As the holidays bring families together, it's the perfect time to reflect on the future—both personal and professional. In this episode of The SME Community Podcast , we dive into succession planning for small businesses. Aisling is joined by solicitor Ronan Kennedy and accountant Frank McMahon. Learn about the steps, challenges, and strategies to ensure a smooth transition for your business legacy. Whether you’re passing the reins to family or preparing for new leadership, this episode is packed with insights to help you plan for tomorrow. Don’t leave your business’s future to chance—start the conversation today. Frank McMahon, is the Managing Director at McMahon & Co Auditors & Accountants. He is a Chartered Accountant with over 30 years of experience, spanning both industry and public practice. He holds advanced qualifications in Forensic Accounting, Corporate and Personal Insolvency, and Business & Executive Coaching from UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School. Committed to staying updated, Frank regularly undertakes professional education in taxation, company law, and regulations. Ronan Kennedy is a Partner in Kennedy Frewen O’Brien Solicitors since 2003. He is a CEDR qualified mediator and the litigation partner at the 120 year old firm where he has acted for both Plaintiffs and Defendants. This gives him a unique insight into how opponents operate tactically. He has experience across the court system including the Circuit Court, High Court and Supreme Court. The Local Enterprise Office Tipperary, along with Enterprise Ireland, provide a wide range of help, incentives, training, and development programmes to entrepreneurs in Tipperary. You can reach LEO Tipperary on https://www.localenterprise.ie/tipperary, or get in touch with them at their base in Clonmel, @TipperaryLEO. Contact Frank McMahon www.mcmahonandco.ie , email: info@mcmahonandco.ie . Contact Ronan Kennedy at https://kfos.ie , email info@kfos.ie. You can talk to the TBF Digital Agency production team on Twitter or Instagram @tbfcentral using the #SMECommunityPodcast or at https://thebusinessfairy.ie or https://tbf.ie. Production Team LEO Tipperary Team: https://www.localenterprise.ie/Tipperary/ Madeline Ryan Ita Horan TBF Production Team: https://thebusinessfairy.ie https://tbf.ie Research & Host Aisling Hurley Sound Engineer Derry Luttrell The SME Community Podcast Production Team LEO Tipperary Team: https://www.localenterprise.ie/Tipperary/ Madeline Ryan Ita Horan TBF Production Team: https://thebusinessfairy.ie https://tbf.ie Research & Host Aisling Hurley Sound Engineer Derry Luttrell…

In this episode of The SME Community Podcast, Aisling dives into the art of building lasting customer relationships with Cora Barnes, founder and M.D. of 3Q Recruitment Agency. Discover practical strategies to keep your customers coming back, turn them into loyal advocates, and create unforgettable experiences that set your business apart. Whether you're an SME owner or part of a growing team, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you foster customer loyalty and drive long-term success. Tune in and learn how to turn customer relationships into your secret weapon! Cora Barnes has over 27 years experience in recruitment with an Executive MBA from Smurfit, a Post Graduate Diploma in HR from DBS, and a BA in Social Science from UCD. She is a resident judge for the Dublin City Local Enterprise Office Female Entrepreneur Award since 2008, a Fellow of the Employment Recruitment Federation, ERF Skillnet & Small Firms Association committee member and a board member and fundraiser for educational and youth initiatives in Dublin and South Africa. She is also a mentor for the SHONA project for empowering young women. The Local Enterprise Office Tipperary, along with Enterprise Ireland, provide a wide range of help, incentives, training, and development programmes to entrepreneurs in Tipperary. You can reach LEO Tipperary on https://www.localenterprise.ie/tipperary, or get in touch with them at their base in Clonmel, @TipperaryLEO. Contact Cora Barnes - cora@3qrecruitment.ie or https://3qrecruitment.ie/ or on LinkedIn. You can talk to the TBF Digital Agency production team on Twitter or Instagram @tbfcentral using the #SMECommunityPodcast or at https://thebusinessfairy.ie or https://tbf.ie. Production Team LEO Tipperary Team: https://www.localenterprise.ie/Tipperary/ Madeline Ryan Ita Horan TBF Production Team: https://thebusinessfairy.ie https://tbf.ie Research & Host Aisling Hurley Sound Engineer Derry Luttrell The SME Community Podcast Production Team LEO Tipperary Team: https://www.localenterprise.ie/Tipperary/ Madeline Ryan Ita Horan TBF Production Team: https://thebusinessfairy.ie https://tbf.ie Research & Host Aisling Hurley Sound Engineer Derry Luttrell…

