Down To Business

Bobby is joined by Paul Boross the Pitch Doctor.

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.

Joining Bobby in the Executive Chair is Kealan Lennon, CEO and Founder of CleverCards.

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.comEmer Purcell, founder and managing director of Hampers & CoMark 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.

In the Executive Chair this week is Geoff Moore, Managing Partner at Arthur Cox

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.

Sitting in the Executive Chair this week is Aisling Ryan, the CEO of Ryans Cleaning.

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 EasyGoLouella Morton, the co-founder of TestReachNeil 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 IrelandElke Westen, Owner of Studio Elke WestenMichelle 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?

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.

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.

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.

Joining Bobby in the Executive Chair is AJ Noonan, MD of Rhonellen Developments.

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.