Better Business Autumn 2022

WELCOME AUTUMN 2022

Plans

Editor: Denise Maguire

Creative Director: Jane Matthews

Designers: Alan McArthur

Neasa Daly

Production Executive: Nicole Ennis

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 2022. 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.

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

As I write this, it is now becoming increasingly clear that Ireland is entering a major energy crisis with rapidly escalating concerns in the business community in relation to rising prices and security of supply issues. Please know, my team and I continue to work on behalf of members and businesses across all sectors to advocate for the survival of small rms as they struggle with exceptional energy costs.

David Walsh, Vice President for Original Content in EMEA at One4all, is the front cover story of this issue of Better Business. Read more about One4all’s ambitious plans and the services the company provides to small rms on page 20. Also in this issue, nd out about the latest SFA report which examines the cost of doing business in 2022 for Ireland’s smallest employers.

In this edition, the HR pages provide guidance on the EU Directive on Transparent and Predictable Working Conditions, which is soon to become legislation and the Government’s planned Automatic Enrolment Retirement Savings System.

Elsewhere in these pages you will read about the recently launched 19th Small Firms Association National Small Business Awards 2023 by Awards Patron, An Taoiseach, Micheál Martin TD. e aim of the awards is to celebrate the achievements of small businesses in Ireland and to recognise the vital contribution of the small business community to the Irish economy. Small rms have until October 27th to enter. is magazine 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 267,000 businesses in the country, 99% have less than 50 employees (small) and 92% have less than 10 (micro). ese 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.

e 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

On the cover: David Walsh, Vice President for Original Content in EMEA & UK, One4all Photography: Ola Dybul

04

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

08

MentorsWork

The MentorsWork programme is preparing SMEs for the busy months ahead

10

Economy

Ibec’s Chief Economist outlines the challenges facing small firms

19

Sector Spotlight

The SFA National Small Business Awards 2023 have officially launched

ESI is giving a voice to firms operating within this vibrant, 24/7 sector

28

Cover Story

David Walsh from One4all on why continual change is key to company success

38

Trading Places

Breathtaking scenery and goats brought Dara Barrett to Namibia

Entrepreneurs

Four leading law firms on why staff wellbeing is their top priority

Arts and Culture

Alan Shortt has conquered TV and radio, along with the world of communication coaching

Sustainability

David Walsh-Kemmis is keeping it green at Ballykilcavan Brewing Company

33 Health

Two KeepWell Mark Award winners talk about how to improve workplace wellbeing

50 Travel

The Garden of Ireland is bursting with fun-filled activities this autumn

FROM TOP LEFT: Gerard Brady at Ibec outlines the challenges facing small firms in 2022 and beyond, page 10 // David Walsh at One4all on why change is key to the company’s success, page 22 // Solicitor Anne O’Connell talks about why staff wellbeing is a top priority, page

// Fourteen years ago, breathtaking scenery and wild animals convinced Dara Barrett to make Namibia her home, page

SFA MEMBERS

BIG NEWS FOR SMALL BUSINESS

SEAI ENERGY ACADEMY

The SEAI has launched a free online training resource to help businesses reduce their energy costs. The SEAI Energy Academy can help lower energy bills by as much as 10% by educating businesses and employees on changing energy use behaviours - www.seai.ie/ energyacademy/

Learn more about SEAI at www.seai.ie including SEAI’s €2000 voucher towards an energy audit for SMEs with an energy spend of greater than €10,000 per annum.

The Large Industry Energy Network (LIEN) –SEAI members are companies with an annual energy spend of €1 million or more. SEAI works with these companies to improve their energy performance and assist them to lead on the transition and inspire others to take action by sharing their experience. Special working groups within the Network have developed best practice guides on how to manage energy performance. LIEN members report annually on energy consumption and projects undertaken to help increase efficiency.

Companies are eligible if they are spending at least €1 million on energy annually, or are certified to or pursuing ISO 50001 certification.

JOBS

SFA member Money Jar to create 100 jobs

Irish owned financial technology company Money Jar is to create 100 new jobs to drive expansion of the company, both in Ireland and across Europe. The new roles at the fintech firm include positions for software engineering, compliance and security, product management and design, marketing, sales, account management and customer support. The company said it plans to create 50 of the new jobs by July 2023, with the full amount set to be filled by March 2024. Founded in 2019, Money Jar is the only Irish fintech to offer an Irish IBAN to enable customers to complete their day-to-day transactions online. It is also the only digital current account to offer cash lodgement through collaboration with Payzone and can manage cross-border transfers, allowing transactions in several foreign currencies through its partnership with Currency Cloud. It’s great to see an SFA member grow and scale like this!

THE STORY OF TIMBERTROVE

This autumn, SFA member Shirley O’Kelly will publish ‘The Story of Timbertrove’. Timbertrove is a unique, awardwinning, 100% Irish-owned family business in the Dublin mountains, owned by Shirley and her husband Henry O’Kelly. This is a story of a small family business with over 30 years’ experience in the design, manufacture and installation of top quality timber products and operators of a Country Store and Café. It examines the challenges of running a small business today – the day-in, day-out grind, the obstacles and hassles. Most of all, it’s the story of Shirley and Henry, of their children, Danielle, Ciara and Conor, who have now joined the business and of O’Kelly’s Sawmills, of ups and downs, good times and bad. ‘The Story of Timbertrove’ is available from www.SuccessStore.com and all good bookshops.

L-R, Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer at MoneyJar Johan Reveillard, Tánaiste Leo Varadkar and John Harkin, Executive Chairman, Money Jar

NEW ‘ARTIST IN RESIDENCE’ AT THE MONTENOTTE

As part of its long-standing commitment to supporting the arts, The Montenotte Hotel, Cork, is delighted to announce the latest Artist in Residence ‘invited’ to the hotel. Nathan Neven, with his collection ‘Wild Life Invited’, will be exhibiting in the hotel from August 1st until January 2023. Now in its fifth year at The Montenotte Hotel, the ‘Artist in Residence’ programme, in association with The Gallery Kinsale, aims to support Irish artists by offering a six-month tenure to showcase in the hotel. Nathan’s art captures the moments of his dreams, his living in Europe and his travel experience, having lived and studied in Paris. The Montenotte Hotel is the perfect destination for art-lovers and culture-seekers, with a new artist to enjoy in-house every six months, further enticing holidaymakers to visit the multi-award-winning, design-led hotel on their next trip to Cork.

INNOVATION

INNOVATION VOUCHERS

Enterprise Ireland provide grant funding up to a maximum of €5,000 to explore a business opportunity or problem with a registered knowledge provider in the areas of sustainability and decarbonisation.

See www.enterprise-ireland. com for more information.

ENERGY

ENERGY SUPPORTS FOR BUSINESS

Recent global events, including the invasion of Ukraine, have led to a rise in global energy costs. There are a number of government supports and resources available to help mitigate the impact of these price rises on small firms and to become more energy efficient. See www.enterprise.gov.ie for more information.

MENTORING

GREEN FOR MICRO

For businesses with 10 or fewer employees, the Local Enterprise Office offers two days of intensive mentoring including green transition advice and technical support to a wide range of micro-enterprises with 10 or fewer employees. Green for Micro is free of charge for eligible enterprises and represents the potential for increased efficiencies within companies that adopt these principles.

BREXIT

Frits Potgieter, General Manager of The Montenotte Hotel with Artist in Residence, Nathan Neven

SUPPORTS REMAIN AVAILABLE TO HELP YOUR BUSINESS MANAGE THE NEW TRADING ARRANGEMENTS WITH THE UK FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF ENTERPRISE, TRADE AND EMPLOYMENT. VISIT GETTING BUSINESS BREXIT READY TO VIEW THE MANY SUPPORTS AND RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO YOUR BUSINESS.

@sharonbannerton

Champion Green offers SMEs chance to win €50k Blackrock pop-up store https:// businessplus.ie/news/ champion-green-e50kpop-up/

@ChampionGreenie,

@AVIVAIRELAND,

@SFA_Irl,

@RetailExIreland,

@ChambersIreland,

@AnPostRS,

@VisaIreland,

@KilkennyShop,

@Bannerton_PR,

@bobbykerr, #supportlocal

@ncsc_gov_ie

Both the NCSC and the GNCCB @gardainfo have observed an increased trend of the SME sector being targeted by ransomware. We’ve written to @SFA_Irl highlighting the threat as well as providing advice for preventing and mitigating attacks

@koresystem

The new launch of @SFA_Irl (SFA) Strategy document is here! And we couldn’t be more proud of having our Commercial Director, Caroline Ashe, participating in the strategy process. Great work, everyone!

@SBCIreland

#Irish #SMEs need to be more ambitious in terms of #sustainability and #energyefficiency to stay competitive. #Green #Funding is available to support them being more #energy efficient.

@SFA_Irl

@SkillnetIreland

YALA REBRANDS TO RENT A RECRUITER

Yala, a recruitment company headquartered in Dublin, has announced a major rebranding which reflects the company’s evolution into a scalable and bespoke, global recruitment service provider. Its new identity, Rent a Recruiter, has officially been launched and marks an exciting new chapter in the company’s history. Rent a Recruiter provides recruitment solutions to a diverse client base across a range of industry sectors, including engineering, financial services, tech, legal, hospitality, public sector, construction and retail. The rebranding activity includes a top-to-bottom redesign of the company’s website, logo, graphics, communications and correspondence. It also reflects the evolution and expansion of its service over the last number of years. In addition, it highlights the company’s talent, innovation and sheer dedication to providing clients with exceptional service.

AVOID MISSING ANNUAL RETURN FILINGS

In May this year, the Registrar of Companies announced that no further Covid-19 annual return extensions will be granted in Ireland. The previously suspended involuntary strike-off procedures have now been recommenced and nearly 270,000 live companies on the register are under scrutiny. It is expected that thousands of companies will be involuntarily struck off the register in the coming months. Additionally, company directors who are considered to be ‘late annual return repeat offenders’ will be prosecuted by District Court, with a maximum penalty not exceeding €5,000.

In response to this situation, the company secretaries at Company Bureau have launched a free Annual Return Late Fee Calculator to easily calculate the outstanding penalty fees for a late Annual Return. This useful tool was developed with accountants and professional intermediaries in mind and is accessible on CompanyFormations.ie. It is important to note that late returns will result in the loss of audit exemption for the next two years, so the late filing of an annual return is a costly burden on small businesses.

CLIMATE

CLIMATE TOOLKIT

This Toolkit provides practical and cost-effective actions that every business can take to support this transformation and build resilience

Visit www.climatetoolkit4business. gov.ie/ for more information.

“The report highlights that Ireland’s smallest enterprises are facing cost challenges in every area of business be it labour, transport, insurance, banking and utility costs.”

Elizabeth Bowen, SFA Senior Executive, speaking on the SFA Cost of doing Business report, read more on page 44

“The SFA National Small Business Awards are as important as ever, as we face the challenges posed by Russia’s immoral invasion of Ukraine. The awards acknowledge innovation, resilience, strength and the importance of the small business sector to the Irish economy and in particular, to the future of the Irish economy.”

Taoiseach Micheal Martin speaking at the launch of the SFA Awards (read more on page 13)

“To safeguard our domestically owned businesses, Budget 2023 must provide certainty on costs and maintaining competitiveness.”

Sven Spollen-Behrens at the launch of SFA Budget 2023 priorities

STRONG ENTREPRENEURIAL SPIRIT IN IRELAND

The latest Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) report contains encouraging findings about entrepreneurship in Ireland.