In this episode from Boston, USA, Aisling sits down with Pamela Campagna, where they discuss the practical, actionable strategies on using AI tools and how to begin integrating them into your business. Pamela Campagna has over 30 years of experience in consulting, business, marketing, and entrepreneurship. She is the President of BLUE SAGE Consulting, Inc. a certified women-owned management consulting firm founded in 1997, where she specialises in global strategy, business optimisation & human capital development. She is a former board member and chair of the Marketing Committee of CMC-Global Institute, a virtual global community for professional management consultants. She is also a Certified Management Consultant (CMC®), representing global standards in consulting competencies, professional behavior, and ethics. Pamela is a professor of Practice at HULT International Business School in Cambridge, MA and has lectured at several universities including Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College. Her research focuses on team formation, using AI to develop personal success, as well as entrepreneurial self-efficacy for women entrepreneurs. Contact Pamela Campagna - https://www.bluesageconsulting.com/ pamelac@bluesageconsulting.com Learn about AI: https://www.udemy.com/ You can reach LEO Tipperary on localenterprise.ie Tipperary, or get in touch with them at their base in Clonmel, @TipperaryLEO. You can talk to the TBF Digital Agency production team on Twitter or Instagram @tbfcentral using the #SMECommunityPodcast or at https://thebusinessfairy.ie or https://tbf.ie. Production Team LEO Tipperary Team: https://www.localenterprise.ie/Tipperary/ Madeline Ryan Ita Horan TBF Production Team: https://thebusinessfairy.ie https://tbf.ie Research & Host Aisling Hurley Sound Engineer Derry Luttrell The SME Community Podcast Production Team LEO Tipperary Team: https://www.localenterprise.ie/Tipperary/ Madeline Ryan Ita Horan TBF Production Team: https://thebusinessfairy.ie https://tbf.ie Research & Host Aisling Hurley Sound Engineer Derry Luttrell…

In this episode of The SME Community Podcast, Aisling sits down with Clare Brett, the founder of natural skincare specialist manufacturer, Dublin Herbalist. Clare is a guest at the upcoming NWED event on the 17th of October. Dublin Herbalists skincare range is created and blended by hand in Ireland. The range is suitable for all skin types and is the winner of several beauty awards including a GOLD award in The Global Green Beauty awards 2024. Clare shares how a hobby in 2012 became a business with a range of 24 products, where the products are now sold globally - even reaching Asia, the challenges along the way and key business survival tips on data analytics, branding and watching the numbers. Local Enterprise Offices, along with Enterprise Ireland, provide a wide range of help, incentives, training, and development programmes to female entrepreneurs nationwide. National Womens Enterprise Day is coming up on the 17th of October. This is Ireland’s largest female enterprise event that promotes, encourages and stimulates female entrepreneurship across Ireland. LEO Tipperary’s event takes place in the fabulous Dromoland Castle and CountryClub Hotel. National Womens Enterprise Day Bookings: https://www.localenterprise.ie/Portal/Enable-Enterprise-Culture/NWED/NWED-2024/What-s-On!.html NWED Tipperary Event Information: MC: Ciana Campbell. Speakers include Aimee Connolly, from Sculpted by Aimee With panel speakers Hannah Wrixon, Pressed Flowers By Nell and, Clare Brett of Dublin Herbalists. Contact Dublin Herbalist - https://dublinherbalists.ie/ You can reach LEO Tipperary on localenterprise.ie Tipperary, or get in touch with them at their base in Clonmel, @TipperaryLEO. You can talk to the TBF Digital Agency production team on Twitter or Instagram @tbfcentral using the #SMECommunityPodcast or at https://thebusinessfairy.ie or https://tbf.ie. Production Team LEO Tipperary Team: https://www.localenterprise.ie/Tipperary/ Madeline Ryan Ita Horan TBF Production Team: https://thebusinessfairy.ie https://tbf.ie Research & Host Aisling Hurley Sound Engineer Derry Luttrell The SME Community Podcast Production Team LEO Tipperary Team: https://www.localenterprise.ie/Tipperary/ Madeline Ryan Ita Horan TBF Production Team: https://thebusinessfairy.ie https://tbf.ie Research & Host Aisling Hurley Sound Engineer Derry Luttrell…

