Better Business Spring 2019

S U P P O R T I N G E N T R E P R E N E U R S | VA L U I N G S M A L L B U S I N E S S | R E WA R D I N G R I S K TA K E R S | S P R I N G 2 01 9

BUSINESS THE

BETTER BUSINESS SPRING 2019

UX

FACTOR

HOW USER-CENTRED DESIGN CAN IMPROVE EFFICIENCY

Master Storytellers

TOMORROW’S

World DAVID AND OLIVIA GILLEN ON SUCCESS IN THE MEDICAL DEVICE INDUSTRY

THE RECRUITMENT TRENDS IN THE BUREAU FUTURE SEARCH FOR TALENT

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LEADERS IN DIGITAL STORYTELLING

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| Retirement | Investments | Insurance |

Group Pensions from Aviva Why Aviva for Group Pensions?

Aviva is one of the largest Corporate Pension providers across Ireland and the UK. Our size and scale allows us to offer employers and employees, the comfort of market leading expertise, financial security, fund management, administration and on-going digital development.

› No monthly policy fees › Free Independent Trustee Services1 › Choose from 3 World Class Fund Managers › Choice of lifestyle strategies › First Class Service › Best Doctors®2

For more information on our Group offering - talk to your financial broker.

1. Subject to certain criteria such as, but not limited to, minimum annual premium & membership requirements. Please contact us for more information.

2. For new pension schemes to Aviva.

Aviva your partner for Pensions l Income Protection l Life Cover Best Doctors Second Medical Opinion is not a regulated financial service.

Aviva Life & Pensions UK Limited, trading as Aviva Life & Pensions Ireland, is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority in the UK and is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland for conduct of business rules.

Aviva Life & Pensions UK Limited, trading as Aviva Life & Pensions Ireland, is also regulated in the UK: by the Prudential Regulation Authority for prudential rules and, to a limited extent, by the Financial Conduct Authority for applicable UK conduct rules. Registered Branch Office in Ireland (No 906464) at One Park Place, Hatch Street, Dublin 2.

Tel (01) 898 7950 Web www.aviva.ie Registered in England (3253947) at Wellington Row, York, YO90 1WR.

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WELCOME SPRING 2019

BUSINESS THE

BETTER BUSINESS Q1 2019

UX

FACTOR

HOW USER-CENTRED DESIGN CAN IMPROVE EFFICIENCY

Master Storytellers

TOMORROW’S

World DAVID AND OLIVIA GILLEN ON SUCCESS IN THE MEDICAL DEVICE INDUSTRY

Welcome to Better Business, a magazine dedicated to the small business community.

THE RECRUITMENT TRENDS IN THE BUREAU FUTURE SEARCH FOR TALENT

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LEADERS IN DIGITAL STORYTELLING

On the Cover: Dr David Gillen, CEO, Blueacre Technology Olivia Gillen, Director, Blueacre Technology at The Imperial Hotel, Dundalk, Co. Louth Photography: Paul McCarthy

Editor: Colin White Creative Director: Jane Matthews Designer: Alan McArthur Design Assitant: James Moore Editorial Contributors: Clara Hester, Ruraidh Conlon O’Reilly Production Executive: Nicole Ennis Account Director: Shane Kelly Managing Director: Gerry Tynan Chairman: Diarmaid Lennon Email info@ashville.com or write to: Better Business, Ashville Media, Unit 55, Park West Road, Park West Industrial Estate, Dublin 12, D12 X9F9.

Tel: (01) 432 2200 All rights reserved. Every care has been taken to ensure that the information contained in this magazine is accurate.

The publishers cannot, however, accept responsibility for errors or omissions.

Reproduction by any means in whole or in part without the permission of the publisher is prohibited. © Ashville Media Group 2019. All discounts, promotions and competitions contained in this magazine are run independently of Better Business. The promoter/ advertiser is responsible for honouring the prize. ISSN 2009-9118 SFA is a trading name of Ibec.

The SFA offices were abuzz recently after the National Small Business Awards Gala Ceremony on 7 March, where seven category winners and five emerging new businesses were announced. Blueacre Technology was awarded the Overall SFA National Small Business Award 2019. Based in in Dundalk, Co. Louth and employing 15 people, Blueacre Technology provides specialist laser micromachining to the medical device and other manufacturing industries.

As this issue is the first of 2019, and with staffing and talent being big concerns for small firms this year, we examine what companies should be looking at when it comes to hiring. The HR pages focus on how the now in force Employment (Miscellaneous) Provisions Act will impact employers, and our policy sector looks at the proposed single-use plastics directive, which is set to be passed into law in late spring 2019.

Elsewhere in this edition you will find guidance on healthy eating in work and smart working and the power of the customer experience.

Our sector spotlight delves into the rise of co-working spaces in various parts of the country, we provide a roundup of our Business Connect event in February and share the aims and objects of the SFA Grow, Scale, Succeed campaign.

Better Business contains stories that inform, inspire and entertain. It showcases and celebrates the achievements of small companies, provides advice to help you in your business and keeps you up-to-date on the latest trends at home and abroad.

Ireland is a nation of small businesses. Of over 245,000 businesses in the country, 99% have less than 50 employees (small) and 92% have less than 10 (micro). These companies can be seen in every city, town and village in the country and together they provide employment to half of the private sector workforce.

The SFA proudly represents a diverse membership of businesses with less than 50 employees; homegrown and spanning every sector of our economy. Our members can be found in every town and every city in Ireland. We want to make Ireland the most vibrant small business community in the world – an environment that supports entrepreneurship, values small business and rewards risk takers.

Better Business is the magazine of the small business community.

We welcome your feedback, suggestions and ideas to info@sfa.ie or on Twitter @SFA_Irl. Sven Spollen-Behrens Director, Small Firms Association

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CONTENTS SPRING 2019

05 14 16

Big News for Small Business News, views and profiles from SFA members and small businesses in Ireland.

All About that Bass ShinAwil CEO Larry Bass discusses teaming up with a UK firm as a response to Brexit.

One Vision Entrepreneur Ray Nolan provides advice for companies looking to generate high-growth.

The UX Factor Gareth Dunlop explains how user-centred design can improve efficiency and increase sales.

Cover Story Blueacre Technology’s David and Olivia Gillen on sophisticated solutions to engineering problems.

Sector Spotlight Four recruitment industry experts discuss future trends in the search for talent.

The Science of Success Dr Brian Moore on how sciencedriven solutions are optimising athlete performance.

Master Storytellers Four entrepreneurs leading the way in the creation of engaging content give insights into digital storytelling.

The Perfect Cure At the crossroads of Asia, Andrew Walsh is championing the creation of exceptional food.

Food Sustainability Kieran Walsh on how his food production business is doing the right thing in terms of sustainability.

The Dublin Chronicler Filmmaker Frank Berry speaks to Colin White about becoming one of Ireland’s most renowned directors.

Travel Glasgow is the perfect business getaway – warm city welcomes and a diverse array of attractions await.

22 24 28

29 34 39 42 64 72

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Spring 2019  Contents

FROM TOP LEFT: Blueacre Technology’s David and Olivia Gillen discuss the challenges within the ever-changing world of medical device manufacturing, page 24, // Andrew Walsh explains how his Singapore restaurants are at the forefront of food innovation, page 39 // Wicklow Wolf have teamed up with master brewer John Allen in the hope the company can continue its huge growth throughout 2019, page 75 // Micheál Smith talks us through a typical day as Managing Director at Cavan-based M&C Hybrid Energy, page 76

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Business Business travel made simple.

The ultimate service for small businesses in Ireland.

With 4 minute wait times and online management tools to control costs: a free business account with mytaxi will help you drive efficiency and streamline taxi travel for good.

No contracts, no admin fees, no hassle.

For more information contact Caiti Keegan: t: + 353 86 3707707 e: c.keegan@mytaxi.com w: mytaxi.com/ie/business

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News  Updates

PROTECT YOUR SMALL FIRM FROM HACKERS

SFA MEMBERS IF YOUR BUSINESS HAS SOME NEWS TO SHARE THAT YOU WOULD LIKE FEATURED IN THE NEXT EDITION OF BETTER BUSINESS, CONTACT ELIZABETH BOWEN ON (01) 605 1626 OR ELIZABETH. BOWEN@SFA.IE

Dean Finn, Dara Cody Finn (Directors) and Liam Cody (Managing Director), Modern Printers

PRINTING

According to a recent Verizon data breach report, over 80% of hacking-related breaches were as a result of weak, default or stolen passwords.

These breaches occur in every type of organisation and to users at every level. SFA member company supportIT recommends strong password policies, strengthening firewall configurations and implementing group policies that enforce better security measures as some of the measures to defend against hackers.

However, single-factor authentication doesn’t protect users against sophisticated hacking scams and keylogging tools that can lead to their machines becoming compromised. Therefore, a two-factor authentication (2FA) is recommended across the board. 2FA works by adding an extra layer of security on top of the password, so users have two steps to complete before they can log in on a new device.

After entering a password, users are then required to acknowledge a phone call, text message or an app notification on their smartphone before they can successfully sign in, allowing a greater defence against hackers.

BIG NEWS FOR SMALL BUSINESS

Kilkenny-based Modern Printers continues investment

Modern Printers, a family business trading since 1962 in Kilkenny and the south-east, has recently acquired a UV flatbed machine, which allows for direct printing on flat board services. UV inks are instant-dry and are designed to be scratch-resistant and have a lifespan of up to three years outdoors. These solutions allow Modern Printers to provide the quickest turnaround at the lowest costs and its customers will benefit from quicker turnaround times and cost savings as the UV inks become stronger in sunlight, which removes the requirement to laminate signs. Modern Printers can now print to any surface up to 100mm in thickness. This allows the company to print onto corriboard, foamex, glass and wood.

FUNDING ANNOUNCED TO SUPPORT SMALL BUSINESS WITH ONLINE SERVICES In January, Minister for Communications, Climate Action and the Environment, Richard Bruton TD and Minister of State for Natural Resources, Community Affairs and Digital Development Sean Canney TD announced funding to support a further 1,000 small/micro businesses with funding and 2,000 with training to develop their online capabilities in 2019 under the Trading Online Voucher Scheme. The scheme supports small/micro businesses in developing their ecommerce capabilities through the provision of training, advice and grant assistance of up to €2,500 (subject to match funding). Since launching in 2014, over 5,000 businesses have been granted funding and 12,000 have been supported with training through the scheme. In 2019, the Government will support over 1,000 businesses with funding and over 2,000 businesses with training as part of the scheme.

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Updates  News

BREXIT

BREXIT LOAN SCHEME

The €300m Brexit Loan Scheme provides funding support to enable eligible Irish businesses to implement necessary changes to address the challenges posed by Brexit. The scheme is available until 31 March 2020, or until the scheme has been fully subscribed.

Loan features: ■ Loan amounts of

between €25,000 to €1.5m per eligible enterprise.

Enterprise Ireland class of 2018 with Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Heather Humphreys TD; Julie Sinnamon, CEO, Enterprise Ireland; Terence O’Rourke, Chairman, Enterprise Ireland; Joe Healy, Divisional Manager, High Potential Start-Ups, Enterprise Ireland; and Sheelagh Daly, Entrepreneurship Manager, Enterprise Ireland

€23M INVESTED IN STARTUPS BY ENTERPRISE IRELAND IN 2018

■ Maximum interest

rate of 4%.

■ Loan terms ranging

from 1 year to 3 years.

■ Unsecured loans up to

€500,000.

■ Optional interest-only

repayments may be available at the start of the loans.

■ The loan amount and

term is dependent on the loan purpose.

Eligibility criteria: ■ Viable businesses

with less than 500 employees

■ Impacted by Brexit

(i.e. at least 15% of turnover is exposed to negative Brexit impacts – direct or indirect)

■ Must satisfy Brexit

and Innovation eligibility checks with the SBCI

To apply, firms must first complete the Eligibility Application Form to check if they are eligible to apply to the bank(s) for a loan under the scheme. If a firm is eligible, they will receive a letter of confirmation from the SBCI which they then present to the bank(s) as part of the credit application process.

In 2018, Enterprise Ireland, the State agency responsible for the development and growth of Irish companies in global markets, invested €23m in Irish startups and supported a total of 132 startup companies. Investment was provided in the form of equity through Competitive Start Fund (CSF) and High Potential Start-Up (HPSU) funding programmes by the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation through Enterprise Ireland. Funding awarded to startups in 2018 included two calls for up to €1.5m in funding open to all sectors. €500,000 in funding targeted recent graduates, while €750,000 was made available through a fintech and deep tech CSF. Enterprise Ireland’s strategy for 2017-2020 is to support more startups with global ambition to build scale and expand reach. Now, at the halfway mark into a four-year strategy, Enterprise Ireland is on course to meet the ambitious target of creating 60,000 new jobs by the end of 2020.

UPCOMING SFA BUSINESS BYTES EVENTS: The SFA Business Bytes events, which are entirely free of charge, offer small businesses access to expert information and advice and an opportunity to network with their peers. The series is supported by Bord Gáis Energy and runs until June 2019.

15TH MAY

29TH MAY

12TH JUNE

SFA HQ, 84/86 Lower Baggot St, Dublin 2

Maryborough Hotel & Spa, Cork

SFA HQ, 84/86 Lower Baggot St, Dublin 2

Employment law latest developments

Employment law latest developments

Digital marketing for small businesses

To book or for additional information, visit www.sfa.ie.

eInvoicing standardisation presents opportunities for Irish business The European Directive 2014/55/EU on eInvoicing in public procurement compels public bodies in central Government to be able to receive and process electronic invoices in accordance with the European Standard on eInvoicing by 18 April 2019, and April 2020 for sub-central government bodies. This means that suppliers, using the appropriate technology, can send electronic invoices (eInvoices), to any public body in Europe and those invoices must be received and processed. The legal obligation on member states applies to electronic invoices that are compliant with the European Standard for eInvoicing and relate to contracts over EU thresholds.

The directive aims to reduce administrative barriers to cross-border trade and to make it easier for those doing business with governments across Europe. While the electronic submission of invoices remains optional for suppliers to the Irish public sector at this time, the Directive, through a standardised approach to eInvoicing, presents a real opportunity to improve the way in which business transacts with the public sector in Ireland and throughout Europe.

For further information, please visit www.ogp.gov.ie/einvoicing or email einvoicing@ogp.gov.ie.

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News  Updates

DEVELOPMENT

€6.5m development project to expand NovaUCD

University College Dublin recently announced a €6.5m development project to expand the capacity of NovaUCD, the university’s centre for new ventures and entrepreneurs, to house a 50% increase in early-stage startups. The project to renovate and extend the facility’s east courtyard is expected to be completed by summer 2019.

Tom Flanagan, UCD’s Director of Enterprise and Commercialisation, said: “The NovaUCD facility has been running at full capacity for several years now. There is an ongoing and significant demand from ambitious entrepreneurs to locate their startups at NovaUCD to leverage our ecosystem of experienced mentors, founders, alumni, investors and sponsors who can help them grow their businesses globally.

“By joining the NovaUCD community these startups can also take advantage of access to our world-class researchers, facilities and talent across the UCD campus. The development of the east courtyard will enable us to increase our capacity by over 50% and, when completed, NovaUCD will be able to accommodate up to 450 people.”

Tom Flanagan, UCD Director of Enterprise and Commercialisation at NovaUCD

“The number one issue impacting small businesses is the ability to recruit and retain the right people in a highly competitive labour market. Our regional workshops with Vodafone and Abodoo will help small businesses to future-proof their business in a rapidly changing environment.”

– Sven Spollen-Behrens, SFA Director speaking at the launch of ‘Smart Business’ regional workshops, in conjunction with Vodafone and Abodoo.com

“Brexit poses one of the biggest challenges faced by small businesses in years. As business owners, we can’t hold out to see what happens. We must put concrete plans into action so that we are fully prepared.”

– Sue O’Neill, SFA Chair, speaking at the SFA Business Connect event

“Blueacre Technology is based in Dundalk and employs 15 people. It provides specialist laser micromachining to the medical device and other manufacturing industries. The company processes thousands of high-value parts daily from its 24/7 facility in Co. Louth.”

– Elizabeth Bowen, Senior Executive, SFA on the Overall Winner at the SFA National Small Business Awards

SFA MEMBER REWARDED FOR EXCEPTIONAL LEVELS OF CLIENT MANAGEMENT The renowned Enniscorthybased law firm, John A. Sinnott & Co. Solicitors has recently been audited by The Institute of Legal Research and Standards and was successful in achieving a Gold Q6000 legal standards award. The Q6000 is an advanced practice, risk and quality management standard awarded to solicitors firms that have demonstrated exceptional levels of client, practice and risk management. John A. Sinnott & Co. Solicitors excelled in all areas of the rigorous audit and achieved an exceptional overall rating of 99%.

Firms with the Gold Q6000 accreditation rank among the highest quality law firms in Ireland.

John Murphy, Principal of the firm, commented: “It is great to have our commitment to delivering a quality service acknowledged.

Over the years, we have continued to invest in technology and have always been proactive. This accreditation is an absolute credit to all the staff here.”

Whatever service a client is seeking – from wills, family law and conveyancing to corporate law and employment law – they can be assured that a firm with this quality mark not just observes but exceeds best practice standards.

For further information, visit johnasinnottsolicitors.ie.

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Updates  News

SMART BUSINESS CONFERENCE

Join the SFA Smart Business conference on 2 May at the Aviva Stadium, Dublin 4. The theme of this year’s conference is ‘Innovate or Expire’ and, through a series of expert speakers and case studies, the conference will help future-proof small businesses for a rapidly changing business and work environment and will help them see how technology can assist them navigate these changes. The conference will explore: n The future of work n Innovate or expire – how small businesses

TAKE A TOUR OF THE IRISH WHISKEY MUSEUM The Irish Whiskey Museum is making Irish whiskey even more accessible this spring with the introduction of a new cocktail option on their Classic tour.

Visitors who are new to the taste of the spirit, or are perhaps not accustomed to drinking it, can now choose to taste a signature whiskey cocktail alongside one sample tasting of Irish whiskey, rather than the usual three samples of whiskey offered. The museum continues to be available for private bookings and hire from Monday to Thursday in the evenings, ranging from private tours to exclusive hire of all three floors of the popular Grafton Street destination.

can leverage technology in an age of digital disruption

This half-day event will begin at 8.30am and close at 2pm, with lunch and opportunities to network throughout the day. The cost of the event is €49 plus VAT for SFA members and €89 plus VAT for non-members. Don’t miss out, book your tickets at www.sfa.ie.

MEMBER SAVINGS

RECORD NUMBERS REGISTER ONLINE ADDRESSES 2018 was a record-breaking year for .ie with 51,040 new .ie domains registered – up 29% on 2017. The total database at the end of 2018 was 262,140, demonstrating the success of the changes made to the .ie domain registration process in March 2018. It is quick and easy to register and applicants only need to provide one document to prove a connection to Ireland.

The significant growth in .ie registrations is a positive indicator of economic growth.

81% of all .ie domains are owned by businesses, indicating a national understanding of the value of digital business and marketing. A .ie domain is your online address and a way to connect with new customers and the brand is a managed space that is identifiably and authentically Irish.

To register your .ie today, visit www.iedr.ie.

SAVE MONEY, BUILD YOUR BRAND, DRIVE SALES

The SFA Affinity scheme is exclusive to SFA members and follows the SFA motto, ‘Being in business for yourself doesn’t mean you have to be in business by yourself.’

SFA members can get additional benefits and discounts across a range of products and services, such as insurance, utilities, web design, professional services, GDPR services and much more.

And SFA or Ibec members can also promote offers to a wide network of members, leveraging off the SFA brand. This helps build your brand within the small business community and, in turn, drives sales.

Browse through our current offers at www.sfa.ie/affinity and see what savings your business can avail of. To see the details of each special offer, log in with your member details. If you have any questions or if you are interested in becoming an affinity scheme partner, please email louise.kenrick@sfa.ie.

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The outcome of Brexit may not be a given.

Preparing for it should be.

Brexit could mean serious disruption to your business. Enterprise Ireland has a wide range of supports, including new Online Customs Training and Act On Consultancy, to enable Irish businesses to plan and take critical action to respond to the risks and opportunities that Brexit presents.

Plan

Innovate

• New Online Customs Training

• Agile Innovation Fund

• Act On Consultancy Supports • Brexit Scorecard • Be Prepared Grant

• Business Innovation Funding • R&D Funding

Compete

Diversify

• Operational Excellence Offer

• Market Discovery Fund

• Lean Business Funding

• Market Research Centre

• Capital Investment Initiative

• Trade Events

• Advisory Clinics

Take action now. Talk to your Development Adviser or visit prepareforbrexit.ie

GETTING IRELAND BREXIT READY

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Updates  News

GROW, SCALE, SUCCEED

A NEW CAMPAIGN IS PROVIDING SMALL BUSINESSES WITH A VARIETY OF RESOURCES TO HELP THEM FIND THE RIGHT PEOPLE, KEEP THE RIGHT PEOPLE AND EMBRACE SMART WORKING.

