Down To Business

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

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.

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.

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 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

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.

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

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 NostraPat 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.

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.

Joining Bobby in the Executive Chair this week is Emma Maye, CEO of Corebuild and Ardale.

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 CoachesPaddy Matthews, Owner of Matthews CoachesCathal 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.

Did you know that milk is usually always at the back of the supermarket and that conveyor belts are getting bigger. These are just some of the ‘tricks’ or ‘retail hacks’ supermarkets employ to get you to buy more. Conor Pope and Retail Consultant Eddie Shananhan discuss.

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'.

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.

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’sVinny McEvoy from Empire School of BarberingVeronica Smith from D16 Barbers

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.

Joining Bobby in the Executive Chair this week is Tom Cronin of Rye River Brewing.

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.