Down To Business

Three Independent Furniture Retailers join Bobby for the Industry Review this week.Grainne Cassidy, Founder of Pieces.ie, Orla Walsh, of Rightstyle Furniture and Conleth McKernan, of Benmore StudioThe guys discuss trends, challenges, and opportunities in the sector — from shifting customer tastes to supply chain pressures.Listen here.

Bobby heads to the RDS to soak in the atmosphere, meet Exhibitors, and explore why this Summer staple continues to draw crowds year after year.The Horse Show is one of the biggest events of the equine calendar. Bobby gets to see exactly what keeps the show going for so long by meeting some of the biggest names in the business.Listen here.

Cliff Taylor, Managing Editor of The Irish Times, explains the potential impact of Donald Trump’s apparent Global Trade War on Ireland’s Economic Stability and Export Markets.After a tumultuous few months of global trade, there isn't many signs of slowing down.Listen here.

Ronan Reid, Senior Stockbroker at Cantor, and Journalist & Author Valerie Cox join Bobby to run through the weekend’s top business headlines.From Trump tariffs to Ryan Tubridy's big fine, get all the biggest business stories here.

Join Bobby Kerr on this week's episode of "Down to Business" as he dives into the intricate world of trade tariffs and their impact on the Irish economy. With renowned broadcaster and businesswoman Norah Casey and Declan Ralph from BWG Group, Bobby navigates the latest developments in the EU-U.S. trade deal and the ongoing uncertainties that could affect various industries, from pharma to spirits. Discover how companies are strategizing in response to U.S. tariffs and get insights into the current state of the airline industry as Aer Lingus reveals impressive profit numbers. Plus, the discussion touches on DIY woes and the joys of the upcoming bank holiday weekend.

Bobby's out and about again and this week visits the bustling world of Bambino, a New York-style pizza shop located on Dublin’s Stephen Street. Bobby sits down with founders Nick and Shane to uncover the story behind their successful venture. Hear how a late-night Zoom call during lockdown sparked their passion for pizza, and get insights into their unique operation that keeps customers coming back for more. From the psychology of queues to crafting the perfect slice, discover what makes Bambino a local favourite.

Join Bobby Kerr in this engaging episode as he delves into the world of corporate culture with playwright Catriona Daly and HR expert Louisa Meehan. Catriona shares insights about her new comedy, "The Lunch Punch," which humorously critiques the often absurd jargon and flawed hierarchies of modern workplaces. With sold-out performances already, she reveals the inspiration behind the play and how it reflects everyday office life. Louisa adds a layer of expertise as she breaks down the difference between corporate culture and the "felt culture" experienced by employees. Together, they explore how language can often confuse and mislead, leaving many feeling disconnected in their work environments.

In this episode of "Down to Business," Bobby Kerr sits down with Hari Abburi to delve into his thought-provoking book, "Ideas Don't Die, Companies Do." Hari challenges the prevailing notion of customer obsession, arguing that the future lies in organizations that prioritize innovative ideas.He shares insights on how many companies focus on efficiency but neglect the importance of curiosity and imagination in driving true innovation.

In this episode, Bobby welcomes Donnchadh Casey, CEO of Calypso AI, who shares his fascinating journey from a petrol forecourt in Cobh to leading an innovative cybersecurity firm. Donnchadh reflects on his diverse career in engineering, including his time at McKinsey and Qualtrics, before diving into the world of AI and its transformative impact on business and society. Discover how Calypso AI is safeguarding organizations as they harness the power of artificial intelligence, and hear insights on the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead in this rapidly evolving landscape.

Bobby Kerr dives deep into the evolving landscape of Ireland’s hotel sector with three industry leaders. Join Bobby as he chats with Allen Flynn from the Flynn Hotel Collection, Paul Gallagher of the Irish Hotels Federation, and Dee Nix, CEO of Lawlor's Hotel in Naas. They discuss the current state of the industry, the impacts of tourism fluctuations, staffing challenges, and innovative steps being taken to attract guests.

Former Airbnb executive Aisling Hassell now leads Daha Wellness. She sits down with Bobby to talk about leaving the corporate world behind and building something with purpose.Listen here.

