air with a panel of garden designers and landscapers. Here to tell us about the nature of their work is Nicola Haines, Landscape Designer, Mark McDowall, Principal Landscape Architect & Garden Designer at Hoctor Smyth, and Diarmuid Gavin, Celebrity Gardener.
Like it or not, there is sure to be one point in your life when you find yourself standing in front of a crowd, being asked to say a few words. It could be a wedding speech, a work presentation or a retirement toast. A big fear for many! Here to give us some tips to help you speak in public like a pro, is Anthony Garvey- the reigning UK Public Speaking Champion from Toastmasters International.
There is a growing call to grant Drogheda city status. Conor Skehan who is a Sunday Independent columnist and former lecturer in planning at TUI Dublin has long been a proponent of this campaign and maintains that it points to the future of urban planning in Ireland. He joins Bobby to share his thoughts.
Joining Bobby to take a look at the stories that are making an impact on the front pages & the business pages of today’s papers is Bob Hoffman of Vista Executive Search, and Susan Hayes Culleton of Hayes Culleton.
Joining Bobby in the Executive Chair is the CEO of Bord Iascaigh Mhara, Caroline Bocquel.
FoodCloud is a social enterprise with a vision for a world where no good food goes to waste.
Bobby took a trip out to Tallaght to the 'FoodCloud Kitchen' to chat with co-founder, Aoibheann O'Brien to find out more about the business.
Earlier in the week The Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) downgraded substantially its outlook for growth in Gross Domestic Product terms for the Irish economy, but it said the underlying position of the economy is still very strong.
This seems to continue an economic narrative we’ve been observing here for a while where we seem to be told that things are both good and bad at the same time.
To make sense of this all, Bobby is joined by Cliff Taylor of the Irish Times.
You may have seen recently that new legislation on health labeling for alcohol products has been signed into law by Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly.
This got us thinking about the overall state of the off-trade sector and the many numerous obstacles it has had to navigate over the last number of years.
For this week’s Industry Review Bobby is joined by:
- Padraig Sweeney, owner of Sweeney’s D3 Off Licence and Café
- Paul Foley, owner of The Corkscrew in Dublin
- Cathal McHugh, Vice Chairman of NOffLA & owner of McHugh's Off Licences
Dominic Ashley-Timms believes that every moment is a coaching moment and if we understand that, our businesses will thrive, and our employees will engage much better.
Dominic co-created the STAR manager programme and is also the author of ‘The Answer is a Question: The Missing Superpower that Changes Everything and Will Transform Your Impact as a Manager and Leader' - he joins Bobby to discuss.
Joining Bobby to take a look at the stories that are making an impact on the front pages & the business pages of today’s papers is Louisa Meehan of Woodview HRM and also by Joe Brennan who is Markets Correspondent with the Irish Times.
Singer-songwriter, Albert Niland closed out a great live broadcast from the Hunt Museum with his song 'Letter to the Hills Of England'.
Bobby was out & about at the newly opened International Rugby Experience in Limerick city which has not only won over the hearts of Limerick natives but the building in which it is housed has also been crowned Ireland's favourite building for 2023.
Down to Business was broadcasting live in the Hunt Museum in Limerick as part of Newstalk’s Summer tour and in preparation did a survey with listeners on who they would like to hear from on the show. Karl Spain was the clear winner and so he joined Bobby for a chat about his life and career in the comedy world.
Joining Bobby from the Hunt Museum is Ireland and Munster rugby legend, Marcus Horan to talk Munster rugby, Limerick city, and more.
Continuing his exploration of some of the most well-known Limerick-based businesses Bobby is joined by:
- Dr. James Ring, CEO of global management consultancy Ingenium
- Gillian Horan, CEO & founder of branding agency, The Pudding
- Donal Galligan, CEO Takumi Precision Engineering
Bobby is joined by some Limerick Businesses that can be rightly described as institutions for the city and the wider community.
- Mick Dolan of Dolans Warehouse
- David Fitzgerald, General Manager of Limerick Milk Market ·
- Frank & Stephen O'Mahony of O'Mahony's Booksellers
Joining Bobby in The Hunt Museum is model agent and TV presenter, Celia Holman-Lee where they discuss what Limerick means to her and her life and times in the modelling industry.
Joining Bobby to take a look at the stories that are making an impact on the front & business pages of today’s papers is Nick Rabbitts, Business Reporter with the Limerick Leader & Adam Leahy, News Editor with the Limerick Post.
Joining Bobby in the Executive Chair this week is Tom Finn, CEO of Sliver Stream Health Care Group.
Antionette Oglethorpe has a lifetime’s experience in training, career development, and coaching. This spans from her time in Accenture right up to founding her own training and coaching company which has been running since 2012.
This week also saw the publication of her new book 'Confident Career Conversations: Empower Your Employees for Career Growth and Retention'.
She joins Bobby to discuss.
Ice-cream makers must be booming right now with the sun splitting the stones and the people getting out and about to make the most of the warm weather.
For this week’s industry review, Bobby is joined by three ice cream makers to give us a sense of how things have been going for them:
- Yasmin Kahn, Director of Teddys Ice Cream
- Sean Murphy, co-owner of Murphy’s Ice Cream
- David Kiersey, co-owner of Freezin’ Friesian
As we heard this week, Boris Johnston was found to have misled parliament over lockdown parties, a claim that he strenuously denies. It seems all year long we constantly hear of problems with Boris and indeed the wider conservative party.
But what effect, if any, does all this have on the UK economy?
Bobby is joined by David Smith, economist with the Sunday Times.
Joining Bobby to take a look at the stories that are making an impact on the front pages & the business pages of today’s papers is Joan Mulvihill who is the Digitization Lead at Siemens and Lorcan Allen who is Business Editor with the Business Post.
This week Bobby was out & about at Newbridge Silverware where he got the opportunity to take a look behind the scenes at how one of Ireland's longest-established indigenous businesses operates.
On Tuesday the PGA Tour agreed to merge with rival LIV Golf, which is backed by the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund in a move that surprised almost everyone.
So what does this merger mean for the sport of golf and more importantly the business of golf, Bobby was joined by Roddy Carr, former Irish International Golfer and Ian Mallon Sports Business Reporter and Reporter.
A recent article in the New York Times described Ireland’s fishing industry as a ‘death by a thousand cuts’ but is that the case? If so, is there really a future for Ireland’s fishing industry?
Joining Bobby to look at the industry is:
· Brendan Byrne, CEO of the Irish Fish Processors and Exporters Association) · Jason Sheehan, Co-owner of Sheehan's Fishing Company Ltd · Martin Shannahan, Owner of Fishy Fishy
Bobby is joined by Emily Cosgrove, co-founder of Conversation Space who along with her business partner, Sara Hope, has just authored a book entitled 'Conversational Wisdom: Strengthening Human Connection through the Power of Conversation'.
This week Bobby visited The Rage a shop in the heart of Temple Bar that sellssecond hand games and records. He got a tour from the shop's owner, Ronan Boland.
To take a look at the stories that are making an impact on the front pages & the business pages of today’s papers Bobby was joined by Linda Daly, business reporter with the Sunday Times and Ian Curran business reporter with the Irish Times.
Bees are an irreplaceable part of the biodiversity on which we all depend for our survival and beekeeping also provides an important source of income for rural livelihoods. So, for this week’s Industry Review, Bobby wanted to find out more about the business of beekeeping and the rewards we can reap from protecting these incredible creatures. Joining Bobby was: - Ken Norton of the Federation of Irish Beekeepers Associations - Hanna Backmo of Hanna’s Bees in Cork - Beekeeper, Stuart Hayes
In the summer of 2021, Chris Kane found himself publishing the first edition of a book called Where Is My Office? It was a time when working from home was compulsory for all. Offices were empty. Two years on from that, Chris has just published the post-pandemic edition of the book. So has our view of ‘what is an office’ fundamentally changed in three years?
We heard this week that the unemployment rate has hit its lowest level since records began. We’re have surplus tax receipts and yet people can’t afford houses and petrol is going up again. To make sense of the seeming contradictions in the Irish Economic picture Bobby was joined by renowned economist Dan O’Brien.
Now in supermarkets up and down the country, you will undoubtedly find a plethora of meat alternatives, and with good reason. It’s a growing market and one that is appealing to more and more people who wouldn’t even consider themselves vegetarian or vegan. Richard Sharp & Shane O'Connor, Co-Founders of Seriously Sound Food Co joined Bobby now to talk about their wildly successful company…
To take a look at the stories that are making an impact on the front pages & the business pages of today’s papers Bobby was joined by Writer and Journalist Valerie Cox and Deputy Business Editor with the Irish Independent Jon Ihle
Joining Bobby in the hot seat this week is Paul Murphy, the managing director of AVCOM. They chat about the early days of the audio-visual market in Ireland, as well as Paul's encounter with Nelson Mandela.
Bobby tackles the buzz surrounding artificial intelligence (AI) and its potential impact on our work and the economy. Joining us for this enlightening discussion are economist Cormac Lucey and our resident tech guru, Andy O'Donoghue. They bring their expertise to the table as they delve into the implications of technology on our economy.
Joining Bobby is the hilarious and versatile Neil Mularkey. From sharing the screen with Mike Myers in Austin Powers movies to appearing in various UK comedy shows, Neil has made a name for himself in the comedy world. But there's more to him than just laughs—Neil is also a highly sought-after training consultant for prestigious businesses like the BBC, The Body Shop, and Proctor and Gamble. Get ready to discover his unique blend of humor and expertise as we discuss his upcoming book, "In The Moment," which is set to be released next week.
Bobby has the privilege of speaking with Will Beckett, the co-founder of Hawksmoor, one of the world's most admired restaurant chains coming to Ireland. Join Bobby as he dives into the fascinating journey of Hawksmoor, exploring its rise to success and the secrets behind its acclaimed status.
Bobby has the pleasure of speaking with three knowledgeable business owners who run their own garden centres. Joining him are Rachel Doyle, the Founder of Arboretum, Carl Jones from Jones' Garden Centre in Donabate, and David Maher from Solas of Portarlington. Each has their own unique business, and they share their experiences and expertise in the garden centre business.
Joining Bobby to discuss the latest news stories is Gina London, a Sunday Independent columnist, and Declan Ralph, the Retail Development Director at BWG Foods. They join Bobby to provide expert insights and analysis on the top business stories.
This week Colin MacDonald of Fine Grain Property takes a seat in the executive chair, having spend 30 years in Singapore.
Bobby talks to Frank O’Keeffe, the Managing Partner of EY Ireland about the week in Singapore
This week Bobby is broadcasting from Singapore as he attends the 'EY Entrepreneur of the Year Annual CEO Retreat' and speaks to some of the most interesting voices also in attendance. In this hour Bobby was joined by:- A panel discussion on social media: - Lorraine Heskin of Gourmet Food Parlour - Caroline Dunlea from Core Optimisation - Fiona Parfrey from Riley- Deepak Shandapuri Managing Director, Dsg Consumer Partners - Frank O’Keeffe The Managing Partner of EY Ireland- In the Executive Chair: Colin MacDonald Chief Executive At Fine Grain
Bobby talks to Deepak Shandapuri about his theory of investing and the growth of wine in India.
Bobby talks to two finalists and one alumni about the use of social media in their business. Joining him is Lorraine Heskin of Gourmet Food Parlour, Caroline Dunlea from Core Optimisation and Fiona Parfrey from Riley.
Raffles Hotels & Resorts is a Singaporean chain of luxury hotels which traces its roots to 1887. Bobby explores the legacy of the hotel while he visits the EY Entrepreneur of the Year Annual CEO Retreat.
Bobby chats to the Irishman now presenting on Bloomberg in Singapore. Cudmore talks about moving from Ireland to Singapore.
Karen Leong of Influence solutions joins bobby to discuss what culture is all about. Leong is an influence thought leader and sought-after international keynote speaker. A TEDx speaker, and the author of the book ‘Win People Over’, she was featured as one of the ten influential professional speakers in Singapore by the Singapore Business Review. Karen is also the creator of the online Influencing Styles Profiling Tool, used by thousands of executives in over 13 countries.
This week we have an exciting food panel with Ger Killian from the Lunch Bag, Michael McCambridge from McCambridges and Tom Keogh of Keogh’s crisps- all three who are this year’s finalists in the EY Entrepreneur of the Year in Singapore.
While in Singapore for the EY Entrepreneur of the Year Annual CEO Retreat, Bobby meets with Dr Claudia Zeisberger. She discusses the importance of demographics and how they can affect your business.
Bobby talks to Kevin Ryan of Enterprise Ireland about why Singapore can be a gateway for Irish Businesses.
This week Bobby is broadcasting from Singapore as he attends the 'EY Entrepreneur of the Year Annual CEO Retreat' and speaks to some of the most interesting voices also in attendance. In this hour Bobby was joined by:- Kevin Ryan of Enterprise Ireland- Claudia Zeisberger Senior Affiliate Professor Of Entrepreneurship & Family Enterprise At InSea- A panel discussion about the food industry with: - Ger Killian from the Lunch Bag, - Michael McCambridge from McCambridges - Tom Keogh of Keogh’s crisps- Karen Leong of Influence solutions- Mark Cudmore of Bloomberg
This week Bobby was went to the IMAGE PWC Business Woman of the Year Awards. He was joined by Melanie Morris, group contributing editor of IMAGE media and he also spoke to some of the winners.
In this week’s Industry Review Bobby turns to Summer Camps!Bobby was joined by, Tracey Jane Cassidy, owner of Junior Einstein’s Science Club, Mark Kelly, owner of The School of Irish Archaeology and Evan Holton, Principals of Dublin Stage School.
Malene Rydahl joined Bobby to talk about why we should all be a bit more Danish…Malene Rydahl is a Senior Advisor at Boston Consulting Group specialized in well-being and performance in companies. she is author of the best-selling “Happy as a Dane”, published worldwide in more than 12 languages.Malene Rydahl presents the keys to Danish leadership based on three essential values: trust, empathy and purpose .
This week Bobby went to KC Peaches in Dublin city centre to meet Sophie Trueman, Too Good To Go’s Country Director for the UK and Ireland.Too Good To Go is the world's largest marketplace for surplus food that lets customers rescue unsold food from retailers and restaurants so that it doesn't go to waste.
Bobby is joined by Susan Hayes Culleton of Hayes Culleton and the Positive Economist and also by Ken Murphy the former Director General of the Law Society to discuss the stories making the headlines.
Bobby is joined by transport commentator, Conor Faughnan & Business Woman, Nora Casey to discuss the stories making the headlines.
For any business to perform optimally it relies on its documents and information being available easily, quickly, and securely.But doing so is easier said than done.Nik Healy, Solutions Director with Convergent spoke to Bobby ahead of ‘Grow with the Flow - The Future of Document & Information Management’ seminar taking place on Tuesday, 16th, Wednesday 17th & Thursday, May 18th
Pat Dawson, Former CEO of the Irish Travel Agents Association speaks to Bobby about his decision to retire.
According to the latest reports, 86% of community managers from 508 different companies said that community was critical to their company’s mission and future.But what are these virtual communities, and what will the impact be on businesses that fail to grow their own actually be?Amber Atherton is a British entrepreneur who is currently the Head of Strategic Communities at Discord & author of ‘The Rise of Virtual Communities: In Conversation with Virtual World Pioneers’ and she spoke to Bobby on the show.