In this episode of The SME Community Podcast, Aisling sits down with Dr. Nadav Ben Haim, the recently appointed Life Sciences Commercialisation Case Manager at the Technology Transfer Office (TTO) of South East Technological University (SETU). Together, they dive into the essentials of Intellectual Property (IP) Strategy and explore how SMEs can leverage IP to create tangible monetary value. IP is seen as the domain of tech giants and larger organisations involved in such industries as pharma etc. but did you know that it is equally applicable to smaller businesses and startups? Dr. Ben Haim offers practical insights for beginners, helping business owners understand the basics of protecting their innovations and how smart IP strategies can unlock new opportunities for growth and revenue, helping you go from local to global. You can reach LEO Tipperary on localenterprise.ie Tipperary, or get in touch with them at their base in Clonmel, @TipperaryLEO. You can contact Dr. Nadav Ben Haim at SETU: Nadav.Benhaim@setu.ie Learn about the Technology Transfer Office (TTO) of South East Technological University: https://www.setu.ie/research-innovation/innovation-and-entrepreneurship/technology-transfer-offices Learn about Innovation Vouchers: https://www.enterprise-ireland.com/en/supports/innovation-voucher You can talk to the TBF Digital Agency production team on Twitter or Instagram @tbfcentral using the #SMECommunityPodcast or at https://thebusinessfairy.ie or https://tbf.ie. The SME Community Podcast Production Team LEO Tipperary Team: https://www.localenterprise.ie/Tipperary/ Madeline Ryan Ita Horan TBF Production Team: https://thebusinessfairy.ie https://tbf.ie Research & Host Aisling Hurley Sound Engineer Derry Luttrell…

The retail landscape and customer behaviours, both online and in stores, have dramatically shifted over the past few years, placing significant demands upon retailers. They are having to innovate faster and increase buyer engagement while also finding significant operational efficiencies and addressing sustainability goals. This episode is a special edition in advance of the Retail Symposium being held in March by Tipperary County Council as part of Enterprise Week. In this episode Aisling is joined by Eimear Dwan who is the recently appointed marketing manager for the Crescent Shopping Centre in Limerick. Prior to this, she worked for Brown Thomas Arnotts as marketing executive over Fashions and Accessories. She has an honours degree in ‘Marketing & Management’ from TUS and a Master’s Degree from University of Limerick. Still only in her twenties, Eimear is the youngest ever marketing manager appointed to The Crescent Shopping Centre. You can reach LEO Tipperary on localenteprise.ie Tipperary, or get in touch with them at their base in Clonmel, @TipperaryLEO. You can learn more about The Crescent Shopping Centre at: https://crescentshoppingcentre.ie/inspiration/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crescentshoppingcentre/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/crescentshoppingcentre You can talk to the TBF Digital Agency production team on Twitter or Instagram @tbfcentral using the #SMECommunityPodcast or at https://thebusinessfairy.ie Production Team LEO Tipperary Team: https://www.localenterprise.ie/Tipperary/ Madeline Ryan Ita Horan TBF Production Team: https://thebusinessfairy.ie Research & Host Aisling Hurley Sound Engineer Derry Luttrell The SME Community Podcast Production Team LEO Tipperary Team: https://www.localenterprise.ie/Tipperary/ Madeline Ryan Ita Horan TBF Production Team: https://thebusinessfairy.ie https://tbf.ie Research & Host Aisling Hurley Sound Engineer Derry Luttrell…