I

n 2018, the Small Firms Association identified that small businesses struggle to recruit key people for their business, which, in turn, limits their capacity to grow. Small businesses struggle for talent due to an almost full employment market and competition for key staff against the larger multinationals.

In response to this need, the Small Firms Association conducted a survey to understand what small businesses do currently in their recruitment strategy and how they engage with their existing staff. In partnership with Vodafone and their partner Abodoo, we also surveyed small businesses on smart working: this is the combination of technology with flexibility and agility to enable employees to work remotely. This could be at home, in a co-working space or a combination of part-office and part-remote working.

The findings from the survey enabled us to create the Grow, Scale, Succeed campaign. It provides small businesses with a variety of resources to help them find the right people, keep the right people and embrace smart working.

The content on the Grow, Scale, Succeed website includes a mixture of case study videos, podcasts, guidelines and sample policy documents. Under the Recruit section small businesses can explore: n A comprehensive guide to the different

types of workers from full-time employees through to gig workers and the self-employed. n Three videos from small business owners who share how they recruit new staff in their businesses. n A podcast that gives five tips on how businesses can create an impactful job description. n A comprehensive guide to sourcing new employees, which includes a number of job websites for most industries.

Sponsors Vodafone, DeCare Dental and Abodoo with the SFA National Council at the launch of the SFA Grow, Scale, Succeed campaign

n The first of our diversity series, a

webinar video that looks at diversity for transgender and international employees, along with tips on creating an inclusive workplace. n Implementing GDPR into your recruitment practices. n A video on the benefits of hiring a contractor.

Under the Engage section small businesses can: n Listen to podcasts on ways to engage your employees, co-creating a work culture, training and upskilling your employees, managing workplace bullying, as well as managing those difficult conversations with employees. n Hear how two small businesses successfully engage with their staff in the competitive IT and medtech sectors.

The section on Smart Working shares: n Three videos from small businesses that have embraced smart working and reaped the benefits of this, such

as increased productivity, reduction in absenteeism, improved employee engagement and cost savings. n A Vodafone blog on cyber security and how ensuring you are secure increases your competitive advantage. n A video on maintaining connectivity to enable smart working. n A checklist that covers employment law and health and safety considerations should businesses wish to consider remote working. n A sample flexible working policy. n A directory of co-working spaces around the country. n A talent heat-map by Abodoo that details the employee skill set they have collected from those in the Gorey area.

If your business is struggling to grow because you cannot find the right people, or you want to improve your employee engagement by introducing remote working into your business, then visit the Grow, Scale, Succeed website today at www.sfa.ie/growscalesucceed.

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Updates  News

GETTING BUSINESS BREXIT-READY DEREK F. BUTLER, CHARTERED ACCOUNTANT AND CEO OF GRID FINANCE, GIVES A LOW-DOWN ON HOW TO KEEP YOUR BUSINESS FINANCIALLY SOUND IN RESPONSE TO BREXIT.

T

here is no doubt that Brexit is at the forefront of all our minds. Whether there is a hard or a soft Brexit, there is likely to be a disturbance in the trading conditions for any small business that relies on the smooth flow of goods in and out of Ireland. The impact on services will be more modest.

There are likely to be two immediate impacts of Brexit. We expect the economy will continue to grow, but there will be a short-term correction to economic growth. We do not forecast a recession. The second impact will be on export/ import-oriented business and their cashflow.

EXPORT BUSINESSES The first step in mitigating the cashflow impact of Brexit is to engage with your customers and review payment terms where possible. Delays to exporting goods and the related import restrictions will have a particularly hard impact

Derek F. Butler, Chartered Accountant and CEO of GRID Finance

“EXPORTERS WILL NEED THEIR CUSTOMERS TO HELP THEM GET OVER THE HUMP BY MAKING ADVANCE PAYMENTS AND, WHERE POSSIBLE, SHORTENING PAYMENT TERMS.”

on exporters of perishable goods.

Exporters will need their customers to help them get over the hump by making advance payments and, where possible, shortening payment terms. Remember, if you are providing payment credit to your customers, you are effectively acting as a bank. Most businesses that provide payment credit do it for free.

Once you have completed an internal review, you should pre-emptively seek external cashflow support. GRID is one of many non-bank providers that can assist with these funding needs. The SBCI Brexit fund is also an excellent source of funding.

A quick and easy way to model your potential need for additional working capital is to think what impact on your business would there be if your payment terms doubled, i.e. if your customers typically pay you within 45 days, what would happen to your business if they paid within 90 days? Your accountant can very easily run the numbers on this for you and it will highlight how much extra working capital you will need.

IMPORT BUSINESSES Supply chain turbulence is likely to be significant for import-oriented businesses, although there is likely to be less of a cashflow impact issue for these businesses.

If your sales are delayed due to import issues, what impact will this have on meeting your day-to-day expenditure commitments?

Businesses with high levels of fixed costs (e.g. manufacturing businesses with significant headcount) will be heavily impacted. Small businesses should model the impact of a short-term hit to their sales on their overall businesses. If sales drop by 20% in May and June, what impact will this have on your business? The best way of mitigating this is to shorten the payment terms with your customers where possible and pre-emptively seek additional working capital from a finance provider that works for your business.

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15/04/2019 15:49 15:45

Small Business Profile  ShinAwil

CLARA HESTER DISCUSSES THE CHALLENGES OF BREXIT AND HOW TEAMING UP WITH A UK FIRM HOLDS THE KEY TO FUTURE SUCCESS FOR SHINAWIL CEO LARRY BASS.

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F

rom the skylight high ceilings of Home of the Year to the glitz and glamour of Dancing with the Stars, ShinAwil has been leading the way in the Irish television industry for many years and is now expanding across the Irish Sea and beyond.

Unlike many, CEO Larry Bass isn’t letting the impending doom of Brexit have a negative effect on his business. The entrepreneur has teamed up with UK company ZigZag Productions – renowned for factual entertainment shows like Danny Dyer’s Deadliest Men – to ensure the smooth working relationship between Ireland and the UK continues.

12/04/2019 09:28

ShinAwil  Small Business Profile

ShinAwil has offices both north and south of the border, which has spurred the entrepreneur to focus on the arising opportunities, rather than obstacles. “It’s incumbent on businesses to make sure they are armed with the tools required to know how to manoeuvre around borders and work smarter,” says Bass. “Like many businesses, we don’t know what is going to happen. Before Brexit, people just took doing things with the UK for granted.

It’s come as a bit of an awakening that potentially we can’t just take it for granted.”

One scenario that Brexit may result in is that Ireland will become the only country in the EU with English as its first language.

“If you want your content to appeal to an international market on platforms like Netflix, then Ireland will be the best place to come,” notes Bass. “Currently, we are all in the EU and obviously, post-Brexit, that will all be different. We don’t know what that difference will be, but we felt it would be best to partner with a UK company. By having access to a Londonbased company, it will help us to develop shows together and to pitch our shows to Channel 4, for example.”

Of course, expanding into international markets means targeting different audiences, which is another challenge that ShinAwil is ready to take on. “Every market is different and highly competitive,” comments Bass.

“The Irish market would be quite different to the rest of the world because we’re so small, so you have limitations in terms of scale and potential available participants for particular shows. Equally, if you are to do a show in the UK, you have to tailor to a market that has seen practically everything.

You have to come up with something that is very fresh, different and engaging.”

Boxing clever For a small island with limited resources and audiences, Ireland has created a name for itself amongst industry experts around the globe and continues to gain respect for

“THERE’S A REAL LESSON TO BE LEARNED FOR THE OTHER SECTORS WITHIN OUR INDUSTRY: THAT IF WE REALLY WANT TO BUILD AN EXPERT-LED GLOBAL BUSINESS, WE’VE GOT TO LOOK BEYOND WHAT AN IRISH AUDIENCE WANTS.”

Larry Bass, CEO, ShinAwil

its productions. Bass echoes this sentiment, believing that the Irish film and television industry is “in a good place to punch above its weight”, noting the Irish animation sector in particular as one of the strongest in Europe.

He says: “That’s driven by the fact that Irish companies have always looked outward. They always developed shows that were aimed at a global market and larger audiences. There’s a real lesson to be learned for the other sectors within our industry: that if we really want to build an expert-led global business, we’ve got to look beyond what an Irish audience wants.”

Of course, this international reputation is built on the creativity and skills of the Irish workforce. However, Bass feels that there are currently too many courses and training opportunities for people wishing to get into the film and television sector in Ireland.

“It’s a bit like the argument of post offices and hospitals,” he explains. “Unfortunately,

it doesn’t really work if you have one in every town, because all you do is spread the resources way too thin to have any degree of expertise. Twenty years ago, there were less courses, but they were pioneering.

I really believe that there needs to be a fundamental rethink to have a centre of excellence, rather than a ‘one for everybody in the audience’ setup.”

So, what else has changed in the past 20 years? “The arrival of digital has changed the landscape and availability of how you consume content,” states Bass. “Netflix, Amazon, Hulus – these didn’t exist a few years ago. With such competition from outside Ireland it is difficult to try and maintain standards.”

One major threat to the film and television industry across the world is the availability of illegal downloading, which Bass says is on a “biblical scale” here in Ireland. “We are one of the most unpoliced countries in the world,” he says. “There’s literally no policing of piracy here at all. It’s like the Wild West. It’s mostly facilitated by telecom companies that want people to use broadband, and therefore they don’t police it, but content has to be paid for somewhere along the line.”

Whatever about the chaotic uncertainty of Brexit, there’s no doubt of ShinAwil’s potential to succeed within the UK market.

At the moment, the company is running over a dozen productions, but Bass is keeping one eye on the future. “We are moving into the production of international TV drama,” he declares. “It takes a long time to generate a track record in that world, so it is a huge investment by the company that we have been involved with for over four years now. Hopefully our first TV drama series will air in 2019/20.”

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12/04/2019 09:28

Feature  High-growth

ONE VISION RAY NOLAN, A MAN WITH A PROVEN TRACK RECORD IN RAPIDLY INTERNATIONALISING OPERATIONS FOR FIRMS, CHATS WITH COLIN WHITE ABOUT HOW A COMPANY CAN GENERATE HIGH-GROWTH.

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ven for companies defined as overnight successes, there’s a pattern of constant innovation that needs to be in place before the company hits paydirt. Every business is different, and each marketplace has its own unique considerations, but there are basic principles all entrepreneurs can apply when growing a new company.

CEO of Dublin-based xSellco – a company removing the toil of managing multiple interfaces for those selling online through a single platform – Ray Nolan has an eye for spotting the hottest high-growth phenomenons. The IT entrepreneur has been instrumental in the success of a number of high-profile companies within the Irish technology sector, such as Hostelworld and Skyscanner, to name but a few.

He’s built some of the most profitable Irish web businesses, but what drives Nolan in terms of any investment decision is worldwide scalability. From Skyscanner to Storyful, Whatclinic to Asavie, one of the single identifying features he looks for is huge scalable ability.

“As an investor, what I’m looking for is a big slow-moving tanker of a business within an industry that could do with a kick,” he says.

“It’s usually the guy who gives the first kick that makes the money.”

Nolan is attracted to businesses that are both intensely ambitious and disruptive by nature. “In terms of my views on business, it tends to be a company that has the ambition to generate tens, if not hundreds, of millions, in value,” he comments. “A lack of ambition is a terrible thing to see in any business. It’s possibly the most upsetting thing when someone thinks that they are entitled to be paid an awful lot of money, or that they have this asset which they could grow, but they’ve chosen not to.”

He adds: “You have to have an ambition for significant growth. If your ambition for growth is to do 10% more this year, then maybe you should think about another job.”

Back in 1999, Nolan identified an opportunity to introduce online bookings to youth hostels. What resulted was Hostelworld. com, which he sold for over $500m during 2009. Selling a business is complex process and timing is critical to any prospective sale. The desire to sell up for a sizable sum is an attractive proposition for

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High-growth  Feature

Ray Nolan, CEO, xSellco

early-stage companies, but you are “already losing” if you feel you have to sell, according to Nolan.

“The thing is to never try to time the market,” he states. “Just because you’ve decided you want to sell, doesn’t mean it’s the best time. The market may decide that it’s not the best time, but, equally, what you need to do is position yourself to be sold by having your share register, books and legal matters in good shape. But the day that you decide to sell a business, and nobody’s knocking on your door, you’re simply not going to get what what you would have in a world where someone comes to buy you.”

Capitalising on opportunities Venture capital (VC) should occupy an important place in the business model of any small or medium-sized enterprise. While every professional investor has a slightly different perspective on what’s important, it’s also worth keeping in mind that the right venture capitalist for your company isn’t necessarily the first person to wave a cheque book at you. Looking to international investors can often prove fruitful.

“A LACK OF AMBITION IS A TERRIBLE THING TO SEE IN ANY BUSINESS. IT’S POSSIBLY THE MOST UPSETTING THING WHEN SOMEONE THINKS THAT THEY ARE ENTITLED TO BE PAID AN AWFUL LOT OF MONEY, OR THAT THEY HAVE THIS ASSET WHICH THEY COULD GROW, BUT THEY’VE CHOSEN NOT TO.”

“It’s a pity that many of those companies hunting VC money seem to think that they should be seeking it in Ireland,” declares Nolan.

“You know, it’s a hour plane ride to Edinburgh or London, or a few hours to the US east coast. And maybe that’s where you’ll find smarter money that can really guide the company. A lot of venture capitalists in Ireland are not going to add to the party, and they’re certainly not going to be as ambitious as their US equivalents.”

Nowadays, Nolan is on a sabbatical from investing, instead focusing on positioning xSellco for growth during 2019.

“We’re really putting the foundation into this business to allow superfast growth,” he enthuses. “We’ve got a great bunch of people here and our ambition is to leverage our business, not by a few points, but by multiplying our value.”

Nolan’s final piece of advice to CEOs is to concentrate on bringing the vision of the company to life. “Don’t get stuck in the weeds micro managing the business,” he says. “If you’re a CEO, you should be exploring new opportunities and seeing what’s happening in your market. You need to create a vision for growth, while also making the big decisions.”

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12/04/2019 09:30

Sector Spotlight  Recruitment

Recruitment BUREAU THE

BETTER BUSINESS ASKS FOUR INDUSTRY EXPERTS WHY DIVERSITY AND SMART WORKING WILL BECOME MORE RELEVANT ACROSS ALL SECTORS IN THE SEARCH FOR TALENT. 18 SFA | BETTER BUSINESS

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Recruitment  Sector Spotlight

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n a global economy, understanding the availability of talent and what’s driving change is vital. Today’s jobseeker is up to speed on where the best employment opportunities lie. Smaller companies often find it difficult to compete with large multinationals in the war for talent. However, being a small or mediumsized operator can have some advantages when recruiting candidates: smaller companies are quicker to adapt to change, and employees know they’re more likely to gain more diverse experience with a small firm.

Ireland is now on the cusp of full employment, home to a dynamic knowledge-based economy. But where, when and how we work is changing. Wexfordbased startup Abodoo’s vision is to drive change within the business world through leading the global smart working movement. “Smart working opens up new talent pools and creates employment for groups such as carers, parents, people with disabilities and lower paid workers who simply cannot afford a costly commute,” states Chief Digital Officer Louise O’Conor. “The impact on the environment can also be hugely beneficial and smark working also supports rural regeneration by driving employment and inward investment into local communities.”

HR consultancy firm Voltedge Management has provided advice and support to companies across all sectors since 2011. “Our desire was to bring innovation to how people are managed, especially within the small firm sector,” says Joint Managing Director Fredericka Sheppard. “We wanted to design services that were personalised and customised to the client, so that our intervention would really effect change in how people were managed. We’re proud to provide expert advice and support across the full life-cycle of an employee relationship, while supporting managers to be effective leaders.”

With technology and trends evolving at a rapid pace, the recruitment industry is in a constant mode of flux. Much of the significant digital transformation has been driven by candidate expectations.

Abodoo management team

Louise O’Conor, Chief Digital Officer, Abodoo

“SMART WORKING OPENS UP NEW TALENT POOLS AND CREATES EMPLOYMENT FOR GROUPS SUCH AS CARERS, PARENTS, PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES AND LOWER PAID WORKERS WHO SIMPLY CANNOT AFFORD A COSTLY COMMUTE.” SFA | BETTER BUSINESS 19

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Sector Spotlight  Recruitment

Cora Barnes, Managing Director at Three Q Perms & Temp – a specialist provider of recruitment in healthcare, hospitality and professional services – has seen first-hand the changes in recruitment advertising and hiring. She explains: “Digital recruitment has made modern-day recruitment more time-demanding and requires the hiring manager or business owner to invest time pre-hire to scope out the recruitment approach fully. As a positive, it definitely can expand the audience reach for the job you are trying to fill.”

Principal Partner at Venture Financial Recruitment Dan McKeown specialises in recruitment across accounting, taxation, treasury, risk and commercial finance.

He believes the impact of digitalisation has been a game-changer. “It started with job portals like Monster, IrishJobs.ie and Jobs.ie, and now incorporates LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and other social media avenues,” he says. “More and more people

JOBSEEKER TIPS...

Take time to reflect on the type of work you enjoy doing – life is too short to work on projects you find monotonous.

Harness the power of LinkedIn. It’s a great resource for career networking and for positioning yourself to be found by a recruiter.

Be yourself at the interview. Don’t forget: you hold all the cards, so avoid robotic answers and falsities.

Cora Barnes, Managing Director, Three Q Perms & Temp

now look to start their search online in some form, but many wish to combine this with a tailored agency approach. However, a strong online presence will help build your brand and is an outlet where you can provide information on trends and changes to your own business offerings.”

In a world dominated by digital stimulation, recruiters need to be aware of emerging online trends. “Candidates are now sourcing opportunities via the various online job boards and social media forums, which means they can instantly review the employer on sites like Glassdoor and other forums,” comments Voltedge Management’s Fredericka Sheppard. “It is the golden age of social recruitment, and it’s a space that is constantly moving and developing. But it’s very exciting and a great opportunity for companies to promote their employer brand to the candidate market.”

When it comes to recruitment, one of the main challenges for small organisations is limited access to thought leadership.

Smaller firms can find it difficult to leverage their employer brand and compete with the big global players. “Smaller firms really need to get their unique selling point out there,” notes Dan McKeown. “Unlike larger companies with well-known values, smaller companies need to work hard every month to build their brand. Utilising social media tools and having a relevant up-to-date website that offers market intelligence and expertise is now crucial.”

“The talent pool wants a choice and it’s really important that employers identify their unique offering and advertise and

“THE HUMAN INTERACTION WITH THE APPLICANT IS STILL THE CRITICAL TOUCHPOINT AND THIS IMPACTS THEIR VIEW OF THE JOB AND THE COMPANY THAT IS HIRING.” promote their open roles and opportunities across the forums where their target audience are browsing,” adds Sheppard. “We all love storytelling, and recruitment is no different. Being able to tell the employer’s story is a powerful way to deliver your message to your target audience.”

No matter what sector a small firm is operating in, it’s important that the process represents the business and is fit-for-purpose; any recruitment strategy should be aligned with the business plan. Company culture is also critical in shaping how a job should be presented to in-demand talent. “People want to work with companies they trust and companies can build this trust from a job applicant’s first experience of the firm,” says Cora Barnes. “Clear job advertisements and a comprehensive recruitment process that is congruent with the company’s values and brand is vital for all firms. We use many different platforms to promote company jobs, the investment into which is determined by where we expect our potential job seekers to engage online.”

Louise O’Conor adds: “At Abodoo, we believe the hiring strategy should be skills and experience-led in the early stages. In order to promote equality and fairness, the important thing is to be transparent in how you hire and to apply the same rules to candidates applying for the same role.”

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Recruitment  Sector Spotlight

“Candidates want a positive experience when they engage in a recruitment process,” agrees Sheppard. “A customised recruitment strategy will identify different needs and requirements within a business and focus on different solutions accordingly.”

“Some recruitment strategy elements are universal,” explains Venture Financial Recruitment’s Dan McKeown. “Always understand why there is a recruitment requirement, and then develop a detailed description of what you see as the person to make the best impact to your business in that role. Ensure you have all the basics boxed off in advance – not just the job description, but also reporting lines and organisational links to the new role. Be aware of career progression opportunities, the salary band and all other relevant benefits associated with the position.”

The rise of AI Targeted recruitment ads and increased search engine optimisation is now a major element for many specific roles.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is also becoming an increasingly valuable aspect of most recruitment software packages, helping a recruiter or a business owner to automate or support basic levels of digital communication.

Dan McKeown, Principal Partner, Venture Financial Recruitment

be required to check on motivations, soft skills and potential fit. For instance, LinkedIn was supposed to be the deathknell for recruiters, but has since become a tool of choice for them instead.”