While Ireland has developed into an international tech hub in recent years, we still have our fair share of artisans and craftspeople, plying their trade and honing their skills with tangible pieces of glass, ceramic, and wood.For this week’s Industry Review Bobby spoke to three people who embody that spirit, Tony Hayes, glassmaker & co-owner of The Irish Handmade Glass Company, Rosemarie Durr of Rosemarie Durr Pottery in Castlecomer, Kilkenny & Thomas O’Loughlin MD of The Wood Factory
Bobby spoke to Tom Dolan about his attempt to break the record for sailing around Ireland.
Should managers have a creative side, and what can they learn from the likes of Pixar, LEGO, Disney and Friends? Bobby is joined by Adam Kingl, the author of Sparkling Success.
Bobby puts his cup of tea aside to talk coffee with Declan Kinsella of Creed Coffee Roasters in Cellbridge, Peter Sztal of Cloud Picker and Ruslan Mocharskyy from The Art of Coffee.
Bobby learns about the domestic Irish tourist market from Paul Kelly Failte Ireland CEO, and Dick Ridge of Pod Umna Camping.
Chef John Relihan joins Bobby today to dispel your fears about cooking on an open-fire as BBQ season is just around the corner!
Trish Long, Vice President and General Manager of The Walk Disney Company Ltd, Ireland joins Bobby to discuss how the Make-A-Wish charity has changed many children's lives.
Joining Bobby to recap the biggest business stories of the day is Samantha McCaughern the Business Editor of the Sunday Independent, and Stephen O'Leary, the founder of Olytico.
Joining Bobby to recap the biggest business stories of the day is Linda Daly, Business Report with the Sunday Times & Bob Hoffman of Vista Executive Search.
The news of a budget surplus this week was greeted with much hope and enthusiasm about where we could deploy this money. To help Bobby make sense of what this means for the economy and where best to use this surplus is finance lecturer and economics columnist with the Sunday Times, Cormac Lucey.
Joining Bobby in the Executive Chair is Collette Gleeson, Managing Director at Comfort Keepers Ireland
For this week's Industry Review, Bobby was joined by a panel of experts to discuss how the interior design sector is faring is: - Jo Linehan, Sustainability Journalist, consultant & founder Gaff Interiors - Eva Byrne, Architect who specialises in House Consultations - Monica Daly of Lighthouse Interiors
This week Bobby headed to County Clare's Milk Vending Machine, operated by Moo'ghna Milk, a business co-owned by John Vaughan and his wife.
Solitaire Townsend is the co-founder and chief solutionist of 'Futerra', who just won sustainability agency of 2023 from EDIE last week and she is also the author of a new business book called 'The Solutionists: How Businesses Can Fix the Future' - a handbook to becoming the type of business leader the world needs. She joins Bobby to discuss.
If you have attended performances from the likes of Tommy Tiernan, Dave Chappelle, or Bob Dylan you will be familiar with 'Yondr', a US-based technology firm specializing in creating phone-free experiences. Sarah Leader joins Bobby to explain a little more about the company,
Now this weeks saw the announcement of the 24 finalists in this year’s EY Entrepreneur of the Year Awards. This show has a long association with the programme, to talk about the awards Bobby was delighted to be joined by:· Louella Morton, Co-Founder & Co-CEO at TestReach · David Beggs of Pure Pharmacy · Roger Wallace, Partner Lead for the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™ programme
Now they are everywhere you go, staring at you everywhere you look. Adverts, and the mystical world of advertising has been fascinating, enthralling and sometimes even enraging audiences since the 16th century but just what goes into making a truly great ad? To answer that and so much more Bobby was joined by 3 of the industry’s brightest minds: · Charley Stoney, Chief Executive of IAPI(Institute of advertising practitioners in Ireland) · Vaunnie McDermott, Managing Director of Connelly Partners Dublin · Fiona Field, Managing Director of OMD Ireland
Revolut has listened to its users and upgraded its app to allow people to open joint accounts. This is just one of many new developments the online bank has introduced over the last few months joining Bobby to give his opinion was Charlie Weston, Irish Independent Personal Finance Editor.
For this week's out and about Bobby visited the Saint Tola Goat's Cheese Farm in Clare.
Joining Bobby to recap the biggest business stories of the day was: Gina London, CEO of Language of Leadership and Ciaran Hancock, Business Editor of the Irish Times.
In this week's report, Bobby visits a luxury handbag store with a twist. Paddy Coughlan of Designer Exchange on Exchequer St shows bobby around and explains the value of investing in pre-owned designer handbags.
This week Bobby was joined in the executive chair by Dermot Usher, the former CEO of SONAS Bathrooms and now owner of Cork City FC.
Tech journalist Andy O'Donoghue fills me in on the industry of space tourism, and how it's a good story for Ireland.
Mentalist Keith Barry chats to Bobby about the power of suggestion and the subconscious when it comes to business.
While you might not recognise James Burstall but you would have been glued to some of the big TV shows his production company has produced. From The Masked Singer to Wurzel Gummidge, his company Argonon productions has been behind them all. He is also a writer and a thinker. His latest book, The Flexible Method: Prepare To Prosper In The Next Global Crisis, draws on our experience of living through the pandemic and offers companies suggestions on how to prepare for the next big shock
Joan and Lorcan join bobby to discuss the biggest business stories to hit the headlines this weekend.
Now many of us are guilty of having a sweet tooth, so many in fact that the global chocolate market is valued at over $100 billion. Joining Bobby to discuss the many facets of the chocolate business is:· Simon O'Keeffe, Head of Sales of Lir Chocolates· Aisling Walsh, Marketing Director, Butlers Chocolates· Mary Healy, Director & Co-Owner of The Chocolate Garden
Since hanging up his Leinster, Ireland, and Lions jerseys, Jamie Heaslip has knuckled down and completed a Masters in Business and championed startups, particularly in the tech area.He joins Bobby to discuss his latest venture 'Limbo' and to chat about adjusting to life after professional sport.
In recent weeks we have been reading a lot about a potential economic collapse but if the most recent data is to be believed, the bleakest of potential future scenarios is likely to be averted.Joining Bobby to discuss the state of the Irish economic landscape is economist, Jim Power.
The importance of the Agrifood sector in Ireland cannot be overstated. It’s Ireland’s largest and oldest indigenous industry, employing 14% of the workforce in rural Ireland. But how have our farmers been faring over the past couple of years and what challenges lie ahead for the farming & the Agri sector as a whole as we strive to move to greener pastures? Eoin Lowry, Head of Agriculture at Bank of Ireland joins Bobby to discuss.
Joining Bobby to take a look at some of the big business stories that are making the news this morning is Ciara McDonagh of Healy Communications & Ian Curran, business reporter with the Irish Times.
Sean Magee is a singer-songwriter from Fermanagh and is now a well-established musician and performer in his own right, playing a wide mix of styles with tonnes of energy.He joins Bobby for a chat and a singsong.
Bobby takes a look at some of the businesses that call Enniskillen home.He is joined by Sarah McHugh, Museum and Heritage Manager at Enniskillen Castle, Noelle McAloon of Enniskillen BID, Genny Brown of Yoga Ocean, and also Joe McGirr of the Boatyard Distillery.
Friend of the show and one of Ireland's most well-renowned and beloved chefs, Neven Maguire, took time out of his busy schedule to come up from Cavan - where he runs his award-winning 'MacNean House & Restaurant' - to chat to Bobby about how he is getting on as well as his relationship with the wonderful town of Enniskillen.
To get a better sense of Enniskillen as a town and a place to do business Bobby was joined on a walking tour by local entrepreneur and founder of 'Enniskillen Taste Experience', Mark Adams.
Bobby takes to the water with Barry Flanagan an architect turned tour guide who is the owner of Erne Water Taxi.
Joining Bobby to discuss the biggest business stories of the day was Caroline Reidy of the HR Suite and Doug Keating of Avalon.
Joining Bobby in the Executive Chair this week is Connor Heaney, MD and Co-Founder of CXC Global.
Jeweller, Paul Sheeran - the man behind the opening of six luxury watch ‘boutiques’ on the ground floor of the new Chatham & King development off Grafton Street - welcomed Bobby to show him around the new retail offering in Dublin city center and to chat about his beginnings in the industry.
For some they are a place of solitude, for others a world of the mythic and the mythical, somewhere to let your imagination run wild but for everyone, a museum can offer a little slice of heaven. To discuss the trials and tribulations of running a museum Bobby is joined by: - Gill Cousins, Director of The Hunt Museum - Tom O'Rahilly, Director of The Leprechaun Museum - Catherine Toolan, Managing Director of Diageo Irish Brand Homes / The Guinness Storehouse
As a nation we always seem to punch well above our weight and that was no different this week when it was announced that six Irish business people were named in Forbes 30 Under 30 Europe list. One man who can take at least a little credit for the success of the next generation of Irish entrepreneurs is co-founder of the ‘Junior Entrepreneur Programme’, Jerry Kennelly. Jerry has spent the last 13 years turning the classroom into the boardroom helping over 100,000 Irish children start businesses - he joins Bobby to discuss.
For any leader, be it in the field of business, the military, or any professional organization, knowing how to lead and what style will work best for you and your team can often be the biggest hurdle. Neil Jurd is a global expert in leadership development and author of ‘The Leadership Book’ - he joins Bobby to discuss.
It's St Patrick’s Day weekend, Johnny Sexton going for the all-time record of points scored in the championship, his last home game, and last 6 Nations game, and the team is vying for a first-ever Grand Slam decider in Dublin - it couldn’t get any bigger than this.Ireland will be lining out against England later on today and the eyes of the nation will be watching.Ireland and Munster Rugby Legend, Marcus Horan joins Bobby to discuss.
Joining Bobby to discuss the biggest business stories of the day was the positive economist Susan Hayes Culleton and Irish Examiner columnist Ian Mallon.
This week Bobby was joined by three industry experts to disect the trials and tribulations of running a museum or archive experience. Joining Bobby was Gill Cousins, Director of The Hunt Museum in Limerick, Tom O'Rahilly, Director of The Leprachaun Museum and Catherine Toolan, Managing Director of Diageo Irish Brand Homes / The Guinness Storehouse.
Just under 30,000 house completions were conducted in 2022 - a figure widely considered to be significantly short of the average level required to meet housing demand, never mind make up for the lack of completions in previous years. And with the recent decision to lift the ban on evictions this week, what exactly can we expect in 2023 and beyond for our beleaguered property market? Joining Bobby is: · Brendan McGee, Managing Director of Franklins in Donegal · Clement Herron of Clement Herron Real Estate, Portlaoise· Louise Kenny, Director of Lisney Sotheby's International Realty based in Dublin
Joining Bobby in the Executive Chair this week is Eoghan Donnellan, General Manager at Nisbets Ireland.
Bobby speaks to Cole Nussbaumer Knaflic, author of 'Storytelling with Data: A Data Visualization Guide for Business Professionals'.Together they discuss how data visualization can help you better communicate through the power of storytelling and the way to make data a pivotal point in your story.
Bobby found himself out & about in Donegal earlier on this week whereupon he took the opportunity to chat with the men and women behind the iconic soft drinks brand 'Football Special'.
The Government is to examine a raft of new measures to try to encourage people to leave their cars at home, of which new charges for cars entering congested urban centres would form a central part.Joining Bobby to discuss this is Cliff Taylor of the Irish Times.
In recent years Ireland has matured immeasurably in relation to its attitudes to mental health and the therapists who help us when we may be struggling.So, for this week’s Industry Review, Bobby wanted to find out a little bit more about the field of psychoanalysis, CBT, and talk therapy as a whole.Joining Bobby is: - Helen Vaughan, Psychotherapist and owner of ‘Maynooth Counselling and Psychotherapy’. - Stella O’Malley, Psychotherapist and author of ‘What Your Teen is Trying to Tell You’. - Enda Murphy, Psychotherapist, Director of SeeMe.ie, and author ‘Five Steps to Happiness’.
Co-ops have been part of history since the 19th century, know throughout the world as a tool for empowering marginalised communities.Matt Noyes has just co-authored 'Cooperatives at Work', a book that seeks to remind us of the power of the Co-op - he joins Bobby to discuss.
Recent figures from Europe and the CSO are shedding more light on the current economic situation. So, as the cloud of uncertainty around the economy begins to disperse it's time to ask what this means for the country, for business, and for your pocket. One man with at least some of those answers is economist Dan O’Brien, he joins Bobby to discuss.
Bobby took a trip out to Galway city to have a chat with chef, JP McMahon about the state of the restaurant sector, how he has bounced back after COVID, and how he strikes the right balance between his personal life and work.
It’s arguably the most exciting sport of all, but for many investors in recent years, it’s the most profitable sport of all. Formula One returns this Sunday in Bahrain with lights out at 3pm, but just how big is the business fueling the sport itself? Joining Bobby to discuss this is sports business columnist and reporter, Ian Mallon.
Joining Bobby in the Executive Chair is John Donoghue, CEO, and Managing Partner of Ifac.
Dr. Ruth Gotian is a New Yorker who has traveled to Ireland to deliver the first two of this year’s IMI Masterclasses.Her specialty is looking at how high achievers keep their level of excellence and her latest book 'The Success Factor: Developing the Mindset and Skillset for Peak Performance' has interviews with a plethora of high achievers ranging from Dr Faucci to Steve Kerr.She joins Bobby to discuss.
The need for toughness in business is undeniable but sometimes it’s hard to know where to get it from. One place many CEOs are now turning to is the US military. Katrina Steady is an ex-US military resilience coach with over two decades of experience in the field who coaches CEOs and business leaders on various performance-enhancing techniques to level up their business game face. She joins Bobby to discuss.
Bobby was out in west Dublin at what has to be one of the oldest businesses in Ireland and no, it's not a pub.Rathbornes have been making luxury, hand-poured candles, and home fragrances since 1488 - quite an astonishing legacy.He was joined by Rathbornes Managing Director Vincent Brady to talk about the company and its incredible longevity.
While for years we were transfixed on the threat COVID posed to the retail sector, in more recent months we have had the cost-of-living crisis to deal with.But while consumers are being forced to make some stark decisions about where to spend their money, so far the retail sales data indicates spending remains high.Joining Bobby to discuss this and what we might do to attract the investment our towns and cities need right now is Neil Bannon, Executive Chairman of Commercial Property Consultancy firm 'Bannon'.
'As I Remember It: Bertie Ahern & the Good Friday Agreement' is a new podcast that tells the story of the Good Friday Agreement as told by those who negotiated it and marks the first time all those involved have reunited to reflect on the negotiations in 25 years. Head to newstalk.com/goodfridayagreement.
Bobby explores the expanding world of content creation with Lynn Hunter of The Collaborations Agency, content creator and founder of Fia Éadaoin Fitzmaurice, and comedian and actor Michael Fry.
Adrian Cummins, CEO of the Restaurants Association of joins Bobby to discuss the economic report which advocates for the government to extend the reduced 9% VAT Rate until the end of 2025.
Should you mix business with pleasure? Bobby is joined with Niraj Kapur- a LinkedIn Top Voice, LinkedIn Sales Coach and trainer and author of ‘Business Growth: Lessons Learned from Divorce, Dating and Falling In Love’
Ernest Cantilion, owner of ‘Electric’ in Cork City tells Bobby about Valentine's Day in his bar and restaurant. Ernest thinks it's is boring, and couples don't really enjoy it and so he’s decided to do something about it.
Joining Bobby in the Executive Chair this week is Patrick Joy, Founder of Suretank Group.