2023 has been designated European Year of Skills by the EU Commission. In advance of the LEO Tipperary event on Thursday the 15th of November - How to Grow Local Talent, Aisling speaks with Sinead Heneghan of Landdi.ie about a huge issue amongst the SME community - which is attracting and retaining talent. Currently three in four EU companies have difficulty in sourcing workers with the skills the organisation needs, which is leading to prolonged and chronic shortages of the skills required to deliver on the organisation’s strategic objectives. Learn about the changing workforce, the design of work, funding for training and the hidden workforce available to small businesses. You can reach Sinead at: https://www.landdi.ie/ , Facebook https://www.facebook.com/LandDInstitute , https://www.instagram.com/landd_institute/ You can reach LEO Tipperary on localenteprise.ie Tipperary, or get in touch with them at their base in Clonmel, @TipperaryLEO or https://www.localenterprise.ie/Tipperary/ You can talk to us using at https://thebusinessfairy,ie , on Twitter or Instagram @tbfcentral using the #SMECommunityPodcast Mentioned in the podcast: Molly Madra: https://cardsbymollymadra21.ie/ Inclusion Ireland: https://inclusionireland.ie/resource-hub/ The SME Community Podcast Production Team LEO Tipperary Team: https://www.localenterprise.ie/Tipperary/ Madeline Ryan Ita Horan TBF Production Team: https://thebusinessfairy.ie https://tbf.ie Research & Host Aisling Hurley Sound Engineer Derry Luttrell…

If you are wondering where to start with AI, or what it’s all about, this is the episode for you. Aisling talks to Geraldine Magnier of Idiro Analytics, pioneers of AI and analytics for over 20 years. From crafting an AI policy, ethical considerations, to integration strategies, we've got you covered. Unravel the nuances of managing AI responsibly and ethically, ensuring that your venture not only thrives but also stands as a beacon of trust and innovation. Learn more about Geraldine and Idiro Analytics at https://idiro.com/ You can reach LEO Tipperary on localenteprise.ie Tipperary, or get in touch with them at their base in Clonmel, @TipperaryLEO or https://www.localenterprise.ie/Tipperary/ You can talk to us using at https://thebusinessfairy,ie , on Twitter or Instagram @tbfcentral using the #SMECommunityPodcast The SME Community Podcast Production Team LEO Tipperary Team: https://www.localenterprise.ie/Tipperary/ Madeline Ryan Ita Horan TBF Production Team: https://thebusinessfairy.ie https://tbf.ie Research & Host Aisling Hurley Sound Engineer Derry Luttrell…

Imagine if you were considering exporting and could do it without the hassle of customs, flights or ferries? A whole export market is available to Southern based businesses via Northern Ireland - and you may even be eligible to get help to access it! In this episode, we explore the fascinating world of business collaboration and cross-border trade. Our spotlight is on an organisation that plays a pivotal role in fostering partnerships and driving economic growth in Ireland and Northern Ireland. Join us as we delve into the realm of Intertrade Ireland, an innovative agency that champions businesses and encourages cooperation across borders. Aisling talks to Anne-Marie McAteer who is the manager of the Inter Trade Ireland Acumen programme and Janet Toal who is the Manager for the Intertrade Ireland Innovation programmes, Innovation Boost and Boost B2B. You can learn more about Intertrade Ireland at https://intertradeireland.com/ You can follow them on Twitter @ Inter_Trade You can reach LEO Tipperary on localenteprise.ie Tipperary, or get in touch with them at their base in Clonmel, via Facebook, Twitter or Instagram @LEOTipperary. You can reach the TBF podcasting production team, at thebusinessfairy.ie, or on Facebook (@TheBusinessFairyDigitalMarketingAgency) Twitter or Instagram @tbfcentral using the #SMECommunityPodcast. Production Team: Presenter; Aisling Hurley Research: Jane Farrell Sound Engineer: Derry Luttrell The SME Community Podcast Production Team LEO Tipperary Team: https://www.localenterprise.ie/Tipperary/ Madeline Ryan Ita Horan TBF Production Team: https://thebusinessfairy.ie https://tbf.ie Research & Host Aisling Hurley Sound Engineer Derry Luttrell…