Joyce Rigby-Jones and Fredericka Sheppard, Voltedge Management

“WE ALL LOVE STORYTELLING, AND RECRUITMENT IS NO DIFFERENT. BEING ABLE TO TELL THE EMPLOYER’S STORY IS A POWERFUL WAY TO DELIVER YOUR MESSAGE TO YOUR TARGET AUDIENCE.” “At Three Q, we see AI as a good partner in the recruitment process, mostly for administration, search and communication supports,” says Cora Barnes. “The human interaction with the applicant is still the critical touchpoint and this impacts their view of the job and the company that is hiring. While recruitment has been impacted by the digital revolution, and will continue to be so, it still comes down to people.”

“There is certainly a role for AI in the recruitment process,” adds Fredericka Sheppard, “but personal relationships will always be important. AI cannot always provide the opportunity to ensure we have diversity in our recruitment processes. We need to make sure we don’t over-automate the experience for the candidate, or for the hiring manager.”

Dan McKeown comments: “AI can do some of the heavy lifting in terms of shortlisting relevant candidates for positions, but human contact will always

Flexible approach There are a wealth of opportunities awaiting for those Irish firms that continue to inspire and innovate. The vision, mission and purpose of a firm is brought to life by its team, and any successful recruitment strategy will have people at its core.

Recent research shows that by providing employees with flexibility and clear communication, they are happier and tend to work more efficiently than in an office surrounding, thus resulting in increased productivity and output. By offering flexibility, companies have the added benefit of attracting and retaining skilled talent.

Modern-day recruitment is also driving diversity in the workplace. Hiring a diverse range of mindsets provides companies with huge opportunities as the development of new skills and solutions are embraced within a communicative and innovative environment.

“Encouraging inclusivity and diversity is a real passion of ours,” states Louise O’Conor. “Smart working also promotes inclusivity in other groups and provides a whole new recruitment pool for employers struggling to hire really great talent. Companies adopting a smart working policy, implementing flexible hours and enabling people to work locally or from their home broaden their talent pool considerably.”

Sheppard agrees that innovation and business success is driven through increased diversity. “All the studies show that diversity in the workplace improves staff engagement and has a direct impact on the bottom line: return on investment and revenue,” she says. “Workplaces that celebrate diversity tend to be the ones that encourage innovation and reward outstanding contribution.”

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12/04/2019 09:35

Feature  UX

THE

FACTOR

FATHOM CEO GARETH DUNLOP EXPLAINS HOW USER-CENTRED DESIGN CAN CREATE EXPERIENCES TO HELP BRANDS IMPROVE EFFICIENCY AND INCREASE SALES. COLIN WHITE REPORTS.

I

n the late noughties, a collective term for design performance started to become mainstream – the term was ‘UX’, a collection of design performance-related skills and disciplines. Today, at a time when consumers embrace or abandon a brand depending on the quality of the digital experience, the importance of an effective user experience, or UX, strategy has never been more critical.

Fathom founder and CEO Gareth Dunlop has always cut his cloth within the digital sphere.

“I graduated in the mid-1990s just as the web was in its infancy,” he says. “I experienced the highs and lows of the dot com boom and bust while running Northern Ireland’s largest web agency at the time, Tibus, from 2002 to 2009.”

Following the sale of Tibus, Dunlop began to examine why some organisations enjoyed great success online, while others struggled to get off the ground. These examinations resulted in the digital entrepreneur developing a real interest in design performance, and time and time again he came back to one simple truth: organisations that knew its customers best, valued customer insights and understood customer motivations, achieved the best results.

In September 2011, Dunlop plucked up to the courage to set up Fathom, a dedicated UX agency based in Belfast. Almost eight years later, a team of 12 manage the UX needs of some of the most recognisable, as well as emerging, brands across Ireland and the UK. The county Antrim native has also been involved with a host of other digital startups – some of which have been successful, others less so. “If you look at my LinkedIn profile, my career has moved from glorious success to glorious success, but that’s just because I haven’t posted the crushing failures,” the ambitious business leader confesses.

Awareness around UX is undoubtedly growing. The world’s leading digital brands, without exception, fully understand how important it is to put the user at the centre of all design processes. “There is a realisation that user expectation is increasingly being set not by competitors in a specific sector, but by WhatsApp, Google

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UX  Feature

and Amazon,” explains Dunlop. “In short, customers are expecting that the companies with whom they do business with digitally will treat them as well as they are treated by WhatsApp, Google and Amazon. Across all sectors, we find that the digital winner is the organisation that treats its customers better than the rest of its competitors.”

Seeing the world from the perspective of the customer is Fathom’s lifeblood. “Our offering to clients is to work alongside them to design digital products that ensure that the customer’s voice is front and centre of the decision-making process,” informs Dunlop. “I am regularly pleasantly surprised by how confidently and accurately we can make design decisions when we know what users need and want.”

Dunlop believes that, for decades, the buyer-seller balance of power has been

difference is great enough. In other words, marketers thought the technology would give power to the retailer, but it ended up giving power to the customer.”

The digital journey

Gareth Dunlop, CEO, Fathom

“MARKETERS THOUGHT THE TECHNOLOGY WOULD GIVE POWER TO THE RETAILER, BUT IT ENDED UP GIVING POWER TO THE CUSTOMER.” heavily weighted in favour of the seller due to the fact it was easy for companies with deep enough pockets to muscle their way to positive public perception. However, the internet has swung the power balance in favour of the customer. “After decades of being lied to, customers are mad as hell and are loving their new-found power, which is based on easy access to knowledge,” he enthuses. “Two things intrigue me greatly about technical developments. Firstly, users frequently use technology in different ways to how it was designed. And, secondly, they regularly use technology in a more selfish way that technologists predict.”

Dunlop continues: “As location services matured about a decade ago, the digital industry predicted that this would mean hyper-local location-based notification marketing, alerting users as they walked down the street that they could enjoy a discount in a nearby store. As it turns out, the biggest impact of technology in a retail environment is showrooming – checking out a product in store, and using 4G or in-store wi-fi to check the price online, and then buying the product online if the price

WHAT IS....

UX DESIGN

Don’t know your UX from your UI? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. But, chances are, you’ve already been implementing UX in some form. User experience (UX) design refers to a how a person experiences a digital product or service.

Implementing good UX design will enhance customer satisfaction by improving ease of use, making the customer’s journey from the homepage to purchasing a product as seamless as possible. In simple terms, it’s about making technology easier for people to interact with.

The Fathom CEO believes the most common mistake companies make in terms of UX design is failing to grasp that the first job of a designer is to solve problems for users. “Usability and a user’s needs can become window-dressing, bolted on at the start or end of a project,” describes Dunlop.

“To design for someone, you need to know their motivations, expectations, vocabulary, concerns and behaviours. UX design doesn’t come as standard with web design.

Good web designers can design the product correctly, but they cannot design the right product without significant user input and feedback. UX needs to be fully baked into the design and development process from the offset.

“Treating customers, as well as prospective customers, in the correct manner through digital platforms is imperative for all organisations. And you don’t need Facebook or Googlesized budgets in order to get a return on investment. Give your customers confidence and motivation, answer their questions and encourage more of them to buy from you.”

Having a seamless digital journey is now essential for firms, small and large, to deliver maximum effectiveness. There is a significant amount of insight to be gained by using analytical tools, running surveys and speaking to your front-line staff. By taking time to find that customer knowledge, you can build websites, apps and software which users will enjoy and, in turn, become loyal to your brand.

Looking to the future, Dunlop and Fathom’s goal is to be the best human experience design agency on the island of Ireland by continuing to expand the company’s expertise in service design and innovation thinking.

“We’ll keep on investing in our people to become a even more desirable place for staff to engage with challenging and high-profile UX projects,” says Dunlop. “It is a very exciting time to be part of the user experience design industry and Fathom has a hunger and an ambition to continue to lead it in Ireland, as well as further afield.”

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12/04/2019 10:52

Business  Cover Story

TOMORROW’S

World

WITHIN AN INDUSTRY WITH AN IDENTITY THAT COULD EASILY BECOME FRAGILE, ONE IRISH FIRM IS POSITIONING ITSELF FOR ESCALATED GROWTH THROUGH AN INNOVATIVE APPROACH TO TO MEDICAL DEVICE MANUFACTURING.

F

ounded in 2006 by Dr David Gillen to harness the potential of laser technology for highly accurate micromachining and processing, Blueacre Technology is one of the leading pioneers within the medical device manufacturing sector.

Before setting up Blueacre, Dr Gillen worked with semi-conductor manufacturing companies after completion of a PhD in Physics.

Seeing firsthand how laser technology was being administered, he quickly saw an opportunity to apply his own technology to medical device manufacturing. Over the last 12 years, his firm has developed specialist expertise in lasers, micromachining, vision systems and software interfacing, working with customers to solve the most demanding engineering challenges.

“Medical device manufacturing requires three key elements: accuracy, precision and repeatability,” explains David Gillen. “As precision engineering becomes more common, laser technology is the process of choice for designers of micro-devices, or devices containing micron-scale features, in enabling exacting requirements to be achieved.”

However, in the same way that being a great butcher is not just about having the sharpest knife, so laser technology on its own does not guarantee superior results.

“All the other elements of our processes, such as how parts are presented and handled, inline inspection, machine vision and traceability, need to combine with the technology to meet our medical device customers’ stringent requirements,” David explains.

“The main difference between conventional and laser machining is that the laser is a non-contact process. It depends on the laser light interacting at an atomic level with the workpiece, breaking chemical bonds and turning solid material into a plasma.

This plasma, which consists of an ionised gas, is ejected from the surface of the workpiece and captured by an extraction system.”

Governments around the world are identifying the medical technology sector as one of the key drivers of future industrial prosperity. However, if the medical device manufacturing industry is to foster further growth, additional steps will be required

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Cover Story  Business

Dr David Gillen, CEO, Blueacre Technology Olivia Gillen, Director, Blueacre Technology at The Imperial Hotel, Dundalk

Paul McCarthy

“WE TOOK THE DECISION EARLY ON TO INVEST TIME AND EFFORT IN ACHIEVING QUALITY CERTIFICATION AND THESE ARE NOW CRITICAL TO OUR SUCCESS.”

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Business  Cover Story A competitive edge The process of bringing new products and services from initial concept to commercialisation is hugely complex. Blueacre Technology has been involved in research and development (R&D) right from the outset, developing its core capabilities and expertise in the areas of commercialisation and innovation.

“We have always prioritised R&D investment,” says David Gillen. “We believe this is what will enable us to grow in global markets. We were part of one of the EU’s biggest Horizon 2020 projects working with partners right across Europe and we’re excited to announce that we have been awarded a new research grant under the Government’s Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund (DTIF) and will be working with Trinity College Dublin (TCD) on new 3D printing technology.”

For Irish firms to continue to have a competitive edge in domestic and international markets, suitable engineering and tech education supports need to be in place. The

Dr David Gillen, CEO, Blueacre Technology Olivia Gillen, Director, Blueacre Technology

Paul McCarthy

to improve transparency and increase public confidence. It’s a sector that has been rocked by recent scandals around product quality, most notably with health concerns around vaginal mesh and breast implants.

With a background in organisational development through her work as a management consultant and trainer for over 18 years, Blueacre Technology’s Commercial Director Olivia Gillen underlines the continuing and growing emphasis on quality and traceability in medical device manufacturing processes.

“Our quality processes mean that we are well-placed to meet the challenges,” says the woman responsible for business planning, sales, marketing and human resource management at the company.

“The medical device industry is intensely competitive and fragmented. There are many different stages of medical device development from design and development to distribution and servicing. Vital to our success has been ISO 9001 and 13485 certifications, which are internationally recognised quality standards for the design and manufacture of medical devices throughout the world.”

As well as precision and accuracy, repeatability is also of critical importance to medical device manufacturers, according to Olivia Gillen. “Our customers need to have complete confidence in all aspects of our processes, and know that we can handle hundreds of thousands of parts that all meet stringent quality controls.

After all, these parts will ultimately end up going into the human body, so they need to be 100% right. We took the decision early on to invest time and effort in achieving quality certification and these are now critical to our success.”

She continues by addressing the industry’s future trends. “There are many exciting areas of emerging medical research which will transform healthcare.

Drug delivery, for example, is set to be revolutionised by advances in microneedle technology. The latest generation of microneedles in development are made of bio-absorbable materials that contain the drug being delivered. Their very small size prevents the patient experiencing pain or irritation, but allows the drug molecule to pass through. And some of the most exciting early applications are the delivery of vaccines and long-lasting contraceptives.”

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demand for people with engineering and scientific skills will continue to grow, as well as the demand for those qualified to Masters and PhD level. Dr Gillen feels Ireland is well-placed in providing a wide range of supports in the advancement of medical device manufacturing, but highlights that small firms need to be backed, financially and through mentoring.

He comments: “On the whole, Ireland has a great network of support for tech and engineering companies. My only comment would be that it can be hard for younger businesses to participate in R&D grants requiring 50% contribution, as their financial position may not allow them to fund this through cash flow.

“While Ireland’s general engineering and technical education is world-class, we believe that more courses could be developed to build advanced manufacturing skills. To this end, we are currently part of the Irish Medtech Association’s working group looking at developing new higherlevel qualifications that cover tomorrow’s developments in smart manufacturing – everything from automation to analytics.”

Unique capabilities Blueacre Technology has gone from strength to strength since its formation back in 2006 and has recently enjoyed some notable accomplishments. Last year, the company secured €1m in funding through the Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund, established under Project Ireland 2040 and run by the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation, along with administrative support from Enterprise Ireland. The company also picked up two awards at SFA National Small Business Awards 2019 in March.

“We have tended to fly under the radar, so it is great to receive such a public confirmation of our success,” Olivia Gillen says of the recent accolades. “We are delighted to have won the awards, as it is a testament to the hard work and focus of everyone in the company. Participation in the activities organised by the SFA have been very beneficial, and the submission process is a great opportunity to think about the business and what makes it distinctive.”

The goal for Blueacre Technology throughout 2019 is to continue to grow its customer base and develop new medical devices. “As well as working with large commercial companies, we are also working

Paul McCarthy

Cover Story  Business

Dr David Gillen, CEO, Blueacre Technology Olivia Gillen, Director, Blueacre Technology at The Imperial Hotel, Dundalk

“WHILE IRELAND’S GENERAL ENGINEERING AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION IS WORLDCLASS, WE BELIEVE THAT MORE COURSES COULD BE DEVELOPED TO BUILD ADVANCED MANUFACTURING SKILLS.” for a number of research institutes, right across the globe,” Olivia says. “These institutes are carrying out research on microneedle technology, which promises to transform drug delivery, making painful injections a thing of the past. We have developed a unique capability to manufacture these microneedles, which is in high demand.”

“We plan to develop new capabilities beyond laser micromachining, which has been our core competence up until now,” adds David. “We look forward to starting work on new R&D initiatives, such as the DTIF grant with TCD. We are also planning to get out on the road and we’ll be exhibiting at the Med-Tech Innovation Expo in Birmingham, MD&M East [the US medical device trade fair] in New York and, of course, Enterprise Ireland’s Med in Ireland.”

Olivia wraps up our chat by acknowledging the company’s location in county Louth, while also admitting that Brexit could pose potential issues. “Our location in Dundalk is a great advantage to the business,” she says. “We are only 45 minutes from Dublin Airport, so international visitors can reach us easily. We are also situated on the motorway network and Dundalk has a great talent pool.

“As part of global supply chains that often include UK companies, Brexit adds uncertainty and unpredictability to the business. We’ll need to roll with the punches, as for every up, there will be a down. We’ll keep focused on our customers above all else, and take time out regularly to focus on our long-term goals.”

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15/04/2019 14:41

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15/04/2019 17:11 09:42 05/10/2017

my gift to the world Together, we can continue to create a future that is fair for everyone. And make a world without poverty our legacy.

For more information contact OXFAM Ireland Tel: (01) 672 7662 Email: friends@oxfamireland.org Oxfam Ireland is a member of Oxfam International, a world-wide development organisation that mobilises the power of people against poverty. Charitable co. limited by guarantee. Reg. No. 284292, CHY5988

www.oxfamireland.org/legacy

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12/03/2018 12:03

15/04/2019 10:05

Sports Science  Feature

THE

F

SCIENCE SUCCESS

COLIN WHITE DISCUSSES THE USE OF SCIENCEDRIVEN SOLUTIONS FOR OPTIMISING ATHLETE PERFORMANCE WITH LEADING SPORTS SCIENTIST DR BRIAN MOORE.

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12/04/2019 09:39

In

Feature  Sports Science

the highly competitive world of professional sport, it’s all about marginal gains. Across the globe an increasing number of organisations and teams are investing in sports and data science to gain evidence-based actionable analytics to accelerate recovery, optimise performance and prolong the careers of elite athletes.

Founded in 2010 by sport scientist Dr Brian Moore and haematologist Dr Andrew Hodgson, Galwaybased firm Orreco uses machine intelligence to find hidden signals in data, including GPS and performance statistics, to help improve athletic performance and reduce the incidence of illness and injury. The company uses athletes’ biomarkers found in the blood to identify indicators that are linked to injury, wellness and overall readiness to perform.

Orreco’s team includes 16 PhDs who have worked with 35 Olympic medallists since the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney and published more than 300 peerreviewed scientific papers. Its actionable data products have already gained significant traction with clients and professional sports stars in Formula 1, on the PGA tour, and with players and teams in the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL and Olympic sports.

Orreco provides athletes with customised interventions based on data specific to each athlete’s needs. Launched in 2017, the company’s innovative FitrWoman app is revolutionising women’s sport and is being used by New Zealand women’s rugby, as well as by British football clubs Chelsea, Southampton and Glasgow Celtic. Orreco CEO Dr Brian Moore comments: “FitrWoman tracks symptom and menstrual cycle data and provides sciencebased training, nutrition and recovery suggestions tailored to changing hormone levels of the menstrual cycle. The app also provides access to the latest blogs, as well as tips and research for optimising female performance. We will continue to advance our work with the female athlete and plan to launch our groundbreaking FitrCoach platform in 2019.”

FitrWoman recently took an innovative step forward with its Strava integration, which allows users to view tracked activities alongside menstrual cycle data, which is a first in this space. Continued effort will focus on delivering personalised training and nutrition insights for users to completely revolutionise the future of female athlete performance.

Although sporting organisations worldwide see data collection and analytical technology as a useful tool, Moore believes that the leading teams and franchises have gone beyond simply collecting data.

“The big players in the space are scaling back simple collection and increasing their high-end data science investment to help make sense of their data and make it all actionable and, in some cases, predictive, using artificial intelligence,” he says. “Particularly in the US market, the awareness of machine intelligence eating traditional analytics for breakfast has been embraced because team owners increasingly have tech backgrounds and are comfortable using data. Owner of the Dallas Mavericks Mark Cuban is a leading proponent of this movement and we are very proud to be in our third season working with Mark and his head athlete trainer Casey Smith.”

“WE WERE VERY FORTUNATE TO HAVE A VASTLY EXPERIENCED GROUP OF EXECUTIVES AND ANGEL INVESTORS WHO BACKED US INITIALLY TOGETHER WITH ENTERPRISE IRELAND.” A strong network Promoting awareness of the benefits of sports science innovation in the form of hands-on support and funding has been vital in Orreco’s progression. “We were very fortunate to have a vastly experienced group of executives and angel investors who backed us initially, together with Enterprise Ireland. We were delighted to join True Ventures’ portfolio after its founding partner Phil Black led an investment and joined our board. True Ventures was the first institutional investor in sports tech companies FitBit and Peleton.”

The company’s network of partners has also been mission-critical to Orreco’s success. “We are very proud of our relationships with NUIG/Insight, St Marys University College in London and with scientists at the University of Houston (NASA) and Harvard Medical School,” states Moore. “In addition, we have partnerships with the Ladies Gaelic Football Association in Ireland, USA Swimming, and Nike Oregon Track Club Elite, with special reference to the female athlete. Excitingly, we have more partnerships in the pipeline too, which we will announce later in 2019.”

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Sports Science  Feature

SportsTech Ireland – the organisation that promotes Ireland as a world-leading destination for sports innovation and technology – has also provided support to Moore and his team. “I think the work that SportsTech Ireland is doing is wonderful and serves to draw attention to Ireland as a sports tech and innovation hotspot. It showcases companies leading in their respective categories, many of which have their tech deployed in the world’s greatest sporting amphitheatres.”

Shadow play Education plays a key part in the philosophy at Orreco. Moore believes sports scientists must be well-versed in many aspects in order to succeed in the industry. “As with every job, there are core skills and competencies that a sports scientist needs from an academic understanding of key principles in their chosen discipline of physiology, psychology or sociology,” he informs. “What is vital is an ability to communicate the science in a way that is understandable and can be applied.

That’s a skill that comes naturally to some, but, crucially, can also be learned.”

He continues: “We are always interested in hearing from practitioners who are in the early stages of their career. What we

“WHAT IS VITAL IS AN ABILITY TO COMMUNICATE THE SCIENCE IN A WAY THAT IS UNDERSTANDABLE AND CAN BE APPLIED.”