Among the key findings of the global survey are:

One in seven people in Ireland aspire to start a business in the next three years

Ireland ranks third in Europe for entrepreneurs with ‘high jobs growth’ expectations

There is an increase in youth entrepreneurship – the proportion of 18 to 24 age group that are early-stage entrepreneurs was 16.4% in 2021, up from just 6.7% in 2018

Ireland has the third highest rate for early-stage female entrepreneurs across European countries

VIVID EDGE WINS ESG FINANCE AWARD

Vivid Edge, a climate action impact company headquartered at NovaUCD in Dublin, has been named the winner of the ESG Finance Award, as part of the inaugural Business and Finance ESG Awards. Attracting over 100 entries from 80+ companies nationwide, the ESG Awards were established by Business and Finance to recognise and celebrate individuals and groups who are actively striving to address environmental, social and governance issues. The Awards, across 14 categories, showcase the successes of ESG initiatives and examples of best practice, as well as highlighting the importance of transparency.

Vivid Edge simplifies the net zero journey for large organisations, saving them time, risk and capital, by delivering energy efficiency retrofits as a service. Vivid Edge funds 100% of the fully installed cost. Customers pay a monthly service fee once installed, with the energy savings often more than covering the fee. This enables these organisations to save energy and cut costs while helping the planet.

More than three in five Irish entrepreneurs are trying to minimise the environmental impact of their business

Two in every three entrepreneurs expect to use more digital technology to sell products or services in the next six months

Given the difficult few years with the pandemic and Brexit, it’s great to see a strong entrepreneurial spirit in the next generation of Irish business owners.

Tracy O’Rourke collecting the ESG Finance Award on behalf of Vivid Edge, presented by Brian Kearns from Business and Finance.

BRIDGING PRODUCTIVITY SKILLS ACROSS IRELAND

RAMPING UP FOR THE FINAL QUARTER OF THE YEAR, THE MENTORSWORK

IS READY TO PREPARE SMES ACROSS ALL

BUSY MONTHS AHEAD

For some businesses, the final quarter of the year could be the most important. With productivity crucial to the growth of businesses, SME owner-managers and leadership teams can avail of the incredible opportunity to have the support of a mentor to help them make the most of the final quarter.

MentorsWork is an award-winning joint initiative from Skillnet Ireland and the Small Firms Association, designed to provide SMEs with the skills and supports to help their business thrive. SMEs choose the priority areas for their business and MentorsWork tailors the programme to suit those unique needs.

Since its initial launch in 2020, the programme has helped over 1,500 businesses across the country. The Government-backed initiative offers a tailored 12-week mentoring programme, targeting core competencies with a one-on-one mentor, as well as a host of valuable business development tools to improve on four key areas – People, Finance and Growth, Digital and Automation as well as Business Processes. MentorsWork has recently expanded to include applications from private sector business with between one and 250 employees across all industries in Ireland. As not all businesses grow at the

same pace, the programme now features a fast-track stream that accommodates the goals of fast-growing start-ups and businesses looking for rapid expansion.

A key success factor of the programme is the in-depth competency assessment as part of the SME’s first step. The results provide the company an insight into the areas of their business that can be targeted for growth or optimisation and give the mentors the opportunity to create a bespoke development plan that suits each SME’s unique growth or operational needs.

Flying into the end of the year, the programme has discovered ways to adapt to the increasingly challenging times to meet the ever-changing needs of small businesses. For example, recognising the growing effect that climate change and green policies are having on SMEs, MentorsWork has a new Green Economy stream, with set intentions to help SMEs navigate how they can adapt sustainable business models and discover ways to leverage and embrace a greener business environment.

With this future direction in mind, MentorsWork will now also be offering continued support through Digital and Green stream Consultancy Services. Open to participants who have completed the programme, this new addition aims to address the implementation of strategies developed through the SME’s initial participation, whilst also helping leaders find new areas of growth within their business.

As businesses fly into the crucial final quarter of the year, SMEs require ever more relevant and targeted support. The MentorsWork application process allows businesses to enrol in the programme and have instant access to over 100 expert-led Masterclasses and peer-to-peer Workshops, as well as a vast library of resources through our personalised online learning platform Percipio.

To learn more or sign up, SME ownermanagers and leadership teams can submit their application for the programme at www. mentorswork.ie

FOR

Paul Healy, CEO Skillnet Ireland; Bobby Kerr, broadcaster and businessman, MentorsWork Ambassador; Simon Harris TD, Minister of Further and Higher Education; Geraldine Magnier, SFA Vice-Chair and Co-Owner Idiro Analytics

skills for a sustainable future

Trying times

GERARD BRADY, CHIEF ECONOMIST AT IBEC, OUTLINES THE CHALLENGES FACING SMALL FIRMS, ALONG WITH THE POTENTIAL SOLUTIONS

Towards the end of August, Ibec launched its pre-budget submission, calling on a “robust” response from Government to spiralling energy prices and other immediate inflationary challenges in Budget 2023. With suggested spending and tax measures of just under €2 billion, Ibec’s report states that current inflationary pressures must be matched by a focus on the crucial long-term investments necessary to enhance living standards, overall quality of life and economic resilience.

ADVICE TO SMALL BUSINESS

Get ferocious about your costs. Look at the bottom line in detail and try and get as much out of what you have as possible. Also, make sure you’re talking to your local TD’s to ensure your voice is being heard. There’s going to be huge pressure on Government over the coming months, so it’s important small business makes its voices heard.

Consumer spending and business investment are, says the group, down when compared to the first half of 2022 and that figure is expected to fall further, says Gerard Brady, Chief Economist at Ibec. “The European energy market has deteriorated since the start of the year, a situation that is undermining the recovery momentum that characterised the first half of the year. On top of that, a number of global central banks have signalled that there will be a hike in interest rates and a tightening of monetary policy far sooner than we might have expected. Those two issues will increase pressure on the global economy and place a number of our major trading partners into or close to recession in the coming months,” said Gerard.

Escalating energy costs are currently the number one issue facing small businesses. “We have members looking at increases somewhere between four and five times what they would have paid in a normal year. We’ve also had reports of small shops going from energy bills of €50,000 a year to closer to €200,000.” Large manufacturing companies, who would have been paying €20 million in a normal year, are planning for bills closer to €100 million in 2023. These massive price hikes are being experienced by all firms, across almost all sectors, says Gerard. “Of course, there is a proportion of companies that are better set up to cope with these increases; maybe they have better margins or perhaps they’re not as energy intensive as other companies. Firms with tighter margins, who use larger amounts of energy, are facing into a difficult winter period and as we outlined in our July quarterly report, they will also be adversely affected by lower consumer spending.” To weather the energy storm currently affecting small business, policy intervention is crucial. The State aid approved energy scheme will, says Gerard, provide companies with some relief, but it needs to come sooner rather than later. A much broader suite of supports will be required if the situation deteriorates further during the winter months.

Gerard Brady, Chief Economist, Ibec

IBEC’S TAKE ON BUDGET 2023

Commenting on Budget 2023, Ibec has stated that the underlying strength of the Irish business model and its capacity to generate record tax revenue has put Government in a position whereby it can afford to deliver the correct scale of Budget amidst a challenging inflationary environment.

While Budget 2023 is broadly commended by business, Ibec added caution that if the economic environment continues to deteriorate over the winter, a more significantly expansionary fiscal stance may be needed to robustly protect households and businesses. It stated that Government will need to be flexible and responsive to these trends and further measures to support the economy may well be required as we head in 2023.

Ibec CEO Danny McCoy said: “The strength of the business sector in delivering record tax revenue has facilitated an Exchequer surplus and it is encouraging to see this being used to support households and vulnerable businesses.

“Ibec commends the Budget announcement of targeted use of measures to deliver supports for those most exposed to the spiralling energy costs.

“Business is disappointed to see no extension to the 9% rate of VAT and limited new measures to offset this loss. Ongoing support will be needed in the experience economy to protect viability.”

The challenge for Government is ensuring supports are targeted at people who really need them. The success of that targeting will determine the strength of the consumer economy throughout the Christmas period. “If those supports are spread too thinly, no-one will feel the benefits. Resources are limited so it’s important that supports go to that segment of the public that are really feeling the pain, who don’t have any savings or resources to fall back on. That could be the difference between a positive and negative Christmas from a consumer spending point of view.”

Alongside energy, Government must also introduce measures to control and offset policy-related labour costs which are currently impacting business. “Small businesses are bearing the brunt of so many costs – pensions, minimum wage, living wage, costs related to leave etc. We would suggest that the National Training Fund is used to help business overcome those costs, with a payment break element and a rebate for training, upskilling or productivity vouchers.” With inflation high and uncertainty rising, fiscal policy will need to continue to be flexible to volatile economic conditions throughout this year and next, says Ger.

Ibec also supports a continued increase in the level of the carbon tax, with the proviso that this increase is balanced by offsetting incentives for energy efficiency, the adoption of low carbon technologies and alternative energy sources. Investment must also go to the competitiveness and productivity of sectors worst impacted by Covid such as the Experience Economy. Investment must go into town centres and skills and appropriate use of the €1 billion Brexit Adjustment Reserve to support investment, upskilling and competitiveness in the worst exposed sectors.

For small business to survive, it’s imperative that Government maintains its focus in the longer term. “Taking a longertime view is, I think, key to delivering on the likes of the National Development Plan and improving Ireland’s childcare sector. Without that focus, we’re just storing up problems for the future,” said Gerard.

"FIRMS WITH TIGHTER MARGINS, WHO USE LARGER AMOUNTS OF ENERGY, ARE FACING INTO A DIFFICULT WINTER PERIOD AND WILL ALSO BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED BY LOWER CONSUMER SPENDING.”

RECOGNISING IRELAND’S SMALL BUSINESSES

THE SFA NATIONAL SMALL BUSINESS AWARDS ARE OPEN TO ALL COMPANIES IN IRELAND WITH UP TO 50 EMPLOYEES AND THE CATEGORIES ARE:

The 19th Small Firms Association (SFA) National Small Business Awards 2023 have been officially launched by Awards Patron, Taoiseach Micheál Martin TD. The aim of the awards is to celebrate the achievements of small businesses in Ireland and to recognise the vital contribution of the small business community to the Irish economy.

Speaking at the launch, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said: “The SFA National Small Business Awards are as important as ever, as we face the challenges posed by Russia’s immoral invasion of Ukraine. The awards acknowledge innovation, resilience, strength and the importance of the small business sector to the Irish economy and in particular, to the future of the Irish economy. Small firms have been central to Ireland’s pandemic recovery and the Government will continue to do everything it can to maintain their competitiveness.”

Free to enter with a prize package valued at €50,000 for all finalists, the Awards are open to all companies in Ireland with up 50 employees who apply before the deadline on 27 October 2022 at www.SFAAwards.ie.

Chair of the SFA, Graham Byrne said: “The SFA has a vision of an Ireland that has the most vibrant small business community in the world – supporting entrepreneurship, valuing small business and rewarding risk takers. The SFA National Small Business Awards are a celebration of the achievements of the 273,000 small firms in Ireland, who collectively employ almost half of the private sector workforce and aim to promote excellence, achievement and innovation amongst small businesses in all sectors and across Ireland.”

Keep up with the SFA Awards on Twitter @SFA_irl and apply now at www.SFAAwards.ie. Find more SFA events at www.SFA.ie/events

MANUFACTURING – supported by permanent tsb FOOD AND DRINK – supported by Bord Bia SERVICES – supported by Sage

OUTSTANDING SMALL BUSINESS – up to five employees – supported by Cisco

INNOVATOR OF THE YEAR – supported by NSAI

SUSTAINABILITY – supported by SBCI

WORKPLACE WELLBEING – supported by DeCare

EXPORTER OF THE YEAR – supported by Enterprise Ireland

RETAIL – supported by One4all Rewards

EMERGING NEW BUSINESS – five winners selected – supported by .IE

An Taoiseach

SFA Small

Rabia Mirza

Coaching and HR Consulting

Take the lead

MIRZA OUTLINES SIX WAYS TO MASTER YOUR LEADERSHIP SKILLS

1SELF-AWARENESS

is understanding how you perceive yourself, others and the world around you Selfawareness begins with exploring, embracing and enjoying your strengths as well as the weaknesses. It is about recognising whether you underestimate or overestimate yourself. It is about how you see the people and world around you and how you immerse yourself in it. How self-aware are you? Do you see others as your allies or foes?