Aidan O'Shea from Otonomee, Caitlín McConn, Operations Manager at Grow Remote, and Dee Coakley, Co-founder and CEO of Boundless, join Bobby to explore how remote working has evolved from a pandemic fix to a permanent fixture.What will employers' new approach to work mean for productivity, culture, and the future of business?Listen here

Rafe Uddin of the Financial Times joins us to explain how autonomous taxis are gaining ground in Silicon Valley and what it might mean for cities around the world.Listen here.

Declan Murphy, Founder and Chair of Allsorter, talks about how AI-generated CVs are flooding recruitment and how his company is helping separate fact from fiction.Listen here.

Bobby is out and about to visit Éist Coffee in a Glenegeary to find out if coffee and commuting really go hand in hand — and what it takes to run a business in a unique location like a train station.Listen here.

Lorcan Allen of Keating & Associates and Joan Mulvihill, Digitisation Lead at Siemens, join Bobby to run through the top business headlines from the weekend papers.Trump tariff talks continue, and Intel's troubles are among the stories in the headlines this weekend.Listen here.

Joining Bobby in the Executive Chair is Luke Hanlon, Managing Director of SuperValu & Centra.

Charlotte Otter is the author of 'We Need New Leaders', a book that helps aspiring CEOs from diverse backgrounds land and keep the top jobs. Charlotte joins Bobby to discuss.

This week marks the 25th anniversary of Lidl's arrival in Ireland. Conor Pope joins Bobby to discuss the impact Lidl has made on the Irish supermarket sector and more.

For this week's Industry Review, Bobby is joined by three leading voices in Ireland’s digital marketing and transformation space. Caroline Dunlea is the CEO and Co-Founder of Core OptimisationJane McDaid is the Founder of ThinkhouseSeamus White, Co-founder & Head of Digital Marketing at Granite DigitalTogether, they explore how their companies have evolved in recent years, how they’re responding to changes in client needs and consumer behaviour, and where the digital marketing landscape is headed next.

Bees On The Roof was established in 2019 by Emma Finn, a professional beekeeper with a passion for nature, biodiversity, and making a real difference to Ireland’s declining bee population. Bobby popped out to her earlier in the week to find out what all the buzz was about.

Joining Bobby to go through the main business stories from the Saturday papers is Doug Keatinge of Avolon & Linda Daly, Business reporter with the Sunday Times.

Conserving the environment, supporting local communities, and providing meaningful experiences for visitors - it’s all part of ‘Ecotourism’ - a fast-growing arm of Ireland’s tourism strategy for the future. Joining Bobby to discuss is:· Paddy Mathews, Head of Operations for Ireland's Hidden Heartlands with Fáilte Ireland · Liam Feeley, Chief Executive Officer at Mountaineering Ireland · Niamh Lunny, from the Irish Landmark Trust · Jarlath O’Dwyer, CEO of the Burren Ecotourism Network

Things may be getting serious for Ireland’s pharma industry after Tuesday’s threat by Donald Trump to impose a 200% tariff on US pharma companies who fail to repatriate their production within a timeline. What would that mean for Ireland? Bobby is joined by economist Cormac Lucey & David Anchell, the founder and managing director of Camida.

Bobby is joined by James Eagle, author of 'From Chaos to Clarity: How Data Visualization can Save the World'.

Joining Bobby in this week's Executive Chair is Jayne Owen–Gauld, Market Manager for IKEA Ireland.

Joining Bobby to run through the main business stories of the day are Susan Hayes-Culleton, host of Taking Stock here at Newstalk & Robert Whelan of Rockwell Finance.

From the age of 30, evidence shows that we naturally lose significant muscle mass and bone density. Bobby headed out to 'Stronger You For Life’ in Rathmines, a personal fitness business that looks to create a solid, sustainable, and well-informed framework that helps people develop their own fitness toolkit.

Bobby speaks to chefs & restaurateurs to get a sense of just where this vital industry sits as we face down inflationary and staffing pressures.Guests:● Anna Haugh, Executive Head Chef & owner of Myrtle Restaurant in London● JP McMahon, chef, restaurateur, and author (owner of Cava, Aniar, and Kombu)● Jessica Murphy, Murphy Head Chef and co-Proprietor at Kai Restaurant in Galway● Will Dempsey, Restaurateur & Owner of Hang Dai on Camden Street

Bobby is out and about again and this time he's steaming up in a sauna on Killiney beach and learning more about The Hot Box Saunas.