SFA Fact

Did You Know?

The sports tech scene in Ireland is a truly nationwide one, with as many as

40% of all companies based outside of Dublin.

are looking for are people who are passionate about sports science and whose primary motivation is to help coaches in their decision-making and help athletes perform at their very best. We are particularly excited to hear from physiologists, performance nutritionists and data scientists. We’d encourage them to apply for our summer internship programme.”

Moore sees gaining practical experience in highperformance domains as the biggest challenge for prospective sports scientists. “A standard sports science degree will equip you with the basics, but, to be brutally honest, that won’t cut it in the current job market,” he says. “I’d challenge each student to think about how they can stand out from every other graduate in their class, in each university. Pick an area you are passionate about, attend as many classes and industry lectures as you can, follow and connect with domain leaders and work to find opportunities to shadow or intern.”

Orreco’s aim is for successful interns to convert to full-time roles and, with practical experience gained in the field, enrol into PhD programmes. “We set the broad research area and they can work on their thesis in parallel with working with us,” comments Moore. “We are very proud that two of our team have been awarded their doctorates whilst working with us and we have four more on their way. In an Irish context, I think what Setanta College, led by Dr Liam Hennessy, is doing is just brilliant. The quality of their content is evidenced by how many graduates go on to be placed in industry jobs. Their professional master’s is, in my opinion, the go-to course once you have the basic degree, as it is truly applied and helps you make sense of all the systems and datasets that are now central to elite performance.”

LA story

Enterprise Ireland CEO Julie Sinnamon with Orreco CEO Dr Brian Moore and Robert O’Driscoll, Irish Consul General to Western USA

Opened in 2018, Orreco’s Los Angeles office set within the campus of Sports Rehab Los Angeles – one of America’s most high-profile sports training and recovery centres – is home to a new data and performance portal developed with IBM. Sports Rehab has some of the world’s most famous sports stars on its books, including the biggest names in basketball, American football and the English Premier League. Clients from the world of entertainment include entertainer Sean ‘P Diddy’ Combs and actor Kevin Hart. “The high-performance centre is where NFL, NBA and EPL players go during the off-season to prepare and condition themselves, so it’s very exciting that we are working there too,” enthuses Moore. “Our partnerships with Dr Patrick Khaziran and Dr Andy Barr deliver a truly world-leading offering for elite athletes in the United States, which is a very important market for us.”

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12/04/2019 09:40

Advice  Wise Guys

WISE GUYS

IN BUSINESS AND THRIVING - SIX INDUSTRY EXPERTS SHARE ONE SECRET OF THEIR SUCCESS.

1

Public speaking Deanna O’Connor Founder, The Speak Up Club

As a small business owner you are your own brand ambassador. Work on your elevator pitch – a succinct line about what you do – then practice expressing that line with confidence. If you don’t sound like you believe in your business, then why would a potential customer, client, buyer, investor or collaborator? You never know when you will run into that person, so invest some time in yourself and honing polished presentation skills.

2

Support Helen Raftery

CEO, Junior Achievement Ireland ‘Praise the young and they will flourish’ is a centuries-old adage that underpins pedagogy – the science of learning.

By accessing a broad range of opportunities to try, fail, and try again in a safe and caring environment, resilient, adaptable, successful learners emerge.

Our volunteers help create those learning opportunities by working alongside teachers to encourage and motivate students to acquire and practice new skills and to engender a love of learning. Being a lifelong learner is the only way to successfully navigate in our ever-more rapidly changing environment.

3

Health Rosalind Beere Founder, Chi Fit Tea

Go for it! Figure out what you’re passionate about, do some research into the market and then start to develop your concept. Stay committed and believe in yourself.

It is critical to have confidence in yourself and if you can find a product or service you believe in, that will shine through. I believe things happen for a reason and now that I’m a little older and wiser, and maybe a little more confident, I don’t care about what people think of me as much. You’ve one life, so live it to the full. Do what you love and you will never work another day in your life.

There are many definitions, but there’s one thing that all great business leaders agree on, and that’s how success can only come by persevering despite failure.

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12/04/2019 09:41

Wise Guys  Advice

“Don’t let the fear of losing be greater than the excitement of winning.”

4

Finance Mark O’Rourke MD, Bibby Financial Services

My mantra in business is, why? It is about understanding why people would want to do business with you, and giving them a real reason to choose you.

There are a multitude of mobile phone providers, but most people want the iPhone. Why is this? What we offer in the finance industry is relatively simple – access to funds – but understanding why people will work with you rather than a competitor is the critical aspect. It’s this added value that is important, not just price.

Always ask, why?

If you are a business leader

5

Beverages Padraig McEneaney

CEO, Celtic Pure I believe the biggest secret to success is hard work with vision. The team at Celtic Pure Irish Spring Water understands that success must be earned, an ethos I have cultivated. I encourage innovation when it comes to growing our brand. Recently, noticing a gap in the market for a healthy flavoured water, we developed Hint of Fruit, our range of still water infused with natural fruit flavour and no added sugar. Our consumer was in need of this product, so we dedicated time to creating it – a testament to a hardworking philosophy.

Robert Kiyosaki

(8 April, 1947-present) Businessman and author

6

Supplements Daithí O’Connor MD, Revive Active

Be the best. I have read the James Collins book Good To Great and the success of many US companies was down to the positioning of the company as best-inclass at what they do.

That could be a service or indeed a product or a sector. Retain your identity – for instance, us Irish are known for our integrity, manners, toughness and determination. Brands that have the vision to keep growing and not be distracted by adding non-core products or companies will flourish.

and you feel you have some words of wisdom to share with the small business community please email info@sfa.ie

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12/04/2019 09:42

Entrepreneurs  Master Storytellers

master THE

storytellers

BETTER BUSINESS CATCHES UP WITH FOUR ENTREPRENEURS LEADING THE WAY IN THE CREATION OF ENGAGING CONTENT ACROSS VARYING PLATFORMS.

C

aptivating stories have the power to unleash our imaginations and the social-mobile revolution means the ability to both produce and publish content is no longer restricted. But the landscape is constantly changing. Attention spans have shortened and, increasingly, audiences today have access to enormous amounts of highly specific, interactive digital content. Good storytelling is a journey and digital tools have empowered brands to bring a new dimension to storytelling. Instead of talking at your audience, it’s about creating experiences worth sharing. Brands must now, more than ever before, become masters of storytelling. There’s never been a better time to find ways in which to enrich your work through multimedia storytelling. Be worth talking about, and people will talk.

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12/04/2019 09:44

Master Storytellers  Entrepreneurs

JANET BECK

Janet Beck, CEO, Glasseye

“There’s a quote by Seth Godin which I think sums up shifting consumer behaviours nicely,” begins Janet Beck, CEO of video and communications agency Glasseye. “‘Marketing is no longer about the stuff that you sell, but about the stories you tell.’”

It’s a statement that rings true for today’s consumers connecting with content in a way that is meaningful to them. There needs to be some kind of payoff for these consumers, whether that is an emotional reaction or a key learning outcome.

Glasseye has been striking the right balance between information and entertainment – mainly through small screen video content – for its cross-sectoral clients over the past 15 years. “In a nutshell, we tell stories for brands, whether that’s a story to be watched, heard, experienced or clicked,” Beck informs.

Innovation is at the heart of everything the firm does. Beck believes the art of good storytelling is about making emotional connections, regardless of what tools you are using. “We’re constantly pushing the boundaries to stay ahead, both from a creative and technological perspective,”

“WE ARE ALL BOMBARDED WITH SO MUCH CONTENT, BUT QUALITY WILL ALWAYS SHINE THROUGH. THE KEY TO SUCCESS IS IN THE PLANNING. IF YOU KNOW WHY YOU ARE CREATING CONTENT AND WHO YOU ARE TRYING TO REACH, THIS SHOULD INFORM THE TYPE OF STORY YOU TELL.” she states. “We are all bombarded with so much content, but quality will always shine through. The key to success is in the planning. If you know why you are creating content and who you are trying to reach, this should inform the type of story you tell.”

There’s no doubt that video is now mainstream marketing collateral.

Nowadays, you’re simply not at the races if video isn’t a big part of your digital content strategy. “It’s such a great medium to share a story,” explains Beck. “After the advent of YouTube, video content went from scripted

and formal to real, unfiltered and authentic moments that people could truly connect with.

Brands had to react to that shift in behaviour.”

A lot of smaller businesses are still in the early adoption phase of video, but a much more committed approach to investment in video is definitely being seen. There is no magic bullet of a one-size-fits-all, according to Beck. “Understanding that video alone will not drive sales is important to bear in mind,” she says. “Having a longer term content strategy within which video is one of the drivers, alongside your other collateral, is a smarter and more effective approach to your marketing efforts.”

She continues: “The most beautifully crafted piece of content is of no value if the content isn’t relevant to the target audience. It’s a circular journey of engagement that encompasses many different touchpoints throughout a campaign. This often includes a mix of high-quality and user-generated content – if it’s lower quality but has high relevancy, it has a value in the strategy journey.”

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12/04/2019 09:45

Entrepreneurs  Master Storytellers

Founded by sisters Ailbhe and Izzy Keane, Izzy Wheels is a Dublin-based brand providing a range of uber-cool wheel covers for wheelchair users, complete with the quite brilliant motto: ‘If you can’t stand up, stand out!’

The company has excelled in its social content output. Coming from an art and design background, Ailbhe Keane puts a great deal of care and consideration into every single piece of content posted online.

“How we showcase our products is hugely important,” she says. “Everything we post has been carefully photographed and art directed. Our branding is really colourful and playful and we have kept this consistent from the beginning so that our work is very identifiable.”

The company has built an online community around wheelchair users who wear Izzy Wheels – the cleverly titled ‘Spokes People’. “We get photos and stories sent into us every week from Spokes People wearing their Izzy Wheels,” Keane informs. “Seeing people celebrating their wheelchairs is empowering and it opens up a really positive conversation around disability and inclusion.”

Keane stresses the importance of making customers feel part of the story. “We always try to deliver more than what’s expected,” she says. “We include a handwritten note with each parcel. This makes a customer feel loved and they are likely to tell their friends or share it across social media.”

In terms of content, quality will always be king according to the entrepreneur recently included on Forbes’ prestigious ‘30 Under 30’ listing. “Consumers are very aware of companies trying to oversell products online,” notes Keane. “In order to build a loyal following and customer base, you must make sure your content is interesting and well thought out.”

She adds: “Everybody loves a story that they can relate to on a personal level. Having a mix of different brand ambassadors and models is important, as you want all sorts of people to be able to relate to the story and brand. They need to be able to visualise themselves fitting in with the brand in order to want to buy your products.”

Sarah Doyle

AILBHE KEANE

Ailbhe and Izzy Keane, founders of Izzy Wheels

“EVERYBODY LOVES A STORY THAT THEY CAN RELATE TO ON A PERSONAL LEVEL. HAVING A MIX OF DIFFERENT BRAND AMBASSADORS AND MODELS IS IMPORTANT, AS YOU WANT ALL SORTS OF PEOPLE TO BE ABLE TO RELATE TO THE STORY AND BRAND. ” The importance of video content is not lost on the colourful Creative Director. In 2017, a one-minute Izzy Wheels video went viral and notched up 3 million views in one day – followed by 16 million views in one week. “People are totally overloaded with content as soon as they pick up their phone, so short videos are a really good way to grab their attention,” says Keane. “Overnight, people from all over the world knew who we were and wanted to buy our products. And the best part was that it didn’t cost us a cent in advertising!”

An awareness of what social media platforms work best for telling the story of your brand, as well as consistency in terms of delivery, is vital for Izzy Wheels. “It’s powerful to share content that touches people on an emotional level, so your message isn’t just ‘buy, buy, buy’,” explains Keane. “Being authentic is the best way to shine online. Make your content valuable and ask yourself what viewers will gain when they see your post.”

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12/04/2019 09:46

Master Storytellers  Entrepreneurs

Lisa Gaughran, Managing Director, Maxmedia

LISA GAUGHRAN With a focus on providing quality, consistency and frequency to its clients, content creation agency Maxmedia’s team of digital copywriters, editors, videographers, designers and social media engagers work across a broad spectrum of industries.

Managing Director Lisa Gaughran has experienced the publishing industry’s dramatic shift since the advent of digitalisation. “Twenty years ago, print was the main content marketing channel,” she explains.

“Now a client’s story is told across an expanding number of channels. At Maxmedia, we have developed our content creation capabilities to keep ahead of this changing landscape.”

While Maxmedia has been engaged in content marketing for over ten years, the background of its core team is in editorial. It’s no longer a case of just entertain and inform and they will come, according to Gaughran.

“Content creation needs to be strategic from the very early planning stages and have a clear rationale that provides key benefits to the client,” she says. “We approach content ideas from an editorial slant, asking: ‘Is this an engaging story and will it be of interest to our client’s audience?’ It’s this editorial experience that sets us apart.”

When asked if the digital age has affected how stories are told, Gaughran points to shorter attention spans as a key challenge for publishers. “Audiences are being bombarded with messages, so you have a very short window to grab their attention,” she informs.

“Stories need to be told in bite-sized chunks of copy content. And you need to really focus on making your content engaging and authentic to retain an audience.”

Gaughran adds: “Although content is becoming easier to create – a simple video caught on a phone can delight – the creative process of ideation, scripting, storyboarding and copywriting to a style and tone all still hold in delivering the brand story effectively.”

In regard to emerging trends, Gaughran sees user-generated content and consumer advocacy becoming a greater part of a brand’s story. “Website community pages and user reviews are being used by consumers more and more in their purchase decisions,” the content specialist explains. “Empowering consumers to tell the story is a great way to create authenticity around a brand. But brands still need to tell their own story to both inform and inspire a conversation.”

She concludes “The new trend for content is personalisation, delivering bespoke messages to individual audiences at the right time. The technology to deliver this dynamic content may be currently beyond the reach of small firms, but it does highlight the importance of one-on-one conversations.

My advice is to always reply to consumer comments across social media or review sites to encourage customers to tell your brand story. The power of that positive word of mouth response can be phenomenal.”

“STORIES NEED TO BE TOLD IN BITE-SIZED CHUNKS OF COPY CONTENT. AND YOU NEED TO REALLY FOCUS ON MAKING YOUR CONTENT ENGAGING AND AUTHENTIC TO RETAIN AN AUDIENCE.”

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12/04/2019 09:47

Entrepreneurs  Master Storytellers

EOIN MCKENNA When we think of digital storytelling, web and app development isn’t necessarily the first medium that springs to mind. However, in order to communicate brand messaging effectively, incorporating storytelling elements plays a significant role in the success of a digital product.

Setting the standard for storytelling within the design industry, product studio Tribe Digital transforms ideas into digital experiences. “Our approach to building digital products is to use what you could call startup thinking,” says Managing Director Eoin McKenna. “Startups have the power to be incredibly disruptive and we want to bring the very disruptive nature of startup thinking to enterprise.”

With years of experience building products for clients, the company is constantly developing and improving its processes. “The web design industry is over 20 years old now and the website as we know it is very much changing,” states McKenna. “The way that people interact with the internet is changing. The digital product is changing. How people gather information and transact will be very different in the future, with 50% of all internet searches likely to be voice-only by 2025. Users may not even be looking at a screen, rather simply talking to some artificial intelligence through an app.”

Eoin McKenna (centre), Managing Director, Tribe Digital

“OUR APPROACH TO BUILDING DIGITAL PRODUCTS IS TO USE WHAT YOU COULD CALL STARTUP THINKING. STARTUPS HAVE THE POWER TO BE INCREDIBLY DISRUPTIVE AND WE WANT TO BRING THE VERY DISRUPTIVE NATURE OF STARTUP THINKING TO ENTERPRISE.”

Tribe Digital’s products are designed to be simple and easy to use – it was no surprise to see the firm scoop the Small Agency of the Year gong at the Spider Awards. The company uses data, insights and design thinking to build websites and apps that help drive the numbers that matter for businesses.

McKenna explains how the company engages design thinking effectively. “It’s a bit of a buzz phrase at the moment, but it involves five key steps: empathise, define, ideate, prototype and test,” he says. “It covers a wide range of different approaches, but, fundamentally, it starts with the customer. Do they have an unmet need somewhere? And are there enough people with that same problem to justify building a product? So, rather than coming up with the idea first and hoping that there is a market for it, we first look at the data.”

He continues: “We view the product interface, whether that’s software, hardware, or a mixture of both, as the brand. Traditionally, media has been very easy to define, such as television, radio, print, etc. And now you’ve got online, which is complex and fragments the landscape, so the importance of understanding your customer has never been more important for brands.”

McKenna is adamant that good design means good business and has seen firsthand that companies using design thinking elements are more successful. “Companies like Apple, Google and IBM use design thinking to build the products and services that many of us use in our everyday lives,” he explains. “They largely do this by starting a dialogue with their customers to deeply understand their needs. This same process can be applied to building a website or a mobile app for your business, and we find that the companies that are willing to apply this type of thinking ultimately become the most successful.

“Over the years we have learned that we can add the most value for our clients by going back to first principles and helping them understand their customers more deeply. It is this approach to building digital products that differentiates us from our competitors and has led to our success.”

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12/04/2019 09:47

Trading Places  Interview

Cure THE

perfect

AT THE CROSSROADS OF ASIA, AN IRISH FOOD ENTREPRENEUR IS CHAMPIONING THE CREATION OF EXCEPTIONALLY FINE FOOD.

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12/04/2019 09:49

As Interview  Trading Places

one of the top food cities in the world, Singapore has a remarkably diverse range of culinary influences. A melting pot of culture has resulted in a cuisine unlike any other and many visitors are drawn here by the vibrant culinary scene. Traditionally known for its outstanding street food, a string of fine dining establishments have popped up in this bustling city obsessed with food.

Taking influences from his experience working under some of the best in the business, including Tom Aikens, Richard Corrigan and Brad Farmerie, Irish chef Andrew Walsh dishes out his creative brand of modern European food in a vibrant and relaxed social setting at Cure, one of Singapore’s most renowned eateries.

“OUR GOAL AT CURE AND BUTCHER BOY IS SIMPLE: WE WANT TO KEEP GETTING BETTER IN ALL ASPECTS, WHETHER IN TERMS OF MENUS, STAFFING, STYLES, INFRASTRUCTURE OR OPERATIONS.”

Andrew Walsh, chef-owner of Cure Restaurant and Butcher Boy in Singapore

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12/04/2019 09:49

Trading Places  Interview

The Mayo native describes how his love of food first developed.

“My interest in cooking started while I was in my teens,” Walsh says.

“At that time, my brother was working as a chef in our hometown, and had asked me to help out with washing dishes in return for pocket money. Along the way, I picked up the basics and became completely fascinated with how you can play around with a raw ingredient and turn it into something delicious.”

After cooking under the tutelage of some notable names, Walsh decided to strike out on his own with his first restaurant venture in 2015. Innovation has been a central element in the success of Cure and Walsh has introduced a plant-based menu where the intrinsic flavours and versatility of vegetables are showcased by using a combination of cooking styles and techniques. “In recent years, I’ve been really keen to spotlight vegetables as much as meats, instead of sticking to conventional meat-heavy mains,” he states. “The menu at Cure is in constant flux, as I work with seasonal produce and what’s available locally. Some ingredients are at their peak for a very short period, and, in order to bring their optimal eating quality to our guests, our menus change every two months, or sometimes even every month. I continuously challenge myself and I’m never afraid to put something new on the menu.”

When asked about the practicality of operating a business in Singapore, Walsh believes an understanding of the culture, geography and produce of the region has been vital in his success. “I first came to Singapore to run my mentor Jason Atherton’s concepts – Esquina and The Study – but fell in love with the burgeoning scene and bustle of Singapore,” he explains. “Drawing from my experiences working in Ireland, such as during my training at Michelin-starred The Fitzwilliam Hotel in Dublin, you have to be really familiar with the local culture. In Singapore, operating a restaurant business is a little trickier and tougher, because we have to source many ingredients from overseas. We’ve had to learn what kinds of food concepts work in different locations and countries.”

He continues: “The Singapore restaurant market is very strong, as it’s very globalised. So we’ve adapted to this by having a lot of interaction and communication with guests, and offer various menus to suit the different requirements of our diverse diners.”

Beetroot-cured Salmon at Cure

Slow Cooked Egg at Cure

Sustainable approach Walsh has been a forerunner in the production of nutritious food within a food industry that protects the natural environment and local community. An avid campaigner for greater social causes, he sheds light on his view of food sustainability. “Food waste has always been an issue in the industry,” he explains “At Cure, we tackle these issues through our root-to-stem food philosophy and repurpose what is usually deemed ‘trimmings’ in other dishes. One example is our Slow Cooked Egg dish, which uses leftovers from our homemade sourdough. It adds extra texture to the smooth smoked potato espuma which elevates the entire product.”

Equally passionate about eradicating hunger, Walsh is also involved in an initiative titled Hospitality Against Hunger, which encourages guests to donate any amount to The Food Bank Singapore for each complimentary snack served at the restaurant.