4DEVELOPING EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE (EI)

sets great leaders apart from good and poor leaders. While tangible skills in a profession can be mastered, leaders will struggle when dealing with others if they’re unable to develop their EI skills. We are emotional creatures, regardless of how logical or pragmatic we may see ourselves and/or others. EI is about recognising, managing and regulating emotions in self and others. What do you do when you feel triggered by someone? How do you handle conflict between other people?

2MINDSET IS EVERYTHING!

Our mindset is unconsciously created at a very young age and for most people, remains very similar throughout life, unless some form of hardship has been experienced which can compel a need to shift the mindset. Mindset shapes our thoughts, our behaviours, our words, our patterns and these form habits in our life. How do you describe yourself? How is your mindset shaping your life?

5COMMUNICATION

is the exchange of information between two or more parties using different modes. It might sound simple but more often than not, it is far from simple! Communication is given and received based on our upbringing, our family, cultural background, societal background, education, language, body language, tone, words, mood and emotions. Has anyone ever misunderstood you? Have you ever misunderstood anyone?

3VALUES

are the deep-rooted core principles and beliefs that we live by, whether they are conscious, subconscious or unconscious. Many people live by values that are not theirs and have been passed down through generations. Are your values yours? Do you value your values? Do you live by your values?

6MEANINGFUL RELATIONSHIPS

are essential to great leadership. These are formed when there is an amalgamation of all of the above traits, namely, self-awareness, mindset, values, emotional intelligence, communication and managing conflict. How meaningful are your key relationships at work? Would you change any of the challenging relationships? Are any of the traits mentioned above causing these challenges?

MANAGING CONFLICT can be tricky to say the least! Whether it is a heated argument or a difference of opinion, most people do not enjoy dealing with conflict or being in conflict. Understanding how to navigate through it can give great leaders that “je ne sais quoi” element. What is your style of conflict? Do you conflict with conflict?

Event infrastructure firms are the

glue that holds Ireland’s events industry together. As a sector, they quite literally keep the show on the road. They were also one of the first industries forced to shut up shop when the pandemic hit. Despite a lack of support from government and a general lack of understanding about how the industry operates, infrastructure firms were nevertheless ready to mobilise straight away when called upon by government to help communicate Covid updates and set up testing and vaccination centres. That lack of understanding from government and the current shortage of skilled staff due to the pandemic prompted a number of event infrastructure firms to form Event Suppliers Ireland (ESI), an organisation that aims to increase visibility around this all important sector.

Grounded within Ibec, ESI was set up to both support and represent the large number of event supplier companies and their employees across Ireland. The lack of a cohesive group and a unified voice was particularly felt during Covid. “I think there was a perception that when everything shut down, the

events suppliers industry could just flick a switch, go home and take up where we left off when normal service resumed. People working in this sector have specific skills and they’re very hard to find. It takes an enormous amount of time and investment to train people, so to lose any of them was extremely difficult,” said Padraig Kilgannon, Managing Director, Total Expo Limited.

Although these companies may differ in the services they provide to the events industry, they all share one characteristic – resilience. “Since I’ve been in the industry, we’ve survived several crises including foot and mouth disease, 9/11 and the ash cloud, both of which brought travel to a standstill. Covid was, of course, the biggest ever disrupter to our industry,” said Paul Murphy, Managing

“RIGHT NOW, OUR INDUSTRY IS HAVING THE PERFECT STORM; THE AFTER EFFECTS OF COVID, BREXIT, THE UKRAINIAN WAR AND RISING ENERGY COSTS. AS PAUL MENTIONED ABOVE, THIS INDUSTRY HAS WEATHERED SO MANY CRISES OVER THE YEARS AND WE HAVE ALWAYS MANAGED TO NOT ONLY SURVIVE THEM, BUT COME OUT STRONGER THE OTHER SIDE.”

Development Director at Actavo Events Ltd. Resilience may be the industry’s key attribute but its main challenge today is attracting and retaining staff. A key role of the new organisation is to raise awareness around the event infrastructure industry and communicate the varied, exciting careers that exist within it. “How do we recruit back into this industry? During Covid we lost hundreds of people, so how do we build the resources that we need to get the sector back on track? I think training and education are key when it comes to building awareness around the event suppliers sector. So many people don’t realise this industry even exists and that’s something that needs to change,” said John Roche, Managing Director at Creative Technology Ireland. Coming together to set up ESI is the first step towards a unified approach around education. At Creative Technology Ireland a graduate programme, in conjunction with sister company NEP Ireland, has proved extremely popular, says John. “We currently have eight paid graduates with us and it looks like they’re all going to stay in full-time employment within the industry. Next year, we’d like to run the programme again, but perhaps with 30 people. It’s an excellent initiative but government support would take it to another level.” Extending the programme to involve other event supplier firms and working together to

Director at Avcom. The pandemic might have shut down traditional event work, but people on the infrastructure side very quickly began setting up test centres for government, while technical people pivoted from in-person events to online events.

“That ability to adapt kept people in employment throughout the pandemic. Having weathered the Covid storm, event suppliers are stronger than ever and we’re still out here fighting,” said Paul.

The most challenging aspects of Covid are, hopefully, behind us but event supplier firms will always have crises to contend with. “Right now, our industry is having the perfect storm; the after effects of Covid, Brexit, the Ukrainian war and rising energy costs. As Paul mentioned above, this industry has weathered so many crises over the years and we have always managed to not only survive them, but come out stronger the other side. With Covid, the government shut down our business, but because our skill set is so transferable, we were then called upon to provide help around the emergency planning piece. We did that unconditionally and we were able to mobilise as and when required. As an industry, we are agile, resilient and flexible and those qualities will allow us to weather any future storms,” said Paul Griffin, Commercial & Business

produce one, unified programme for the industry is also key, says John. “Going forward, it’s about training, educating and working together as an industry to share these skills. That’s the only way we’ll attract and retain talented staff.”

Covid recovery won’t happen overnight, says Paul Griffin. It will be another five years before we reach adequate staffing levels. “In terms of recovery, 2022 has probably been the hardest year. Getting back to business as new as opposed to business as normal is a difficult transition.

At the moment, the industry is running at 120% capacity compared to 2019, but with just 60% of the resources we had back then. To say that this year has been a struggle operationally, not just for us but for our competitors and the companies we work with, would be an understatement. We survived Covid; now it’s about rebuilding.”

There’s a perception that the event supplier industry is best suited to people looking for parttime work. In fact, it’s an industry with fast levels of career progression and impressive remuneration rates. It’s not just jobs for roadies and technicians, says Paul Murphy. Roles within event suppliers firms range from salespeople and project managers to marketing, finance and designers. A large proportion of firms operating in this space are either small or medium sized businesses, so the chances of career progression are even higher. “In addition, employees today want the option of hybrid working and that’s something the industry can offer. There’s also the option of international travel. It’s an industry that has an awful lot to offer.

That vast scope just needs to be communicated to prospective labour.”

That communication piece is where Ibec comes in. As the latest addition to the Ibec/SFA family of networks and trade bodies, ESI is well positioned to communicate the opportunities that exist within the industry. Ibec is currently investigating the possibility of establishing a Skillnet to provide State-funded training and upscaling supports to firms within the events infrastructure sector. A cost saving scheme in the fleet management and motor insurance space for firms is also on the table. “We’re encouraging event supplier companies to join the SFA + ESI network as it’s only by working together and sharing that vital knowledge that the industry’s voice will be heard. We have organised working groups on various key topics within the industry including health & safety, training and upskilling and communications. We’re delighted to have ESI on board, an organisation that truly understands the needs of this vibrant industry,” said Sven Spollen-Behrens, Director at the SFA.

The events suppliers industry is ahead of the curve when it comes to sustainability. International event organisers require a clean, green operation

and most event supplier firms are transforming their business to provide an enhanced eco service. For small companies, putting the resources behind sustainability or health & safety policies can be a big ask. “That’s another reason why we set up ESI, to share our knowledge around these issues. At the moment, the hot topic is energy efficiency. It’s hard for individual companies to navigate those waters on their own. Being part of an association where you can share resources and create policy documents that are transferable across all businesses will only make us a stronger industry that can compete both nationally and internationally for business,” said Paul Murphy.

The ESI has a clear goal and that’s to communicate the vast range of opportunities that exist within the event supplier industry. This is a sector where careers are made, says John. “Employees can climb the ladder very quickly and be earning a very good salary in a relatively short space of time. That’s not something that happens in other sectors. As an industry, I think we’ve done incredibly well to get through Covid; the challenges continue but this is an industry that keeps moving forward. There’s never a dull moment.” ESI is giving a unified voice to event supplier firms and creating awareness around the industry. “All companies within this sector share a common goal and that’s to deliver the event. So, if Padraig needs me to jump in a forklift and move some pallets, or John wants me to run some cable, or Paul needs me to man a camera for 10 minutes so somebody can have a comfort break, I’ll do that. Whatever it takes to get the job done. We work in an exciting, 24/7, vibrant industry and through ESI, we want to make sure more people know about it,” said Paul Murphy.

“BEING PART OF AN ASSOCIATION WHERE YOU CAN SHARE RESOURCES AND CREATE POLICY DOCUMENTS THAT ARE TRANSFERABLE ACROSS ALL BUSINESSES WILL ONLY MAKE US A STRONGER INDUSTRY THAT CAN COMPETE BOTH NATIONALLY AND INTERNATIONALLY FOR BUSINESS.”

DAVID WALSH-KEMMIS IS KEEPING IT GREEN AT BALLYKILCAVAN BREWING COMPANY

SUSTAINABLE brewer  The

Atthe 2022 SFA National Small Business Awards, Ballykilcavan Brewing Company took home the much-coveted Sustainability award. An important win for a company that only started brewing beer in 2017. “There has been 13 generations of my family on this farm and sustainability has always been important to us. Financial sustainability was the reason for setting up the brewery in the first place; environmental considerations tie into the running of a farm and I think that element has grown in importance over the past few years,” said David Walsh-Kemmis, Ballykilcavan Farm and Brewery owner.

Ballykilcavan has always been a mixed farm, with woodland, grass for livestock and fields of crops. Located just outside Stradbally in Co Laois and surrounded by prime malting barley, it’s the perfect setting for a beer-making operation. David took over the business in 2004 and after several years farming the land, saw

diversification as a way of sustaining the farm for later generations. An interest in beer sparked the idea for the brewery, which today is located in the farm’s original stone grainstore, which dates back to 1780. As well as producing his own beer, David runs tours where visitors can have a look around the brewery, hear family stories spanning back 380 years and find out how beer is made. He also still works on the farm. “I’m definitely busy! Our tours are taking off and exports are up. We’ve actually doubled the capacity of the brewery to support the export side of the business, going from six fermenters to 12.” Winning the Sustainability award is another string to Ballykilcavan’s bow and will, says David, stand to the business, particularly on the exports side. “When we’re talking to a distributor or importer, we talk about the history of the farm and the family, the fact that we grow our own barley, we take water from our own well, we even grow some hops here too. They’re all really important considerations in the marketplace today and that sustainability piece really stands to us.”

As an Origin Green member, the brewery has set a number of sustainability targets under the headings of energy, water, waste, biodiversity and community. Running a brewery is an energy-intensive business and with energy costs currently so high, it takes a bit of ingenuity to use as little as possible. “Energy reduction starts with the equipment we use. We make sure we have variable drives on all our equipment, which

means that we can run them at exactly the right level rather than having them only switched on or off. A lot of our work involves heating water up and then cooling it back down again. To make that process more energy efficient, the hot water that’s generated is put back into the hot water tank and used either for brewing the next day or for cleaning with. Our cooling system also generates heat so we recover as much of that as possible too.” Regularly servicing every piece of equipment, heating and lighting also goes towards the overall aim of using the least amount of energy possible. An 11 kva solar array on the roof is already allowing the business to generate its own electricity; that’s about to kick up a gear thanks to a new microgeneration scheme which will also see Ballykilcavan exporting energy back to the grid.