Writing in last Sunday’s Independent Conor Skehan suggested that Ireland could be run better if we followed the lead of the Irish rugby team.Conor joins Bobby to discuss.
The night-time economy has been on the ropes for a number of years - from pandemics to licensing restrictions, to a cost-of-living crisis. It’s not been easy.So for this week’s Industry Review, to help Bobby get a sense of how our late-night bars and nightclubs are faring, he is joined by: - Sunil Sharpe of Give Us the Night - Ian Redmond of Tramline in Dublin - Robbie Fox, former nightclub owner and veteran of 'Renards' in Dublin
Joining Bobby to discuss the importance of clarity when it comes to your business is Jamie Smart, author of 'Clear mind, Better Performance, Bigger Results'.
Bobby took a trip out to Naas for the launch of this year's Grow with Aldi campaign which is designed to help small and medium producers develop their brand.
The pandemic is over but as we report most weeks here on Down to Business there is still very much a hangover for businesses. John Ihle, the Deputy Business Editor of the Irish Independent, was writing about one recently that may have slipped some companies by. He joins Bobby to discuss.
Joining Bobby in the Executive Chair was Rachel O'Connor Managing Director of GPG (General Paints Group).
Bobby spoke to Dave Warde the owner of JJ Glynn's Hardware and Key cutting store in Westport on their last ever day of business.
Books have been around for thousands of years at this stage, and hopefully, they’ll be around for another few millennia to come. But just as the years have come and gone, so too has the long forecast demise of the bookshop and the physical copies we have on our bookshelves. To get a sense of where we are now with the business of books Bobby is joined by: · Antony Farrell of Lilliput Press · Claudia Carroll, author of more than 18 novels, the latest of which is called ‘The Love Algorithm’ · Aoife Roantree, Manager of Dubray Books Liffey Valley & Chair of Bookselling Ireland
When you open the door and walk into the office, how many versions of you are walking in with you?Can we really separate all the different parts of our lives, and can the stress of any domestic situation be completely ignored at work? Gabriella Braun, the author of 'All That We Are', thinks we must recognise our past as well as our internal emotional lives and how they impact our relationships, even those at work.She joins Bobby to discuss.
The Irish Business Design Challenge is back again with this year’s theme being focused on sustainability.The challenge is open to all micro, small, and medium enterprises in Ireland that have designed sustainable products, services, or strategies that have benefitted their customers, communities, and the environment at large.Bobby is joined by one participant, Zoë Daly, founder of Irish wool brand 'Ériu' to tell him all about it.Find out more at: www.dcci.ie/ibdc-2023
To look at the biggest business stories of the day Bobby was joined by Linda Daly the Sunday Times and Bob Hoffman of Vista Executive Search.
On Monday the IMF forecasted that the only economy to see its economy shrink this year is that of the UK.David Smith, Economics Editor with the Sunday Times took a call from Bobby to discuss.
We are joined by founder of Manna Drone Delivery, Bobby Healy. A talented businessman, he kicked off his career building video games for Nintendo, founded Eland Technologies and built CarTrawler. Since 2018, he’s been building Manna whose mission is to improve the world by making lightning-fast suburban deliveries affordable, green and safe.
A panel of travel agents talk to Bobby about how January 2023 has been strong for their industry, looking at new trends since the pandemic. Customers are willing to spend more on holiday packages, with more people opting for cruises than ever before. Paul Hackett, CEO of ClickandGo.com, John Galligan of John Galligan Travel and Mary McKenna the Managing Director of Tour America all share their opinions.
Anna Eliatamby has just published the new "Decency Journey" series of pocketbooks to help people flourish in their careers and workplaces. These compact and practical books support business owners, managers and leaders who want to make positive changes but are not sure where to start. In each of the books, the reader is provided with evidence-based knowledge and practical solutions that they can easily implement. Not only that but each book succinctly covers a different topic.
Bobby has discussed inflation and possible recessions on the show before, but today he talks to economist Cormac Lucey who thinks we are taking too narrow a view.
A new company arriving in Ireland is BRICK- a way to charge your phone when you’re on the go. Albert di Lucia, an Irish market owner explains to Bobby how venues like bars or restaurants can install the charging banks. Almost the norm for Stockholm residents, di Lucia is confident the company is off to a great start in Ireland.
Roger Wallace, Partner Lead for the EY Entrepreneur of the Year joins Bobby to discuss the launch of this year’s programme.
Joining Emmet Oliver in the Executive Chair is Evelyn Moynihan, CEO of Kilkenny Design.
When it comes to America, businesses and musicians often have the same goal - they both want to break into the US market. Matthew Lee Sawyer, author of 'Make It in America: How International Companies and Entrepreneurs Can Successfully Enter and Scale in U.S. Markets' joins Emmet Oliver to discuss.
As more and more of our personal and professional lives are based online, we are under increasing threat of cyberattack.But what is it like for the people and companies at the coalface of cybersecurity in Ireland right now?Joining Emmet Oliver to discuss is:Raluca Saceanu, Chief Executive Officer at Smarttech247 Kevin O'Loughlin, CEO of NostraDr. Anthony Keane, Head of the School of Informatics and Cybersecurity, TU Dublin
For decades the rise of the robot has been forecasted but now finally that day may be on the horizon - that is thanks in part to Malachy Ryan, Head of Sales for Europe, the Middle East, and Asia at 'Bear Robotics'.He stopped by to discuss the business and to give Emmet Oliver a demonstration of how 'Servi' could revolutionise the hospitality industry.
For many households around the country, food waste ends up in the brown bin.But for many, the smell can be a bit off-putting, so what options exist to get people to put their food waste to good use? 'MyGug' is an anaerobic digester aimed at small food businesses, restaurants, home kitchens, and schools, that turns food waste into renewable energy and fertilizer.Co-founder Fiona Kelleher joins Emmet Oliver to tell him all about it.
Joining Mandy Johnston is John Mullins, Associate Professor of Management Practice in Marketing and Entrepreneurship at London Business School and author of 'Break the Rules: The Six Counter-Conventional Mindsets of Entrepreneurs That Can Help Anyone Change the World'.
Joining Mandy Johnston in the Executive Chair today is Stephen Leddy, MD of Hidden Hearing.
It has been a tough time for the papers of late with their ultimate demise long forecast and yet they continue to be an integral part of this and any other free and open democracy. It might be easy to forget sometimes but the real beating heart of the newspaper industry is actually found at the local level. So for this week’s Industry Review, Mandy Johnston wanted to chat with three people in the know to find out how things are going for our regional papers.Joining Mandy is:· Darragh Clifford, Group Editor at People Newspapers · Áine Fitzgerald, Managing Editor of Limerick Leader · Christina McHugh, Editor at the Roscommon Herald
Many people are currently doing ‘Dry January’ deciding not to consume alcohol for the month after the excesses of the festive season. But what if that month led to a permanent giving up? Kate Gunn took a month of booze and then her life changed. She’s the author of 'The Accidental Soberista' - she joins Mandy Johnston to tell her all about her experiences.
Joining Mandy Johnston to chat about how the Irish wedding market is looking for the year ahead is wedding planner and host of ‘Say Yes to the Dress’ Peter Kelly & fashion entrepreneur Isabel Gleeson who has developed a very interesting platform called 'ReBride'.
Bobby goes stateside and talks to US economy Expert Irwin Stelzer about the prospects for the American Economy.
Being fit and exercising are the mainstays of a healthy life and have become increasingly important in this digital world. The Irish gym scene has gone from strength to strength in the past decade and with this in mind, we investigate the world of the gyms of Ireland as we continue on into 2023.Joining Bobby is:- Gavin McConnon, of F45 Training- Pat Henry, Owner of the Pat & Karl Henry Fitness Centre- Ger Conroy, Director of Ger Conroy Fitness
Bobby chats to renowned Economist Moore McDowell to get his thoughts on the economic year ahead.
Joining Bobby in the Executive Chair is Paul Merriman, CEO Pax Financial Planning & Founder of AskPaul
Bobby talks to Dr. Michael Colburn, a former Associate Professor of Management at Ashland University and author of ‘Own Your Job: Five Tools for Self-management & Accountability in the Workplace'.
Bobby talks to Damien McCarthy of HR Buddy about some awful trends and buzzwords like "Quiet Quitting" and "Desk Bombing".
For years, John Lowe‘s handbook has helped thousands of people get to grips with the basics of budgeting, learning how to save cash in all areas of their life, and importantly, what to do with it to maximise their return.Now, Money Doctors is back for its 18th edition to give Ireland’s consumers and business owners the tips they need to make the most of 2023.Bobby chats to John to find out more.
Bobby talks to GP Dr. Mark Rowe about his book ‘The Vitality Mark: Your Prescription for Feeling Energised, Invigorated, Enthusiastic and Optimistic Each Day’.
In a special Industry Review Bobby chats to three people who might help you get yourself right for 2023.Joining Bobby is Louisa Meehan of Woodview HRM, Fitness expert Lesley Giltinan, and Ciara Conlon who is a productivity coach.
Bobby talks to Norah Casey, Bob Hoffman, and Stephen O’Leary about the stories of the year that exercised them the most.
To top off a wonderful year and the final show before Christmas, Bobby is joined in conversation with singer-songwriter, Ultan Conlon.
With just a few hours to go until the big day, it is only fitting that the final industry review of the year is geared towards ensuring your Christmas Day meal runs smoothly.Joining Bobby is Ali Dunworth, food and travel writer, Derry Clarke, award-winning chef, and Oisin Davis of Great Irish Beverages.
Every year Bobby takes a stroll down Grafton Street to get a sense of the mood on one of the busiest days in the retail calendar.This year is no different, as he popped into a few shops, and chatted with business owners, to find out how things were going.
While the Christmas music may be blaring around your house and Christmas cheer filling the streets of your local town, for some Christmas is a more trying time. To cover that sentiment is Ian O’Doherty of the Irish Independent.
For many years, Pat Shortt was offered all sorts of things to use his song 'The Jumbo Breakfast Roll'.While he turned down those offers, he has now teamed up with food business Hosted Kitchens, who launched Ireland's first virtual breakfast brand together.Pat and Sean Murray of Hosted Kitchens join Bobby to tell him how it all works.
In the post-Covid era leaders, organisations worldwide are increasingly recognizing the value that coaching can add to improve company productivity and performance. But in the competitive field where each coach expert presents their unique approach, is there a place for some “magic"?Rosie Nice, coach, founder of ESB Training and author of the book 'The Magic Happens in the Silence: A guide to the art of reflective coaching' joins Bobby to discuss.
Ireland is home to hundreds of golf courses, including a third of the world's natural links courses. We boast some incredible offerings in some of the most breathtaking locations, so it's no wonder that player numbers have swelled to over 500,000 in the last two years. But do those numbers tell the full story?Joining Bobby to talk through the world of golf and some of the businesses around the sport is: - Anne McCormack, Chief Operations Officer at Golf Ireland - Off the Ball’s Nathan Murphy who is also the presenter of the Golf Weekly Podcast - Peter Lawrie of Spawell Golf Academy - Marty Carr of Carr Golf Travel
Resident tech guru Andy O’Donoghue stops by to recommend some of his top-pick tech gifts for your Christmas stockings.
Submitting maintenance issues with the Snapfix mobile app is as easy as taking a photo or video. Bobby is joined by its CEO and Founder, Paul McCarthy, as well as Sinead Boyle, Rooms Manager at Haddington House, to find out how this new app could be the future for managing a building.
Newstalk’s Kieran Cuddihy, is currently somewhere near the North Pole where he's sussing out how Santa's preparations are going.He took a call from Bobby to chat about how things are looking ahead of the big event on December 25th
Joining Bobby in the Executive Chair is Pat Phelan, Chairman of weight loss from 'Limbo'
All good managers and leaders are concerned about productivity on their teams but what happens when managers begin to worry that their staff aren’t doing enough?In his updated edition of 'The Creative Thinking Handbook: Your Step-By-Step Guide to Problem Solving in Business', Chris Griffiths offers advice on “productivity paranoia”- a new phenomenon in our post-pandemic world, and how that may be affecting your next big breakthrough.Chris joins Bobby to discuss.Chris Griffiths is the founder of www.Ayoa.com, the leading mind-mapping app transforming the way we work and learn.
Christmas preparations are likely well underway with hams and turkeys being ordered, bottles of wine being stocked, and prezzies being bought. It’s a time of bounty, and here in Ireland, we have an incredible array of products made by homegrown talent to choose from.To find out a little bit more about some of the kinds of food producers we have at our disposal here Bobby is joined by:● Sarah Kiely of Sadie’s Kitchen ● Giselle Makinde of Cream of the Crop ● Aisling Cullen of Thanks Plants ● James Burke is Network Manager of the Dublin Food Chain
Ciaran Hancock is the business editor at the Irish Times and this week alone he was interviewing the Taoiseach-elect as well as reporting on everything from Easons to Hotels. He took a break from his hectic beat to bring Bobby some of the stories of the week.
Bobby stopped into Dogs Trust: Dog Rescue & Rehoming Charity on Ashbourne Road in Finglas to discuss how their rehoming and rescue operations work, welcoming dogs into the workplace, and just how fulfilling having a dog in our lives can be.
When it comes to managing your finances as a business owner at a time of massive inflation and shrinking growth levels - things are certainly challenging. But there are options out there for you.Derek McDermott, Managing Director of Bank of Ireland Finance is an expert in assessing and understanding the challenges facing hundreds if not thousands of people around the county right now - he joins Bobby to discuss.
Economist and weekly columnist on economics with the Irish edition of The Sunday Times, Cormac Lucey joined Bobby on the show today to discuss Ireland’s economic prospects for 2023.
Today on the show Bobby talked to the winners of this year’s EY Entrepreneur of the Year Awards.
Alexandre Mars author of a book Mission Possible. How to build a business for our times, has just been published. He joined Bobby on the show today.
With a tourism industry highly impacted by covid restrictions it seems like we now see a better days for hospitality sector in Ireland. Will our hotels suffer another blow from rising costs of living and energy crisis? To ask this Bobby was joined by Carol Barrett, owner of Dunmore House on the shores of Clonakilty Bay, John O'Flynn, Resort General Manager at Fota Island Resort, Fergus O'Halloran, General Manager at The Twelve Hotel Galway and Martin Mangan, General Manager at Carton House, a Fairmont Managed Hotel.
Joining Bobby in the Executive Chair is Leo Sheridan, President & CEO of Advanced Group.
A lot has changed since the start of the year, and as we approach the end of 2022 we here at Down to Business thought it might be an opportune time to find out how the Irish Motor Industry has been faring what with pandemic measures being replaced by rampant inflation and a cost-of-living crisis.
Joining Bobby to discuss is:
-Rowena Dooley, Dealer Principle at Dooley Motors Carlow -Brian Cooke, SIMI Director General -Denis Murphy, MD & Joint Owner of Blackwater Motors in Cork
Elliot Wise started his first business at the tender age of thirteen and has since gone on to become one of the leading lights in business mentorship and entrepreneurship.
He joined Bobby to discuss his journey through business, staying motivated in our professional lives, and helping people reach their goals.
Next week will see the winners announced at this year’s EY Entrepreneur of the Year Awards and in the run-up to that we’ve been profiling some of the finalists and looking at some of the issues facing entrepreneurs.
This week we’re taking a look at ‘purpose’ and asking the question - "Can you run a business that’s more than just about profit?"
