Down To Business

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. MeathEamonn 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.

Booby took a trip to a business that has quadrupled its estimated turnover but it’s not just a juice bar. It is going to be a wellness hub too. Juice Jar’s CEO, Sam Shepard, showed Bobby around his business and discussed the success behind the business

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.

It’s a new year and with it comes a reset of all our annual leave but what to do with it and where to go?Three people who know a thing or two about all of that join Mandy Johnston to give us a sense of just where the travel sector is in Ireland right now.They are:Paul Hackett of Click and Go & Vice-President of the Irish Travel Agents Association-ITAAMary McKenna, MD of Tour America Martin Skelly, MD of Navan Travel

A current budget surplus of €12.8 billion makes Ireland an outlier among western economies but Cormac Lucey is not so sure everything is all rosey and thinks there are a few elephants in the room that could derail us in a blink of an eye. He joins Mandy Johnston to discuss.

We heard of 'quiet quitting' last year but a new trend has emerged which some say will damage the output and culture of a company - 'soft quitting'. So what is it, and just how damaging could it be? Mandy Johnston is joined by Damien McCarthy of the HR Buddy to try and make some sense of this. Good Morning Damien.

Joining Mandy Johnston to go through the main business stories from the Saturday papers is Louisa Meehan of Woodview HRM and Robert Whelan of RockWell Finance.

Joining Bobby in the Executve Chair this week is Ted Wright of Writech.

For this week’s Industry Review, Bobby thought it would be good to talk to a few people who have overcome their own challenges in life and who might be able to offer encouragement for the rest of us.Joining Bobby are three experts in the field:Ciara Conlon, leadership & productivity coachDr. Brian Pennie, Neuroscientist and Resilience SpecialistEnda O’Doherty, Keynote Speaker & Endurance Athlete 

There was a significant fall in the sale of EVs last year in comparison to 2023, but what does this tell us about the future of EVs? Philip Nolan, motoring correspondent with the Irish Daily Mail joins Bobby to discuss.

Bobby went out & about to Festina Lente in Wicklow - a charity that supports people to achieve their personal best in the natural world of horses, horticulture and community.

Joining Bobby this week in the executive chair was Ian McGuinness, CEO of Roganstown Hotel & Country Club.

Bobby talks to Dr David Oxley the co-author of a new book A Groundhog Careertalks about how to find a business that aligns with your values and purpose and live a professional life on your own terms.

For this weeks industry review Bobby looks at Gyms.

Bobby talks to Sissel Heiberg is an expert in introverted leadership and author of new book Quiet Leader: What you can learn from the power of introverts.

This week's out and about was in pitch golf.

Joining Bobby this morning was Motivational speaker Paul Boross.

Jacquelyn Dunne of the Journey.ie on a new tool to get all your affairs in order.

On down to business in 2024 Bobby visited many regional towns across the country as part of his ‘Open for Business’ Roadshows. Bobby while visiting these towns talked to business leaders, local stakeholders and got an overall sense of each town's business health. As the year closes to an end Bobby was joined by Planning expert Conor Skehan and retail consultant Eddie Shanahan to reflect on some of the highlights of the roadshow over the past year and to access how local business is faring in regional Ireland.

It’s been quite the year for business stories. From China becoming the king of EV production, to the economic panic Donald Trump’s re-election has caused. To review the year’s most significant business stories and to ask if they are hopeful for Irish business in 2025 Bobby was joined by Conor Faughnan, Transport Consultant, Caroline Reidy managing director of the HR Sweet and Bob Hoffman of Vista executive search

Bobby is joined Shane Leahy and Ross Kelly of One4Humanity for this week’s Executive Chair.One4Humanity is a registered charity that works to provide aid for victims of armed conflicts and natural disasters.The charity intervenes to meet the needs of people in crisis, while giving special attention to vulnerable groups such as women, the sick and children, ensuring that their basic needs are met.

Bobby hits the streets for his annual broadcast from Grafton Street.Get all the sights and sounds of Dublin's busiest shopping street, at its busiest time of year.Hit 'Listen' for all the atmosphere of a Dublin Christmas.

