Down To Business

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'.

With an ever-increasing desire to look and feel good, food is obviously a huge part of the equation and there is one industry that caters to just those wishes. Nutritionists up and down the country are satisfying our appetites with no-nonsense, honest information about what we should be eating. Joining Bobby to dissect the trials and tribulations of being a nutritionist is: - Consultant nutritionist Gaye Godkin, - Sports nutritionist Daniel Davey - Mary Carmody of ‘Mary Carmody Nutrition’.

'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.

Joining Bobby in the executive chair this week is David Crimmins, CEO of Medihive

Bobby puts on his wellies to visit Lunasa Farm, a free-range pork and beef business.

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.

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.

Joining Bobby in the Executive Chair this week is Patrick Joy, Founder of Suretank Group.

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.

Bobby spoke to Caroline Reidy of HR Suite and Adam Greenfield Co-Founder of Work Life Well about what National Sickie Day and methods of increasing productivity and reducing absenteeism in the workplace.

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 Nostra Dr. 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 in the Executive Chair today is Stephen Leddy, MD of Hidden Hearing.

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'.

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 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 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

Joining Bobby in the Executive Chair is Paul Merriman, CEO Pax Financial Planning & Founder of AskPaul