The Irish chef has continued to extend himself beyond the kitchen with the opening of Butcher Boy, a contemporary eastmeets-west grill restaurant driven by innovative cocktails and a great selection of sake. Walsh explains the concept behind his second Singapore restaurant. “At Butcher Boy, I’ve taken inspiration from my travels in Asia and Singapore, with dishes such as Korean Steak Tartare and Chicken and Prawn Laksa Dumpling. This offers diners a unique take on familiar flavours, but in a different form, or paired with unconventional ingredients. I love playing around with flavours to see what new discoveries I can find.”

Looking to the future, Walsh will continue to innovate within the Asian market, but also hints at possible expansion – and even a return to Irish shores. “I’m on a fascinating journey of culinary food research and discoveries,” he enthuses. “Our goal at Cure and Butcher Boy is simple: we want to keep getting better in all aspects, whether in terms of menus, staffing, styles, infrastructure or operations.

“One of my ambitions is to eventually set up in London, Dublin or the Irish countryside. One day, I hope to return to Ireland and do my style of food, whether it’s drawing from Cure, Butcher Boy, or something entirely new, and put my stamp on the food scene there.”

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Simpli Bread Small Business Profile  Simpli Baked

KIERAN WALSH SPEAKS WITH BETTER BUSINESS EDITOR COLIN WHITE ABOUT HOW HIS FOOD PRODUCTION BUSINESS IS DOING THE RIGHT THING IN TERMS OF SUSTAINABILITY.

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W

ith food production coming under increased scrutiny, the drive to make the global food system more sustainable is more critical now than ever before. As a producer of high-quality food and drink, much of which is exported around the world, Ireland has developed robust systems around the governance of its agriculture and food.

However, the next few years are set to be pivotal. Public demand is changing, with an increasing number of consumers now insisting that products are produced in a sustainable way.

Founded by brothers Kieran and Sean Walsh, along with partner Niels Ladefoged, Tullamore-based Simpli Baked is an Irish-owned company specialising in baking premium quality flat breads, such as tortillas and thin crust pizzas, for Irish, UK and European markets.

Founder and Managing Director Kieran Walsh is keenly aware of a seachange in purchasing trends. “There is certainly more interest in unusual flavours, superfoods and gluten-free products in today’s market,” confirms Walsh. “While we have always operated to a BRC [the industry-leading certification scheme] grade A level, the bar has been raised each and every year, and rightly so. Constantly improving quality standards can only be a good thing, and we now operate at a grade AA level.”

The company was set up with a number of core principles that remain integral to this day. As well respecting the natural environment, Walsh believes it is important to support the local community. “We set a goal to generate a business that was lean from the outset,” he informs. “We’ve always tried to be a good neighbour by supporting the local community and those less fortunate than ourselves. The company donates to charity financially, but we’ve also agreed to give 1% of employee time to run charitable events. This means that if a group of employees decide on a project to raise funds for charity, we will give the equivalent of 1% of total time to the individuals, so they don’t need to use personal annual leave.”

One of the primary objectives for Ireland’s agri-food firms is the implementation of greater efficiencies, while also enabling sustainable production growth. “I think Ireland is a world leader when it comes to the production of sustainable food, but improvements are always necessary,” asserts Walsh. “Areas we now consider difficult or uneconomical will change as technologies develop along with the skills of our team and the requirements of our customers.”

Although enjoying “a good level of support” from Enterprise Ireland and Bord Bia, Walsh feels there are certain supports that the company missed out on. “The challenge is having enough time to run the day-to-day business with evermore demanding customers,” he says, “as well as having enough time to evaluate what government bodies are available to provide support.”

A number of years ago, Walsh joined up with the Entrepreneurs’ Organisation, a global business network of leading entrepreneurs across 58 countries. “Being exposed to world-class learning, while sharing experiences with business folk in a non-competitive environment has been really helpful,” he says. “If I’m prepared to invest in training for my team, this seemed like a great way to invest in my own personal enrichment.”

Simpli Baked  Small Business Profile

A new flame

Kieran Walsh,

Climate change has been co-founder, Simpli Baked predicted to have significant impacts on agricultural productivity on a global level. Much-loved naturalist David Attenborough’s recent heartfelt speech at a recent UN climate summit seems to have energised people to tackle climate action.

Walsh believes that, unless we all do our part, the threats of climate change will become increasingly apparent. “Many of the solutions make sense for businesses to roll out,” he affirms.

“Lessening our impact on the environment and reducing food waste are both areas where the benefits can be seen in any business. And that needs to start now.”

He adds: “Everyone talks about the challenge, when, in reality, it is an opportunity to look at your business and make a difference by changing the easiest elements. As companies achieve the easy goals, one by one the more difficult areas will come within reach as its abilities grow.”

If more food production companies are to become sustainably efficient, the whole ethos of the business needs to change. “We can’t simply talk about culture; we must live it,” states Walsh, “and that takes time and nurturing.”

With work culture impacting as much as 50% of the conscious time of an employee’s week, the potential negative effects on an individual’s mental health are considerable. Walsh is passionate about creating a workplace that is a great place to be.

He says: “We try to have more good days than bad here. It’s important to create a bit of lighthearted fun in the business, while at the same time maintaining the high standards of a modern food business.

“No single individual has a monopoly on good ideas. If someone has an idea that they believe can make life better in some form, we will give it a try. Seeing your ideas being acknowledged makes you feel part of a team.

A true team member will tell you when you’ve got it right and when it’s not going to plan.

And a good captain knows when to listen.”

Walsh expects 2019 to be a noteworthy one for Simpli Baked, with the company set to bring an investment of €2.2m on stream with the support of Enterprise Ireland. “We are doubling our capacity in mid-April to Did You something probably in the region of 130 Know? to 140 million tortillas,” says Walsh. “The lead time for this line is 15 months, so we Over committed to this in January 2017 in the belief that the issue of Brexit would be of Ireland’s resolved by now. food and “The challenge is to commission the drink exports new line and generate efficiencies, while come from also keeping morale up during what we sustainable know is a difficult time as we seek out new Origin Green opportunities for the added capacity.” companies.

SFA Fact

90%

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Events  SFA National Small Business Awards 2019

LOUTH-BASED TECH FIRM SCOOPS TOP GONG AT SFA AWARDS

OVERALL WINNERS

BLUEACRE TECHNOLOGY WAS NAMED OVERALL WINNER AT THE SFA NATIONAL SMALL BUSINESS AWARDS 2019.

F

inalists from over 14 counties gathered in the RDS Concert Hall on 7 March for the Small Firms Association National Small Business Awards 2019. Now in its 15th year, the awards celebrate the achievements of small businesses in Ireland and recognise the vital contribution of the sector to the Irish economy.

Blueacre Technology picked up the major gong on the night.

The Dundalk-based company founded in 2006 by Dr David Gillen employs 15 people and provides specialist laser micromachining equipment to the medical device and other manufacturing industries.

Announcing the winner, Sue O’Neill, SFA Chair and Chair of the awards judging panel, said: “This is a fantastic example of real innovation in small business. Dr David Gillen founder of Blueacre Technology, adapted his experience in the semi-conductor industry to an opportunity he spotted in the medical technology sector in which Ireland is recognised as one of the five global emerging hubs.

It’s this innovation and ambition in small business that we need to harness and support to ensure Ireland’s future economic success.”

SFA Director Sven Spollen-Behrens added: “We continue to grow the awards programme that positions the small business brand as the backbone of the Irish economy. It has been great tonight to celebrate the best in small business. Small businesses contributed to the recovery of our economy by making difficult decisions in times of recession. They are proving yet again their resilience and flexibility when faced with new challenges.”

The category winners are: > Manufacturing (sponsored by Bord Gais Energy)...................Blueacre Technology (Louth) > F ood & Drink (sponsored by Bord Bia)................................... The Foods of Athenry (Galway) Highly commended...............................................................Fenit Fruit & Veg (Kerry) > Services (sponsored by Three)............................... Ryan’s Pharmacy (Kildare) Highly commended..........................................................Contracting PLUS (Dublin) > I nnovator of the Year (sponsored by permanentTSB)............................................ NVP Energy (Galway) Highly commended......................................................................................... OVVO (Louth) > E xporter of the Year (sponsored by Enterprise Ireland).........................Prodigy Learning (Dublin) >S ustainable Energy (sponsored by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland) ........................................................................................................Monasterboice Inn (Louth) >O utstanding Small Business (sponsored by One4All).....................................Horan Automation (Tipperary)

FOOD AND DRINK Galway-based The Foods of Athenry is a familyrun company baking deliciously healthy food.

Since converting its milking parlour into a bakery back in 2004, The Foods of Athenry has amassed over 50 prestigious industry awards.

Siobhan Lawless, The Foods of Athenry, said: “For us it’s a huge endorsement of all the hard work to be acknowledged by our peers. It galvanises the plan we have put in place over the last few years. The strategy is in place and it’s an encouragement to success.”

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SFA National Small Business Awards 2019  Events

MANUFACTURING Blueacre Technology specialises in the development and manufacture of dedicated, laser micromachining equipment used to process various polymers, metals, ceramics and glass, primarily for the medical device industry.

Olivia Gillen, Blueacre Technology, said: “Sometimes when you’re running a small business it can feel very lonely, so something like these awards is fantastic for getting to meet other businesses to share similar kinds of problems.”

With its extensive design experience in lasers, micromaching, vision systems and software interfacing solutions, Blueacre Technology picked up its second accolade of the night.

Sue O’Neill, Chair, SFA; David Gillen, Blueacre Technology; Colin Bebbington, Retail Director, Bord Gais Energy, sponsor of the Manufacturing Award; Olivia Gillen, Blueacre Technology; and Sven Spollen-Behrens, Director, SFA

David Gillen, Blueacre Technology, said: “As a small firm, everything is about recognition. You don’t have the marketing prowess, so awards like this are very important. I would say to everyone, ‘enter it, you have nothing to lose.’”

SERVICES

Sue O’Neill, SFA Chair, David Gillen, Blueacre Technology, Sven Spollen-Behrens, Director, SFA

Since the first Ryan’s Pharmacy opened its doors in 1996 in Rathangan, Co. Kildare, the company has expanded to four more pharmacies in Edenderry, Derrinturn, Rhode and Daingean. The company constantly strives to provide a service that is not only excellent, but reflects its high standards.

Sue O’Neill, Chair, SFA; Padraig Sheerin, Head of SME, Three, sponsor of the Services Award; Shane Ryan and Clodagh Conlon, Ryan’s Pharmacy; and Sven Spollen-Behrens, Director, SFA

Sue O’Neill, Chair, SFA; Siobhan and Paul Lawless, The Foods of Athenry; Declan Coppinger, Finance Manager, Bord Bia, sponsor of the Food and Drink Award; and Sven Spollen-Behrens, Director, SFA

Shane Ryan, Ryan’s Pharmacy, said: “Winning this award is an amazing achievement for our group. This awards ceremony has been a culmination of months of work by the SFA through training in Athlone and the Expo in Dublin. It’s been amazing for networking.”

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Events  SFA National Small Business Awards 2019

SUSTAINABLE ENERGY The Monasterboice Inn has been servicing the road between Dublin and Belfast for over 200 years. The Inn recently extended its premises by 25%, while at the same time reducing energy costs with support from SEAI. The upgrade of the Monasterboice Inn was led by the owner Roseanne Donegan and General Manager Karl Murphy with the use of a design-led approach to improve energy performance using less fossil fuels.

Sue O’Neill, Chair, SFA; Andrea Carroll, SME Programme Manager, Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, sponsor of the Sustainable Energy Award; and Sven Spollen-Behrens, Director, SFA

Roseanne Donegan, Monasterboice Inn, said: “It’s so important to try and be more energy efficient. This award gives us the platform to let all of our customers, suppliers and whole community know what we’ve done.”

EXPORTER OF THE YEAR Based in Dublin, Prodigy Learning is a leading player in the training and certification industry in the UK and Ireland and supplies a wide range of certification and learning solutions for Adobe, Autodesk, Hewlett Packard and Microsoft products, serving the academic, commercial and public sectors.

Sue O’Neill, Chair, SFA; Billy Breen and Mark Reid, Prodigy Learning; Mark Cristal, Divisional Manager at Enterprise Ireland, sponsor of the Exporter of the Year Award; and Sven Spollen-Behrens, Director, SFA

Mark Reid, Prodigy Learning, said: “We met tonight personally a lot of exceptional CEOs. It’s great to be in the same room as them and I think we can all share something from tonight. The support from the SFA has been great.

There’s a lot of great advice that comes from them and they represent small firms really well.”

OUTSTANDING SMALL BUSINESS Established by Gerry and Kathleen Horan, Horan Automation and Consulting provides a full automation design and project management service from its Thurles HQ. The company prides itself on providing a full turnkey automation service for manufacturing plants, including filling machines, unscramblers, primary cartoning machines, secondary cartoning machines, customised robotic arms and palletising machines.

INNOVATOR NVP Energy’s experienced team deliver efficient and sustainable wastewater treatment solutions. The company was quick to understand that wastewater treatment isn’t a main part of core business for many organisations and its solutions minimise the amount of time spent on-site to avoid disruption to important daily operations.

Joe Shinkwin, NVP Energy, said: “It’s fantastic exposure – a voice to a small business that’s expanding.

I think it’s a really good platform for businesses to actually get involved in.”

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SFA National Small Business Awards 2019  Events

EMERGING NEW BUSINESS In addition, the five companies announced as Emerging New Businesses (up to 50 employees and under two years in business) were announced. > Zarrdia (Dublin) is a specialist Infrastructure, devops and security firm focusing on advisory, systems integration and managed services. > Peachy Lean (Dublin) provides supportive funky gym leggings for women who like to look good while working out. > Get The Shifts (Clare) is an innovative and awardwinning temporary staffing solution within the hospitality industry.

Sue O’Neill, Chair, SFA; Terry Spence, Key Accounts Sales Manager, One4All, sponsor of the Outstanding Small Business Award; Gerry Horan and Emma Lacy of Horan Automation and Consulting; and Sven Spollen-Behrens, Director, SFA

Gerry Horan, Horan Automation, said: “Winning this award is very import to us. The whole process has been wonderful. It shows that if you work hard, you’ll be rewarded. It’s absolutely marvellous to meet all of our cohorts. Even if we didn’t win, its marvellous to be here.”

> Gym+Coffee (Dublin) was set up by highly caffeinated founders to provide athleisure clothing designed in Ireland. > The UX Studio (Galway) is a user experience and digital design agency that prioritises two areas: experience and interface.

Sue O’Neill, Chair, SFA; Patrick Farrell, Retail Banking Director, Permanent TSB, sponsor of the Innovator of the Year Award; Michael Murray and Joe Shinkwin, NVP Energy; and Sven Spollen-Behrens, Director, SFA

David Curtin, CEO, IE Domain Registry, sponsor of the Emerging New Business category; Diarmuid McSweeney, Gym+Coffee; Sharon Keegan, Peachy Lean; Finn Killeen, Zarrdia; Rachel O’Donnell, The UX Studio; and Hannah Wrixon, Get The Shifts

AWARD SPONSORS The SFA would like to thank this year’s award sponsors:

Philip Noone and Audrey Bradley from Aalto Bio Reagents

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SFA Policy  Plastics

THE

problem

with

PLASTIC THE LOW-DOWN ON THE PROPOSED SINGLE-USE PLASTICS DIRECTIVE SET TO BE PASSED INTO LAW IN LATE SPRING 2019 WITH A TWO-YEAR TRANSITION INTO IRISH LAW.

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Plastics  SFA Policy

The European Commission is currently taking steps to reduce the impact of certain plastic products on the environment. In May 2018, the Commission proposed a directive as part of the European Commission’s action plan, Closing the loop – An EU action plan for the circular economy.

This proposed directive is commonly known as the single-use plastics directive. The aim of the directive is to reduce marine litter and align with the EU’s commitments to the targets set under the EU Sustainable Development Goals.

The European Commission has identified the ten single-use (or short-life) plastic products most often found on Europe’s beaches and seas. These ten items, along with lost and abandoned fishing gear, will be subject to a plethora of measures varying from labelling to extended producer responsibility schemes to market ban.

This single-use plastics directive proposes to reduce significantly within six years the quantity of ‘on-the-go’ immediate consumption food containers and cups for beverages, including their lids, made from single-use plastic.

Market Ban The directive proposes a market ban on the following single use plastic items: n Plastic cutlery (forks, knives, spoons and chopsticks), plates and straws. n Food containers made of expanded polystyrene (i.e. fast food boxes, with or without a cover, used to contain food that is intended for immediate consumption either on-the-spot or take-away, and that is ready to be consumed without any further preparation, like cooking, boiling or heating). n B everage containers and cups for beverages made of expanded polystyrene. n Cotton bud sticks made of plastic. n Oxo-degradable plastics, including those items that are not single-use products.

Producers of sanitary towels, tampons, wet wipes, tobacco products and beverage cups are required to inform consumers of how to correctly dispose of the product and the environmental impacts of it being littered. It also outlines that plastic bottles must have a tethered cap or lid on the bottle within five years of the directive coming into force.

The directive proposes a binding target that from 2025 onwards, PET beverage bottles will contain at least 25% recycled plastic, calculated as an average for the member state. By 2030, all plastic bottles will have to respect a target of at least 30% of recycled content. This is an average at member state level, and not for each producer.

“LITTER CLEAN-UP AND PREVENTION CANNOT BE THE SOLE RESPONSIBILITY OF PRODUCERS, AS PRODUCERS DO NOT HAVE THE LEVERS TO SOLVE THE LITTER PROBLEM ALONE.” The directive hopes to achieve these targets through the introduction of a separate collection by 2025 of 77% of the single-use plastic bottles placed on the market per annum by weight, increasing to 90% by 2029.

The single-use plastics directive also calls for the establishment of an extended producer responsibility scheme for the following items: n Immediate consumption plastic food containers, including fast food containers. n Immediate consumption plastic packets and wrappers made from flexible materials. n B everage containers, including caps and lids. n Cups for beverages, including caps and lids. n Tobacco products with filters and separately sold tobacco filters. n Wet wipes. n Balloons used as a toy or decoration. n Lightweight plastic carrier bags. n Fishing gear containing plastic.

Most common single-use plastic items found on EU beaches

Producers of items that are subject to an extended producer responsibility (EPR) scheme will have to cover costs of awareness raising measures, clean-up and data gathering. Tobacco producers will also need to cover collection costs.

EPR schemes for packaging single-use products and tobacco products need to be transposed into Irish law by 5 January 2023, and EPR schemes for all other single-use products by 31 December 2024.

Globally, the root causes of litter are poor waste management practices and infrastructure, littering by citizens and lack of public awareness.

Litter clean-up and prevention cannot be the sole responsibility of producers, as producers do not have the levers to solve the litter problem alone.

Citizens have a behavioural role as well.

In addition to producers, other involved stakeholders, including private or public waste operators and local authorities, need to take action to improve waste management systems and infrastructure. Segregated street bins would reduce on-the-go littering while increasing recycling rates.

Local authorities should also continue to support and invest in educational programmes such as Think Before You Flush and to enforce anti-littering laws and EU wastewater legislation.

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HR  Provisions Act

ZERO-HOUR ZEITGEIST

SFA EXECUTIVE HELEN QUINN OFFERS A GUIDE TO THE EMPLOYMENT (MISCELLANEOUS) PROVISIONS ACT NOW IN FORCE.

Helen Quinn, SFA Executive

So what does the Employment (Miscellaneous) Provisions Act mean in practice for small business owners and their employees?

The Act will impact employers in the following ways: 1 Employers must provide new employees with five core terms of employment within five days of starting their new role. This is referred to as the ‘Day 5’ statement.

2 Zero-hour contracts are now prohibited, except for two conditions.

3 Banded hours have been introduced.

4 The national minimum wage rates for younger people and trainees have been simplified and sub-minimum trainee rates have been removed.

The Day 5 statement All employers are required to give employees a contract of employment within two months of starting their new role. Under this new Act, employers must provide five core terms within five days of the employee commencing work, this also includes employees who may work one day and then resign, so they still need to receive the Day 5 statement.

The basic five terms are: 1 The full names of the employer and the employee.

2 The address of the employer.

3 The duration of the contract if it is temporary or fixed term.

4 The rate or method of calculation of the employee’s pay.

5 The number of hours the employer reasonably expects the employee to normally work per day and per week.

The remaining terms of employment still need to be issued within two months and all written statements must be signed and dated by the employer. The consequences of not providing or issuing a misleading Day 5 statement could include an employee taking a case to the Workplace Relations Commission and potentially receiving up to four week’s pay.

If a business is being inspected by the Workplace Relations Commission, they could incur a fixed payment notice of up €1,500 or be prosecuted and incur a fine of €5,000 and/or imprisonment of up to 12 months.

Directors and those responsible for issuing contracts can also be liable for these offences in conjunction with the business, so it is important to ensure this is complied with.