The Panto is a Christmas tradition for many families, but not a lot is known of the people behind the stage productions.So, Bobby sits down with some of the most experienced minds in the business; Claire Tighe, CEO of TheatreworX; Alan Hughes, Presenter on Ireland AM and renowned pantomime personality; and Robert C. Kelly, one of the industry’s biggest producers.Hit ‘Listen’ to get the inside scoop of this fascinating industry.

Ian sits down with Bobby on the dying days of Christmas to talk about embracing Christmas and forgetting your stress.Whether you’re Scrooge or Santa, this is a chat not to be missed.Hit ‘Listen’ to get all the latest.

It’s last-minute dotcom out there, and people are scrambling to get their presents together, so who better to have on than Conor Pope.Conor Pope is the Buddha of consumer affairs, so all you last minute worries are answered here.Hit ‘Listen’ to get all the best last-minute advice.

Bobby is joined by Joan Mulvihill and Stephen O’Leary to go through all the big business stories.A Guiness shortage in the UK and a new Taoiseach with a target on his back all in the papers today.Hit ‘Listen’ for more.

For something a little different, Bobby is joined by the Piccolo Lasso Choir to get a little festive cheer.The group of teenagers and kids sing some Christmas carols in the studio, so this is a fabulous listenHit ‘Listen’ to get the choir in action

Bobby was joined by the author of ‘Zero Sum’, Charles Hecker which offers a sharp and insightful look at Russia’s economic transformation and its impact on global business.With decades of experience in Russia—from the turbulent 1990s to the collapse of Western business in 2022—Hecker offers a unique perspective on the highs, lows, and lessons for businesses in volatile markets.

Joining Bobby this week for the industry review was:Jackie Spillane, Director of Spillane World Markets Bree Allen, Manager of Ballymaloe Grain Store Sadie Grace, Chair of the Committee for Casual Trading for Henry Street

Lorraine Butler, CEO UK & Ireland, CPM joins Bobby on the Executive Chair this week.

With a Trump presidency on the way and more competition from our neighbours in the EU when it comes to attracting foreign direct investment, where exactly do we stand when it comes to FDI and corporate lending as we close out 2024? John Feeney, CEO, Corporate and Commercial, Bank of Ireland joins Bobby to disclose.

Bobby heads outside to Super Social at Leapardstown Racecourse, a new competitive socialising place suitable for adults, with activities such as interactive darts, golf and shuffleboard. Bobby speaks to Paul Quinn and Dan Begley, co-founders of the new business.

Joining Bobby to roundup the stories making the business pages was Susan HayesCulleton and Doug Keatinge.

John Rooney, MD of Flogas Ireland, joins Bobby on The Executive Chair this week.Flogas is one of Ireland's biggest energy providers, so this is a really interesting chat to hear how the industry has been changing and adapting in recent years.Hit 'Listen' to hear this brilliant conversation.

Bobby sits down with three food producers that are putting a little Christmas twist on their products for the seasonJames Burke, Network Manager of the Dublin Food Chain, Andrew Brady from Garnacha, Kyle Petrie from Open Hive and Laura McCarthy from Drink Botanicals all sit down to discuss their seasonal products.Hit 'Listen' to find out more about these brilliant creators.

Bobby goes out and about to meet the three winners of the EY Entrepreneur of The Year winner.Bobby speak with winner from the International Category, Ivor Queally, chief executive of QK Group South Africa; winners of the Established Category, John, Ruth and David Mackey; and the overall winners, Orlaith Ryan and Sharon Cunningham from Shorla Oncology.Hit 'Listen' to hear about these great entrepreneurs

Earlier in the week, Bobby went out and about at the Arnott's Christmas Market.Five new Irish companies have been given their opportunity to showcase their wares at the market. All part of the Pitch '24 Startup competition.Hit 'Listen' to meet the creators.

Lord Mark Price joins Bobby to discuss the findings in this year's global workplace Report.Lord Mark is the founder of employee happiness platform, WorkL, the former UK Trade Minister and former CEO of Waitrose.Hit 'Listen' to find out why employee's have been happier in 2024than they were in work during the previous year.

Bobby is joined by Ronan Reid, from Cantor Fitzgerald Ireland, and Louisa Meehan, from Woodview HRM to discuss the big business stories in the papers.Fallout from the election, as government formation talks continue and how will Trump presidency hit Ireland?Hit 'Listen' to get all the big business stories