Brewing water is sourced from the farm’s

“WE’RE ALSO USING PAPER-BASED AS OPPOSED TO PLASTIC TAPE AND AGAIN, IT’S AT LEAST DOUBLE THE COST OF THE STANDARD VARIANT. WE COULD EARN MORE OF A MARGIN ON A CASE OF BEER IF WE OPTED NOT TO RUN OUR BREWERY SUSTAINABLY. BUT WE PREFER DOING IT THIS WAY AND WHEN IT COMES DOWN TO IT, IT’S THE RIGHT THING TO DO.”

EXPANSION PLANS ARE RAMPING UP AT ONE4ALL. DAVID WALSH TALKS TO BETTER BUSINESS ABOUT LAUNCHING ACROSS EUROPE AND WHY CONTINUAL CHANGE IS THE KEY TO THE COMPANY’S SUCCESS

Plans  Grand

began with a bang at One4all. The company increased its ever-growing presence across Europe by launching in the Netherlands in the first half of the year. Plans are in place to launch in Switzerland in 2023 and later this year, the company is set to bring a different type of offering to the French and Belgian markets. Business is good at One4all, thanks in part to the company’s acquisition by US fintech giant Blackhawk Network in 2019. “The acquisition allowed us to get on board with brands like IKEA and boohoo.com, brands that were traditionally difficult for us to access. I remember a few years back trying to contact people working at these brands on LinkedIn, but it was difficult to make those connections as One4all was considered a small Irish business. Now, we’ve got the resources and the support to expand our presence and continue to develop One4all across Europe,” said David Walsh, Vice President for Original Content in EMEA.

David’s role at One4all is to lead the strategic development of the company’s multistore gift cards, as well as the development and launch of new original content multistore gift cards across Europe. He and the team liaise with various departments within the organisation to ensure the correct distribution, marketing and compliance of products. “The way I look at it, we’re the glue that pulls all the various teams together. At the moment, I’m in the Netherlands with the team to see how we can maximise sales here for the rest of the year.

“OUR ROADMAP OVER THE NEXT TWO TO THREE YEARS IS REALLY ABOUT DRIVING ONE4ALL RIGHT ACROSS EMEA. THERE ARE CHALLENGES OF COURSE; IN SWITZERLAND, FOR EXAMPLE, YOU HAVE FOUR LANGUAGES THAT ARE SPOKEN SO HOW DO YOU ENSURE CUSTOMER SERVICE IS EQUIPPED TO DEAL WITH THAT? WE ALSO NEED TO BE CONSCIOUS OF REGULATIONS IN DIFFERENT COUNTRIES.”

David Walsh, Vice President for Original Content in EMEA & UK

Ola Dybul

It’s exciting to see an Irish brand like ours expanding and launching into so many new territories.”

Ever-evolving consumer trends dictate offerings from One4all. The retail environment is, says David, constantly changing and adapting to consumer demands and so must we. “We’re always on the lookout for new brands coming onto the market. In every market that we work in, brands will come and go. A good example is Arcadia which was a huge brand and a strong partner of One4all. A changing economy meant they departed the market but then you have the likes of ASOS and Boohoo.com entering the market, along with new bricks and mortar retailers too. So the market is continuously evolving and we constantly strive to partner with these new brands.” The One4all app has further increased the company’s digital presence, allowing users to load their physical cards onto the app. “That can be loaded into Apple Pay so for example, I can be shopping at TK Maxx and my wife could be in Next and we can both be spending our One4all card.” The digital One4all Gift Card is proving particularly popular with corporates who want to reward their staff. According to research from One4all, consistent and proactive recognition and rewards motivate a workforce, particularly in our post-Covid environment. Acknowledging a team’s achievement helps boost productivity and contributes to a company’s overall success; a digital gift card from One4all Rewards can get that message across. “If a company wants to reward its 100-strong staff, they give us their email address or mobile number and we will send each staff member a link to download their digital gift card. Messages to each staff member can be customised too, so you’re not missing that personal touch.” David believes there will always be a place for the physical gift card, particularly for small businesses. “If you think about the type of employment environment we’re in at the moment, employees don’t just want the paycheck. They want the reward and recognition they get from their employer. If you’re giving a gift card to somebody, it’s an awful lot nicer if you can actually give it face to face and shake their hand. I think that’s the approach that small

David Walsh, Vice President for Original Content

firms take, perhaps more so than larger businesses.” Making up 80% of all its business, small firms are the backbone of One4all. The company works with small businesses across all industries to create a robust and vibrant reward and recognition programme to the benefit of all. “Put simply, rewarding staff works. It increases motivation and encourages employees to exceed their objectives and goals. It also helps to increase employee retention, which is very difficult at the moment. Even a simple ‘thank you’ works, it doesn’t necessarily need to be monetary. Our incentives team has seen a huge take-up for the digital gift card but it’s probably 50/50 between the digital and physical gift card.”

Back in 2002, One4all started out as a small business. We know what it’s like, says David, to run a small operation where it’s every shoulder to the wheel. “Very few roles within a small firm are black and

keen to return to the office. They wanted to engage with colleagues and have a bit of craic once again, so it’s great that they can do that. It’s about finding a happy medium, adapting to what our staff want and making sure we’re providing that for them.”

Over the next few years, One4all intends to launch its products into several markets including Poland, Austria, France and Belgium. “Our roadmap over the next two to three years is really about driving One4all right across EMEA. There are challenges of course; in Switzerland, for example, you have four languages that are spoken so how do you ensure customer service is equipped to deal with that? We also need to be conscious of regulations in different countries. So while we’re excited about launching in different countries, we haven’t lost sight of the fact that there will be hurdles along the way.” Today, the company’s success is testament

white. Everyone gets stuck in to get the job done. When I started at One4all, I remember once Christmas came around I’d finish my day job and then head to fulfilment and end up packing vouchers into envelopes until that day’s load was finished. We know that in a small business, everyone does a bit of everything so we’re here to try and help with their productivity, reduce their admin and put in place a really good rewards programme that’s easy to run and works smoothly.”

One4all HQ continues to operate a hybrid working approach which is, says David, proving successful with staff. Most are in the office either two or three days a week, but there is no hard and fast rule.

“From employee feedback, we learned that staff that were perhaps sharing an apartment and weren’t lucky enough to have the space to set up a small office were

to its hardworking, loyal staff and a commitment to providing the consumer with an ever-changing product. “We’re so proud of all staff members. They stuck with us throughout Covid and have had the opportunity to further their career, thanks to the acquisition by Blackhawk. There has been a lot of promotion across all departments, which has been great for morale.” From the get-go, One4all’s founder Michael Dawson wanted to create a small Irish brand that would reach new heights. “That’s what we’ve done. We’ve built a substantial product in the UK, we’ve launched in the Netherlands and over the next few years, our suite of products will be available across Europe. In five years’ time, think how great it would be for an Irish person to be holidaying in France to see a One4all Gift Card in the local supermarket. That’s what we’re working towards.”

“PUT SIMPLY, REWARDING STAFF WORKS. IT INCREASES MOTIVATION AND ENCOURAGES EMPLOYEES TO EXCEED THEIR OBJECTIVES AND GOALS. IT ALSO HELPS TO INCREASE EMPLOYEE RETENTION, WHICH IS VERY DIFFICULT AT THE MOMENT.”

Ola Dybul

WISE GUYS

SIX INDUSTRY EXPERTS SHARE ONE PERSONAL NUGGET OF ADVICE FOR ASPIRING ENTREPRENEURS.

Recruitment Hannah Wrixon CEO, Get The Shifts

You must invest in your digital presence from the outset. That’s how the majority of businesses are found these days – on the web. No business can afford to ignore it. So while it can be a cost for your business when you are still in the early days, it is an essential expense that no business can do without.

Financial Wellbeing Nick Lawlor Managing Director, Employee Financial Wellness

1 2 3

Focus on your people. We need to remind ourselves that people are our business. Finding and retaining talent is more than paying a decent salary; it’s about their work environment and the support you provide. Supporting your employees regarding their mental, physical and financial health helps create a loyal and happy workforce! Good for employees, customers and your business!

PR Sharon Bannerton CEO, Bannerton

Relationships are key to an awful lot of business success. There’s much to be said for being human on the journey, making allowances for people, especially when you’ve no idea what’s going on in their lives. Celebrate the wins, see the disasters as a learning opportunity and most of all, be kind to yourself; you often need a friend like you!

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.

Events Des Doris Managing Director, Alchemy Event Management

The best piece of advice I can offer after 19 years running a small business is just be yourself. Play to your strengths and surround yourself with people who can complement those abilities. Entrepreneurs try to do everything themselves, but success comes from knowing what you’re good at and empowering those around you who are good at what you are not.

Food Yasmin Hyde Founder, Ballymaloe Foods

4 5 6

My advice is find your niche, start small, work hard and accept any help you can get along the way. Attention to detail, treating your staff well and being openminded is crucial. It helps to work in every part of the business; I can drive a forklift and unload pallets so can easily step in if there’s a staff shortage.

Cider Daniel Emerson Owner, Stonewell Cider

To achieve in a small business, one must be objective focused. A negative side effect is tunnel vision which can inhibit the ability to spot a shortcut along the way. Take time to stop, appraise and communicate with your colleagues in business. I am forever astonished at the amount of goodwill, advice and hard won experience that people will share freely.

“No matter what people tell you, words and ideas can change the world”

Robin Williams as John Keating in Dead Poets Society

a

UP WITH FOUR

TO TALK ABOUT TAKING

THE MARKET AND WHY STAFF

IS THEIR TOP PRIORITY

Back in 2001, Anne O’Connell was all set to swap Dublin for New York. After passing the New York bar exam, she secured a role at a small law firm in Manhattan but before she was due to leave Ireland, 9/11 happened. “The September 11 attacks had a huge impact on global travel. It would have been extremely difficult to get a Visa. So instead, I began working in the Chief State Solicitor’s Office, focusing on international litigation and employment law.” Around that time, Anne was involved in a number

of high profile employment law cases, one of which resulted in constitutional changes around citizenship. The next decade was spent in the employment law department at William Fry, followed by a couple of years at a smaller law firm. “I then discovered I had breast cancer. At that stage, I had clients that had come with me from my previous role so I continued working throughout my treatment. I think the work helped keep me going.” Although setting up on her own had never previously appealed, Anne decided to go it alone and in February 2017, established Anne O’Connell Solicitors. “I had friends who set up their own practices, but the amount of admin was always a deterrent. At the time though, I felt the people I was working with didn’t share the same views that I had, so it was time for a change.”

Located on Lower Baggot St in Dublin, Anne O’Connell Solicitors specialises in employment law and related issues. She has three solicitors working with her, along with two trainees, an intern and Harvey the dog, the in-house Wellness Manager. Growth is an ambition going forward but above all else, Anne wants to create an environment where staff feel supported. “I remember my oncologist telling me my cancer was due to stress. I never want any of my staff to feel pressurised or at breaking point. That’s why I got the dog! I’m very supportive when it comes to personal leave and employees can avail of counselling sessions. It’s not about the size of the practice; it’s about having a team that enjoy what they do.” Ensuring consistent quality service to clients is also top of the agenda, something that was recognised at the 2021 Irish Law Awards when the practice took home the award for Employment Law Firm of the Year. “Our approach to clients consistently adapts to their changing needs. I think we differ somewhat from other practices in that we’re constantly thinking of new ways to service our clients to facilitate their budget. We strive to provide the best possible service and that’s what we’ll continue to do.”

“OUR

TO CLIENTS CONSISTENTLY ADAPTS TO THEIR CHANGING NEEDS. I THINK WE DIFFER SOMEWHAT FROM OTHER PRACTICES IN THAT WE’RE CONSTANTLY THINKING OF NEW WAYS TO SERVICE OUR CLIENTS TO FACILITATE THEIR BUDGET.”