Bobby is joined by: - Martin McKay of TextHelp (2022 Finalist) - Fionn Lahart of One Projects (2022 Finalist) - Oonagh O’Hagan – Meagher’s Pharmacy (2021 Finalist)
There have been serious blows to Ireland’s tech sector in recent weeks with job losses at Twitter and stripe to name just two. Yet an Oireachtas committee this week heard that there is still a healthy pipeline of tech investments. To make sense of this and the general headwinds the industry is facing Bobby is joined by Ian Curran of the Irish Times.
‘The Holly Bough’ is something that I can only describe as a sort of "Cork Christmas Annual" and this year sees it is turning an incredible 125 years old.
John Dolan who is its editor, joined Bobby to discuss this year's edition and the history of the publication in general.
Joining Bobby in the Executive Chair this week is Billy Kelly, Managing Director at Kelly's Resort Hotel and Spa.
Liam Griffin is known throughout the country as the much admired Wexford senior inter-county manager who brought them to an All-Ireland victory in 1996. He has since seen great success creating one of Ireland's leading hotel groups - The Griffin Group.
He stopped by to chat with Bobby to tell him how he's been getting on.
Gavin Glass is a singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who also produces music. In 2019 he stepped away from Dublin and moved both his home and his business to Curracloe in Wexford.
He joined Bobby to discuss the move.
Broadcasting from Green Acres in Wexford this week, we had the opportunity to chat with some local businesses big and small, celebrating what the sunny southeast has to offer for business and leisure.
In that vein, Bobby thought he’d speak to some of the businesses and producers in the area to find out a little bit more about what makes Wexford so special.
Joining Bobby is:
- Eamon Crean, owner of Greenhills Fruit Farm
- Siobhan Devereux co-founder of Scúp
- Lorraine Waters, Hook Lighthouse General Manager
- Patrick O’Connor of Greenacres
Down to Business was coming to you from Green Acres in Wexford this week where amongst many other great guests, Bobby had the chance to catch up with a few local business people of note - namely Vinny Doyle of 'Cry Before Dawn' and Doyle’s Motors & Samantha Kelly aka the 'Tweeting Goddess'.
Bobby was out and about at Rosslare Europort, one of the beating hearts of Irish trade and transport.
There he spoke to Glenn Carr, Director of Commercial Business Units at Iarnród Éireann, Port Authority for Rosslare Europort to find out about what has been happening at the port and what the future might hold.
Kevin Dundon is instantly recognizable from the many successful cookery shows he has fronted and who has also had a 25-year love affair with Dunbrody House in Wexford.
Kevin joined Bobby in Green Acres in Wexford to chat about how he is getting on.
Joining Bobby in the Executive Chair this week is Sean McKeown, Director of Fota Wildlife Park.
It seems that Irish Banks are all upgrading their forecasts due to rising ECB rates and in tandem with that the government sold a further 5% in AIB this week.
If this keeps up there may soon be a call for the government to do away with pay caps and bonuses.
To make sense of this and some other business stories from the week, Bobby is joined by Joe Brennan, Market’s Correspondent with the Irish Times.
Many of us have to decide the path we take in our professional lives soon after we leave school.
But for professional sportspeople, that fork in the road comes much later.
So, to talk about the challenges of finding their way after leaving the world of professional sport, Bobby is joined by:
- Mick Dowling, Former Olympic Boxer
- Marcus Horan, former Ireland, and Munster Rugby player
- Cliona Foley, Freelance sportswriter & presenter of OTB's Off The Bench Podcast
Continuing this week we’re profiling some of this year’s finalists in the EY Entrepreneur of the Year Awards in the run-up to the Awards night on November 30th and look at some of the issues facing entrepreneurs.
This week Bobby was keen on looking at the entrepreneurial experience itself and how sometimes it can be a lonely road and certainly not for the faint-hearted.
Bobby is joined by:
- Caroline Dunlea of Core Optimisation
- Louis Copeland of Louis Copeland and Sons
- Johnny Walker of HaloCare & Jinga Life
Bobby was out & about at Art Source in the RDS, Ireland's premier art fair, featuring hundreds of Irish and International artists and galleries.
There he spoke to organisers and artists alike to find out all about it.
Whether it's a statement piece or just something that you can wear out on a daily basis, fashion underpins so much of how we express to people who we are.
It’s an industry that has exploded in recent years with more and more quality being made available to people of all walks of life and so with that in mind, Bobby wanted to find out a little bit about how the Irish fashion sector is faring.
Joining Bobby is:
- Silvana Landa McAdam, Co-Founder and CEO at LANDA Handbags
- Fashion designer, Heidi Higgins
- Caoimhe Murphy of Caoimhe Murphy Design
Michele Wucker is a senior advisor to Preventable Surprises, a 'think-do' tank that seeks to address systemic risks before they escalate into economic implosions.
She joins Bobby to talk about her new book 'The Gray Rhino: How to Recognize and Act on the Obvious Dangers We Ignore'.
Starting this week we’re going to profile some of this year’s finalists in the EY Entrepreneur of the Year Awards in the run-up to the awards night on November 30th and look at some of the issues facing entrepreneurs.
This week Bobby is joined by Helen Cahill from InvoiceFair and Justin Lawless of Intact Solutions.
Ballymaloe House is known the world over for its use of the freshest ingredients and its sustainable ethos.
Bobby took a trip to east Cork to find out how things have been since things reopened following a challenging few years.
Necessity can be the mother of invention when it comes to a good business idea and Mary and Sophie Leahy, a mother-daughter duo, have one such story.
Mary suffers from arthritis but still loves a glass of wine so using traditional corkscrews became a big problem.
Sophie tried to find her an easy-to-use alternative and was shocked to find nothing on the market, so decided to create something to fill the gap and 'The Wine Opener' was born.
They join Bobby to tell him more.
The language of finance has often been seen as a barrier, causing many to feel too intimidated to even begin to try and understand it.
So how can we demystify the aspects of finance that we have never been able to grasp?
Luckily Si Hussain, co-author of ‘The Finance Book: Understand the Numbers Even If You're Not a Finance Professional’ was on hand to chat with Bobby and clear up some of the more misunderstood terms we find in the financial world.
With Halloween just around the corner, we thought it would be the perfect time to get the thoughts of those in the business of all things ghosts, goblins, witches, and even pumpkins.
Joining Bobby to discuss the business of Halloween is:
Ronan O'Brien of The Costume Shop.ie. Caroline Whelan, Creator of Galway Patch. Karl O’Connor, Owner and Creative Director of The Nightmare Realm.
Earlier this week, the ECB announced a 0.75% increase in interest rate, the third increase this year.
But will this move actually help tackle inflation and what does it mean for you and your wallet?
Cliff Taylor from the Irish Times joins Bobby to discuss.
We know that the hospitality sector faced huge challenges during the pandemic and now that normality has largely returned to the sector, they now face the ever-present spectre of rising inflation.
But what does this mean for menu prices and hotel room rates?
Bobby is joined now by Gerardo Lario Rizo, Head of Hospitality Sector with Bank of Ireland to discuss.
Joining Bobby in the Executive Chair is Paddy Campbell of Bewleys Oriental Cafes & Campbell Catering.
When Carmel McConnell started delivering bags of food to a small number of schools in Great Britain, little could she have anticipated just how much her life was about to change.
Carmel is the founder and ex-CEO of Magic Breakfast, and the author of the book: "Change Activist: Make Big Things Happen Fast”.
She joins Emmet Oliver to discuss.
Musical trends come and go, record formats change, and once-hot bands are soon to be forgotten.
But for many music fans, one thing remains the same - they choose record stores as a reliable source of new music releases.
With the recent revival of vinyl we ask if the mood-music is changing in the record store business.
Joining Emmet Oliver for this week's installment of Industry Review is:
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Maurice Daly, Supply Manager at Zhivago Records
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Ben O’Neill, Owner of Siopa Ceol in Dungarvan
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Eoife Clarke, Operations Supervisor at Golden Disc
The World Federation of Advertising connects the world's biggest brand owners in more than 60 markets, bringing together tens of thousands of brands at local level. Together, they create a global network that offers a unique source of leadership, expertise, and inspiration.
Every year there is a dedicated conference for all of the National Association Councils (NAC’s) around the world and this year Stephan Loerke, CEO of the World Federation of Advertisers is leading the conference right here in Dublin.
He joins Emmet Oliver to discuss.
Liz Truss’ resignation has caused chaos across the pond with the Tories struggling to unify its members. With a general election looming, what could this mean for the UK? Emmet Oliver is joined by political scientist, Sir John Curtice to discuss.
They might not be able to make your worries or high energy bills disappear, but certainly they can bring more entertainment to your life. If you’re bored with dull corporate events or want two newlyweds' families to break the ice at the wedding, consider hiring a magician.
So, time to put the cards on the table and ask what the secret trick is behind magicians' industry in Ireland.
Joining Bobby for this week's Industry Review are three magicians: Yvan Zimmerman - magician and co-owner of Party Wizz, and online booking platform for entertainers, Paul “Rua” Gleeson - magician and Genie Mackers - magician and co-owner of JD Magician.
Joining Bobby for this week edition of an Executive Chair is Teresa Arbuckle, the CEO of Beko for UK and Ireland.
Brian Ahearn is the Chief Influence Officer at Influence PEOPLE, LLC. A dynamic international keynote speaker, trainer, coach and consultant, he specializes in applying the science of influence and persuasion in everyday situations. He joined Bobby to discuss the power if influencing.
Andy O’Donoghue is our Tech Guru and he joined Bobby to talk about why Elon Musk is actually a proper Entrepeneur who makes things right.
Bobby visited Irelands' Favorite Roast Competition this week and he tried to find out how to make country's most beloved dish and who does it best.
The competition, in association with Knorr, celebrates the best of roast dinners prepared and served to customers by venues right across the country.
Jim Steel the author of ‘Unashamedly Superhuman’ joined Bobby today to discuss about how to be better at everything.
Neil Delamare is Ireland's most recognizable comedians and Dave Moore is one half of one of the country's most popular radio show "Dermot and Dave". Together they had launched their podcast ‘Why Would You Tell Me That’. They joined Bobby on the show to discuss.
Joining Bobby for this week edition of an Executive Chair is Elizabeth Crabbil, CEO of CIE TOURS.
Both the economic and political situation in the UK could be easily described as chaotic over the last few weeks. Our regular UK Correspondent is renowned economist David Smith of the Sunday Times and we haven’t spoken to him since the Summer so we’ve a lot to catch up on!
This might make your mouth watering. From the giant, international franchises, to niche, artisan restaurants. Irish delivery pizza market is growing, just like a well-done dough.
But who will grab the biggest slice of it? Joining Bobby for this week's Industry Review are three pizza delivery market industry representatives: Shane Crilly, the founder of Basewood Pizza, Scott Bush, CEO of Dominos for Ireland and UK market Mick Ryan, owner of the Dublin Pizza Company.
26-year-old Aisling Tuck is the founder of Naked Bakes, the handmade plant-based cookie dough, and Oh Happy Treats, a vegan bakery. Aisling created them specifically to plug a gap in the market for plant-based cookies that taste just as good as the real thing, and she joined Bobby on the show.
Joining Bobby in the Executive Chair is Managing Director of Dingle Distillery and the Porter House Group, Elliot Hughes.
Philip King shot to fame in 1980 when he became the frontman of the great Irish band Scullion. Since then, he has gone on to even greater success as a filmmaker and producer, winning an Emmy for 'Bringing It All Back Home' in 1988.
For a Cork man, he has found his home in Dingle where he has successfully produced Other Voices for the last 20 years.
He joins Bobby to discuss.
Joining Bobby in the Executive Chair is Managing Director of Dingle Distillery and the Porter House Group, Elliot Hughes.
Philip King shot to fame in 1980 when he became the frontman of the great Irish band Scullion. Since then, he has gone on to even greater success as a filmmaker and producer, winning an Emmy for 'Bringing It All Back Home' in 1988.
For a Cork man, he has found his home in Dingle where he has successfully produced Other Voices for the last 20 years.
He joins Bobby to discuss.
Neven Maguire joined Bobby to talk about the special quality that Dingle has to offer, the incredible array of produce available in Ireland in general, and the importance of buying local whenever possible.
Jim Garvey also stopped by to take about the success of his business, the Garvey Group, and how things have bounced back after the pandemic.
Neven Maguire joined Bobby to talk about the special quality that Dingle has to offer, the incredible array of produce available in Ireland in general, and the importance of buying local whenever possible.
Jim Garvey also stopped by to take about the success of his business, the Garvey Group, and how things have bounced back after the pandemic.
Coming to you from Dick Mack's Pub in Dingle, for the Blas Na hEireann Food Awards and Dingle Food Festival, Bobby looked into the realm of food journalism and where we stand as a food destination as a whole with:
- Caroline Hennessy - Food writer, broadcaster & author
- Ali Dunworth, Food Journalist & consultant
- Patrick Hanlon and Russell Alford aka The Gastrogays
Coming to you from Dick Mack's Pub in Dingle, for the Blas Na hEireann Food Awards and Dingle Food Festival, Bobby looked into the realm of food journalism and where we stand as a food destination as a whole with:
- Caroline Hennessy - Food writer, broadcaster & author
- Ali Dunworth, Food Journalist & consultant
- Patrick Hanlon and Russell Alford aka The Gastrogays
To find out a little bit more about what Dingle as a foodie's destination has to offer, Bobby paid a visit to a few places around the town.
He spoke to:
- Mark Murphy from The Little Cheese Shop Dingle
- Sean Murphy of Murphys Ice Cream
- Justin Burgess co-owner of Bean in Dingle
To find out a little bit more about what Dingle as a foodie's destination has to offer, Bobby paid a visit to a few places around the town.
He spoke to:
- Mark Murphy from The Little Cheese Shop Dingle
- Sean Murphy of Murphys Ice Cream
- Justin Burgess co-owner of Bean in Dingle
Michael Healy-Rae is one of the most recognizable faces in Irish politics - the scourge of some green politicians and champion of rural Ireland in equal measure.
He joined Bobby to discuss his political career and the incredible offerings available in Dingle and co. Kerry in general.
Michael Healy-Rae is one of the most recognizable faces in Irish politics - the scourge of some green politicians and champion of rural Ireland in equal measure.
He joined Bobby to discuss his political career and the incredible offerings available in Dingle and co. Kerry in general.
Bobby was broadcasting out of Dick Mac’s Pub for Blas na hÉireann The Irish Food Awards & The Dingle Food Festival 2022. He was joined by the man behind it all Artie Clifford who is the Chairperson of the Awards plus the Supreme Winners of the Awards, Bart Pawlukojc of Aran Bakery in Kilkenny.
Bobby was broadcasting out of Dick Mac’s Pub for Blas na hÉireann The Irish Food Awards & The Dingle Food Festival 2022. He was joined by the man behind it all Artie Clifford who is the Chairperson of the Awards plus the Supreme Winners of the Awards, Bart Pawlukojc of Aran Bakery in Kilkenny.
Bobby visits the Local Enterprise Village at the National Ploughing Championships; with thanks to The Local Enterprise Offices-Support for new and growing businesses in Ireland.
Bobby visits the Local Enterprise Village at the National Ploughing Championships; with thanks to The Local Enterprise Offices-Support for new and growing businesses in Ireland.
Bobby visits the Local Enterprise Village at the National Ploughing Championships; with thanks to The Local Enterprise Offices-Support for new and growing businesses in Ireland.
Joining Bobby Kerr in the Executive Chair this week is Eoin McGettigan, CEO Port of Cork.