WHAT SHOULD BUSINESSES DO IN LIGHT OF THIS NEW CHANGE? We recommend the following steps should be taken to effectively manage this change: 1 Have a template contract of employment ready.

2 Update existing templates with the new changes if this is applicable.

3 On day one, issue all new employees a contract of employment regardless of their employment arrangement, for example casual or seasonal workers.

4 Issue contracts of employment to all employees who do not have one currently.

5 If needed, update existing contracts of employment to ensure that expected hours per day and per week is clearly stated in the contracts of employment.

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Provisions Act  HR

Restriction on zero-hour contracts

BANDED HOURS

The new Act restricts the use of zerohour contracts, and it states they are prohibited, except for:

The new Act has introduced banded hours and if an employee regularly works more hours each week than is detailed in their contract of employment, they can request to be placed in a band of weekly working hours that reflects the actuality of their working time. The band of hours under the Act are as follows:

H

36 HOURS OR MORE

G

31 - 36 HOURS

F

26 - 31 HOURS

E

21 - 26 HOURS

D

16 - 21 HOURS

C

11 - 16 HOURS

B

6 - 11 HOURS

A

3 - 6 HOURS

0

3

6

11

16

21

26

31

36

How to manage a banded hours request Employers do not have to automatically place an employee on a band of hours; they only need to comply with this if the employee requests it.

For an employee to qualify to make the request they must have at least 12 months’ continuous service and habitually work more hours per week than is stated in their contract. They need to make the request in writing and employers have four weeks to consider the request and it is calculated over the previous 12-month reference period.

Employers can refuse banded hour requests if: n There is no evidence that supports their claim that they worked more hours in their contract during the 12-month reference period. n Where exceptional, unusual or unforeseeable circumstances arise. n There was a significant adverse change impacting the business during, or after, the 12-month reference period. n The average hours worked during the 12-month reference period was due to a temporary situation that no longer exists.

If the employee feels their employer has failed to place them in a band of hours, or they dispute the reasons for refusing the request, they can refer their complaint to the Workplace Relations Commission.

The adjudicator will hear the case and decide whether the complaint is founded and the employer will be required to put the employee on a specific band of hours. The employer will not be expected to pay compensation if they fail to comply with the banded hour request.

1 Work carried out in emergency

circumstances.

2 To provide short-term relief work to

cover routine absences.

Zero-hour contracts are a working arrangement where an employee is required to be available for work for a number of hours per week, but who may not receive any work and would receive compensation if they receive no work.

With the new Act, businesses that rely on these working arrangements will need to consider alternative options, unless they can rely on one of the two exceptions above.

The Act does not prohibit the use of ‘if and when’ contracts. These are a working arrangement where an employer offers hours of work to an employee each week, but that employee can either accept or refuse the work. There is no expectation that they must take the hours of work offered. This type of working arrangement is used more commonly than zero-hour contracts and could be a way of retaining flexibility in the workplace for those businesses that rely on casual working arrangements.

If a business is using zero-hour contracts for one of the two exceptions above and the employee is required to be available for work that week, and they are not called into work or are sent home early, the employer must pay them a minimum payment of three times the national minimum wage or the minimum rate set out in an Employment Regulation Order or a Sectoral Employment Order.

This compensation applies to each occasion this arises.

We hope this quick run through of the Employment (Miscellaneous) Provisions Act will prepare you for these changes. It is crucial small businesses issue contracts with new employees without delay. It impacts casual working arrangements, as businesses will not be able to rely on zero-hour contracts and they may receive requests from employees to be placed on a band of hours.

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Events  Business Connect

Pictured (l-r): Richard Curran, Business Connect MC; Sue O’Neill, SFA Chair and Managing Director, Shellcove; and Catherine Moroney, Head of Business Banking, AIB

THE RIGHT CONNECTIONS

Vanessa Tierney, CEO, Abodoo and SFA Director, Sven Spollen-Behrens at the SFA Smart Business Workshop, Drogheda

THE ANNUAL SFA BUSINESS CONNECT EVENT TOOK PLACE ON 7 FEBRUARY, BRINGING TOGETHER SFA MEMBERS AND LEADING COMPANIES FROM ACROSS THE IRISH BUSINESS ECOSYSTEM. This year’s Business Connect event at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin was aimed at small businesses looking to supply to large indigenous and multinational firms and bigger businesses interested in diversifying their supply chains.

Thanks to its position as part of Ibec, the SFA was uniquely placed to create this marketplace event and gave delegates a window into the decision-making and purchasing processes of Ireland’s leading companies.

The MC for the morning was RTÉ’s Richard Curran, who introduced the first session of the morning, ‘How to stand out from the crowd – prepare your elevator pitch’ with Kingsley Aikens, CEO of The Networking Institute and Barry McLoughlin from The Communications Clinic.

Kingsley Aikens spoke about the need to leverage your personal network and also gave advice on how to expand your network in a practical and useful way. Barry McLoughlin spoke about how every company has a story, and the importance of using that story to pitch your business.

The next session, ‘Our connected world post-Brexit’, started with Liam O ‘Donoghue, Deputy CEO of Ibec, who presented the transformational story of Ireland’s economy and how this open and globalised economy will face Brexit. Catherine Moroney, AIB’s Head of Business Banking, spoke about the need for small firms to understand how Brexit will affect their business and gave practical advice to support them through Brexit.

Enterprise Ireland’s Jonathan McMillan introduced the different Enterprise Ireland and Government supports available to meet the challenges presented by Brexit. While Glenisk Director Gerard Cleary and Director and co-founder of Idiro Analytics Geraldine Magnier discussed how to be successful in new export markets and how business owners across the island of Ireland can work together and mitigate some of the impacts of Brexit.

The final panel of the morning was ‘Case studies – successful cooperation models between big and small’. Entrepreneur Sean Gallagher drew from his experience as captured in his bestselling book Secrets to Success. Ciaran Corcoran, Site Director, Abbott and Deirdre Ní Dheá, Regional Sales Director, Salesforce provided case studies on the different tools available to small firms to drive growth. Philip Noone, Managing Director of Aalto Bio and Kirby Tarrant, Partner in Charge, Clark Hill Solicitors also joined us for the final panel of the morning to discuss successful partnerships between large and small firms.

During the coffee break and throughout lunch there was a great buzz around the rooms where the finalists of the SFA National Small Business Awards were exhibiting. Delegates made the most of the chance to network, asking questions and identifying real opportunities to grow their business.

Smart Business Workshops In January, the SFA kicked off its Smart Business workshop series in partnership with Vodafone Ireland and Abodoo. The series will take place until May in co-working spaces in the SIRO-powered hub, The Mill, Drogheda; The Hatch Lab, Gorey; Portershed, Galway; The Republic of Work, Cork; and BOI Workbench in Limerick.

The Smart Business workshop highlights the benefits of smart working and addresses the fears and concerns that small businesses may have.

To book your place at our next Smart Business workshop see www.sfa.ie and read more about our Grow, Scale, Succeed campaign on page 10 of Better Business.

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How to Nurture a Leader  Top Tips

Cian Collins, CCO, Frankli

TIP TIPS ON HOW TO NURTURE A BUSINESS LEADER.

1

COMMUNICATE

Great communication skills are invaluable in small business. Future leaders must have the ability to communicate with multiple stakeholders internally and externally and will need to foster great communication amongst employees so they can articulate opinions clearly and leave no room for misunderstandings.

4

BE HONEST

Being honest allows a leader to quickly gain the trust of peers, which is the cornerstone of attaining other people’s respect. This becomes evident when honest leaders are able to give negative or positive feedback in a way that motivates employees to perform better.

Set Goals

2

MOTIVATE

Keeping everyone focused and motivated on the mission at hand is critical, because if everyone doesn’t do his or her part, then your business will not be successful. Leaders must also ensure employees are recognised when they have exceeded in their role, as this is intrinsic to all employee motivation.

5

CREATE OPPORTUNITIES

Sometimes your future leaders may feel unprepared to lead a team if they are being asked to step into a management role. By giving plenty of opportunities to manage projects or plan events, you will build your employee’s confidence and encourage them to take on more responsibility.

It’s difficult to run a successful small business without a concrete, forward-thinking plan. In this regard, developing a leader who can set company goals and then work with your team and employees to execute these goals will be critical to the success of your business.

3

TRUST

Potential leaders in your business must have the ability to develop skills to make employees feel safe in expressing their disagreement without fear of retribution. This will ultimately create an environment of trust in which employees can work in a constructive environment, boost productivity and truly add value.

6

EDUCATE

Good leaders are open to continual learning and constantly seek opportunities to educate and improve themselves. A really good leader always recognises that other people will be more knowledgeable than them in certain topics. A great leader promotes a learning environment, so everyone has opportunities for personal development.

Set Expectations Be clearer about how you want to achieve company goals. A good way to do this is to set clear expectations by creating company-wide and team goals.

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Health  Workplace Eating

Snack Return of the

AFTER A SUCCESSFUL WORKPLACE WELLBEING DAY ON 12 APRIL, BETTER BUSINESS CAUGHT UP WITH CONSULTANT DIETITIAN AT EATWELL.IE, SARAH KEOGH.

With much of the population spending 40 hours a week in work, and some eating two, if not three, meals in their workplace, it’s important to instil good habits around eating well. We eat to fuel ourselves, and by paying attention to a few basic guidelines, we can do this in a way that’s efficient and good for our bodies.

> Portion control

One quarter of your plate should consist of protein. This is meat, beans, lentils, chicken, turkey, fish, eggs and nuts.

Remember, the human body does not store protein. If you over eat on protein, your body just turns the excess into fat.

One quarter of your plate should be reserved for carbs, preferably wholegrain or high-fibre carbs like brown rice, jacket potatoes or wholegrain bread.

And it’s important that salad, vegetables or fruit make up half of what you intake during a meal. This could be a bowl of soup or a side salad with your lunch, or steamed or stir-fried vegetables with your dinner.

> Smart snacking

Snacking can be a great way to add some extra nutrition to your diet. But remember, only snack when you are really hungry, not out of boredom. If snacking is an issue for you, try keeping a food diary for a few days.

Every time you snack, write it down along with the reasons behind why you ate.

Plain nuts and seeds are examples of a great snack. Almonds, hazelnuts, pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds are packed with minerals and fibre and are ideal for a quick bite. But only eat a handful, as this healthy snack can add some hefty weight if eaten to excess.

Snacking is a great time to add fruit or yoghurt to your diet – and if you’re really desperate, some dark chocolate! Not only is it lower in sugar, but dark chocolate is also a good source of iron and may help to lower your blood pressure.

Remember, these tips also apply when eating out or ordering in too, if your company provides that service. Be conscious of what and how much you are eating. Can you swap your carbs for a healthier variety? Can you add a side salad?

Do you need three courses? Ask yourself these questions and get on the road to healthier workplace eating.

For more tips on eating healthier at work and to learn more about National Workplace Wellbeing Day, visit www.wellbeingday.ie.

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DeCare Dental  Partner Profile

A DUTY OF CARE IF YOU LOOK AFTER YOUR EMPLOYEE’S MENTAL HEALTH, YOU WILL REAP THE BENEFITS. DECARE DENTAL’S DAVID CASEY REPORTS. Mental health can often fall by the wayside compared to physical health, but, in reality, they should be treated with the same duty of care. A healthy, happy workforce is a productive and engaged workforce. The wealth of your business depends on the health of your workers. It’s often easy to broadly speak about what employers should do by simply saying ‘they need to make things better for employees’ and leave it at that.

However, that doesn’t actually provide practical advice for employers who want to make a difference.

Reducing stigma, staff engagement and mental health training are key elements small business can offer.

One of the most important things to promote good mental health is the need to develop strong interpersonal skills and the ability to then bring these skills to your employees.

Mental health is fundamental to our collective and individual ability as humans to think, emote, interact with each other, earn a living and enjoy life.

Our social, psychological, and biological factors determine the level of mental health of a person. Poor mental health is seen and also associated with rapid social change, stressful work conditions, gender discrimination, social exclusion, unhealthy lifestyle, physical ill-health and human rights violations.

Creating workplace environments where people can be open and positive about their own and others’ mental health: • Promotes overall organisational and individual wellbeing • Reduces absenteeism • Enhances employee stress management skills

• Reduces cost associated with absenteeism, employee relations issues, talent retention and acquisition • Can assist employers in developing systems to support the 1 in 4 employees who may experience mental health difficulties at a given point Creating a supportive environment where it is easier for all employees to speak openly about mental health and wellbeing is key. Reducing stigma in the workplace and making sure that those who have a mental health problem are supported by their employer and their colleagues is not without its challenges.

Get the discussion started by asking your workforce the following: In the last year have you ever: • Visited a doctor/counsellor to talk about your mental health?

• Missed time from college or work because you felt mentally unwell?

• Taken any form of medication to prevent you from feeling or because you were feeling mentally unwell?

People with mental health problems say that the social stigma attached to mental ill health and the discrimination they experience can make their difficulties worse and make it harder to recover. 85% of people agree that anyone can experience a mental health problem, but, 62% would not want others knowing if they themselves had a mental health problem.

Mental illness is common. It affects thousands of people in Ireland, and their friends, families, work colleagues and society in general. One in four people will experience a mental health problem at some point in their lives.

David Casey, Wellness & Health Promotion Manager, DeCare Dental

Most people who experience mental health problems recover fully, or are able to live with and manage them, especially if they get help early on.

The Employment Equality Acts, 1998- 2011 protect people from employment discrimination. This includes discrimination in finding a job, keeping a job or doing work experience or vocational training. They also include advertising, equal pay, promotion and dismissal. The Equal Status Acts, 2001-2011 protect people against discrimination when buying or accessing goods and services. This could include discrimination when accessing healthcare, education, social opportunities or while looking for accommodation.

DeCare offer benefits, training and wellness programs that help create ‘Happier Healthier Lives’. These programmes help sustain a healthy work culture that educates, motivates and empowers employees to adopt and maintain healthy lifestyle behaviours.

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Partner Profile  Microfinance Ireland

THE FINANCE FACILITATORS IRELAND’S SMALL BUSINESS COMMUNITY CONTINUES TO BENEFIT FROM AWARD-WINNING FIRM MICROFINANCE IRELAND. Microfinance Ireland (MFI), the Government funded not-for-profit lender, has for the last six years provided an alternative source of funding to new and established micro-enterprises who may be having difficulties in accessing finance from commercial lending providers.

When the economy is strong and with improved bank supply, some people might assume that there is no need for an organisation like MFI – which was an initiative set up at a time when nobody was either borrowing or lending. What has happened in practice is that MFI has continued to grow and support a broad range of small businesses that still find it difficult to get finance.

Garrett Stokes, CEO of MFI, is in no doubt about the value of Ireland’s micro-enterprises, which are critical to the success of every village, town and city in Ireland.

Stokes says: “I am delighted with the continued strong lending growth and the level of support that MFI continues to give to what I refer to as ‘main-street’ businesses right across the country. I’m talking about the local shop owner, the electrician, the accountant, the hairdresser and the small gym owner. These are hugely important businesses, not only in providing products and services, but also in creating employment locally.

These are the people who I consider to be the backbone of Ireland’s business communities across every town in Ireland.”

While the ultimate goal is to support the creation and retention of jobs, the not-for-profit lender has become something of a much-needed helping hand for small businesses striving to get started commercially, or existing micro-enterprises in need of a funding

boost. The outcome Garrett Stokes, is a lending CEO of MFI model that has continued to grow in both reputation and reliability among Ireland’s small business community, with figures to match.

Last year, MFI’s application numbers grew by 9% on 2017 volumes.

Looking at the numbers for 2018, you can see that MFI processed over 1,000 loan applications and approved circa 400 loans, supporting 900 new jobs across the country,” Stokes adds.

Stokes believes that the ethos and prudence with which the lender operates has helped them successfully tend to the needs of smaller businesses.

“To date, we’ve approved €28m in loans to almost 2,000 businesses, supporting around 5,000 jobs. While we operate with a higher risk tolerance than banks, we’re still prudent in what we do. Our approval rate since we started is 44%. We only approve loans to those businesses we believe are sustainable in the longer term.”

MFI does not compete with banks for business. Many MFI clients have found it difficult to access loans. Many are financially weak or lack a business track record, or may have existing debt issues, making them a very high-risk

WINNER FINANCE PROVIDER TO MICRO BUSINESSES AND START-UPS

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proposition for commercial lenders. This is where MFI can step in and give them the help they need so they can get on with their businesses and their lives.

As MFI’s maximum loan is €25,000, many of their customers are at the lower end of micro-enterprise spectrum, having fewer than three employees.

The growth in lending for MFI highlights the need for the ongoing services and support MFI provide.

“Irrespective of what is happening in the broader economy or indeed globally and along with whatever Brexit brings, some micro-businesses will always find it difficult to get the funding they need,” says Stokes. “MFI is there to address this gap and support jobs within this critically important sector.”

For more information, visit www.microfinanceireland.ie

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www.microfinanceireland.ie

We’re financing your future Need help to finance your business?

Talk to us about our small business loans.

Or visit your Local Enterprise Office.

Simon Evans Owner & Inventor Little Big Bikes

Microfinance Ireland (MFI) benefits from a guarantee funded by the European Union under the programme for Employment and Social Inclusion (EaSI)

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An Roinn Gnó, Fiontar agus Nuálaíochta Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation

23/05/2018 14:14 09/04/2019 31/01/2019 14:22 11:23

Partner Profile  National Standards Authority of Ireland

BREXIT IMPACTS ON STANDARDS AND CERTIFICATION WHILE, BREXIT WILL OBVIOUSLY HAVE SIGNIFICANT REPERCUSSIONS, THE ULTIMATE IMPACT BREXIT WILL HAVE ON STANDARDS AND CERTIFICATION REMAINS UNKNOWN. Although the Brexit referendum took place almost three years ago, the future relationship between the UK and EU remains unclear. While an extension has been agreed to 31 October 2019, the UK could leave earlier if Parliament agrees the deal or could still crash out on 1 June 2019 if the UK does not hold European elections.

The CE mark indicates conformity with health, safety and environmental protection standards and allows products to be sold without restriction within the European Single Market. By CE marking a product, a manufacturer is confirming that the characteristics of the product they are selling is the same as what they are declaring. In the past, standards had often been used as non-tariff trade barriers as slightly different national standards required separate certification in each country.

Post-Brexit, the UK will become a third country and UK Notified Bodies will lose their status as EU Notified Bodies.

At present, there are approximately 1500 Notified Bodies in the EU with 177 operating in the UK. By contrast, there are only nine Notified Bodies in Ireland. Many Irish exporters still rely on having their products certified by UK Notified Bodies.

The UK has been an EU member since 1973 and it will be departing with decades of EU legislation embedded into its very fabric and the infrastructure of the internal market firmly in place. While the UK government intends to adopt EU Law as their starting point after Brexit, over time regulatory divergence between the EU and UK is likely to increase. A situation could emerge where manufacturers would need to produce different versions of products destined for the UK or for the EU to reflect this divergence. Manufacturers of highly regulated custom-made

Photo taken at the launch of NSAI’s ‘Getting Ireland Brexit Ready Seminars’

products such as medical devices might decide that producing distinct versions for the UK or Irish market was not cost-effective.

In the case of a no-deal Brexit, the UK government has indicated that it would introduce a ‘UKCA’ mark to show that a manufactured product meets UK requirements. For Irish businesses exporting to or trading in the UK, additional requirements arising from the operation of different regulatory systems will represent an unwelcomed, additional burden.

Disruption to supply chain

The departure of the UK from the system will result in the dislocation of wellestablished supply chains. Mary White, Head of the NSAI Brexit Unit, forewarns that with Brexit many people are going to find that links in the supply chain have moved and they must take on responsibilities they didn’t have before.

This relates to the rules governing economic operators, which are defined as manufacturers, importers, distributors and authorised representatives.

“Irish companies may become importers from a third country for the

first time or they may become authorised representatives, they may even be treated as a manufacturer if they are marketing the products under their own brand,” she says. “This will bring about different rules to comply with and a duty under law to ensure that the manufacturer obeys the rules. Currently, companies that import from the UK are recognised as ‘distributers’. Once the UK leaves the EU, many of these ‘distributers’ will become ‘importers’, which entails further legal obligations. Other roles such as ‘authorised representatives’ appointed by a manufacturer to act on their behalf in carrying out certain tasks will be impacted after Brexit as those established in the UK will no longer be recognised.”

The NSAI Brexit Unit is specifically focused on examining and communicating the impacts of Brexit on the standards and certification of products and services.

Its remit is to provide support and guidance to Irish businesses and industry to mitigate Brexit effects on standards and certification.

For further information, email brexitunit@nsai.ie or visit the Twiiter page: @NSAI_Standards.

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Credit Review Office  Partner Profile

A CONNECTION TO CREDIT THE CREDIT REVIEW OFFICE HAS BEEN SUPPORTING SMALL BUSINESSES AND FARMERS SEEKING CREDIT SINCE 2010.