DAVID O’RIORDAN

important that staff and partners are happy to come to work, for their own wellbeing and also because that job satisfaction feeds into the customer service piece.”

The Dublin-based practice currently has 28 members of staff. Sourcing staff is extremely difficult at the moment, says David. “A lot of the larger firms are actively trying to recruit. They’re in a position to offer higher rates of pay, which makes it difficult to compete. Overall, the market is quite buoyant at the moment but I think that will change in the next six to 12 months as the economy dips.” With a particular specialisation in employment law, David has seen a preponderance of working time cases coming across his desk in recent times. “Employees seem to be concerned with the number of hours they’re working, how many holidays

IN 2002

James Sherwin and David O’Riordan set up Sherwin O’Riordan, a practice specialising in corporate law, commercial litigation, employment law, commercial property and private client advice. Breaking out on their own was a daunting experience, says David. “If I knew then what I know now, it would have been even more daunting! It’s not something I’ve ever regretted though. What we found at the start was that work comes to you from places you’d never expect. Setting up on your own also allows you to venture into areas of law you may not have experienced before.” For over 20 years, David and his colleagues have worked to provide an excellent and personal service to all clients. “That’s something we’re really focused on. I also think it’s really important to mind the people that work with you. It’s so

they’re entitled to etc. Unfortunately, the Organisation of Working Time Act doesn’t really account for small business as it’s very difficult to implement.”

Sherwin O’Riordan doesn’t aspire to be the largest practice in Dublin, but expansion of the business is part of its long-term strategy. “Growth is all about people and that’s why solicitors are being head-hunted by other firms at the moment. There has also been an influx of law firms from other countries, particularly the UK and the US, who have either merged with or bought firms here. They’re also recruiting so it’s a difficult environment when it comes to finding talented staff.” Despite the firm’s success over the past two decades, David doesn’t feel complacent. “I think we provide an excellent service, but we don’t take it for granted. We’ve managed to gain our clients’ loyalty by doing our job properly and will hopefully continue to earn that loyalty into the future.”

“I THINK WE PROVIDE AN EXCELLENT SERVICE, BUT WE DON’T TAKE IT FOR GRANTED. WE’VE MANAGED TO GAIN OUR CLIENTS’ LOYALTY BY DOING OUR JOB PROPERLY AND WILL HOPEFULLY CONTINUE TO EARN THAT LOYALTY INTO THE FUTURE.”

SANDRINEGREENE

UP

until 1882, O’Connell Bridge in Dublin’s city centre was known as Carlisle Bridge. It’s the name that Carlisle Solicitors took on when the practice rebranded in 2017. Set up by Paul Tracey, Carlisle Solicitors has one main objective and that’s to help businesses get their debts paid. “One of the biggest challenges facing small businesses is debt management and in particular, debt recovery. Ensuring you have the right debt recovery solicitors by your side is half the battle and that’s where we come in,” said Sandrine Greene, Operations Director at Carlisle Solicitors. With almost 30 years under its belt, Carlisle Solicitors has a wealth of experience in debt recovery and enforcement at District Court, Circuit Court and High Court level. “I think we’re quite unique in the legal space in that we consider ourselves more like a business that provides legal services rather than a standard law firm. We really focus

on continuous improvement and innovation; for example, when it comes to technology, we have a best-in-class CRM system. We’ve been entirely paperless for almost 15 years, which is quite uncommon in the legal world.” The practice is also the first in Ireland to have a perfect 100% Gold Standard score in the Q9000 Legal Quality Standard audit since 2017 (“six years in a row, one more year to beat the GAA Dublin team record!”).

Client care is top of the agenda, says Sandrine, as is building relationships with small business. “Our aim is to be their go-to legal partner. Word of mouth is important and that’s why we have so much repeat business from small firms. We take care of their legal worries so they can get on with running their business.” In the current economic climate, particularly after Covid, it’s important that small businesses don’t neglect their debts. “If we were to give any advice at the moment, it

would be not to let debts pile up. Try to keep on top of them and obviously, we are here to help at every step along the way.”

Reconnecting with clients after Covid saw Carlisle Solicitors exhibit at the National Ploughing Championships. Plans are also in place for the team to attend the World Credit Congress in October. “It’s important for us to get out and meet our clients, particularly after the last couple of years. At Carlisle, the intention is really to live by our core values, which are to provide excellent client care, work together as a team and ultimately, do the right thing. We’ve worked hard to build a good reputation; now it’s about building on that foundation.”

“I THINK WE’RE QUITE UNIQUE IN THE LEGAL SPACE IN THAT WE CONSIDER OURSELVES MORE LIKE A BUSINESS THAT PROVIDES LEGAL SERVICES RATHER THAN A STANDARD LAW FIRM. WE REALLY FOCUS ON CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT AND INNOVATION.”

MYLES STAUNTON

Councillor and is involved in various sports and community groups. In 2010, he was appointed a Notary Public for Life for Mayo and Galway. Myles is also a co-founder and member of the Westport Multi Agency Enterprise Group, an organisation that promotes new enterprise and supports established companies.

The decision to set up on his own was made during the recession, however it wasn’t quite the risky proposition that his friends and colleagues thought it to be. “It made sense as we’re quite different to other law firms. We provide specialist legal services to IT and professional service providers.

Before I set up on my own, I was an inhouse solicitor in a large tech company, so I already had that experience along with an established client base.” It was, says Myles, the best career decision he’s ever made.

“Twenty years ago, I couldn’t have dreamed I would be the principal solicitor of my own firm with a team of people that have such respect for each other. The work we do is really interesting; alongside Irish clients, we’ve negotiated contracts in the UK, US, across the EU, the Middle East, Asia and Australia.” Staff wellbeing is just as important as client service. “You get a lot of lawyers working crazy hours. Thankfully, I’ve

At the 2021 Irish Law Awards,

Myles Staunton & Co took home the Connaught/Ulster Law Firm of the Year award. “To have received that kind of recognition from a panel of esteemed lawyers was very gratifying. More importantly, it gave the team a great boost; we have a very talented, hard-working team of eight here and so for them to be recognised in that way was very special,” said Myles Staunton, Principal Solicitor.

Myles set up his practice 14 years ago in his hometown of Westport. He’s proud of his roots and of the town he grew up in; over the years he has held the role of Town

avoided falling into that trap. We work 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday, but we work very hard. By 6pm, no matter what’s going on, there shouldn’t be anyone in the building.”

A loyal client base and excellent word of mouth has seen the company thrive over the years. Going forward, the plan is to continue to provide an excellent service to customers, both old and new. “There’s an element of if it’s not broken, don’t fix it. For some, that might not be ambitious enough but I think that sometimes, you have to pinch yourself and look at where you are. Right now, I’m very happy leading a really good team.”

“THERE’S AN ELEMENT OF IF IT’S NOT BROKEN, DON’T FIX IT. FOR SOME, THAT MIGHT NOT BE AMBITIOUS ENOUGH BUT I THINK THAT SOMETIMES, YOU HAVE TO PINCH YOURSELF AND LOOK AT WHERE YOU ARE. RIGHT NOW, I’M VERY HAPPY LEADING A REALLY GOOD TEAM.”

staff

Keeping well

TWO WINNERS AT THIS YEAR’S KEEPWELL MARK AWARDS SHARE THEIR INSIGHTS ON HOW TO IMPROVE WORKPLACE WELLBEING

For many Irish companies, 2022 was the year to fully embrace Ibec’s KeepWell Mark Programme, evaluate their systems and implement a customised roadmap detailing how to create or enhance their own internal wellbeing strategy. This year, the KeepWell Mark Awards (September 8th) celebrated all the companies who are excelling in their commitment to workplace wellbeing.

THE WINNERS OF THE KEEPWELL MARK AWARDS 2022 WERE:

Company of the Year (large) BIOMARIN

Company of the Year (SME) THE CONVENTION CENTRE DUBLIN

Best in Class Leadership DECARE

Best in Class Mental Health

RCSI UNIVERSITY OF MEDICINE AND HEALTH SCIENCES

Best in Class Physical Activity BOSTON SCIENTIFIC GALWAY

Best in Class Nutrition

EXYTE NORTHERN EUROPE LIMITED

To learn more about benchmarking your corporate wellbeing strategy with The KeepWell Mark, visit www.thekeepwellmark.ie and take our mini assessment.

Here, we focus on two SMEs who share their insights and learnings on improving workplace wellbeing.

SME Company of the Year – The Convention Centre Dublin

”We implemented our first wellbeing programme in 2016, but the challenges of the pandemic highlighted the importance of wellbeing for us all.

While businesses across the world had to pause business or shut down, we saw this as an opportunity to open up to one another.”

The Convention Centre Dublin concentrates its Wellbeing Strategy firmly around open communication. Employee feedback is highly valued and employees are encouraged to ask questions. Sitting at the heart of the strategy is The Listening Group. This space allows for ongoing, authentic conversations between all levels. A wide range of issues and suggestions are aired here. Most importantly, employees hear and see that their feedback has been listened to and acted upon through practical outcomes and benefits.

The results of this strong employee engagement programme have seen the sense of employee belonging and trust flourish, increased positive communications on all levels and led to employee-driven operational efficiencies.

Best in Class Leadership – DeCare

“Our KeepWell focus groups have helped us to see what really matters and the things that help to make a meaningful difference in the quality of life of the DeCare Team.

This insight helps people to develop individually, which inspires and drives the team as they lead DeCare’s development and continue to make an impact on society.”

Introducing remote and hybrid working was a challenge that DeCare turned into an opportunity, by listening to their employees. The genuine leadership shown, in the midst of the pandemic, demonstrated an authentic dedication to employee wellbeing. This generated trust and appreciation amongst employees during what, for most companies, proved a fraught time.

Employees displayed gratitude at being able to balance work and family responsibilities and having the trust of management to do so. DeCare continuously invests in its employees’ wellbeing and their potential. Cross-training is an integral part of workforce development. The skills enhancement and learning opportunities mean that employees feel valued and also supports internal promotion. Meaningful changes were made across a range of existing systems and new ways of working were introduced. This significant investment in time and commitment from leadership ensured that the changes were properly supported, resourced and embedded into the culture of DeCare.

The right to

protection at work

implemented legislation and any related government guidance to be published before making any changes.

Many of the requirements in the new Directive are already provided for under Irish Employment Law in acts such as the Terms of Employment (Information) Acts 19942014 and the Employment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2018. Such legislation sets out that all workers have the right to receive a statement of their terms and conditions within a week of starting work. e list of required particulars for all workers and employees includes core terms such as place of work, paid leave entitlement, pay, notice and details of working pattern, including in particular whether it is predictable or unpredictable. Where the work pattern is entirely or mostly unpredictable, the employer must state the number of guaranteed paid hours, the pay for work performed in addition to those guaranteed hours and the reference hours and days within which the worker may be required to work. However, under this Directive the list of information employers must provide to workers and the noti cation obligations has been extended.

e Directive requires employers to provide employees no later than seven days a er their start date the following in writing:

Start date

(not just the duration of the contract)

Details and duration of probationary periods

Place of work, or where there is no main place of work, a statement indicating that an employee is required or permitted to work at various places

Title, grade, nature or category of the work or a brief description of the work

e key provisions of this Directive include:

A six-month limit on probationary periods e right of an employee to request to be transferred to a form of work with more predictable and secure working conditions

Training obligations

A ban on exclusivity clauses

EU Member States were given a deadline of 1st August 2022 to transpose the new rules into their national legislation, however, the Irish Government has yet to publish dra legislation implementing this Directive. erefore, employers should wait for the

For predictable working patterns:

> e length of the standard working day or week

> Overtime and shi changes

For unpredictable working patterns:

> e number of guaranteed paid hours per week

> e remuneration for hours worked in excess of the guaranteed hours

> e hours/days within which the worker may be required to work

> e minimum amount of advance notice provided to employees about working hours.