You may have read the title of this podcast and wondered whether it was the pod for you, or even groaned. Let’s face it none of us really enjoy pouring over the book-keeping but trust us, by the end of this episode you will look at financials in a completely different light and you will actually enjoy it. You will also learn about how one business turned 100k into 9.9 million. Today Aisling meets Sir Steven Wilkinson, founder and CEO of Good & Prosper. Steven has been involved in business finance and investment for the best part of 30 years having started working for Merrill Lynch Investment Bank in Munich, Germany in 1987 at the tender age of 24. Good & Prosper is an advisory and investment company through which Steven acts as a thinking partner for business leaders and owners, supporting them as a generalist business expert across the fields of finance, leadership and culture. Good & Prosper is also a knowledge platform, teaching finance to entrepreneurs with a focus on Small & Medium sized businesses. You can learn more about Steven at https://www.goodandprosper.com/ or email him on steven@ goodandprosper.com . You can follow him on Twitter @SKNWilkinson You can reach LEO Tipperary on localenteprise.ie Tipperary, or get in touch with them at their base in Clonmel, via Facebook, Twitter or Instagram @LEOTipperary. You can reach the TBF podcasting production team, at thebusinessfairy.ie, or on Facebook (The Business Fairy Digital Marketing Agency), Twitter or Instagram @tbfcentral using the #SMECommunityPodcast. Production Team: Presenter; Aisling Hurley Research: Jane Farrell Sound Engineer: Derry Luttrell The SME Community Podcast Production Team LEO Tipperary Team: https://www.localenterprise.ie/Tipperary/ Madeline Ryan Ita Horan TBF Production Team: https://thebusinessfairy.ie https://tbf.ie Research & Host Aisling Hurley Sound Engineer Derry Luttrell…

In this episode Aisling talks to gaeilgeoir Grainne Moore. The Irish government has been actively trying to promote the Irish language. The objective of Government policy in relation to theIrish language is to increase, on an incremental basis, the use and knowledge of Irish as a community language. Grainne and Aisling discuss ways that you can bring Irish into everyday use in your business. Go raibh maith againn as éisteacht (thank you for listening), and if you enjoy the podcast please share it, give it a 5 star review and subscribe, that will really help us. Grainne Moore is at https://gaeilgelegra.com/ You can reach LEO Tipperary on localenteprise.ie Tipperary, or get in touch with them at their base in Clonmel, via Twitter or Instagram @LEOTipperary. You can reach the TBF podcasting production team, at thebusinessfairy.ie , or on Twitter or Instagram @tbfcentral using the #SMECommunityPodcast. The SME Community Podcast Production Team LEO Tipperary Team: https://www.localenterprise.ie/Tipperary/ Madeline Ryan Ita Horan TBF Production Team: https://thebusinessfairy.ie https://tbf.ie Research & Host Aisling Hurley Sound Engineer Derry Luttrell…

Learn how to start with ensuring your business processes are run as efficiently as possible. Find out what the 4 steps are to look at before automating any process, no matter what type of business you have. Lear how Japanese businesses have influenced our way of working, how to eliminate waste from your business and how the new Digital Start programme can help. In this episode Aisling talks to Dermot Freeman who has worked in the area of business process streamlining for over 3 decades. He is a Master Blackbelt practitioner of LEAN, a certified Scrum Master and certified ISO Lead Auditor. He works with UCC and the University of Ontario developing graduate programmes in the area. You can reach LEO Tipperary on localenteprise.ie Tipperary, or get in touch with them at their base in Clonmel, @TipperaryLEO. You can learn more about the Digital Start grant or apply for it on; localenterprise/digital. Dermot Freeman is at www.dermotfreeman.com You can talk to the TBF Digital Agency production team on Twitter or Instagram @tbfcentral using the #SMECommunityPodcast. The SME Community Podcast Production Team LEO Tipperary Team: https://www.localenterprise.ie/Tipperary/ Madeline Ryan Ita Horan TBF Production Team: https://thebusinessfairy.ie https://tbf.ie Research & Host Aisling Hurley Sound Engineer Derry Luttrell…