The Credit Review Office has a simple mission: to assist small firms and farms that are viable or potentially viable to get access to the bank finance they need for recovery from the downturn and growth into the future.

It was set up in 2010 after the financial crisis and provides an independent appeals service for business borrowers who have had their credit facilities refused, reduced or withdrawn by an Irish bank. It also monitors credit and banking conditions for small businesses and farms in the Irish market, reporting regularly to the Minister for Finance and highlighting issues and problems faced by Irish businesses seeking credit.

The Office operates like an ombudsman, reviewing credit/loan facilities that have been refused, reduced or withdrawn by the banks. When an application is received from a disappointed borrower, a credit reviewer is assigned, who contacts them to discuss their case and better understand their business.

The review will look at the track record of the business and its future potential, plans and projections, its management and markets, its existing debt, as well as the reason for the new credit application. The reviewer will form an opinion as to whether the business is viable, and will make enough cash to pay back the loan. The reviewer will then work to find a bankable solution for the business.

Who can apply?

The service is for small and medium enterprises, including sole traders and farm enterprises that have had new requests for credit refused, or existing credit facilities reduced or withdrawn. Banks participating in the review process are AIB, BOI, PTSB and Ulster Bank. The review process covers all applications for new loans or restructured credit facilities from €1,000 up to €3m. The reviewers uphold and support appeals of applicants in over 50% of cases.

For more information, call 1850 211789 or visit www.creditreview.ie

www.creditreview.ie www.creditreview.ie

www.creditreview.ie

Ask The Credit Review Ask The Credit Review Office to take a closer Ask The Credit Review Office to take a closer look attothe decision.

Office take a closer look at the decision.

If your business has had credit facilities refused, reduced lookby your at thewe’redecision. your business has bank*, had credit facilities orIfwithdrawn here torefused, help. If reduced you’re a or withdrawn by your we’re here help. you’re a small business, sole traderbank*, or farm owner whotohas hadIf difficulty If your business has had credit facilities refused, reduced small business, sole trader or farm owner who has had getting credit or loan facilities of up to €3,000,000, or hasdifficulty had an or withdrawn by your bank*, we’re here to help. If you’re a getting creditchange or loantofacilities of up to €3,000,000, or conditions, has had an unfavourable your existing credit terms and small business, sole trader or farm owner who has had difficulty unfavourable change to your existing credit terms Our and conditions, get in touch with us for an independent review. process is getting credit or loan facilities of up to €3,000,000, or has had an get in toucheasy withtouscomplete for an independent review.

Our process is independent, and covers all applications for new unfavourable change to your existing credit terms and conditions, independent, easy to complete and covers all applications for new loans or restructured credit facilities. get in touch with us for an independent review. Our process is loans or restructured credit facilities. independent, complete covers all applications for new *banks covered areeasy AIB, to BOI, PTSB andand Ulster *banks covered are AIB, BOI, PTSB and Ulster loans or restructured credit facilities. *banks covered are AIB, BOI, PTSB and Ulster

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Partner Profile  mytaxi | Business

GETTING BUSINESSES MOVING TRANSFORMING BUSINESS TRAVEL IS THE AIM OF MYTAXI, THE LEADING TRANSPORT PROVIDER GETTING SMALL BUSINESSES FROM A-TO-B NATIONWIDE. Technology can play a pivotal role in optimising efficiency and lowering costs for small businesses. There are a number of ways to embrace technology in daily operations. Most require some initial investment, but there are some at no cost to you at all.

Sometimes it’s the little things that can make a big difference. Of course finding the time to focus on the little things can of course be a challenge, which is why simplicity is best.

Ireland’s leading taxi provider for small businesses, mytaxi, is helping organisations across the country manage taxi travel and expenses in the most cost effective, efficient way.

With average wait times as low as four minutes, you (and authorised) staff can book taxis through a business account without any hassle, giving you back time to focus on what’s important to your business. The best part is – it’s completely free to use!

Innovation

There are two booking options: the app and the web booker. The app is an excellent, and fast, way to book a taxi.

This method allows you book taxis both on-demand and in advance, add a reference, streamline the receipt to any nominated email address and the details will be sent directly to your own customisable admin panel.

This will act as your transportation HQ, where you can control the account and download tailored reports anytime – ideal for end-of-month or end-of-year reconciliation. The web booker is an online booking tool, whereby you can book taxi through a desktop computer, laptop or tablet.

This option has the ability to set detailed preferences, like choosing a large vehicle size or sending a short

message to the driver, which is ideal for receptions.

Economical

The service is completely free to use, so you’re not tied down to a contract or subject to any set-up costs.

There’s no need to download any complicated software; simply login to your admin panel via any browser.

The network stands at over 11,000 drivers, which keeps the average wait time under four minutes, in turn reducing wasted time waiting for taxis and lost time manually expensing paper receipts.

Commenting on the growth of the corporate service, Niall Carson, Head of Sales atmytaxi Ireland, said: “In the last 12 months we have seen

thousands of small firms from all industries around the country trying out the free service. Consumers want things on-demand and seamless experiences that they have more control over. We do just that and we’re committed to furthering mobility without limits.”

mytaxi | Business in numbers 0 – Amount of additional costs 4 – Average wait time in minutes 9 – Number of European countries available in 11,000 – A large network of drivers

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Aviva  Partner Profile

AVOIDING ALPHABET SOUP ADDITIONAL VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTIONS – IT’S AS EASY AS ‘AVC’, ACCORDING TO AVIVA IRELAND’S CORPORATE PROPOSITIONS MANAGER STEPHEN RICE. Whilst there is a large focus on pension coverage and the product benefits currently available in the market, the adequacy of a person’s income in retirement should not be forgotten. Along with the State pension, individuals supplement their income in retirement through private pension provision. At this time of the year, many employees will receive salary reviews and the payment of bonuses relating to 2018. This could provide an excellent opportunity for pension scheme members to think about the topic of additional voluntary contributions (AVCs) and look at improving the adequacy of their pension in retirement.

For those who are self-employed, or company directors, a contribution will still usually be made up of a combination of regular amounts invested throughout the year, which are then complimented with single contributions. And, for those individuals who are members of their employers group pension scheme or are noncompany directors who have oneperson executive pension schemes, there will usually be a set minimum contribution that both the employer and the employee are required to make.

Scheme members do have options (in a similar manner to those who are selfemployed) when it comes to topping up their regular contributions or making a single premium contribution, in the form of AVCs. Pension scheme members may be aware of the ability to make regular contribution AVCs, however they may not be aware of the ability to make single contributions to their pension and, in particular, may not know of the ability to use all earned income including bonuses as a contribution on which they can claim tax relief.

The single top-up contributions have a double benefit for the individual as they provide a generous tax relief whilst also assisting with the issue of pension adequacy. Group pension scheme members typically receive their tax relief at source, meaning contributions are invested at the beginning in the most tax efficient manner and there is no requirement for members to claim their tax relief separately.

The percentage of an individual’s salary which can be used to claim tax relief is based on an individuals’ age ranging from 15% for those under 30 to 40% for those over 60, with a current salary cap of €115,000. The tax relief available is at the member’s marginal rate (40% for higher rate tax payers as at 2019).

Additional benefits

Along with the tax relief and assisting with adequacy at retirement, there are a number of other choice-related benefits for the member in making AVCs including: • Contributions – Whilst standard employee contributions to a group pension may be defined in the scheme rules and offer little flexibility the member retains complete control over both single and regular AVCs. This

includes flexibility over amounts and frequency.

• Funds – Members will typically invest their standard employee contribution in the default investment fund or option usually chosen by the scheme trustees; however, members may use their AVC to invest in an alternative fund of their choice, this may be even more relevant where single contributions are being invested.

Aviva scheme members have a choice of three fund managers, all of whom offer a range of multi-asset funds and lifestyle options. We offer AVC options for our existing group pension customers and also for those who may have their main scheme with other providers.

If you’re wondering whether you need to make additional voluntary contributions to your pension, or if you’re currently contributing enough, you can use our simple pension calculator at www.mindthepensiongap.ie. It’s also important to seek independent, professional financial advice, so we’d recommend getting in touch with a financial broker to discuss the options available to you. A financial broker will be able to tailor a pension AVC plan to your own needs and plans for the future.

Stephen Rice, Aviva Ireland’s Corporate Propositions Manager

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Partner profile  Energia Family Business Awards

IT’S NOT JUST

BUSINESS IT’S

FAMILY ON 24 MAY, THE ENERGIA FAMILY BUSINESS AWARDS WILL CELEBRATE THE HARD WORK CARRIED OUT BY FAMILY-RUN COMPANIES AND THEIR EFFORTS TO RESHAPE THE BUSINESS LANDSCAPE.

L

aunched by renowned business commentator and MC for the event, Matt Cooper, the first ever Energia Family Business Awards – a one of a kind event taking place in the Round Room at Dublin’s Mansion House – is an awards programme that recognises generations of Irish people involved in family-run businesses.

Ahead of the event, Energia called on family-run companies of all shapes and sizes across Ireland to apply for the awards programme that highlights the work of Irish family businesses of all sizes with both local and international reach.

Judges include J. J. O’Connell, National Director and Co-Chair of Family Business Ireland, Mark Christal, Manager of the Regions and Entrepreneurship division Enterprise Ireland and Glyn Roberts, CEO of Retail NI, among others.

The Director of Family Business Ireland J. J. O’Connell believes Irish family businesses need to be better acknowledged, as they are the “backbone and fabric” of Ireland’s indigenous economy.

“Although hugely important to Ireland’s economy, the historical failure to transfer from one generation of ownership to the next generation of ownership is a significant issue for the economy,” he said. “Some 72% of family owned businesses in Ireland cease to trade after five years. Only 13% make it to the next generation.

The successful companies, the ones we will be celebrating, are the families that have both a plan and a process.”

Commenting on the importance of recognising generations of Irish people working hard every day, O’Connell says: “To enable far greater numbers of family businesses to continue to trade over many years there needs to be a greater awareness of the importance of family business succession planning. Hence, the importance of these awards and the formal public recognition of the best of Irish family businesses.”

Commenting on the Awards, Alan Mulcahy, Head of Sales at Energia, commented: “At Energia we supply one in three Irish SMEs and support communities all across Ireland. These awards are an invaluable means by which we can show this support and celebrate family businesses that are a cornerstone of our economy. 2019 marks the first year of the Family Business Awards and we look forward to seeing them become a fixture in the business calendar as a recognition of excellence.”

Paraic Madigan, Head of Matheson’s Private Client Department, noted: “We are delighted to partner with The Family Business Awards and in particular to sponsor its Family Business Longevity Award. In our practice, we recognise that the day-to-day challenges in running a successful business often overshadow the long-term strategic need to have and implement an orderly succession plan. A clearly documented plan which is understood by all stakeholders is key to that successful transition.”

Margaret Hearty, InterTradeIreland’s Director of Business Services and Programmes, added: “We are proud to celebrate the innovation of family businesses in the manufacturing and engineering sector. These awards recognise the hard work and excellence firms in the field deliver and the difference they make to their local economy. InterTradeIreland is committed to helping SMEs grow through funding and support to explore crossborder markets, develop new products and processes, as well as become investor ready. We have also recently enhanced our Brexit support for SMEs to help them mitigate risk and identify opportunities.”

For more information, visit www.familybusinessawards.ie.

Pictured (l-r): Alan Mulcahy, Head of Sales at Energia and J. J. O’Connell, Co-Chair and Director of Family Business Ireland

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15/04/2019 09:33

Arts  Frank Berry

FILMMAKER FRANK BERRY SPEAKS TO COLIN WHITE ABOUT EDUCATION, THE PLIGHT OF ASYLUM SEEKERS AND BECOMING ONE OF IRELAND’S MOST RENOWNED DIRECTORS. THE

Dafhyd Flynn in Michael Inside

DUBLIN

Chronicler The

Irish film industry has experienced an extraordinary upward curve in recent times. Ireland is home to many recognised production companies with a distinguished international reputation, and hearing of an Irish Academy Award nomination is no longer a colossal shock to the system. We’ve got a seat at the industry’s top table and Irish firms and filmmakers are producing absorbing art with a swagger of enduring confidence.

One key reason Ireland has become known as a hub of top-notch filmmaking is the wealth of creative talent here. One such example is Frank Berry. The critically acclaimed Dublin director has been earning plaudits for his accomplished and hard-hitting output, culminating in his full feature drama Michael Inside picking up the Best Film gong at the 2018 Irish Film and Television Awards.

Far from an overnight success, Berry’s road to recognition has been a long one. His work began with ten years of community filmmaking and television, eventually leading to his lauded feature documentary Ballymun Lullaby in 2011 and the excellent follow-up I Used to Live Here in 2014.

Berry explains his industry background. “My interest in becoming a filmmaker started when I was a media student at Coláiste Dhúlaigh College of Further Education in Coolock,” he says. “After I graduated from that course I went on to study Film Production at the Dublin Institute of Technology, and that’s where I made my first short films that were screened at film festivals.”

During this period the keen cinephile honed his craft and found his feet as a filmmaker.

“When I left college, I started teaching filmmaking and directing films at the same time,”

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Frank Berry  Arts

he informs. “After directing some television drama, I found myself on a traditional path to doing more of that work, but it didn’t feel like the right direction for me.

So I stopped pursuing those projects and instead focused on work that I was more drawn to, such as smaller community projects dealing with themes of education and social disadvantage.”

Berry adds: “Much of this work came via the Dublin Institute of Technology’s Community Links programme. These community projects, which I worked on for ten years while holding down a teaching job, eventually developed into bigger productions. A turning point came when one particular project [Berry’s debut Ballymun Lullaby] developed into a feature-length documentary that was released in cinemas. After that film was released, I felt I had found my own way into filmmaking, and looking back now I think the path I took was necessary for me to make the films I wanted to make.”

His work has been likened to that of directorial giants Shane Meadows and Ken Loach, but to lazily compare Berry to other directors who give a voice to the working classes would be misguided.

Berry has conjured his own unique style,

blending the nuances of modern urban life in Dublin with gritty realism. “I am influenced by social-realist films of all kinds,” explains Berry. “I enjoy watching films depicting stories that I recognise to be true, and that are important in relation to ordinary life experiences. My work is sometimes described as coming from the school of Ken Loach, which I cannot disagree with, as his films have had a big impact on me over the years.”

Berry’s role as an educator has undeniably influenced his art. Seeing first-hand the concerns and struggles of young individuals

conscious decision. “What motivates me to make a film is simply an emotional response to a subject,” he notes. “I don’t necessarily seek out stories from disadvantaged communities. My first two feature film dramas, I Used to Live Here and Michael Inside, are very connected, and both began during the same period of research while I was working with young people in the community of Killinarden in Tallaght. Both films are motivated by the same concern: the tragedy of how so many young people from disadvantaged communities are left behind by society. Obviously, not all my films will

Filmmaker Frank Berry

“WHAT MOTIVATES ME TO MAKE A FILM IS SIMPLY AN EMOTIONAL RESPONSE TO A SUBJECT. I DON’T NECESSARILY SEEK OUT STORIES FROM DISADVANTAGED COMMUNITIES.”

Jordanne Jones as Amy in I Used to Live Here

living predominantly in disadvantaged areas provided an insight rarely afforded to directors. “During the years when I was both teaching and filmmaking, I found much common ground in the two disciplines,” says Berry. “For me, they both involved listening to young people and, of course, using a camera as a tool to communicate. My first three films all centre on the lives of young people in Dublin, and being around students definitely helped me achieve the level of authenticity I felt was necessary.”

While much of his craft has been set within so-called underprivileged areas of Dublin, Berry stresses this hasn’t been a

deal with these issues, but depicting the reality of those lives is something I felt very strongly about.”

A creative voice For Ireland to cement its reputation as a capital of filmmaking, it will need to continue to support both established and emerging talent. Having the correct support systems in place will enable Irish filmmakers to compete on the world stage.

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Arts  Frank Berry

THE BERRYTOWN TRILOGY Ballymun Lullaby (2011) Documentary about a working class community connecting through the medium of music.

I Used to Live Here (2014) Outstanding performances from teenagers Jordanne Jones and Dafhyd Flynn in this exploration of suicide clusters.

Michael Inside (2017) At times beautiful and horrifying, this gripping drama highlights how the prison system institutionalises many into a life of criminality.

A scene from Ballymun Lullaby

films,” states Berry. “I think the success of Screen Ireland is due to a focus on listening to filmmakers and helping them to develop and achieve their films, in addition to providing funding support at all stages from first draft development loans through to assisting with distribution. There are also many other agencies where filmmakers can seek funding, for example the Arts Council, Northern Ireland on Screen and the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland.”

Berry has turned his focus to a new project set in the world of direct provision, the State system responsible for providing essential services to refugees and asylum seekers while their claims are processed. Described by National University of Ireland lecturer Gavan Titley as “the Magdalene laundries of our time”, reports of appalling conditions have been levelled at direct provision since its rollout.

Much like Berry’s previous work, research has played a pivotal role in the inspiration for the project. “I think there can be no denying that direct provision as a system is hurting people,” he says.

“Many asylum seekers will have already been traumatised when they arrive in Ireland, and their experience of this system only traumatises them further.

“I don’t make any great claims for filmmaking as a force for change, but I do think a truthful, realistic film about the experiences of asylum seekers that come to Ireland is worth making,” he concludes.

Michael Inside is now available to steam on Netflix.

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15/04/2019 15:01

The Big Read  The Lost Soul of Eamonn Magee

PAUL D. GIBSON’S COMPELLING ACCOUNT OF THE EXTRAORDINARY LIFE OF ONE OF IRELAND’S GREATEST – AND MOST-TROUBLED – BOXERS IS A GRITTY YET POIGNANT INSIGHT INTO THE MIND OF A TROUBLED WARRIOR.

Fighting

spirit I

This is an abridged extract taken from The Lost Soul of Eamonn Magee, published by Mercier Press.

have seen Eamonn on good days and bad days over the past two years. I’ve sat beside him in bars as he attempted to mask the silent terror and paranoia eating him from within, fearful that someone would soon enter, lead him away and shoot him dead. I’ve waited outside a Belfast courthouse for him while inside he argued his case in one of the myriad legal disputes that appeared to be omnipresent in his life. I’ve stood beside him and Mary at their son’s grave on what would have been Junior’s 23rd birthday, Eamonn somehow awkward and out of place in the family scene. I’ve watched from a couple of feet away as he worked wonders in the corner to stem the flow of blood from above a fighter’s eye in the 60 seconds permissible within the frantic heat of a title fight. I’ve met him animated, fresh-faced and positive throughout a day in which he held it together with little more than a handful of pints for support. I’ve watched him lose other days in a sullen stupor in a squat thick with marijuana smoke and littered with empty beer cans. I’ve had him call me, only to hang up after less than a minute of quiet sobbing, unable to get even a mumbled word out. “Forgive me” were his final words on one of those nights. I’ve had him refuse to talk to me on the phone, paranoid about who could be listening, listing the names of those who have suffered for divulging information across the wires. I’ve listened to his words tell me he regrets nothing while his eyes betray the truth. I’ve watched him break down in tears many, many times. Tears of anger, of pain, of a sort of sad happy nostalgia too. I’ve seen a very stubborn man, one accustomed to forcing his will onto others, one who makes dangerous assumptions on what is right and what is wrong. I’ve seen a sentimental man, sensitive to the point he feels the need to hide that side of his character for fear of a perceived weakness. I’ve seen a normal man, just wanting a chat, asking how my family and I are doing. I’ve seen a man still struggling with every single thing that has gone before.

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Tom Casino

The Lost Soul of Eamonn Magee

From tranquility to Troubles It is impossible not to wonder what life Eamonn Magee would have led had he been born in the tranquillity of a sleepy seaside village in Brittany. But he wasn’t; he was born in the Ardoyne, where antagonistic British soldiers prowled the street and bloody violence was the norm.

Where the bars were caged for their own protection. Where role models were the hard men who drank too much, settled differences with their fists and invariably died too young. Just a different world, as he says.

And he still lives, and will probably die, there. The Ardoyne has changed along with the rest of society in the north of Ireland in the past couple of decades, but it is a district more soaked in the country’s violent past than most. Everywhere you look there are murals and plaques and memorials to ensure the horrors and sacrifices of the Troubles are never forgotten. A man arrived on time for a scheduled punishment shooting not so long ago and was left to bleed to death in the alleyway. Father Donegan, the Holy Cross parish priest, talks of 25 other local men living under threat of death from paramilitary figures. It seems like every other month there are reports of another Ardoyne youth taking his own life, another victim of the tragic suicide epidemic currently torturing families in the area. Other parts of the city may still be scarred by the Troubles, but sometimes it feels like the Ardoyne is still attempting to cauterise open, seeping wounds.