Further Provisions of the Directive include:

Prohibition on probationary periods exceeding six months

There will be a prohibition on probationary periods exceeding six months unless on an exceptional basis. This is justified by the nature of the employment or the worker’s interests. Absence during the probationary period will justify an extension of equivalent duration. Any probation periods in fixed term contracts must be proportionate to the overall duration. Furthermore, the Directive stipulates that a probationary period will be prohibited in the event of a fixed term contract renewal.

Right to request transition to more predictable and secure position

Workers with at least six months service with the same employer and who have completed their probationary period will have a right to request to transition to a more predictable and secure position, provided an opportunity is available. Where an employer declines this request, the employer must provide detailed written reasons, generally within one month of the request, explaining the rationale behind the decision.

Employer must pay for mandatory training

Where mandatory training is prescribed under EU law, national legislation or collective agreements, the employer must pay for it. It must count as working time and where possible, it must take place during working hours. The Directive introduces a new requirement that the employer no later than one month of the start date of employment must provide the employee with their mandatory training entitlements in writing.

Variation in terms of employment

Any variations to the terms of employment must be notified to the worker at the earliest opportunity and at the latest, on the day on which the change takes effect.

Removal of the ban on exclusive service contracts of employment

It will become unlawful to prohibit workers from taking up employment with other employers outside working hours, unless this can be justified by objective grounds such as health and safety, protecting business confidentiality or avoiding conflicts of interests.

Once the Directive is enacted, employers must review and update their existing policies

Preparing for the Pension Auto-Enrolment

Due to commence in 2024, The Government's Automatic Enrolment Retirement Savings System will provide employees access to a workplace pension scheme, co-funded by their employer and the State

Employees will have a choice of four retirement funds to choose from and if they don’t express a preference, they will be enrolled into a default fund. The scheme is designed to encourage workers to save for their retirement and to allow them to maintain a reasonable standard of living when they reach retirement age.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Employees aged between 23 and 60, with earnings over €20,000, will be automatically enrolled in an occupational pension scheme, however, employees with existing pension schemes won’t be automatically enrolled. Employees who earn less than the income threshold or are aged outside of the 23 - 60 age bracket can opt into the scheme if they wish. Participation in the scheme is optional and employees have the option to opt-out at their discretion.

EMPLOYER/EMPLOYEE CONTRIBUTIONS

Contributions will be made by employees and matched by their employers as a percentage of the employee’s gross income. The State will also make contributions towards the employee’s pension fund, providing a top up of €1 for every €3 contributed by the employee. Employer and State top-up contributions will be capped at a maximum of €80,000 of an employee’s gross salary. Employees can contribute on earnings greater than €80,000 if they wish.

THE RATES OF CONTRIBUTION WILL BE PHASED IN OVER A DECADE, COMMENCING IN 2024

Employee Employer State

Years 1-3 1.5% 1.5% 0.5%

Years 4-6 3.0% 3.0% 1.0%

Years 7-9 4.5% 4.5% 1.5%

Years 10+ 6.0% 6.0% 2.0%

MANAGING THE AUTO-ENROLMENT SCHEME

The system is designed to minimise administrative costs and burdens for employers. The Government has advised a Central Processing Authority (CPA) will be established to manage the auto-enrolment scheme. Employers won’t be required to set up and run an occupational pension scheme. The CPA will be responsible for the operation, coordination, supervision and development of the system. Employers will be responsible for recording all the relevant employee data via their payroll system.

Further information and more details on the key features of the Government’s Auto Enrolment Scheme are available at www.gov.ie. The SFA will continue to update members on the introduction of this new scheme.

UNDER PRESSURE

SFA COST OF DOING BUSINESS REPORT HIGHLIGHTS MOUNTING COSTS PRESSURES ON IRELAND’S SMALLEST EMPLOYERS

In September, the SFA launched a new report examining the Cost of Doing Business in 2022 for Ireland’s small business community. The report outlines the range and extent of costs associated with doing business in Ireland and provides insights on challenges faced by our smallest employers.

ANALYSIS FROM THE REPORT SHOWS:

The total average cost of doing business for all small (10-49 employees) micro (<10 employees) firms is €138,814 per month. The average for micro businesses is €66,426 and €193,535 for small

On average, labour costs amount to 82% of overall monthly business costs. Banking and other costs (5.6%) is second highest, followed by transport/ insurance (5.1%), all property costs (4.9%) and all utility costs (2.4%)

Half (52%) of all businesses with fewer than 50 employees are currently managing debt. Bank loans (63%), other financing loans (28%) and tax debt (22%) are the three biggest forms of debt for businesses

The average debt for micro and small businesses is €80,903, lowest for micro firms at €56,774 and highest for small businesses at

€107,149

Rising business costs is the top challenge facing small

firms

For small firms with rental or lease costs, more than half (55%) have had a rent increase including 20% having spoken with their landlord about the need to increase rent

Small enterprises are under pressure to increase employee wages (56%), provide additional employee benefits (26%) and more remote workings supports (18%).

The report highlights that Ireland’s smallest enterprises are facing cost challenges in every area of business be it labour, transport, insurance, banking or utility costs. Many operate in low margin environments, making it difficult for them to absorb cost increases and demand for value makes it impossible for many to pass the increase onto customers. At a time of high inflation and no end in rising input prices, notably energy prices, the SFA is concerned that we may see viable enterprises closing due to their inability to absorb rising business costs.

Of course, it’s easy to look at these insights and be fearful of what is to come but it is also worth noting the resilience of the Irish business community. More people are employed in Ireland now than ever before. The unemployment rate in July of this year was the lowest it’s been in 21 years. This is incredible given where the economy was a couple of years ago; with the recession, pandemic and Brexit, it’s testament to the resilience of Irish owner/managers.

Looking ahead, indicators suggest a moderation

pay. Whilst many of these additions to the so-called Social Wage have merit on their own terms, these policies will make the business landscape more difficult in the coming months. At a time when many small firms are trying to be competitive, viable and profitable, it is vital that all budgetary measures are assessed for their impact on small firms by implementing an SME Test.

Furthermore, with such low unemployment rates we believe that the National Minimum Wage rate in 2023 should be retained, as a great many small business employers pay high rates. An everincreasing base will lead to wage inflation and job losses. Due to its effect on labour costs and the continued uncertainty of Brexit, particularly around the Northern Ireland Protocol and the continuing war in Ukraine, the phased introduction of the Living Wage should be postponed until 2024 to 2027.

At this juncture, we must continue to prioritise entrepreneurship. SFA would like Capital Gains Tax to be reduced to 20% and the lifetime limit for

"THE REPORT HIGHLIGHTS THAT IRELAND’S SMALLEST ENTERPRISES ARE FACING COST CHALLENGES IN EVERY AREA OF BUSINESS BE IT LABOUR, TRANSPORT, INSURANCE, BANKING OR UTILITY COSTS. MANY OPERATE IN LOW MARGIN ENVIRONMENTS, MAKING IT DIFFICULT FOR THEM TO ABSORB COST INCREASES AND DEMAND FOR VALUE MAKES IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR MANY TO PASS THE INCREASE ONTO CUSTOMERS.”

of economic activity and this could slow the pace of employment growth in the second half of the year and into next year. Therefore, now is the time to control costs here at home and maintain competitiveness in Budget 2023.

In our response to Budget 2023 the SFA has, in consultation with our members, called out four key priorities that we believe need to be given serious examination by Government this year. They are:

Tackling the increasing costs of doing business Sustain investment and retain talent through the tax system

Preparing small firms for the future Support the transition to a green economy

Recently, Government has introduced and announced several policies that have caused some concern to business facing rising costs, such as pension auto enrolment, living wage, the right to request remote working policy and statutory sick

CGT Entrepreneur Relief increased to €15 million. We would also like to see greater investment in digitalisation, circular economy practices, incentives for energy efficiency and low carbon investment to enable the transition to a Green Economy.

The current labour market squeeze is making it even more important that a renewed focus be put on upskilling and retraining of staff. Businesses want to invest in their talent and to attract new people to sectors such as events, transport and hospitality. Apprenticeships will play a key role in this. Introducing these measures and reducing the cost of doing business would mitigate some of Ireland’s current vulnerabilities and give confidence to our smallest employers.

Budget 2023’s focus on current inflationary pressures must be matched by a focus on the crucial long-term investments necessary to enhance living standards, overall quality of life and economic resilience, which are vital to a small firm’s ability to grow, scale and succeed.

BREATHTAKING SCENERY AND WILD ANIMALS

CHARITY

DARA BARRETT

NAMIBIA

of Africa

Back in 2008

Dara Barrett swapped Dublin’s corporate world for a role as CFO at N/a’an ku sê, a Namibian charity dedicated to preserving the landscapes, cultures and wildlife of the country. Her office is located right in the middle of the farm on the reserve; on a daily basis monkeys hop in and out, goats potter by her window and a random zebra might amble in, grab a few papers off her desk and beat a hasty retreat. “One night, I was stuck in my office for about three hours as there was a huge monkey sitting right outside my door who just wouldn’t move. We had no mobile phone reception in the offices at the time, so I just had to wait for someone to turn up!”

Dara first fell in love with Namibia in 2007, after taking six months out to go travelling around Southeast Asia and Africa. Namibia is the world’s thirty-fourth largest country, but it’s the second least densely populated country in the world after Mongolia. Just over 2.5 million people live there, along with dozens of animal species like springbok, elephant, giraffe, lion, wildebeest, meerkat and gazelle. Namibia boasts the largest free-roaming population of black rhino in Africa and the largest cheetah population in the world. “When I got back to Ireland after my six-month break, I took up a new role in the software industry but I just couldn’t get Namibia out of my head. It’s such a beautiful country and so remote; you could walk for miles and meet no-one. After working in the corporate world for so long, that really appealed.” In early 2008, a friend contacted Dara about a new charity in Namibia that needed a finance director. “The role would be for a few months so I thought, why not? While I was over there, the financial crash happened. I knew for sure I didn’t want to go back to the corporate world with the economy in such turmoil. When you’re an accountant in a downturn, you spend a lot of your time laying people off. It’s pretty miserable.” Alongside the hot, dry climate and the breathtaking landscape, there was another big reason for Dara to stay on at the charity. “I absolutely love animals. All my life I had wanted to be a vet but as a teenager in the 80’s, we were told at school to forget our mad notions, get married and settle down.” An accountancy degree seemed like a good compromise. “No matter where you move in the world, you’re guaranteed a job.”

Dara went from a salary that made early retirement a very real possibility, to earning the equivalent of about €150 a month. “I was given a little one bedroom house right next to

“THE ROLE WOULD BE FOR A FEW MONTHS SO I THOUGHT, WHY NOT? WHILE I WAS OVER THERE, THE FINANCIAL CRASH HAPPENED. I KNEW FOR SURE I DIDN’T WANT TO GO BACK TO THE CORPORATE WORLD WITH THE ECONOMY IN SUCH TURMOIL. WHEN YOU’RE AN ACCOUNTANT IN A DOWNTURN, YOU SPEND A LOT OF YOUR TIME LAYING PEOPLE OFF. IT’S PRETTY MISERABLE.”

Dara Barrett

the lion enclosure. My food was paid for, along with my utilities. It was a real pleasure to be stripped of all the day-to-day mundane stuff – the bills and the routine –and be left with just what you need. I felt so lucky.” Since setting up in 2006, N/a’an ku sê or Naankuse has grown to become a world-famous conservation organisation. The Naankuse Foundation Wildlife Sanctuary provides a second chance for countless injured, orphaned and conflict animals and wherever possible, the aim is to release animals back into the wild. San Bushmen, the oldest tribe in Africa, also live on the reserve. “They’re such lovely people to work with. When I first arrived, they couldn’t do enough for me. Over the years, we built a San Bushman school and clinic where they provide free education and medical services. They also go on outreaches to provide medical care to those who have no means of transport.” At various times, Dara’s been able to help out at the vets. “When I say help, they might have let me measure a tooth, I certainly wasn’t involved in anything medical. But even that was amazing. So although I’m still doing finance, at least it’s finance with a lot of animals thrown in!” Dara keeps 10 goats, two sheep and a couple of dogs at her small home on the reserve. “They keep me sane. If they know I’m in the office, they’ll come whizzing around, especially Larry,

an old ram who pitches up every hour on the hour and starts crying at the door.”