Did you know you could be sitting on a goldmine within your business in the form of unregistered Intellectual Property? It’s not as hard as you think to register IP (yes, really). In this episode Aisling talks to the IP and brand master that is Liam Birkett. Liam has had a vast career in Intellectual Property, design, marketing, sales and P R. His company was responsible for the corporate identities, product and brand creation plus marketing initiatives for both blue chip companies and SMEs in Ireland and internationally. Liam is a consultant expert to the European Commission Framework Programme and a past president and Fellow of the Institute of Designers in Ireland. Learn about the different mechanisms for IP registration, what sort of ideas qualify and how to turn the whole thing into a brand story and PR exercise. If you have an idea you’d like to talk about you can reach Liam Birkett via LEO Tipperary or via his email (mentioned in the podcast). You can reach LEO Tipperary on localenteprise.ie Tipperary, or get in touch with them at their base in Clonmel, via Twitter or Instagram @LEOTipperary. You can talk to the podcasting team at The Business Fairy Digital Marketing Agency on Twitter or Instagram @tbfcentral using the #SMECommunityPodcast. The SME Community Podcast Production Team LEO Tipperary Team: https://www.localenterprise.ie/Tipperary/ Madeline Ryan Ita Horan TBF Production Team: https://thebusinessfairy.ie https://tbf.ie Research & Host Aisling Hurley Sound Engineer Derry Luttrell…

Are you looking at your business wondering how you can increase efficiencies, productivity or cut costs? Then this is the podcast for you. There is a programme that can help you identify where any time savings - and as a result -possibly financial savings - can be made and it’s called Lean for Micro. In this episode Aisling meets Audrey McDonnell from sola.ie. Sola are a Tipperary based Energy Efficiency Supplier to the Retrofit and New Build Market and have been featured on RTE’s Room to Improve with Dermot Bannon. An incredibly progressive business Sola have undertaken the LEAN programme twice to help make their processes more efficient and grow their business. Aisling is also joined by Allyson English of Jigsaw Better Business Solutions who delivers the LEAN programme for LEO Tipperary who shares tips on how you can drive growth by digitising your business and what to consider when going LEAN with your business. You can find out more about the LEAN for Micro programme on https://www.localenterprise.ie/Tipperary/Training-Events/LEAN%20FOR%20MICRO/ If you have any questions you can get in touch with the LEO Tipperary office in Clonmel or talk to them via Twitter or Instagram @LEOTipperary using the hashtag #SMECommunityPodcast You can visit Audrey at https://sola.ie/ Allyson English is on https://jigsawbetterbusiness.ie/ You can talk to us on Twitter or Instagram @tbfcentral or visit us at https://thebusinessfairy.ie The SME Community Podcast Production Team LEO Tipperary Team: https://www.localenterprise.ie/Tipperary/ Madeline Ryan Ita Horan TBF Production Team: https://thebusinessfairy.ie https://tbf.ie Research & Host Aisling Hurley Sound Engineer Derry Luttrell…

There is a growing awareness and demand driven by consumers globally to engage with businesses who are climate conscious and stand for more than just their product or service. But if you are a small business how do you make a change and where do you start to make your business greener? In this episode Aisling discusses how to take your business green and learns about the Green for Micro Programme. John Butler of The Bookworm in Thurles, Co. Tipperary shares his experience and insight from doing the programme and Stuart Nelson of Jigsaw Better Business Solutions advises how to apply, what can be gained, how to avoid ‘greenwashing’ and gives tips for those serious about becoming a green machine. The Bookworm is an independent bookseller and has been trading in Thurles for an amazing 30 years. The business has grown and had to relocate twice and now have a 2000 sq foot premises which is at the corner of Liberty Square and Parnell Street. Jigsaw Business Solutions run a range of Process innovation Programmes such as Lean for Micro, Green Start and Green for Micro. The business also offers a range of services including consultancy and mentoring. *Funding is available only for Irish based businesses. Contact your local LEO to find out more and see if your business is eligible. You can find out more about the Green for Micro programme via the website; https://www.localenterprise.ie/Tipperary/Financial-Supports/Green-for-Micro/ You can get your books from John via his website https://bookworm.ie/ You can find out more about Stuart and Jigsaw on https://jigsawbetterbusiness.ie/ You can reach LEO Tipperary on localenteprise.ie Tipperary, or get in touch with them at their base in Clonmel, via Twitter or Instagram @LEOTipperary. You can talk to the team at The Business Fairy Digital Marketing Agency on Twitter or Instagram @tbfcentral using the #SMECommunityPodcast. The SME Community Podcast Production Team LEO Tipperary Team: https://www.localenterprise.ie/Tipperary/ Madeline Ryan Ita Horan TBF Production Team: https://thebusinessfairy.ie https://tbf.ie Research & Host Aisling Hurley Sound Engineer Derry Luttrell…