Brian Walsh, CEO, VHI Group sits down with Bobby to discuss the work his group does in the area of healthcare.

The Sales Professional’s Handbook is essential reading for anyone working in sales, considering a career in sales or just curious about how a key element of the world of business functions. Alan Whelan chats to Bobby about his new book.

Derek Kavanagh, the Head of Motoring with Bank of Ireland, joins Bobby to discuss why 2025 is a hive of activity for the Irish motor finance sector.

Bobby is joined by Breda Browne and Ciaran Hancock to discuss this week's top business stories.

Joining Bobby in the Executive Chair this week is Enda Keogh, Owner & Director of Peters Pub.

Inspired by her time studying Japanese business & language in Tokyo as part of her BESS degree from Trinity College Dublin, Ciara Troy founded Oishii Foods fresh out of college, wanting to share her love of Japanese food with the Irish public. Ciara joins Bobby in studio to chat about the business and to try a few samples.

Indispensable is the no-nonsense guide to getting ahead, thriving at work, and building a successful career. It's also about taking back control in a time where AI, the cost of living crisis, and general job market competitiveness are causing everyone anxiety. Author Chris Hirst joins Bobby to chat about it all.

Joining Bobby for this week's Industry Review to chat about what it's like ot be a comedian are Julie Jay, Al Foran, and Chris Kent.

John Fitzgerald, Adjunct Professor in Economics at Trinity College Dublin, joins Bobby to assess whether the cup is half full or half empty when it comes to the Irish economy and public finances.

Joining Bobby to go through the main business stories of the day are Caroline Reidy of the HR Suite & Stephen O’Leary of Olytico.

Joining Bobby in the Executive Chair this week is Mary O'Dea, Chief Executive of the The Institute of Banking

Bobby speaks to Sarah Bird about her new book 'Nail Your Narrative: How to Use Storytelling to Reinvent Your Career in Midlife'.

Agricultural shows are a vital part of the rural economy, contributing to community engagement and acting as a platform for showcasing local products and celebrating rural culture.For this week’s Industry Review, Bobby wanted to look under the bonnet of three of the biggest Agricultural Shows we have to offer.Joining Bobby is John Flynn Chairperson of the Iverk Show Willie Cecil, Chairperson of the Gorey Agricultural Show John Keena, Chairperson Tullamore Agricultural Show Rebecca Dromey, co-chair of Clonmel Show

Bobby is joined in studio by Architect and presenter Hugh Wallace to chat about his early life, the tough years following the recession, the issue of building vacancy and dereliction, and more.

Joining Bobby to go through the main stories from the business papers is broadcaster and businesswoman, Norah Casey & Jon Ihle, Deputy Business Editor with the Sunday Times.

Held between July 10th & 13th, the Volvo Dún Laoghaire Regatta is Ireland's biggest sailing event. Bobby was out in about in Dun Laoghaire this week where he met up with Paddy Boyd, the Event Director, to chat about his year's regatta.

Once the purview of the rich and famous, the likes of botox, facelifts, and hair transplants are now a part of the daily lives of Irish people. So, today we're exploring the fast-growing cosmetic procedure sector in Ireland, examining the challenges, and the impact it's having on individuals and the wider healthcare landscape.Joining Bobby ot discuss is:Dr. Emma Cunningham, Aesthetic Doctor and Founder of Dr Emma Clinics in Newry & Slieve DonardIoan Mares,Trichologist from Premier Hair Restoration Clinic in RathminesLiz Dwyer, Co-founder of the Future Beauty and Health Show

Joining Bobby in the Executive Chair this week is David Varian of the Guinness Enterprise Centre.

Any manager knows the best work happens when a team is all pulling in the same direction. Gaëlle Devins' new book 'Flow Leadership: Unleash the Power of People, Purpose, and Performance' offers an easy way to ensure this happens. She joins Bobby to tell him more about it.

Barry’s is a high-end gym chain with locations across London and San Francisco. Dublin's first outlet has recently opened on Dawson Street, and so Bobby stopped by to work up a sweat and to find out what sets this gym apart from the rest.