Namibia’s subtropical desert climate means low rainfall, low humidity and lots of sunshine. Before Covid hit, no rain had fallen for almost six years. “We might have gotten about 50mm a year, which definitely isn’t enough. Lots of our animals died and we had to ship in grass from South Africa. Just before Covid, we got the rain we desperately needed. If the drought had continued, all the animals would have died and we wouldn’t have been able to afford food.” Namibia and the rest of the African countries were, says Dara, left out to dry when Covid hit. “We didn’t get vaccinations like the rest of the world. We didn’t get any help. Eventually, the leftovers vaccines started to make their way over to us, months and months after they were administered in the first world.” With the Omicron variant, the entire African continent was shut down. “That meant tourism came to a complete stop. Namibia depends on tourism, but that decision to close the country didn’t consider the fact that people would have no way of making money. I

think in the first world, we empathise with what’s going on in other countries but we can never really know what it feels like. This was the first time in my life when I thought holy shit, I’m in one of these situations for real. It was a worrying, stressful time.”

Attitudes in Namibia are similar to what rural Ireland was like in the 1980’s – it’s all about the family. “People dig in and help each other out. Although a lot of people are living hand to mouth, they seem very content. Kids in particular are happy. They don’t have phones or tablets; it reminds me of what Ireland was like when I was growing up, when you’d be outside until 9pm playing with your friends on the street.”

Just before Covid, Dara got her permanent Namibian residency. “I was so lucky, people who’ve been here 20 years can’t get residency.” After turning 55 this year, Dara decided to take a step back. “I’m planning on cutting my hours so I can spend a bit more time at home with my mom or with friends, but keep my little one bedroom home on the reserve. My goats and sheep are here, so I’ll always have a base in Namibia. I’m not great with the weather in Ireland, but it’s good to be able to step back a bit while still keeping my eye on things at the Sanctuary.”

“

I THINK IN THE FIRST WORLD, WE EMPATHISE WITH WHAT’S GOING ON IN OTHER COUNTRIES BUT WE CAN NEVER REALLY KNOW WHAT IT FEELS LIKE. THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME IN MY LIFE WHEN I THOUGHT HOLY SHIT, I’M ACTUALLY IN ONE OF THESE SITUATIONS FOR REAL. IT WAS A VERY WORRYING STRESSFUL TIME.”

Dara Barrett

DEVELOPING GREEN SKILLS TO FUTUREPROOF BUSINESSES

SOLAS IS DEVELOPING A RANGE OF GREEN SKILLS PROGRAMMES TO ENSURE EMPLOYEES HAVE THE SKILLS TO COMPETE IN A LOW CARBON, RESOURCE EFFICIENT, AND CIRCULAR ECONOMY

Climate change and sustainable development are a key focus for Further Education and Training (FET) to harness its strong capabilities in energy, building and the environment in order to make an impactful contribution to the Government’s call to action on climate change. Companies need to ensure that their employees

programmes include QQI accredited micro-qualifications at Level 5 in the areas of Environmental Sustainability in the Workplace, Lean Practice for Sustainable Business, Resource Efficiency in the Workplace, the Circular Economy, Sustainable Procurement and Greening the Supply Chain. These programmes

is central to the core mission of the Skills to Advance initiative. Businesses can avail of Skills to Advance development opportunities that will help their business into the future to help develop that agile workforce.”

To ensure all learners participating in FET can develop green skills, a Level 4 Environmental Sustainability Awareness module has been developed and will be rolled out by the ETBs from Autumn 2022.

have the right skills to compete in a low carbon, resource efficient, and circular economy.

In response to the ongoing critical challenges that businesses are facing, SOLAS is developing a range of green skills programmes in collaboration with the Education and Training Boards (ETBs) and strategic partners Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland, Environmental Protection Agency, Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, Irish Water and Regional Skills Fora.

These Skills to Advance

are of short duration, stackable and will be delivered in a blended learning format incorporating tutor led support and provide access to online digital resources that will enhance and support the learning experience.

Mary Lyons, Director of Enterprise, Employees and Skills, SOLAS, commented: “The focus on agile upskilling to futureproof our workforce in vulnerable occupations, businesses and sectors and to optimise opportunities in emerging areas,

The Level 5 programmes are being developed under the Skills to Advance initiative and will be delivered by the 16 Education and Training Boards around the country. The initiative supports ETBs in embedding a strategic, consistent, and structured approach to enterprise engagement to meet enterprise and employee skills needs. In the last 3 years, over 35,000 employees have benefitted from upskilling opportunities provided by their local ETB through Skills to Advance. This initiative assists employers to develop new skills in their teams, improve their cost savings, competitiveness, and profitability through highly subsidised training. For employees, Skills to Advance provides upskilling opportunities to develop new skills in emerging areas and futureproof their jobs.

For further information contact your local ETB or visit www.skillstoadvance.ie.

“THE FOCUS ON AGILE UPSKILLING TO FUTUREPROOF OUR WORKFORCE IN VULNERABLE OCCUPATIONS, BUSINESSES AND SECTORS AND TO OPTIMISE OPPORTUNITIES IN EMERGING AREAS, IS CENTRAL TO THE CORE MISSION OF THE SKILLS TO ADVANCE INITIATIVE”

THE SILENT EPIDEMIC

AS A SMALL BUSINESS OWNER, YOU ARE TYPICALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR ITS OVERALL OPERATION AND ITS STAFF BUT RUNNING A SMALL BUSINESS MAY ALSO BE A LONELY EXPERIENCE. DAVID CASEY AT DECARE DESCRIBES WHAT LONELINESS IS, HOW TO COPE WITH IT AND WHERE TO OBTAIN ADDITIONAL SUPPORT

1. Identify

Recognise the unpleasant emotions, the situations in which they arise and the effects they have on your welfare.

2. Take care of yourself

David Casey, Wellness Health Promotion Manager, Decare

Since Covid-19, loneliness has become a major public health concern, not just for society but within our workplaces. Much work needs to be done to understand the deeply personal nature of loneliness and how to address its underlying causes. This is a silent epidemic that poses a great threat to our social species as we navigate this time of hybrid working and reconnection.

It is crucial to consider workplace connections as key to underpinning everything, from overall productivity to innovation. Good creative people need to know one another. Workplace wellness programs generally focus on non-communicable diseases, unhealthy behaviours, sleep, exercise, diet, smoking and mental wellbeing.

Although loneliness is not a mental health condition in and of itself, it can have a detrimental impact on mental health, especially over extended periods of time. Contrarily, there is a fear that persistent loneliness can impair one’s capacity to form meaningful relationships with others. It is crucial for workplaces to highlight social support within teams and help build leaders with increased empathy, compassion, caring and concern toward employees who are lonely and socially isolated. Workplaces should also be encouraged to help put policies and procedures in place that address the underlying reasons and encourage healthy choices and supports.

Loneliness is sometimes defined as the feeling of isolation brought on by unfulfilled cravings for social interaction and connection. Evidence from the CSO during the pandemic suggests that young people suffered from loneliness at considerably higher rates than older people. For instance, in November 2020, one in four people aged 18 to 34 and one in 20 people aged 70 and older reported feeling lonely most of the time (CSO 2020). This tells us we need to be mindful of our younger workers, our millennials and Gen Z groups.

Always keep in mind that every person is unique and that different things will work for various people at various times. The following concepts might not appeal to everyone, so it’s vital to go slowly, try new things gradually and refrain from putting oneself under undue strain.

Take care of your own health, which may entail maintaining a healthy diet, getting adequate sleep, abstaining from drugs and alcohol, engaging in physical activities (ideally outdoors) and taking part in satisfying pursuits such as sports or hobbies.

3. Connect with others

Find ways to make more friends with people who share your interests by enrolling in a class, looking for a volunteer position, or going to an network event.

4. Give something back

Helping others can give social contact as well as boost self-esteem and give a sense of purpose.

5. Avoid comparing with others

Social media can be very misleading and contribute to our feelings of loneliness or inadequacy. It’s important to recognise this and if affected, consider taking a break.

6. Talk

Finding someone you trust to talk to can help to keep things in perspective and receive encouragement. Talking therapies from professionals such as a structured course of counselling or CBT may help you address negative thoughts and feelings and develop coping skills in a confidential supportive environment.

David Casey is DeCare’s Head of Health Promotion and a Doctorate Candidate of Trinity College Dublin Find out more about our dental, vision and wellness programs at decare.ie

HELPING BUSINESS THRIVE

RESULTS FROM THE CLOSE BROTHERS BUSINESS BAROMETER SUGGEST BUSINESSES ARE CONFIDENT ABOUT THE FUTURE DESPITE RISING COSTS IMPACTING CASH FLOW

The survey, which canvassed the opinions of 900 senior SME decision makers in Ireland and the UK, found that 38% were confident that the economy would continue to grow. A further third said that while it could be a slow path to prosperity, the worst was behind us.

Overall, 88% also believe their business will perform well, either expanding or broadly staying the same over the next 12 months. However, many also flagged the impact that rising costs are having on working capital. Nearly half of decision makers said that the increased cost of trading is causing cash flow issues.

Businesses reported that the increased costs of food, fuel and energy were having the most impact. In addition, 43% said that they have had to raise wages in the past six months and two fifths passed additional charges onto customers.

hearing from firms that they’re feeling more optimistic, which is encouraging. While global uncertainties and rising costs continue to create challenges, our solutions are designed to help

local specialists will continue to work with businesses to ensure they can access the working capital they need to move forward.”

Close Brothers

Close Brothers is a leading modern merchant bank, recognised as a FTSE250 company and listed on the London Stock Exchange. We provide lending to a range of companies, with a core purpose of helping the people and businesses of Ireland and Britain thrive over the long term.

Companies in the Republic of Ireland were more likely to feel the impact of rising costs, with 43% saying they had experienced cash flow issues as a result. This compares to 35% in Northern Ireland.

Paul Stephens, Head of Corporate and ABL at Close Brothers Commercial Finance, said: “We’re

business owners overcome issues in different scenarios, from providing immediate capital to boosting longer term cash flow strategies.

“With a range of finance products, including invoice finance, assetbased lending and asset finance, we’re well positioned to help SMEs navigate the near-term future. Our

To achieve this, each of our diverse, specialist businesses have a deep knowledge of the industry sectors and asset classes we serve, so we can understand the challenges and opportunities that our customers and clients face. We support the unique needs of our customers and clients to ensure that they thrive, rather than simply survive, whatever the market conditions.

“WITH A RANGE OF FINANCE PRODUCTS, INCLUDING INVOICE FINANCE, ASSET-BASED LENDING AND ASSET FINANCE, WE’RE WELL POSITIONED TO HELP SMES NAVIGATE THE NEAR-TERM FUTURE”

GET YOUR PENSION PACKAGE RIGHT

MARK O’CONNOR, HEAD OF CORPORATE PENSIONS & RISK SALES AT BANK OF IRELAND, ON HOW TO USE THE CHANGING PENSION LANDSCAPE TO SUPPORT YOUR PEOPLE INITIATIVES

When we talk to business owners, finance and HR professionals today, a number of themes seem to recur – inflation is an obvious one but recruitment and retention of key staff are front and centre for many employers. The recruitment consultants are telling us that salary and benefits expectations have risen and that a good pension scheme is considered a decent starting point and not an exception. So if you are to compete to win in the “war for talent”, you know your benefits package must be fit for purpose, must engage and now has to reflect a changing pensions landscape. So there may be some considerations that fall into the “nice to do” category, but there is a burning platform in the “have to do” space whereby ensuring compliance with some pretty substantial legislative changes is something you may need to address very soon.