It’s almost a cliché at this stage to talk about the growth in Digital Payments. In a seemingly very short space of time we seem to be paying for more and more things digitally.
Bobby was joined by Conor Quirke who is the BOI Payment Acceptance Manager for Ireland.
Joining Bobby Kerr in the Executive Chair this week is Eoin McGettigan, CEO Port of Cork.
With a cost of living crisis in full swing next week’s budget promises to bring some serious assistance to struggling citizens. But will it go for enough or will it go too far. Bobby was joined by Economist Dan O’Brien to discuss.
For this week episode of Industry Review Bobby was joined by three representatives of endurance events.
Last week Bobby Kerr was in Austin and New York for the EY Entrepreneur of the Year Annual CEO Retreat. One piece he didn’t get to bring was his chat with the Rigney brothers. Pat Rigney is the man behind the wildly successful Gunpowder Gin from the Shed Distillery and has chatted to use many times before. It turns out his brother Vivian who lives in New York has lived a pretty intense life himself.
It’s almost a cliché at this stage to talk about the growth in Digital Payments. In a seemingly very short space of time we seem to be paying for more and more things digitally.
Bobby was joined by Conor Quirke who is the BOI Payment Acceptance Manager for Ireland.
With a cost of living crisis in full swing next week’s budget promises to bring some serious assistance to struggling citizens. But will it go for enough or will it go too far. Bobby was joined by Economist Dan O’Brien to discuss.
For this week episode of Industry Review Bobby was joined by three representatives of endurance events.
Last week Bobby Kerr was in Austin and New York for the EY Entrepreneur of the Year Annual CEO Retreat. One piece he didn’t get to bring was his chat with the Rigney brothers. Pat Rigney is the man behind the wildly successful Gunpowder Gin from the Shed Distillery and has chatted to use many times before. It turns out his brother Vivian who lives in New York has lived a pretty intense life himself.
It’s almost a cliché at this stage to talk about the growth in Digital Payments. In a seemingly very short space of time we seem to be paying for more and more things digitally.
Bobby was joined by Conor Quirke who is the BOI Payment Acceptance Manager for Ireland.
With a cost of living crisis in full swing next week’s budget promises to bring some serious assistance to struggling citizens. But will it go for enough or will it go too far. Bobby was joined by Economist Dan O’Brien to discuss.
For this week episode of Industry Review Bobby was joined by three representatives of endurance events.
Last week Bobby Kerr was in Austin and New York for the EY Entrepreneur of the Year Annual CEO Retreat. One piece he didn’t get to bring was his chat with the Rigney brothers. Pat Rigney is the man behind the wildly successful Gunpowder Gin from the Shed Distillery and has chatted to use many times before. It turns out his brother Vivian who lives in New York has lived a pretty intense life himself.
Joining Bobby Kerr in the Executive Chair this week is Eoin McGettigan, CEO Port of Cork.
In this second hour of the 2022 EY Entrepreneur of the Year Annual CEO Retreat brought to you all the way from Austin, Texas & New York City, Bobby speaks to the Secretary of State for Texas, John Scott, about his love of all things Irish.
John N. Doggett, Professor of Instruction at the McCombs School of Business of The University of Texas at Austin joins Bobby to chat about how the notion of "success" has changed over the last number of years.
Bobby takes a trip to the New York Stock Exchange, and speaks to three of this year's EY Entrepreneur finalists - Evelyn Kelly of Orphan Drug Consulting; Greg Bradley, CEO of BLK BOX Fitness; and Lulu O'Sullivan, Chief Executive, and founder of GiftsDirect.com - about hiring and keeping the right people in your business.
And finally, in this week's Executive Chair, Bobby is joined by Mark McClain, CEO, and Founder of SailPoint.
In this second hour of the 2022 EY Entrepreneur of the Year Annual CEO Retreat brought to you all the way from Austin, Texas & New York City, Bobby speaks to the Secretary of State for Texas, John Scott, about his love of all things Irish.
John N. Doggett, Professor of Instruction at the McCombs School of Business of The University of Texas at Austin joins Bobby to chat about how the notion of "success" has changed over the last number of years.
Bobby takes a trip to the New York Stock Exchange, and speaks to three of this year's EY Entrepreneur finalists - Evelyn Kelly of Orphan Drug Consulting; Greg Bradley, CEO of BLK BOX Fitness; and Lulu O'Sullivan, Chief Executive, and founder of GiftsDirect.com - about hiring and keeping the right people in your business.
And finally, in this week's Executive Chair, Bobby is joined by Mark McClain, CEO, and Founder of SailPoint.
In this second hour of the 2022 EY Entrepreneur of the Year Annual CEO Retreat brought to you all the way from Austin, Texas & New York City, Bobby speaks to the Secretary of State for Texas, John Scott, about his love of all things Irish.
John N. Doggett, Professor of Instruction at the McCombs School of Business of The University of Texas at Austin joins Bobby to chat about how the notion of "success" has changed over the last number of years.
Bobby takes a trip to the New York Stock Exchange, and speaks to three of this year's EY Entrepreneur finalists - Evelyn Kelly of Orphan Drug Consulting; Greg Bradley, CEO of BLK BOX Fitness; and Lulu O'Sullivan, Chief Executive, and founder of GiftsDirect.com - about hiring and keeping the right people in your business.
And finally, in this week's Executive Chair, Bobby is joined by Mark McClain, CEO, and Founder of SailPoint.
All week Bobby and the Down to Business team were in Austin, Texas, and New York City for the annual EY Entrepreneur of the Year CEO Retreat.
You’ll be hearing from the former American football and baseball player, Quan Cosby, who now works as a business advisor and has some terrific insights into the parallels between high-performance sports as well as Mellie Price, a widely respected thought leader on disruptive innovation & Assistant Professor of Instruction at the University of Texas at Austin about the history of business in the city.
You’ll also be hearing from some of this year’s EY Entrepreneur finalists - Mainline CEO, Jamie O'Rourke; BioAtlantis CEO, John T. O'Sullivan; Colette Twomey, Co-Founder of Clonakilty Blackpudding; and Jenni Timony of FitPink Fitness - and the issues facing them during a post-pandemic landscape and much, much more.
All week Bobby and the Down to Business team were in Austin, Texas, and New York City for the annual EY Entrepreneur of the Year CEO Retreat.
You’ll be hearing from the former American football and baseball player, Quan Cosby, who now works as a business advisor and has some terrific insights into the parallels between high-performance sports as well as Mellie Price, a widely respected thought leader on disruptive innovation & Assistant Professor of Instruction at the University of Texas at Austin about the history of business in the city.
You’ll also be hearing from some of this year’s EY Entrepreneur finalists - Mainline CEO, Jamie O'Rourke; BioAtlantis CEO, John T. O'Sullivan; Colette Twomey, Co-Founder of Clonakilty Blackpudding; and Jenni Timony of FitPink Fitness - and the issues facing them during a post-pandemic landscape and much, much more.
All week Bobby and the Down to Business team were in Austin, Texas, and New York City for the annual EY Entrepreneur of the Year CEO Retreat.
You’ll be hearing from the former American football and baseball player, Quan Cosby, who now works as a business advisor and has some terrific insights into the parallels between high-performance sports as well as Mellie Price, a widely respected thought leader on disruptive innovation & Assistant Professor of Instruction at the University of Texas at Austin about the history of business in the city.
You’ll also be hearing from some of this year’s EY Entrepreneur finalists - Mainline CEO, Jamie O'Rourke; BioAtlantis CEO, John T. O'Sullivan; Colette Twomey, Co-Founder of Clonakilty Blackpudding; and Jenni Timony of FitPink Fitness - and the issues facing them during a post-pandemic landscape and much, much more.
Joining Emmet Oliver in the Executive Chair this week is Ken Robertson, Founder and CEO of 'The Tenth Man'.
Joining Emmet Oliver in the Executive Chair this week is Ken Robertson, Founder and CEO of 'The Tenth Man'.
Joining Emmet Oliver in the Executive Chair this week is Ken Robertson, Founder and CEO of 'The Tenth Man'.
Have you ever found yourself overwhelmed by e-mails arriving long after you should have finished work or are you in way too many WhatsApp groups at work? Are you Crazy Busy?
Thijs Launspach is a teacher in 'The School of Life' in Amsterdam and the author of 'Crazy Busy: Keeping Sane in a Stressful World'. He joins Emmet Oliver to discuss.
Have you ever found yourself overwhelmed by e-mails arriving long after you should have finished work or are you in way too many WhatsApp groups at work? Are you Crazy Busy?
Thijs Launspach is a teacher in 'The School of Life' in Amsterdam and the author of 'Crazy Busy: Keeping Sane in a Stressful World'. He joins Emmet Oliver to discuss.
Have you ever found yourself overwhelmed by e-mails arriving long after you should have finished work or are you in way too many WhatsApp groups at work? Are you Crazy Busy?
Thijs Launspach is a teacher in 'The School of Life' in Amsterdam and the author of 'Crazy Busy: Keeping Sane in a Stressful World'. He joins Emmet Oliver to discuss.
With so much talk around construction in Ireland at the moment we thought we might find out a little bit more about the design process that goes into the homes, offices, and commercial buildings we interact with on a daily basis.
Joining Emmet Oliver for this week’s Industry Review are three architects:
● John Dorman, Director at Dorman Architects ● Courtney McDonnell of Courtney McDonnell Studios ● Gráinne Dunne of Co-Director Studio Red Architects
With so much talk around construction in Ireland at the moment we thought we might find out a little bit more about the design process that goes into the homes, offices, and commercial buildings we interact with on a daily basis.
Joining Emmet Oliver for this week’s Industry Review are three architects:
● John Dorman, Director at Dorman Architects ● Courtney McDonnell of Courtney McDonnell Studios ● Gráinne Dunne of Co-Director Studio Red Architects
With so much talk around construction in Ireland at the moment we thought we might find out a little bit more about the design process that goes into the homes, offices, and commercial buildings we interact with on a daily basis.
Joining Emmet Oliver for this week’s Industry Review are three architects:
● John Dorman, Director at Dorman Architects ● Courtney McDonnell of Courtney McDonnell Studios ● Gráinne Dunne of Co-Director Studio Red Architects
Pat Drinan is the founder of Cork-based 'HomeHak', which provides a secure means by which homeowners and tenants can connect with one another. HomeHak offers built-in security with Stripe Identity.
Pat joins Emmet Oliver to tell him more.
Pat Drinan is the founder of Cork-based 'HomeHak', which provides a secure means by which homeowners and tenants can connect with one another. HomeHak offers built-in security with Stripe Identity.
Pat joins Emmet Oliver to tell him more.
Pat Drinan is the founder of Cork-based 'HomeHak', which provides a secure means by which homeowners and tenants can connect with one another. HomeHak offers built-in security with Stripe Identity.
Pat joins Emmet Oliver to tell him more.
Perhaps the most famous business encounter the Queen had when she came to Ireland in 2011 was when she visited Cork’s Fabled English Market.
One of the people she met that day was Pat O’Connell, a fishmonger of note.
Pat joins Emmet Oliver to discuss the experience and reflect on the impact of the Queen's visit to Ireland.
Perhaps the most famous business encounter the Queen had when she came to Ireland in 2011 was when she visited Cork’s Fabled English Market.
One of the people she met that day was Pat O’Connell, a fishmonger of note.
Pat joins Emmet Oliver to discuss the experience and reflect on the impact of the Queen's visit to Ireland.
Perhaps the most famous business encounter the Queen had when she came to Ireland in 2011 was when she visited Cork’s Fabled English Market.
One of the people she met that day was Pat O’Connell, a fishmonger of note.
Pat joins Emmet Oliver to discuss the experience and reflect on the impact of the Queen's visit to Ireland.
Next week, Down to Business will be bringing you the show from Austin, Texas, and New York as part of the EY Entrepreneur of the Year Annual CEO Retreat.
Emmet Oliver is joined by Roger Wallace who is the Partner Lead for the Programme at EY to find out what we might expect.
Next week, Down to Business will be bringing you the show from Austin, Texas, and New York as part of the EY Entrepreneur of the Year Annual CEO Retreat.
Emmet Oliver is joined by Roger Wallace who is the Partner Lead for the Programme at EY to find out what we might expect.
Next week, Down to Business will be bringing you the show from Austin, Texas, and New York as part of the EY Entrepreneur of the Year Annual CEO Retreat.
Emmet Oliver is joined by Roger Wallace who is the Partner Lead for the Programme at EY to find out what we might expect.
Salma Shah runs her own certified coach training programme with clients ranging from 'Reuters' to the UK’s 'Teenage Cancer Trust', and with all that experience, she has just written a new book 'Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging in Coaching: A Practical Guide'.
Salma joins Bobby to tell him all about it.
A constant refrain lately is ‘Why is Ireland so expensive?'.
Economist Cormac Lucey says much of it can be explained by the 'Big Mac' - he joins Bobby to discuss.
There are few things that sound more appetizing than a sausage sizzling away in a frying pan.
They’re a staple of so many households around Ireland, and indeed the world, and so for this week’s ‘Industry Review,’ Bobby thought he’d speak to three sausage specialists to find out about this cherished food staple.
Joining Bobby is:
- Jane Russell of Jane Russell's Handmade Sausages in Kildare
- Barry John Crowe of Barry John Sausages in Cavan
- Peter Whelan of The Whole Hoggs in Meath
Bobby was out & about in Sandycove, Co. Dublin, where he met up with Waterford-based entrepreneur Frances O’Reilly, who is the brains behind 'DogDry', a brand new super absorbent dog drying coat for wet dogs.
How legal are drones and should you need a license to own or use one? Joining Bobby to talk more about this is Simon Henry, Business Development Manager at ZenaDrone.
Christmas will come early for one local business this year, as 'Champion Green' - Ireland’s support local initiative - is giving small businesses the chance to win a €50,000 retail opportunity, in partnership with Aviva Life & Pensions.
‘Readymade Retail’ was launched by 'Champion Green', in the Blackrock Village Centre in Dublin and the competition will see a small business with big ambition win a pop-up retail store in the prestigious south Dublin shopping centre, worth over €50,000 for a period of six months.
Duncan Graham, Managing Director of Retail Ireland joins Bobby to discuss.
Find out more at www.championgreen.ie
Joining Bobby to talk about how your business can improve and reach its goals through everyday actions is leadership mentor & CEO of Black Isle Group, Jeremy Campbell.
There is plenty of talk of a global downturn of late following the pandemic and the war in Ukraine but writing in last Sunday’s Independent, Conor Skehan thinks Ireland has the ability to possibly protect itself from its worst effects.
He joined Bobby to discuss.
Music is a universal language that bridges cultural, political, and religious divides and can bring about the very best in us.
So, for this week’s industry review, Bobby sought to find out more about the business of teaching music from those in the know.
Joining Bobby is:
- Craig Wynne, Owner of the Dublin School of Music
- Killian Ivory, School Manager from Everest School of Music in Bray
- Jen Tully of JTVox
‘Quiet Quitting’ is the concept of no longer going above and beyond, and instead doing what their job description requires of them and only that.
Damien McCarthy, CEO of HR Buddy, has had his own experience of ‘quiet quitting’ and he says that it’s not just the employees that are doing it.
He joins Bobby to discuss.
Bobby took a trip out to Bar 1661 - Winner of the Bar of the Year Awards 2022.
There he chatted to the owner, Dave Mulligan, about what makes his establishment so unique and tried some of their wares.