 The Big Read

The district also breeds fighters and Eamonn was a natural. His achievements in the ring, the silver medal in the Junior World Championships, the multiple county, province and national wins, the Commonwealth and WBU world titles are extraordinary, regardless of circumstance. Put in the context of the shootings, stabbings and shattered limbs, of the imprisonments and exiles, of the drink, drugs and gambling, of the lack of dedication and general turmoil that has engulfed his entire existence, they are almost unbelievable. Some still say he is the most naturally talented pugilist the island of Ireland has ever produced. It eats away at John Breen and Eamonn’s brothers that the world never saw the best of Eamonn Magee, but Eamonn is sticking to his story: he has no regrets and his life has been great craic.

I think of my friend Eamonn at least once every single day and I can’t help worrying about him. In a recent phone call he admitted that he wasn’t eating. That he was “drinking himself into oblivion”.

He had been desperately hoping that a damning verdict and lengthy sentence for Orhan Koca would provide some crumb of comfort and a degree of closure. The leniency shown to his son’s killer shattered that hope, but had Koca been sentenced to a thousand years I’m not sure it would have allowed Eamonn to move on. He’ll struggle with that terrible tragedy forever.

I hope he will seek help for the twin deadly diseases of alcoholism and depression which are slowly killing him, but I don’t believe he ever will. A third affliction he suffers from is a wilful myopia when it comes to how severely the two diagnosed illnesses hurt him and those he loves. He has forgotten, or not remembered in the first place, a lot of his turbulent life and that is, in many ways, a blessing.

At times he creates his own truth, but there are terrible memories in his head that he must somehow reconcile with the character of the man he wants to be. A few apologies might be a good start, although he certainly deserves plenty back in return.

I can’t help worrying about Eamonn, but even since I placed the final full-stop in this book, several chinks of light have begun fracturing the darkness he faces. He is engaged now. A quiet, sweet girl named Bronagh Cassidy, the latest to try to tame him. “She just makes me happy,” he says. “She makes me want to wake up each morning. Fuck knows what would have happened if she hadn’t been around the past few years.” He has a new grandson, Eamonn the third, Áine’s second-born, to love and adore. He has a new gym too, recently opened on the Ravenhill Road. Being there with John every day, immersing himself in the blood, sweat and tears of young fighters who idolise him, keeps the self-destructive thoughts from his mind for a few hours at least. His nephew Sean, Patrick’s boy, turned pro this year to continue the Magee boxing dynasty.

Sacred Heart gym is reopening and around the corner a new mural in honour of north Belfast fighters has been painted, with Eamonn and his brothers taking centre-stage. He is undoubtedly struggling, but he knows there are reasons to fight on.

Life and all its travails have driven him to the edge many times before, but when all he needed was a gentle nudge to jump, he received a violent shunt that riled him and forced him to fight back.

That fuck-you attitude is why he is still alive today. “He’ll see us all into the grave yet,” someone once joked with me. I wouldn’t be surprised.

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12/04/2019 14:14

Goodwood

Lifestyle  Motoring

The Triple Crown €€€€€

Goodwood

When it began to dawn on F1 legend Fernando Alonso that he’d probably never win another grand prix if he stayed with his crisis-hit McLaren team, he consoled himself by pursuing the unofficial ‘Triple Crown’ of motorsport: the Monaco Grand Prix, the Le Mans 24 Hours and the Indy 500. Us mere mortals probably won’t win another grand prix either, so top of the proverbial bucket list must be a visit to the fabled trio of races as punters rather than drivers.

5

ONCE IN A LIFETIME:

Le Mans is perhaps the most accessible of the three, a driving-and-camping road trip being the traditional way do the central French endurance classic.

Monaco is notoriously hard on the wallet, and unless you’re a tax exile you’ll likely be staying in Nice or the surrounding towns of the principality. In contrast, transatlantic travel is the most expensive thing about Indianapolis – but the noisy, patriotic allAmerican atmosphere makes for the biggest culture shock of all. .

Unique Experiences for

Car Fanatics

FROM INDIANAPOLIS TO BALLSBRIDGE AND MONDELLO TO MONZA… PETROLHEADS ARE SPOILED FOR CHOICE ON ALL BUDGETS AND NONE, WRITES RURAIDH CONLON O’REILLY.

Goodwood

The Indy 500 is one of the so-called ‘Triple Crown’ – and one of the world’s most famous sporting events

F1 machinery up close and personal at the Goodwood Festival of Speed

In

March the opening shots of the Formula One season are always a reminder not of spring but of summer: of races to be watched, car events to visit – and plans to be booked.

Just as cars aren’t cheap, following motorsport in the flesh costs a pretty penny too. On the other hand, the sights and sounds on the TV screen or internet browser are nothing compared to being there in the moment – and a car event can often be rolled into a family holiday or business trip. With summer around the corner, now is the time to get planning.

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Motoring  Lifestyle

Goodwood Festival of Speed €€ Your favourite grand prix €€€€ Bahrain, anyone? Shanghai, perhaps? Abu Dhabi? Didn’t think so. Motorsport purists have little good to say about the more modern Formula One venues, and so they gravitate towards the old-school 20th-century tracks that punish mistakes and resemble roads and not car-parks. That means Monaco again, Monza (Italy), Suzuka (Japan), Interlagos (Brazil), Montreal (Canada) and SpaFrancorchamps (Belgium), with honourable mentions going to the Red Bull Ring (Austria) and Silverstone (UK).

They’re very different layouts in very different places, but they all have certain things in common: they evoke the history of the sport, they’re spectacular places to watch racing cars, and they’re attended by knowledgeable and enthusiastic petrolheads.

Choose a track and choose a corner. Ours is Eau Rouge at Spa, and there’s every chance it’s on your list too.

Drive the Nurburgring €€€ The Sally Gap is a nice run on a dry day; the dual-carriageway commute home from the office not particularly inspirational… whatever one drives, the law-abiding Irish driver’s typical stint behind the wheel is at best boring and at worst infuriating.

A track day at Mondello is a good way of stretching the ole legs, but the be-all-and-end-all driving experience is to be found at the Nurburgring in Germany, where you or I can show up with our daily drivers or hire a souped-up BMW to pound around the legendary 21km 1920s Nordschleife all day for a surprisingly modest fee per lap.

Caution is to be advised, of course: hit something and you can hurt yourself, hit something and it will be costly to fix, and hit something and you’ll probably end up being laughed at on YouTube. Chicken out and you can ride as a passenger in a highspeed professionally driven Ring Taxi, but take the wheel and you’ll be part of something only otherwise available on PlayStation.

Ordinary drivers in ordinary road cars are welcome at the legendary Nurburgring Nordschleife

J/Flickr.com

Every summer at an olde-worlde estate on the English south coast the Duke of Richmond and Gordon hosts the most incredible assemblage of cars and car-people in the world: the Goodwood Festival of Speed. ‘Glastonbury for cars’ is the cliché, but it’s a legitimate one – every car, team and driver one can think of has had some presence at the sprawling, slightly insane West Sussex event over its 26 years.

Competitive bragging rights are provided by the timed hillclimb as a limitless variety of machinery gets hurled up the 1.86km route by household names of the past and present, but that’s just one part of a big and bewildering four-day experience.

New car launches, a rally stage and an enormous annually changing sculpture outside the traditional country house are on the long list of highlights, but perhaps the greatest pleasure is to mill around the paddock and inspect one’s all-time favourite cars with a level of access that disappeared from Formula One decades ago. This year’s event celebrates Jackie Stewart, with Damon Hill driving one of arch-nemesis Michael Schumacher’s cars among the early announcements.

MDL’s incredible collection € Ireland’s car heritage is modest compared to that of our neighbours, but it’s not without its highlights.

Mondello Park, the Gordon Bennett race, the Phoenix Park grand prix, the Ards TT, Ford’s Cork operations and Jordan’s world-beating F1 exploits are all chapters in that book, and car assembly is another.

Tariffs and trade wars are back in the headlines these days, and in the 1950s they produced a distinctly Irish institution whereby flat-packed VWs and Mercedes were assembled by Irish firms such as the O’Flaherty family’s Motor Distributors Limited (MDL). The Lemass/ Whitaker reforms and EEC membership called time on that industry, but MDL and the high-profile MSL dealership go from strength to strength.

Lucky car enthusiasts have long spoken in hushed tones of the O’Flahertys’ extraordinary collection of vintage Mercedes – and now MSL Ballsbridge is exhibiting them on a rotating basis. Among the priceless machinery is a 1955 Gullwing, iconic 1930s designs and the first car imported into Ireland: an 1898 Benz Velo Comfortable. It’s a unique snapshot of Ireland’s motor-industry history – and although cars are an expensive hobby, for once this is a motoring experience that’s actually free.

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12/04/2019 10:07

Travel  Glasgow

View of Glasgow

The Riverside Museum

AWAY ON

Finnieston Bridge in Glasgow

GLASGOW IS THE PERFECT BUSINESS GETAWAY – WARM CITY WELCOMES AND A DIVERSE ARRAY OF ATTRACTIONS AWAIT.

BUSINESS GLASGOW

Buzzing nightlife, great restaurants and a unique history – Glasgow has it all.

Scotland’s largest city is teeming with world-class museums and galleries, spectacular architecture, quaint parks and hip independent retailers, not to mention its legendary nightlife and emerging foodie scene.

The city’s architecture is an obvious selling point here and there’s plenty of well-preserved Victorian, Art Nouveau and Gothic examples to admire. Glasgow’s reputation as a hub for great design is thanks, in part, to legendary architect and designer Charles Rennie Mackintosh, still known to this day as the father of Glasgow style.

And if it’s style you’re after, why not opt to stay at an Edwardian building formerly

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Glasgow  Travel

g for Travellin Business

GETTING THE BEST DEAL

1 2 3

FLIGHTS Both Aer Lingus and Ryanair run daily non-stop flights to Glasgow Airport that won’t break the bank – once you book in advance of course.

SSE Hydro and SECC Armadillo

University of Glasgow

home to the Anchor Line Shipping Company’s headquarters at Native Glasgow?

This art deco building provides business travellers the perfect home away from home, offering guests a uniquely special space to unwind while in Glasgow. And just a stone’s throw from many of the city’s major attractions, it’s also the perfect spot to use as your base to explore Glasgow.

A great way to explore the city centre is to follow the Glasgow Mural Trail.

Download the handy Mural Trail map and explore quirky and diverse displays of urban art all within walking distance in a city with a proud tradition of supporting its local artists.

If retail therapy is a major focus, you’re in for a treat. The ‘Style Mile’ around Buchanan Street, Argyle Street and

Merchant City is a paradise for shoppers, while the West End has vintage options offering a more bohemian flavour.

When it comes to watering holes, Glasgow is chock-full of great options full of atmosphere and charm. Check out the literary giant Charles Bukowski-themed Chinaski’s for libations and music; experience an outdoor oasis at one the best beer gardens in the city at Brel; or grab some hearty pub-grub at West End music venue, Òran Mór. There’s also a cracking comedy circuit to delve into. An institution and a favourite amongst established and up-and-coming stand-ups alike, you can’t go wrong with a night out at the Rotunda Comedy Club near the River Clyde.

Food for thought Glasgow is currently enjoying a food renaissance and a trip here wouldn’t be complete without a visit to Dockyard Social near the uber-cool neighbourhood of Finnieston. Sample an array of gastronomic delights amidst a cacophony of aromas as carefully selected, ethically sourced food vendors provide the best flavours from around the world.

There are plenty of fine dining experiences to opt for too. Seafood fans should make a beeline for Gamba, home to sustainable and seasonal fish created under the watchful eye of chef patron Derek Marshall. Or step into a meat lover’s dream at The Spanish Butcher, where an expertly curated steak line-up showcases Galician beef to the fullest.

HOTEL If you’re looking for a central, comfortable and affordable hotel, check availability at CitizenM or Jurys Inn – two hotels close to the key attractions and major hubs of business.

TRANSPORT After arriving at Glasgow Airport, hop on the Glasgow Airport Express departing from Stance 1 and you’ll arrive in the heart of the city centre within 25 minutes. Impressively, Glasgow is home to the third-oldest subway in the world and the SPT offers a convenient way to get around the city centre and West End, running every four minutes at peak times. Pick up an All Day ticket for unlimited travel on the subway, or register for a Smartcard for cheaper fares.

4

MEALS When it comes to great grub at reasonable prices, you’re spoilt for choice in Glasgow. Each district has more than its fair share of delectable options. Try fresh ingredients served up every day at Roots & Fruits in the West End; sample the all vegan menu up until 10pm at The Flying Duck in the city centre; or opt for a naughtier bite at The 78 in Finnieston, where you’ll find a great-value weekday burger and pint deal.

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Travel  Glasgow

STAY

HOURS IN GLASGOW ONE DAY OFF? HERE’S HOW TO SPEND IT.

NATIVE GLASGOW Fed up with the same old boring hotels?

Then pop along to this stunning Edwardian building and enjoy the glazed tiles, terrazzo flooring, timber wall-panelling, and even the original safes, at this gem of art deco design.

W: www.nativeplaces.com T: +44 (0) 20 7313 3886 E: enquiries@nativeplaces.com

Glasgow’s Botanic Gardens

10AM | COFFEE CULTURE

5PM | GLASGOW GREEN

Kick of your day with a coffee and pastry at Laboratorio Espresso, a cosy spot that’ll put a smile on your face.

Time to head east to West! Grab the Glasgow Subway (or SPT) over to Glasgow Green and the glorious West Brewery to sample some crafty concoctions. Take one of the guided tours of the microbrewery and uncover a brewing process that uses only water, barley, hops, and yeast. While here, take a stroll to the People’s Palace and Winter Gardens, a fantastic free museum where you can discover the story of Glasgow.

11AM | BOTANIC GARDENS

What better way to ease oneself into the day than by walking amongst the beauty of Glasgow’s Botanic Gardens? Make sure to check out Kibble Palace, a gorgeous greenhouse with exquisite marble statues surrounded by tropical palms and vivid flowers.

CITIZENM This no nonsense city centre hotel offers 198 rooms with all mod cons and a slick design – all for an affordable price. It’s a great place for business too, with spacious meeting rooms and fully equipped conference facilities that can cater for up to 50 people W: www.citizenm.com T: +44 (0) 20 3519 1111 E: societymgla@citizenm.com

1PM | KELVINGROVE

Visit the nearby Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum situated amongst the picturesque sanctuary of Kelvingrove Park.

Here, you’ll find a plethora of objects to stimulate the mind: art, archaeology and natural history aplenty. And, while in the area, don’t miss out on a trip to bustling Byres Road, brimming with trendy shops and restaurants.

Glasgow Royal Concert Hall

9PM | EPIC NIGHTLIFE 3PM | FINNIESTON

Take a ramble around funky Finnieston, home to many of the city’s best new restaurants. This arty district has transformed itself in recent years and today some of the city’s most exciting pubs and eateries are located on lively Argyle Street.

As night falls, it’s time to examine Glasgow’s famous nightlife. The city is a wonderland for music lovers, so why not hit up an indie gig at the iconic King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut? Or if you’re in the mood for something a little lighter, a visit to the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall is just the ticket.

APEX CITY OF GLASGOW HOTEL You’ll find everything you need to conduct business at Apex City. The Lounge at Apex provides a relaxing place to work throughout the day, while bedrooms provide a nice environment too. Keep a note: Duplex Suites include a complimentary mini-bar!

W: www.apexhotels.co.uk T: +44 141 375 3333 E: glasgow.reservations@apexhotels.co.uk

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Beer  Lifestyle

Better

beer AT BETTER BUSINESS WE LOVE GOOD BEER. HERE, WE SHARE INDUSTRY NEWS, SHOWCASE NEW PRODUCTS AND PROFILE THE WORK OF SMALL CRAFT BREWERS ACROSS IRELAND.

CRAFT

INDUSTRY SPOTLIGHT: BEER EXPORTS RISE

N

ew figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) released in March show that the value and volume of exports from the drinks industry increased during 2018, with overall alcohol drinks exports increasing by 8% last year, from €1.25bn in 2017 to €1.35bn in 2018. The value of beer exports from Ireland increased by 1.2%, from €275.6m in 2017 to €279m in 2018.

The Alcohol Beverage Federation of Ireland says that the Irish drinks industry needs to continue to look for growth opportunities in established and new markets. Director Patricia Callan commented: “From our rich history in brewing, the products made by the industry have deep roots in Ireland, setting them apart on the global stage. It’s also an industry that continues to grow, invest and innovate and is one of the country’s most exciting and dynamic sectors. These factors are helping to drive exports in both established and emerging markets.”

She continued: “This rich heritage has also benefited Ireland’s tourism offer, as the array of drinks-related tourist attractions in existence or being developed is growing quickly.

With breweries and distilleries opening around the country, this growth is also benefiting the regional spread of tourism.”

CORNER

BOOST FOR DUBLIN 8

Rascals HQ, the home of award-winning independent Dublin brewery Rascals Brewing Co., has launched a brewery tour offering ahead of what looks set to be another busy year for Dublin tourism. Home to the city’s only taproom and pizza restaurant, the Rascals HQ brewery tour is an authentic and immersive behind-thescenes experience of a real working brewery.

“Food and drink tourism is the fastest growing sector within visitor trends and more and more people want a multi-sensory experience,” explains Rascals Marketing Manager Joe Donnelly. “We’re in a good position to extend the trail from Kilmainham Gaol into Inchicore. We have two other great spots here in the village, with the historic Richmond Barracks, as well as Richmond Park, all within walking distance. The business boost from developing the tourism potential of these sites, in tandem with our own offering, would be immeasurable to the area.”

Tours are €20 a head and can be booked on rascalsbrewing.com.

ALLEN KEY TO WICKLOW WOLF 2018 was a record year at Wicklow Wolf with rapid growth that saw the firm begin construction on its new brewery and the establishment of its own in-house distribution company – Alpha Beer and Cider Distribution. The company recently welcomed master brewer John Allen to its team, who will take the role of Production Manager to oversee the development of the new brewery in Newtownmountkennedy, Co. Wicklow.

Allen’s extensive brewing background will bring a wealth of experience to the team. “Working in some of the most wellknown breweries across the world has allowed me to gain a very unique insight into brewing high-quality beers in challenging environments alongside some phenomenal people,” he says.

“In the team at Wicklow Wolf I have found people who live and breathe this philosophy and have aspirations to create beers that have real soul and purpose at its heart.”

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John Allen, Production Manager, Wicklow Wolf

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Profile  A Day in the Life

THE GREEN REVOLUTION MICHEÁL SMITH TALKS US THROUGH A TYPICAL DAY AS MANAGING DIRECTOR AT CAVAN-BASED M&C HYBRID ENERGY. 7AM I start my day at this time every morning, except on Thursdays when I start a little earlier to attend BNI, a weekly business networking group I participate in. I check my emails and voice messages to make sure there are no emergency cases that need attention, such as customers with heating or plumbing problems that need to be addressed straight away.

As the energy industry in Ireland is at the cusp of change in terms of governmental policy, I always take ten minutes to check in on the media conversation, earmarking any interesting comments or official statements.

8:30AM Depending on the day, I’m either on-site or at the office by this time. If we’re onsite, I’ll be addressing the team Micheál and Carmel Smith, on the job at hand. We work with M&C Hybrid Energy homeowners and corporate clients, so we could be assessing the energy efficiency of a consumer’s home to see if there is a more effective solution, or discussing cost-saving options with a business keen to improve its green credentials and reduce energy costs along the way. If we’ve moved on from the assessment stage, we may be in the midst of an install and in that case, I’ll be catching up with the team and the customer ensuring all parties are happy with how work is progressing. 11.30AM Coffee break! I am usually crying out for a cup of coffee at this stage. If I’m close to the office, I’ll head back to grab a quick cup, reply to new messages and check in with my wife Carmel who manages the day-to-day running of the business – everything from marketing to accounting. As days vary so much for me, Carmel is a godsend when it comes to managing my schedule. Luckily, our office is based on the same site as the family home and this allows us to combine work with family and the local community. 2PM I usually will take 30 minutes for lunch, while at the same time checking in with the on-site teams to make sure we’re still on schedule. Then I’ll head out to meet potential new clients or head back to the sites where my attention is needed. I have a great team that I trust implicitly to keep me updated on even the smallest of issues, so I am fully aware of every detail of every single job. I know that autonomy and leadership will be integral to us keeping up with the pace at which we’re growing. 4:30PM I do my best to leave site around this time to get back to the office for a final check-in with Carmel on the day’s overall performance and any issues that might have arisen. 6PM If I can finish up for the day at this time, I like to bring my girls to pony-riding or football training and try and get a walk in myself. This gives me needed time to reflect and get one step ahead on the next day. Some days can go on into the late evening – many of our consumer clients don’t get home themselves until after 6pm, so I like to accommodate their schedules by popping in to give them an update in the evenings. As a small, independent company, we’re proud to say we have the freedom to think outside the box and create tailored solutions that help our customers to save money. I am not a salesman, but I am a passionate energy engineer and will continue to innovate M&C’s offering over the coming years to provide jobs, benefit home and business owners and ultimately increase Ireland’s role in the global green revolution.

MCHYBRIDENERGY.IE

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