Down to Business has long been a supporter of Focus Ireland’s 'Shine a Light Night' which sees businesses and companies all over Ireland sleep out in solidarity with Ireland’s homeless population.
One person who knows a lot about the work of Focus Ireland is Kelly Ann who is a 'Lived Experience Ambassador' for Focus Ireland - she joined Bobby to discuss her experience.
Focus Ireland's 'Shine a Light Night', supported by Bord Gáis Energy, will take place on Friday 14 October 2022.
https://www.focusireland.ie/shinealight/
It has never been a better time for food lovers in Ireland.
Not only are there countless bricks-and-mortar restaurants serving up some of the finest food in the world, but there has also been an explosion in the popularity of Food Trucks that now dot our street corners.
To find out what it’s like running one of these businesses Bobby is joined by:
Scott Holder of Los Chicanos Jacob Long of Griolladh Julia Hemingway of Julia’s Lobster Truck
Bobby was Out & About at Mondello Park at the Carole Nash Historic Festival, which was back for 2022.
There he took in the sights and sounds of the vintage and classic motorbikes & cars on display. He also chatted to Ian Beatty, Operations & Sporting Director of Mondello Park as well as BMW Ireland's Managing Director, Kevin Davidson.
Next weekend Bobby will be putting his culinary skills to the test by cooking lobster at the 2022 Dalkey Lobster Festival with Lorraine Keane on hand to judge Bobby's technique and presentation skills.
Bobby was joined by Lorraine and Romain Tessier, aka 'The Arty Baker', who will also display his skills at the festival to discuss.
Writing in today's Irish Independent, Charlie Weston said that many people now fear a new property bubble has built up and will burst.
Charlie joined Bobby to discuss.
Every single entrepreneur, no matter where they come from or how big they become, has been at the point in their journey where they ask themselves “Where do I start?”
Matt Clifford, co-founder, and CEO of Entrepreneur First and co-author of ‘How to Be a Founder: How Entrepreneurs Can Identify, Fund and Launch their Best Ideas’ has joined Bobby on the show.
Bobby went out there on the stunning Loop Head Peninsula visiting a novel business that epitomizes the spirit of endeavour and following your dreams.
From Milan to Clare with a South American twist, Bobby visited The Flying Alpacas, a small farm that offers families the chance to get up close and personal with Alpacas and much more.
When you think of tattoos you might think of them as being a statement of your artistic side - a representation of who you are - but they also put food on the tables of many people around the country. To discuss the way attitudes around tattoos and how perceptions of the industry in general have shifted over the last few years Bobby was joined by Dolores Murray of Wildcat Ink, Kevin McNamara of Dublin Ink and Aisling Mahon of Aisling Mahon Tattoo in Co Kildare.
The upcoming budget is set to see a landmark tax package with many expecting to benefit from the implementation of measures looking to tackle the issue of rampant inflation.
To discuss the plans and what we might expect from budget 2023, I'm delighted to be joined now by renowned economist, Moore McDowell.
Joining Bobby in the Executive Chair is Colin Cunningham, Managing Director of Cellnex Ireland.
Bobby took a trip out to Cool Hand Coffee Roasters, the takeaway coffee shop that enables customers to hand-roast their chosen beans in-store!
Joining Bobby in the Executive Chair is Colm Cunningham, Managing Director at Cellnex Ireland.
We have some of the most abundant seafood stocks in the waters around Ireland but do we cherish and promote the beautiful bounty that surrounds us to the same degree as our Spanish, French or Italian counterparts do?
For this week’s Industry Review Bobby is joined by three people looking to make that happen.
- John Shine of Killybegs Catch Ltd & Shines Seafood
- Liam Quinlan of Quinlan Seafoods in Kerry
- Denis Good of The Good Fish Company
Economist, Colm McCarthy joined Bobby to chat about the complexities involved in addressing our carbon emission output, the increased pressures on the agriculture sector, and what will need to be done if we are to reach our goals by 2030.
Bobby was joined by Michelle Auerbach, author of 'Resilience: The Life-Saving Skill of Story'.
Together they discuss the book and its aim to help people in any field and any walk of life to become better storytellers, helping them to unleash the power to teach, learn, change, and empower ourselves and the people around us.
Bobby spoke to Ryan O’Neill, Managing Director of Double R Media to chat about his business, 'Retro Drive-In' back in the summer of 2021 while businesses were grappling with the unprecedented disruption of the pandemic
Thankfully they’ve made it out the other end and are expanding their offering with Retro+.
Bobby spoke to Ryan to find out more.
Joining Bobby is comedian, and actor, Pat Shortt.
Together they discuss Pat working with his daughter, Faye; the business side of putting on shows; as well as how certain roles help with his sense of creativity.
There was one holiday option that got a lot more attention from “staycationers” last year due to the pandemic - Glamping.
So for this week’s Industry Review, Bobby thought he'd check in to see how this sector is doing now that things are back open again.
Joining Bobby is:
· Wendy Riordan, Owner of Pitched Perfect · Dick Ridge, Owner, and founder of Pod Umna Village · John Brennan, Managing Director of Dromquinna Manor resort in Co Kerry
Joining Bobby in the Executive Chair this week is David Warrick, Vice President of Overhaul.
Bobby popped into Willie Duggan Lighting in Kilkenny to chat about all things lighting related. Together they discuss the unique challenges that commercial and residential lighting projects present, and the creative process behind lighting design in general.
There were a raft of bank results out this week with AIB still smarting from their U-turn on cashless branches.
Bobby is joined by Joe Brennan, Markets Correspondent for the Irish Times to take a look at the state of the banks.
Mimi Nicklin, author of 'Softening the Edge: Empathy: How Humanity's Oldest Leadership Trait is Changing our World' joins Bobby to discuss the changing world of work, and how business leaders can adapt to make a more empathetic environment for all going forward.
Bobby spoke to Mark “Cokes” Colclough a few weeks ago when he was attempting to become the oldest person to swim the English Channel all for a very good cause.
We check in with Mark to see how he got on.
Bobby is joined by legendary performers, Foster & Allen, where together they discuss managing without the ability to tour during the pandemic, getting back on the road, and rubbing shoulders with the likes of Adam and the Ants, Bob Geldoff and more!
Known to many of a certain vintage as Biddy Byrne from 'Glenroe', but to the rest of us, an actress with many, many more strings to her bow, Westmeath’s favourite daughter, Mary McEvoy, joins Bobby to chat about living the good life on her animal sanctuary & farm and becoming a certified Pilates Instructor.
Joining Bobby in the Executive Chair is Regina Bushell, Founder & MD of Grovelands Childcare.
Joining Bobby is Richie O’Hara, Founder & Director of ‘Baysports’, Miriam Mulrennan, Arts Officer with Westmeath County Council and former manager of Athlone Arts & Tourism & Katherine Kiveney- Founder of Hen.ie and Stag.ie to discuss their businesses as well as the state of the arts sector in the midlands region.
Athlone is home to some very old businesses in the country with Ireland’s oldest department store and also oldest pub.
Joining Bobby is Rosie Boles of Burgess of Athlone & Declan Delaney, Manager of Seán’s Bar to talk about the businesses and the history behind them.
Bobby took a cruise up the River Shannon into the heartland of the country with Pearse Connell of Hidden Heartlands Tours where they took in the beauty of the area and chatted about the touring business in general.
Bobby also stopped into the Wineport Lodge Hotel to chat to Ray Byrne where they recently celebrated 30 years in busniess.
Bobby is joined by Fianna Fáil TD for Longford/Westmeath Robert Troy who is also the Minister of State with responsibility for Trade Promotion, Digital and Company Regulation at the Department of Enterprise, Trade, and Employment.
Together they discuss AIB scrapping their plan to remove cash services in 70 branches and what role the Post Office might play in the years to some when it comes to managing personal finances.
Bobby is joined by Michael Hassett, owner of Cork-based 'Hassett's Bakery' who has just secured a deal worth €6m to supply Lidl with a chilled cake and dessert range, available in 175 Lidl stores across Ireland.
Joining Bobby in the Executive Chair is Joe Queenan, Managing Director of Foxford Woollen Mills.
It is one of life’s fundamental truths that if we don’t push ourselves beyond what we think we’re capable of, to take ourselves out of our comfort zone, then we will never tap into the potential we have within us.
Sue Stockdale, Business Transformational and Leadership Change Coach and author of ‘Explore: A Life of Adventure’ certainly knows a thing or two about high-pressure situations and living on the edge - she joins Bobby to discuss.
Tourism is a vital component of the Irish economy.
So, now that things are back in full swing, Bobby thought he’d get the perspective of three tour guides who make it their business to showcase the natural beauty and historical richness that we have to offer.
Joining Bobby is
Lorcan Collins, Founder of 1916 Rebellion Walking Tour Derek Smith, Founder of Custom Irish Tours Tommy Graham, Founder of Historical Walking Tours of Dublin
Every leader, no matter whether they have several thousand people working with them or just one, has two main responsibilities: to create direction and clarity and to get out of the way.
So says Paula Leach, Founder and Executive Coach of Vantage Points Consulting & author of ‘Vantage Points: How to Create a Culture Where Employees Thrive'.
She joins Bobby to discuss.
Bobby stopped into the Celtic Whisky Shop on Dublin's Dawson Street to see how trade is going and to chat with Katie Gibson, Marketing Manager, Store Manager, Darren Maher, and Wholesale Manager, Colm O'Connor.
Paul Howard, creator of one of the most iconic literary fictional Irish characters of the last 20 years - Ross O'Carroll-Kelly - joined Bobby to chat about the return of his smash hit musical, 'Copper Face Jacks: The Musical'.
Last week in our newspaper review Bobby highlighted the good news story of the PM Group who were expanding with a whole host of new jobs.
So for this week's Executive Chair, Bobby was delighted to welcome the CEO of PM Group - David Murphy.
Almost half of adults aged 50 years and over in Ireland own a pet, and at the top of that list is dogs.
But with all the love and joy they bring us comes a lot of grooming and TLC on our part as well.
So, for this week's Industry Review Bobby is joined by three people who make it their business to make sure our dogs are looking their very best.
Joining Bobby is
- Dylan Brady of 'Barks and Bubbles'
- Lisa Kearney of 'Muttugly'
- Paul Abbott of 'Groming.Dog'
The biggest political story of the week, if not the year so far, has been the resignation of UK Prime Minister, Boris Johnson.
John Downing, Irish Independent journalist, thought he saw the signs of his inevitable end when he first encountered him 30 years ago.
He joined Bobby to discuss.
The Government's Summer Economic Statement published this week shows the forthcoming Budget will contain spending and tax measures equal to €6.7 billion.
It has been described as a "temporary once-off increase," which breaches the Government’s own spending rule of 5% and as a result, economist, Jim Power, thinks political expediency is getting in the way of sound economic judgment.
He joins Bobby to discuss.
An Post Commerce are proud to help SME’s to grow and succeed, with an innovative range of parcel solutions and direct mail advertising.
One such business is A Sorted Affair by Kim & Lyn who found the An Post Commerce services - like their Advantage Card - a great help in the early days of setting up their business.
They pay Bobby a visit to discuss.
There are plenty of candidates for the “toughest job” in business but sales has to be up there.
It’s a thankless job and can be tough to stay positive if things aren’t going your way but Jeremy Cassell and Tom Bord the co-authors of ‘Brilliant Selling’ - first published in 2009 and now in its 3d edition - might be just the people to help you with that.
They joined Bobby to discuss.
There have been some pretty seismic changes in all of our lives over the past few years, and very few are as big as the way we work.
From sudden shifts to working at home, to the delicate balance employers are now trying to find when dealing with their employees whose expectations have changed, the HR departments of companies all across the world have no doubt been pretty busy.
Joining Bobby to chat about the area of HR is:
- Sharon Vize, Group HR Director for CPL Resources
- Liane O'Leary, HR Consultant with The HR Department
- Damien McCarthy, CEO, and co-founder of HR Buddy
Cormac Lucey has said that he thinks that the clamour for national wage deals to tackle stagflation won’t pay off in the end.
S, what can or should be be done?
Cormac Lucey, Economics Columnist with the Sunday Times joins Bobby to discuss.
POWERCUT - the Irish athleisure wear company - has been taking the Irish market by storm both online and in Dunnes Stores around the country.
Bobby is joined by Craig and Bronagh Mulhall, co-founders of POWERCUT Clothing to chat about the origins of the business.
Over the course of the last few weeks one lucky business, in competition with two others, had the opportunity to win a €100k value package known as The Iconic Business Bursary.
The winning prize included: 100k package: €50k worth of workspace at the stunning Iconic Offices, a €25k Newstalk media package, and €25k in marketing services from Marketing Network Group.
Down to Business' has been delighted to be involved in with the competition which came to an end this week. Bobby is joined by the winner - James Redmond, CEO of Grab Same Day Delivery as well as Joe McGinley, CEO, and founder of Iconic Offices to discuss.
Icon Offices want to give back to the business community, therefore one lucky business will have the opportunity to win a €100k value package known as The Iconic Business Bursary.
The winning party will get the following in their 100k package: €50k worth of workspace at the stunning Iconic Offices, a €25k Newstalk media package, and €25k in marketing services from the Marketing Network Group.
'Down to Business' has been profiling the three finalists of the Iconic Offices Business Bursary competition over the last few weeks and this week Jonathan Healy was joined by Roseanne Scally, Director of WestTech Technologies to chat about the business.
We humans are pretty good problem solvers - we probably wouldn’t have gotten to where we are now if we weren’t. But do we fully utilise this skill in the workplace and if not, how do we get better at doing it? Arnaud Chevallier, Professor of Strategy and Decision Making at IMD & co-author of ‘Solvable - A Simple Solution to Complex Problems’ joined Jonathan.
The tourism and travel sectors were hit harder than most during the course of the pandemic. But they’re nothing if not resourceful and have found new ways and means to bounce back despite all the adversity.
Irish households are facing the biggest drop in living standards since the 2008 the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) has warned. To discuss this and the wider economic situation in Ireland Jonathan was joined by Declan Jordan, Senior Lecturer in Economics at Cork University Business School.
Irish consumers recycled a record number of electrical items last year. But is simply recycling enough to create a truly green and circular economy? What about the electronic products that might just need a bit of refurbishing? Kilian Kaminski, Co-Founder of Refurbed joined Jonathan today to discuss.
Energy sustainability and the safeguarding of our coastal regions has never been more important.
To chat through what is being done here and elsewhere and how we can protect our coastal regions for future generations, Bobby is joined by Stephen Dunne, Editor of ReNews, Europe’s most prestigious renewable energy trade publication & Ciarán Farrell, COO at Aqualicense, a Wicklow-based company that provides consultation, planning, legal compliance, and project delivery services for firms in the aquaculture and offshore renewable energy industries.
Icon Offices want to give back to the business community, therefore one lucky business will have the opportunity to win a €100k value package known as The Iconic Business Bursary.
The winning party will get the following in their 100k package: €50k worth of workspace at the stunning Iconic Offices, a €25k Newstalk media package, and €25k in marketing services from Marketing Network Group.
Down to Business' is profiling the three finalists of the Iconic Offices Business Bursary competition on Down to Business. This week Bobby is joined by James Redmond, CEO of Grab Same Day Delivery
Wicklow is known as the garden of Ireland but of course, there are innumerable opportunities for entrepreneurs and business people alike and so Bobby wanted to take a look at what Wicklow as a town and a county has going for it.
To find out more Bobby is joined by:
- Matt Forkin who is the Wicklow Chamber of Commerce President
- Brian Gleeson, Chief Executive, Wicklow County Council
- Pamela Walsh, Founder Wicklow Way Wines and Chairperson of Wicklow Naturally
For this week's 'Down to Business,' Bobby & co were in the garden of Ireland at Wicklow Sailing Club for the start of the SSE Renewables Round Ireland Yacht Race.
There he spoke to some local business people to hear how they've been getting on.
- Quincey Fennelly of Wicklow Wolf
- Mark Van den Bergh of Max Benjamin
Legendary artist, naturalist, and all-round Irish TV legend Don Conroy stopped by to chat with Bobby about what he's been getting up to the past few years, what inspires him to paint and draw, and discuss the importance of keeping in touch with nature.
For a very special show broadcasting from Wicklow Sailing Club ahead of the start of the SSE Renewables Round Ireland, Bobby is joined by Barry Kilcline, Head of Offshore Development, SSE Renewables, and also David McHugh a previous winner of 'Round Ireland' to look ahead to this year's race, and chat about what the conditions will be like and what the competitors might expect from the coming days.
How can you cut through all the unnecessary complexity of adopting new technology and new digital concepts for your business? Bobby was joined by Tom Goodwin, author of the book Digital Darwinism to find out
Art College is possibly not what people might think it is. Bobby took a stroll up to Thomas Street to pay a visit to the National College of Art and Design where this week the work of their graduates is being showcased.
Elon Musk is forcing all Tesla Employees to return to the office. Dr. Gleb Tsipursky, author of Returning to the Office and Leading Hybrid and Remote Teams: A Manual on Benchmarking to Best Practices for Competitive Advantage, spoke to Bobby about Musk's latest antics.
Festivals are back!
And there are plenty to choose from - and not just ones that require a pair of wellies and a poncho!
Bobby was joined in Studio by:
● Sorcha O’Reilly, Artistic Director of Kaleidoscope Family Festival taking place in Blessington, June 24th-26th.
● John Crumlish, CEO, Galway International Arts Festival, July 11th-24th.
● Declan Forde, Festival Director of Beyond the Pale in Glendalough in Wicklow on this weekend June 10th-12th.
Over the next 3 weeks we will be profiling the three finalists of the Iconic Offices Business Bursary competition on Down to Business. First up today is the founder and CEO of Zipp Mobility Charlie Gleeson
Joining Bobby in the Executive Chair is Daniel Mackey, Founder & Chief Technical Officer at Teamwork.com
Things are definitely getting back to normal because after two years of virtual events 'Bloom' is back live in the Phoenix Park.
Now in its 16th year, 'Bord Bia Bloom' has become one of Ireland’s largest showcases celebrating the best of Irish horticulture, food, and drink.
Bobby took a trip out to Phoenix Park to taste some of the food on offer, meet the people, and of course, take a stroll around the gardens.
Animation is a magical medium that not only captures the imagination but can also teach us valuable lessons as well.
It just so happens that here in Ireland, we have some of the most talented and dedicated creative minds in the animation business.
So, to help Bobby better understand how it all works, he was joined by three people in the know to discuss:
- Tomm Moore, Co-founder & Creative Director of Cartoon Saloon
- Gillian Comerford, Creative Director at Bouldermedia
- Ronan McCabe, Chief Executive Officer at Animation Ireland
Across the water our closest neighbours are celebrating the Queen’s Jubilee where Queen Elizabeth II has been on the throne for a staggering 70 years.
But how are things looking for the British economy with a Prime Minister who has skirted dangerously close to being fired, a war in Ukraine, and of course rampant inflation?
Bobby was joined by Economics Editor & columnist with the Sunday Times, David Smith to discuss.
For many pop music fans, the return of ABBA live-in-concert has been long-awaited.
Tech guru Andy O'Dononbhue joined Bobby to talk about the Abba avatars that have been created to make the show possible - technology which he thinks is the metaverse happening in front of our eyes!
Neil Bannon is a well-known retail property expert and the executive chairman at Bannon.
He thinks that the death of the retail property market is being overstated and that the media, including us here on 'Down to Business', are over-egging it.
Neil joined Bobby to discuss.
We are a nation of animal lovers, and with that comes a lot of care.
But how have things been for those who make it their life’s work to take charge of that care in the last few years?
To find out Bobby is joined by:
- Elise O'Byrne White, Veterinary Surgeon at the DSPCA who also features on the RTÉ series ‘The Shelter: Animal SOS’ on Friday nights.
- Conor Geraghty, Veterinary Surgeon at Geraghty & Neary Veterinary in Mountbellew, Co. Galway & also Former President of Veterinary Ireland.
- Dr. Rosalinda Devereux, Owner at Wexford Equine Veterinary Practice & President of Irish Equine Veterinary Association.
Friend of the show, Mark Simmonds, has just published a new book that looks at the growing and the seemingly inescapable problem of letting work stress get the better of you.
Mark took a call from Bobby to chat about what we can do to mitigate the impact of a heavy workload as well as his book, ‘Beat Stress at Work-How to Balance Your Ambition With Your Anxiety’.
Leo Cullen’s Leinster take on Ronan O'Gara's La Rochelle at Stade Velodrome in Marseille in the Heineken Champion’s Cup Final this afternoon and so to look ahead to what promises to be a colossal match, Bobby is joined by Off the Ball’s Will O’Callaghan to get his predictions.
Bobby welcomed to the studio Fiona Uyema, who is a cookbook author and founder of the Asian cooking essentials range ‘Fused’.
Her food, and indeed business journey, began after time spent in Japan and she’s just this week launched 2 new spicy sauces with 100% of profits going to the Irish Red Cross's vital work in Ukraine.
She joined Bobby to discuss.
Joining Bobby in the Executive Chair this week is David Byrne, Managing Director of Lisney. Listen and subscribe to Down to Business with Bobby Kerr on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App. You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.
Do you feel there should be more to running a business than the focus on profit alone? Do you ever wonder why you work so hard yet still feel that something is missing? Andrew Thornton, the co-author of 'Putting the Heart Back into Business: How to Place People, Planet, and Purpose at the Core of What You Do', proposes a better way of being in business - one that enables everyone to truly be themselves, harnesses their strengths and individuality, and puts people and planet first - whilst trusting that profit will still follow. Andrew joined Bobby to tell him more. Listen and subscribe to Down to Business with Bobby Kerr on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App. You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.
Physios are an integral part of our health system, keeping us fit and strong to help us deal with whatever life throws at us. Whether you’re a stay-at-home type or a fitness fanatic chances are you’ve had to employ the knowledge, care, and expertise of one of them at some point in your life and so for this week’s Industry Review, Bobby thought he’d catch up with three of them to for a bit of an industry health check. Joining Bobby is
Jenny Branigan, Chartered Physiotherapist at Total Physio in Sandyford Margaret Hanlon, Partner at Cityphysio in Lucan & Chairperson of Chartered Physiotherapists in Private Practice Working Group Eoin Everard, of Everard Physio in Kilkenny
Listen and subscribe to Down to Business with Bobby Kerr on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App. You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.
With constant talk of inflation, we may also now have to deal with a dreaded rise in Interest Rates. Writing recently in the Sunday Independent Economist Colm McCarthy talked about the ‘holiday drawing to a close’. Colm joined Bobby in the studio to discuss. Listen and subscribe to Down to Business with Bobby Kerr on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App. You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.
Bobby was out & about at the Fitzgerald Woodlands House Hotel & Spa in Adare, co. Limerick. There he caught up with Mary Fitzgerald, Elaina Fitzgerald Kane, and David Fitzgerald to find out more about the legacy of the business as well as how the industry, in general, is holding up. Listen and subscribe to Down to Business with Bobby Kerr on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App. You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.
Bob Hamilton is a former banker who is now making a business out of selling memorials to the Irish diaspora across the world with his business 'Irish Urns'. Bob joined Bobby to discuss. Listen and subscribe to Down to Business with Bobby Kerr on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App. You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.
Joining Bobby in the Executive Chair is Laura Dillion, Managing Director & Head of the Irish Team at Waterland Private Equity Investments. Listen and subscribe to Down to Business with Bobby Kerr on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App. You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.
For this week's Out & About Bobby paid a visit to Asia Market on Drury Street in the heart of Dublin city. He was joined by Eva Pau, Commercial Director of Asia Market to discuss the long history of the store which has been in operation since 1981. Listen and subscribe to Down to Business with Bobby Kerr on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App. You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.
Economists can often be labeled pessimistic, and yet they would counter that they are being realistic. With that in mind, in last weekend’s Sunday Times, Cormac Lucey dared to use the word "recession" in his weekly column so Bobby thought he'd find out just what the prognosis is for the Irish economy in the coming months. Listen and subscribe to Down to Business with Bobby Kerr on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App. You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.
When you hear about personal insolvency, more often than not it’s some multi-million write-off that you’ve read about in the papers. But what about the everyday working business people who can’t pay off their debts? How does the whole insolvency issue get resolved and what are the usual outcomes? Joining Bobby to shed some light on this area is:
Alan O’Kennedy of Mitchell O’Brien’s Office in Dungarvin part of IRS Ireland Eugene McDarby - UHY Personal and Corporate Insolvency Solutions Limited Tara Cheevers - Managing Director & Owner of ACO Financial & Business Solutions Ltd
Listen and subscribe to Down to Business with Bobby Kerr on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App. You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.
Many companies put huge amounts of money into training their sales teams. But when it comes to getting the most out of your team - how can you better coach and nurture the potential you see in them? Mark Garrett Hayes is a Sales Coach and author of ‘Sales Coaching Essentials: How to Transform Your Sales Team’ - he joined bobby to discuss. Listen and subscribe to Down to Business with Bobby Kerr on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App. You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.
We all know about increased prices in seemingly every sector of our lives - not least in our shopping baskets - but what about the people who actually make and process our food and drinks? To discuss the impact of inflation on this area, Bobby was joined by Roisin O’Shea, Head of Food & Drink Sector with Bank of Ireland. Listen and subscribe to Down to Business with Bobby Kerr on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App. You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.
Joining Bobby in the Executive Chair is Colm Kelleher - Managing Director of LHK Group. Listen and subscribe to Down to Business with Bobby Kerr on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App. You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.
From inflation to energy supply issues, there have been some ill winds blowing across Ireland for some time now. Economist, Dan O'Brien joined Bobby to chat through some of the issues faced by the Irish economy over the last few years and to try to find some light amongst the gloom. Listen and subscribe to Down to Business with Bobby Kerr on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App. You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.
For many of us, financial worries are one of the primary sources of stress in our lives. In fact for some, the notion of a stress-free relationship with money seems like a pipe dream but for Michael Gilmore author of ‘The Little Book of Zen Money’ that couldn't be further from the truth. He joined Bobby to discuss how to take the stress out of money and make peace with your finances. Listen and subscribe to Down to Business with Bobby Kerr on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App. You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.
Earlier in the week Bobby got to interview Steve Wozniak at the Pendulum Summit. Wozniak is an American electronics engineer, computer programmer, inventor, philanthropist and technology entrepreneur. In 1976, with business partner Steve Jobs, he co-founded Apple Inc., which later became the world's largest information technology company by revenue and the largest company in the world by market capitalisation. Through his work at Apple in the 1970s and 1980s, he is widely recognised as one of the most prominent pioneers of the personal computer revolution. Listen and subscribe to Down to Business with Bobby Kerr on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App. You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.
Joining Bobby in the Executive Chair is Dermot Crowley, CEO of Dalata Hotel Group. Listen and subscribe to Down to Business with Bobby Kerr on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App. You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.
Bobby Bobby was reporting from The Hardwareshow 2022 this week the annual event for Home - Garden - Builds and DIY. #BobbyMeansBiz! Bobby chatted with Michael O'Donohoe, President of the Hardware Association of Ireland, Martin Markey, Chief Executive Officer of the HAI, Helen O'Dwyer, Head of Marketing at Solas, Denise McCarthy, Brinks Cash Services Ireland, Ryan O'Leary, Founder of Bobby Products. Listen and subscribe to Down to Business with Bobby Kerr on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App. You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.
Michael Carvill - MD of Kenmare Resources joins Bobby to discuss his life and times in business in this week's 'Executive Chair'
How is the flowr industry faring in Ireland? Bobby sought to find out in this week's episode of Industry review.
Every company has its milestones and sometimes it’s nice to celebrate those. Irish children’s clothing brand, BabyBoo.ie, has recently made its 1 millionth baby bib sale. Founded by two mums, Vicki O’Callaghan and Michelle O’Riordan, 8 years ago their business has succeeded in the competitive baby market. They joined Bobby to discuss. Listen and subscribe to Down to Business with Bobby Kerr on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App. You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.
'The Speed Queen' is a self-service laundry that uses less water and fewer chemicals. They have just opened their 9th Irish store out in Dundrum and so find out more about what sets them apart from your run-of-the-mill laundry service, Bobby spoke to the man behind the business, Patrick Brennan. Listen and subscribe to Down to Business with Bobby Kerr on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App. You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.
Joining Bobby in the Executive Chair is Alan Cox, former CEO of Core. Listen and subscribe to Down to Business with Bobby Kerr on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App. You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.
There are so many incredibly successful cosmetics brands here in Ireland that for this week's Industry Review Bobby wanted to find out a little bit more about what the area is like from those who have made it their own. Joining Bobby to discuss is:
Aimee Connolly, Founder & CEO of Sculpted by Aimee Nicola Connolly, Founder of skincare range Nunaia Niamh Ryan, Co-Founder of Ella & Jo Cosmetics
Listen and subscribe to Down to Business with Bobby Kerr on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App. You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.
Watching the economic news is like watching two movies at the same time - so says Cliff Taylor of the Irish Times. He joined Bobby to discuss the muddled picture that is the Irish domestic economy what with employment at record levels; labour shortages despite a string of job announcements; the war in Ukraine, as well as the energy crisis, and the impact on businesses. Listen and subscribe to Down to Business with Bobby Kerr on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App. You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.
Now, as we all know we Irish are known for enjoying a pint or two and of course, that reputation is somewhat earned. But not everyone indulges and for those that still want to enjoy a night out or a pre-theatre tipple but without the hangover, there's 'The Virgin Mary' on Capel Street. Bobby popped in to say hello to owner Vaughan Yates and get a bit of a lesson in the art of non-alcoholic cocktail making. Listen and subscribe to Down to Business with Bobby Kerr on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App. You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.
John Glackin is best known for this role as the government-appointed inspector in the Johnston, Mooney, and O’Brien and Telecom Eireann saga which led to the ground-breaking reports of 1992 and 1993 from his memoir, 'A Glackin Report: My Life in Luck and Law', takes its title. John joined Bobby to discuss. Listen and subscribe to Down to Business with Bobby Kerr on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App. You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.
Cally Beaton is a writer, entrepreneur, business mentor, and keynote speaker but might be best known for her stand-up comedy. She’ll be speaking at this year’s Pendulum Summit taking place on April 26th and 27th at the RDS in Dublin - she joined Bobby to discuss her journey through professional life and the path that led her to comedy. Listen and subscribe to Down to Business with Bobby Kerr on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App. You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.
Joining Bobby in the Executive Chair is Ray Coyle of Tayto Park. Listen and subscribe to Down to Business with Bobby Kerr on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App. You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.
On ‘Down to Business’ we often have the pleasure of speaking to some of the most interesting and engaging people in the world of business. Sharon Lechter, is an entrepreneur, philanthropist, motivational speaker, chartered global management accountant & co-author of the best-selling ‘Rich Dad Poor Dad’ and a staggering 22 other books. Sharon is a keynote speaker at this year’s Pendulum Summit taking place on April 26th and 27th at the RDS in Dublin - she joined Bobby to chat about her professional journey and the lessons she learned along the way. Listen and subscribe to Down to Business with Bobby Kerr on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App. You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.
Twenty years ago this very day Newstalk began broadcasting. Twenty years is a long time in the media space and things back then were wildly different from how they are today. Garett Harte of Harte media who was the station’s first employee and would go on to become its longest-serving editor in chief joined Bobby to discuss. Listen and subscribe to Down to Business with Bobby Kerr on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App. You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.
CEO Adam Coleman of Lahinch-based HRLocker is taking flexible working to new heights. He's working from 23 different locations across four countries in six weeks to prove that not only is “work” not a place but to demonstrate the efficacy and benefits of flexible working, for both employee and employer. He joined Bobby to tell him if this is just a PR stunt or a serious effort to make remote working more acceptable. Listen and subscribe to Down to Business with Bobby Kerr on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App. You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.
Guaranteed Irish has announced the winners of the 2022 Guaranteed Irish Business Awards, proudly supported by Permanent TSB. One business that caught Bobby's eye was the Winner of the Professional Services - Business Support Solutions Award and that was a company called ‘Call Pal’. Bobby was joined by its MD Rachel Gray to find out more about the business. Listen and subscribe to Down to Business with Bobby Kerr on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App. You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.
Joining Bobby in the Executive Chair is Brendan Nevin, Chair & Co-Founder of Code Institute. Listen and subscribe to Down to Business with Bobby Kerr on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App. You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.
You can reclaim your power to make a difference by unleashing your inner maverick. So says Jules Goddard, co-author of “Mavericks: How Bold Leadership Changes the World”. Along with his co-authors, he asks what you as a leader can do to make the world a better place. Jules joined Bobby to discuss. Listen and subscribe to Down to Business with Bobby Kerr on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App. You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.
With so much of our lives being spent online and so many of our purchases being done from the comfort of our own homes, it can be tough for some businesses to get the business they once did. One sector that has been written off time and time again is the humble bookshop. Thankfully they're still with us and so Bobby thought he'd get the perspective of those in-the-know to find out how things have been since restrictions were lifted. Joining Bobby was:
Maria Dickenson - Managing Director at Dubray Books Maurice Earls - Owner of Books Upstairs, Dublin Economist, Jim Power.
Listen and subscribe to Down to Business with Bobby Kerr on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App. You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.
Inspired by nature - bees making honey, fresh ingredients and nothing artificial - Miena’s Irish Handmade Nougat specialises in making the freshest and most natural nougat possible. Bobby paid a visit to Miena’s kitchen in the beautiful Glen of Imaal to find out more. Listen and subscribe to Down to Business with Bobby Kerr on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App. You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.
Despite the recent rises in Covid cases it seems people are starting to socialise a lot more again and indeed office parties are making a return. But Brian McDermott, Co-Founder & Director at FUEL thinks that the office and staff gathering of the future will be very different and is declaring that the ‘piss-up’ is dead. Brian joined Bobby to discuss. Listen and subscribe to Down to Business with Bobby Kerr on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App. You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.
Joining Bobby in the Executive Chair is Mark Little of Kinzen. Listen and subscribe to Down to Business with Bobby Kerr on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App. You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.
Like all of us and for world-renowned leadership and motivation expert Drew Povey, in personal and professional life it’s not a question of whether the clouds will come but when. Bobby spoke to Drew about his new book 'When the Clouds Come' which aims to give the reader some tried and tested ideas that will truly help when you need it most. Listen and subscribe to Down to Business with Bobby Kerr on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App. You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.
The franchise sector is an important contributor to the Irish economy in terms of the employment it creates and the wealth it generates. The sector is constantly increasing in Ireland, as new franchisees set up their own businesses, existing native businesses use the franchise model for expansion, and new non-Irish franchises enter the market due to our strong domestic economy. Joining Bobby for this week's Industry Review are three franchise industry representatives:
David Killeen, Chair of the Irish Franchise Association Shabu Mani, Co-Founder and Head of Franchising at Camile Thai Juliet O’Connell, Franchisee of The Zip Yard in Dun Laoghaire
Listen and subscribe to Down to Business with Bobby Kerr on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App. You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.
As Ireland continues to grapple with rising inflation, Bobby was joined by economist Colm McCarthy who says that we may have to start thinking outside the box when it comes to energy. Listen and subscribe to Down to Business with Bobby Kerr on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App. You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.
As quickly as it arrived, now too, are we to bid farewell to the 2022 Six Nations. It’s Super Saturday with all six teams playing throughout the day but only two that are in with a chance of snatching the title and thankfully Ireland is one of them. To chat through Ireland's chances Bobby was joined now by Munster & Ireland Legend Marcus Horan. Listen and subscribe to Down to Business with Bobby Kerr on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App. You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.
Prisca Bags is the result of merging two passions, sailing and sewing, to make useful travel bags by upcycling old sails and material remnants. Bobby took a trip out to Prisca Bags HQ to chat with founder Amanda Chambers to find out more. Listen and subscribe to Down to Business with Bobby Kerr on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App. You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.
This weekend, Aldi have a Special Buy weekend which will feature produce from former Grow With Aldi winners. One of those winners is Husband and Wife Team of Malcolm and Fiona Falconer who are behind the "Wild About" Range. Listen and subscribe to Down to Business with Bobby Kerr on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App. You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.
The haulage industry has been heavily impacted by political and economic shifts in recent years. Bobby finds out how the industry has managed to overcome these challenges by speaking to Eugene Drennon,President of the Irish Road Haulage Association, Richard Nolan, CEO of Nolan Transport Group and Peter Summerton, Managing Director of McCulla (Ireland) Ltd. Listen and subscribe to Down to Business with Bobby Kerr on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App. You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.
Bobby takes a trip to Dundrum Town Centre to see how retailers are recovering after 2 years of adversity. He chats to Centre Director Don Nugent and checks out the new Brown Thomas Store that has just opened. Listen and subscribe to Down to Business with Bobby Kerr on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App. You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.
In the Executive Chair this week is Niall Rochford who has been at the helm of Ashford Castle in Cong, Co. Mayo for the last 20 years. Listen and subscribe to Down to Business with Bobby Kerr on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App. You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.
Bobby chats to Terry Blackburn about his book, Be a Lion. Terry Blackburn was told by his teachers growing up that he would never amount to anything. He left school at 16 without any qualifications. He now runs seven businesses and has won multiple industry awards. His new book ‘Be A Lion’ shows you exactly how he achieved his success. Listen and subscribe to Down to Business with Bobby Kerr on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App. You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.
Bobby speaks to Paul Sommerville, CEO of Sommerville Advisory Markets. Paul accesses the impact the war in Ukraine is having on the stock market and what the forecast is likely to be in the weeks and months ahead. Listen and subscribe to Down to Business with Bobby Kerr on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App. You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.
Bobby takes a look at what's impacting the front pages of today's papers. He is joined by Gina London, CEO of Language of Leadership and Sunday Independent Columnist as well as Doug Keating of Murray Consultants. Listen and subscribe to Down to Business with Bobby Kerr on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App. You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.
Starting tomorrow in the RDS is ‘Showcase’- Ireland’s International Creative Expo which attracts huge numbers of exhibitors and visitors and more importantly it generates over €20 million of sales orders over the four days of the show. Bobby spoke to Leo Clancy CEO of Enterprise Ireland, Rosemary Steen the CEO of Design & Crafts Council Ireland as well as Siobhan Kehoe, Brand and Commercial Director at Rathbornes 1488 and Brendan McCarey of Rawsaol about the unique event. Listen and subscribe to Down to Business with Bobby Kerr on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App. You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.
Bobby welcomes Carlow native Carmel Owens to the Executive Chair to discuss her career in the tech industry. Listen and subscribe to Down to Business with Bobby Kerr on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App. You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.
Annabel Karmel MBE is a bestselling author of toddler and children nutrition cooking books. She also has an app and a popular range of baby food products stocked in Dunnes, Aldi, Tesco and SuperValu . Listen and subscribe to Down to Business with Bobby Kerr on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App. You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.
Dr Anne Finnegan, policy analyst with the Irish Farmers Journal speaks to Bobby about the possible impact the Russian Invasion will have on Irish lives. She explains how the war between Russia and the Ukraine will lead to increased food prices and potential food shortages in the long run. Listen and subscribe to Down to Business with Bobby Kerr on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App. You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.
Bobby visits the Escape Rooms in Shannon, County Clare. The interactive adventure game sees a group of players enter an immersive environment (the "room") with a mission to accomplish and a one hour time limit! Photo Credit: depositphotos.com Listen and subscribe to Down to Business with Bobby Kerr on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App. You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.
Joining Bobby in the Executive Chair this week is Alan and Val Kingston of Glenilen Farm.
Energy price pressure, labour shortages, and covid restrictions continue to weigh on our economy. As inflation rates continue to rise, Bobby was joined by economist, Jim Power to discuss what can be done to control things. Listen and subscribe to Down to Business with Bobby Kerr on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App. You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.
Joining Emmet Oliver in the Executive Chair is Jim Joyce CEO of Health Beacon. Listen and subscribe to Down to Business with Bobby Kerr on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App. You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.
Now, luck can seem like a pretty abstract concept. But it turns out that if you consider yourself to be ''lucky'' then chances are that you'll experience more of it in your lifetime. But can we actually make our own luck? Bobby was joined by Dr Christian Busch is the director of the Global Economy program at New York University's Center for Global Affairs and author of 'Connect the Dots: The Art and Science of Creating Good Luck'. Listen and subscribe to Down to Business with Bobby Kerr on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App. You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.
Now, barbershops have been popping up all over the country over the past few years and the customers are lining up in their droves if lockdowns and the absence of haircuts will teach us. That's why this week, Bobby wanted to speak to those in the barber business to get a feel for the booming market and the challenges of running a barbershop throughout a pandemic. Joining Bobby to discuss is:
Leslie Quigley owner of Killiney Barbers. Sam Donnelly owner of Sam's Barbers & Vinny McEvoy from Empire School of Barbering
Listen and subscribe to Down to Business with Bobby Kerr on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App. You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.
So how was your first week of Freedom now that Covid Restrictions have been largely lifted? Did you eat, drink and spend? Bobby was joined by Cliff Taylor managing editor of the Irish Times who believes we're about to have a consumer boom, well at least a mini-one. Listen and subscribe to Down to Business with Bobby Kerr on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App. You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.
Now this week one of the big stories was the move by government to bring in a law that will give every employee the right to request remote working from their employer. It seems remote working is here to stay post Covid. Bobby was joined by Gina London the well-known business coach and columnist whose has written extensively on the subject. Listen and subscribe to Down to Business with Bobby Kerr on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App. You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.
This morning on Down To Business John Lowe the Money Doctor joined Bobby to chat about the release of his annual updated financial planning bible 'Money Doctors', the book is now in its staggering 17th edition. Listen and subscribe to Down to Business with Bobby Kerr on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App. You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.
Frederique Murphy is a mindset strategist, keynote speaker, and author of ‘Lead Beyond The Edge: The Bold Path to Extraordinary Results’ . She joins Emmet to talk about rewiring your brain for success.
Joining Bobby in the Executive Chair is Maggie Malone - CEO and Co-Founder of Certior Health (GoSafe48). Listen and subscribe to Down to Business with Bobby Kerr on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App. You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.
It's ramping up to that special time of the year again where we have the crazy rush to get the best food and drink for ourselves and our loved-ones. And, of course, no festive feast would be complete without the cheese - be it from Dingle , Gubbeen, or Durrus. So, to chat to Bobby about what's in store on the cheese front this year is ... Mark Murphy of The Little Cheese Shop in Dingle Kevin Sheridan of Sheridan's Cheese Mongers Fingal Ferguson of Gubbeen Farm Cheese Listen and subscribe to Down to Business with Bobby Kerr on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App. You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.
Regular listeners will know that most weeks during our paper review, Bobby will quote from the Irish Times' Cliff Taylor who casts his keen eye over the public finances. This week Bobby was joined by Cliff to chat about the year ahead and what new government supports could mean for the economy. Listen and subscribe to Down to Business with Bobby Kerr on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App. You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.
Brian Hartzer joined Bobby to discuss his new book "The Leadership Star: A Practical Guide to Building Engagement." The pair discuss the need to emotional engage employees to maximize productivity and create a more harmonious workplace. Other topics up for discussion are: how to tackle The Great Resignation and Brian's five C's of leadership. Listen and subscribe to Down to Business with Bobby Kerr on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App. You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.
With the Christmas season well upon us and many people still struggling for inspiration, Andy O'Donoghue joined Bobby to discuss his best tips for filling those Christmas stockings! Listen and subscribe to Down to Business with Bobby Kerr on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App. You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.
The takeaway business is booming. Bobby visited Hosted Kitchens to find out how they are helping busy restaurants and takeaways cope with the extra load. And how they are utilizing robots to help. Owner of the Dublin startup, Seán Murray joined Bobby to discuss the venture. Listen and subscribe to Down to Business with Bobby Kerr on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App. You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.
Joining Bobby in the Executive Chair is Pat Beirne, CEO of the Mergon Group. Listen and subscribe to Down to Business with Bobby Kerr on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App. You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.
The job market has been changing for some time now. Over the last two years alone we’ve seen a huge shift in employee and employer expectations, where and how we work, and let's not forget a little something called the Great Resignation to deal with as employees flock to pastures new in their droves. So, naturally there’ll be a lot of job interviews to get through but what can the modern job seeker do to prepare? Sinéad English, a career consultant joined Bobby to talk about the Revised and Updated 2nd Edition of her book 'CV & Interview 101: How to Apply and Interview for Jobs' Listen and subscribe to Down to Business with Bobby Kerr on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App. You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.
Now, life without laughter would be a fairly hollow and sorrowful affair. It really is the best medicine and thankfully we here in Ireland have our fair share of funny men and women. But how have things been for comedians over the past 2 years or so? For this week’s Industry Review I thought I’d find out... Joining me are comedians:
Karl Spain Julie Jay and...Joe Rooney
Listen and subscribe to Down to Business with Bobby Kerr on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App. You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.
Now Onesonic are the the first and only Irish Audio Device company and their earphones and headphones have gotten some rave reviews. Last week they were a ‘one for everyone in the audience’ at the Toyshow. It’s a business that nearly didn’t happen and Bobby was joined by David Cawley CEO and Founder of the company. Listen and subscribe to Down to Business with Bobby Kerr on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App. You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.
Smart Tips For SMEs subtitled Understanding The SME Environment In An Irish Context is a book by Economist Jim Power and Accountant. Smart Tips for SMEs is a deep dive in to the SME (Small-medium sized Enterprises) sector in Ireland, with case studies and contributions from thought-leaders, entrepreneurs and business owners. The book provides insights into the SME sector - the most important part of the Irish economy. Listen and subscribe to Down to Business with Bobby Kerr on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App. You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.
Bobby visited ‘Gifted’ the annual design and craft fair in the RDS this week which Featured Hundreds of Designers, Makers and Artisan Food Producers. Bobby spoke to the masters of craft and met with the Irish makers that are still building and creating through the pandemic. Listen and subscribe to Down to Business with Bobby Kerr on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App. You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.