Immediate Concerns

Many Irish occupational pension schemes are established as single employer trust schemes. By year end, the implementation of the IORP II Directive requires that they must come to terms with pronounced changes and administrative requirements with higher costs associated with them, such as the appointment of key function holders and the requirement for annual audits for all schemes irrespective of size.

There are alternative scheme structures that could be considered

such as PRSA’s or moving to an umbrella scheme structure via a “master trust.” No matter what you decide, change is inevitable.

Like any change process, the first steps for all parties impacted by this new directive is to understand the changes required, determine their impact, identify the measures already in place to successfully address them and finally come to a decision on how best to go about plugging the gap. This gap analysis is critical in determining the alternative options available that are best suited for the company and its members. This is where consultation and advice is paramount.

Member Engagement

With so many changes taking place, members will become aware of new documentation and details within standard communication documents such as their Annual Benefit Statement. It is useful to make them aware of posed changes. This could be a useful opportunity to kick off an exercise to engage scheme members to a greater extent. Our audience research, in conjunction with Red C, shows that people struggle to understand pensions and what they can deliver at retirement. Tax relief confuses many and it can be hard to work out how their money is invested.

Bank of Ireland has partnered with a UK fintech business to introduce a revolutionary member communication solution to Irish pension schemes which aims

Mark O’ Connor Bank of Ireland

to inform and engage scheme members through people-led, leading technology. MyPension365 is an example of how technology can support good quality face-toface member engagement to help them to understand, appreciate and value the benefits provided to them. Better employee engagement can support companies’ employee retention initiatives.

The Clock is Ticking………

The clock is ticking, in terms of making decisions regarding your pension scheme to maintain compliance. It is also an opportunity to get good advice on whether or not it is fit for purpose in terms of supporting your recruitment and retention needs. It is an important benefit that’s of real value to members when they’re fully engaged.

ALAN SHORTT’S DIVERSE CAREER HAS SEEN HIM CONQUER TV AND RADIO, ALONG WITH THE WORLD OF COMMUNICATION COACHING

Practice

Perfect

Back when he was in his early 20’s,

Alan Shortt won The Late Late Show’s ‘Young Comedian of the Year’ award. The competition required him to perform a short stand-up piece on the show one Friday night. This was 1980’s Ireland when RTE played an important and powerful role in Irish society. “It was live television, there was nowhere to hide and I can still remember the huge pressure I felt at the time. Back then I was living in Cork so I had come up to Dublin to stay with my brother who was living in Killiney. I walked up and down the beach practicing my five minute stint over and over again. As a communications coach now, I can look back and recognise the stress I was under, which was totally natural, but it’s how you deal with that pressure that makes all the difference.”

and it was through this role that the idea for Media Skills Ireland was born. “Over the years, I’ve moved from doing the after dinner stand-up comedy routine to acting as host and MC for various corporate conferences and award ceremonies. From that experience, I’ve seen how fearful some CEO’s and professionals are of speaking in public. Some would come up to the podium and speak really well, while others would arrive with a piece of paper in one shaky hand, hanging onto the podium while trying to balance on one leg. I set up Media Skills Ireland to help people address that natural fear that’s shared by absolutely everyone.” Alan offers one-to-one training for professionals, equipping them with the tools they need for successful speeches,

With a long list of credits to his name, Cork native Alan has been entertaining people for over 20 years. An actor and writer, he’s well known for TV shows like Irish Pictorial Weekly, Bull Island and Father Ted and for radio shows on RTE Radio and BBC Radio Ulster. He’s also an accomplished Master of Ceremonies

presentations and media interviews. His sessions centre around being able to structure your content to deliver powerful messages, using stories and statistics to enhance your point and aligning your message to your audience needs.

For those that didn’t do so well at the podium, what they were lacking was

“OVER THE YEARS, I’VE MOVED FROM DOING THE AFTER DINNER STAND-UP COMEDY ROUTINE TO ACTING AS HOST AND MC FOR VARIOUS CORPORATE CONFERENCES AND AWARD CEREMONIES. FROM THAT EXPERIENCE, I’VE SEEN HOW FEARFUL SOME CEO’S AND PROFESSIONALS ARE OF SPEAKING IN PUBLIC. ”

practice. “These people could be at the top of their game in business, but when it comes to speaking in front of a crowd, they crumple. I often look back at myself at 23 years of age and think how helpful it would have been to understand what was actually happening in my brain when I was on The Late Late or when I was on stage as an escort at the Rose of Tralee.

From a neuroscience point of view, what’s happening in the body that makes you feel the weight of that human behaviour?”

Through Media Skills Ireland, Alan coaches people on how to present, how to tell a story and ultimately, how to listen to themselves. The main reason why so many people aren’t good at speaking publicly, is that they’re just not listening to their brain. “It could be that you don’t like the sound of your own voice, so you’ve decided not to listen to it. A part of your brain is off thinking about something else entirely, so you lose your train of thought. Even though you might have all the knowledge in the world, you’re unable to form the sentences that will get that information out in a coherent way.” Practice and

preparation are key, says Alan. Failing to craft your words to ensure you’re able to deliver your message in a concise and consumable way is a quick route to disaster. “In that situation, people are asking their brain to construct that sentence structure on the spot, when it’s under a huge amount of stress. Please don’t ask your brain to do that! Practice, practice and then practice some more and it’ll fall into place.”

Interviewing Richard Branson in front of 3000 people has been one of Alan’s many career highlights thus far. “Who else gets that kind of opportunity? Towards the end of the interview, Conor McGregor came out on stage. We hadn’t rehearsed that, there was no prep so it was up to me to make sure I still commanded the stage and made them both look good.” Writing and performing his own national radio shows was also a huge achievement. “I think it’s easy sometimes to sit down

and think, what’ll I do now, rather than taking a moment to consider what you’ve achieved. How many people would love to be on the front cover of the Christmas RTE Guide three years in a row and have one of the top-rated Christmas TV shows for Bull Island? I’m proud of those achievements. It’s taken a long time to move from comedy and broadcasting to coaching, from being the funny fella to being someone who understands business and its requirements. I’m here now though and I’m enjoying every minute of it.”

There’s a misperception that young people know all there is to know about technology and communication. “They don’t and in fact, they know less than you do. In terms of presenting, I think the bar has been set very low over the past 20 or so years. Somebody who is fantastic for 40 seconds online is getting €30,000 to appear in a room, but they’re unable to

command that room.” That’s where media coaching comes in, says Alan. “I really feel that after Covid and with so many people shut away working in their room, those communication skills are needed now more than ever. Research has shown that the two biggest credentials individuals will need going forward are technological skills and the ability to communicate.” For Alan, there’s huge satisfaction in witnessing the impact he’s had on the people he’s worked with. “I got a really meaningful, beautiful complement at an awards ceremony I hosted last year. One of the sponsors got up on stage to present an award and he did so perfectly. I had worked with him a couple of years previously on how to speak with confidence. As he was stepping down, I told him how amazing his speech was and he said, what just happened was all down to you. No amount of money will ever give you that kind of job satisfaction.”

“RESEARCH HAS SHOWN THAT THE TWO BIGGEST CREDENTIALS INDIVIDUALS WILL NEED GOING FORWARD ARE TECHNOLOGICAL SKILLS AND THE ABILITY TO COMMUNICATE.”

Conor McGregor, Alan Shortt and Richard Branson

MEANINGFUL BENEFITS MOTIVATE EMPLOYEES IN TOUGH TIMES

AS A BUSINESS OWNER, YOU CAN NOW GIFT AN EMPLOYEE UP TO €1,000 TAX-FREE AFTER BUDGET 2023 INCREASED THE BENEFIT IN KIND LIMIT

Recent research^ carried out by One4all echoes how the cost of living is top of mind in the Irish psyche. Results show 55% of people said they are highly impacted with the rising costs of living with 53% worried they won’t be able to pay for gas, oil, or electricity bills.

Terry Spence, Director of Sales for One4all Rewards says, “Our latest research highlights the serious impact of the current economic climate on employees and, it also presents a huge opportunity for employers to reduce their own costs by utilising the BIK exemption.”

Business owners can now gift an employee up to €1,000 tax-free after

Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe revealed in Budget 2023 that the BIK limit would be increasing from €500 to €1,000. Businesses can now reward employees up to €1,000 per annum in One4all Gift Cards, free of tax, PRSI and USC charges, saving up to €1,313.54.

The One4all Gift Card can be loaded from €15 to €150 and its digital counterpart can be tailored with a personalized video message from you on behalf of your business or customized with a photo of your company logo; easily sent by text or email.

For higher value loads over €150, the One4all Chip & PIN option is available in physical, or digital reloadable format. Gift cards over €150 currently require photo

verification to help protect Irish consumers against online fraud. If employees already received one of these cards last year, their photo verification is valid for up to 4 years from date of validation.

For more information, email corpsales@one4all.ie or visit www.one4allrewards.ie to place your order today.

^Source: Blackhawk Network research carried out with a panel of 1007 participants aged 18-65 in June/2022.

Adventures

AWAITS

THE GARDEN OF IRELAND IS BURSTING WITH FUN-FILLED ACTIVITIES THIS AUTUMN

In August this year, 10 outdoor adventure projects in Co Wicklow were allocated a total of €281,700 for development as part of funding under the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme. The projects cover the length and breadth of the county and include two new trails within the forest at Devil’s Glen, an upgrade of the trail at Oakwood and a looped equestrian trail in Ballyboy forest. With dense forests, rolling hills and mountains reaching close to 1000m high, Wicklow is the ideal destination for those looking for adventure. The Garden county is stuffed with walking trails, horse riding, mountain hikes, kayaking, abseiling, fishing and ziplining but for those who’re after a less exerting experience, there are plenty of options too.

ACCOMMODATION

Clissmann Horse Caravans

Located on a 40 hectare farm in Rathdrum, Clissmann Horse Caravans offers unique glamping getaways. The caravans are tucked away in the trees where guests can toast marshmallows on the campfire, have a barbecue or curl up with a good book under the glow of the old-time gas lights. Tickets are also now on sale for Clissmann Horse Caravans’ annual pumpkin patch. Choose a donkey tour and be led through the pumpkin patch atop a donkey before exploring spooky farm trails with Witches Wagons, a Fairy Forest, a Ghoulish Graveyard and Halloween Horses.

Ballinastoe Mountain Bike Trail Clissmann Horse Caravans

MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAIL

by one of the world leaders in the sport,

to provide riders with an

are treated to spectacular views to the east

the sea

through

RussboroughHouse

HISTORY RUSSBOROUGH HOUSE

types

Russborough was built between 1741-1750 and is regarded as one of Ireland’s most beautiful houses. The house, which is beautifully maintained and lavishly furnished, contains fine furniture, tapestries, carpets, porcelain, silver and much of the Beit collection of paintings. The grounds contains a parkland walk, a 20,000 sq ft high Beech hedge maze and a woodland fairy trail. CP Adventure is also located on the estate.

EXPERIENCE BEYOND THE TREES

In July this year Michael D Higgins officially opened Avondale Forest Park, an all-accessible, suspended treetop walkway that takes visitors on a journey under the trees to a 12-storey tower and slide. The €19 million project includes a new cafe, exhibition space, Coillte pavilion and children’s playground, all which line one side of the walled garden of the former home of Charles Stewart

access the treetop walk and viewing tower

child (under-threes are free), while family

Avondale

ACCOMMODATION

THE WICKLOW ESCAPE

Located in the heart of the Wicklow Mountains, The Wicklow Escape B&B lodge combines contemporary design with all the beauty, grace and charm of its surroundings. Offering two and three-day destination dining experience, it’s described as the perfect place for those who appreciate food and drink but are after an escape from the same-old approach. Guests can enjoy forestinspired feasts along with five-course, long table fine dining.

W: www.thewicklowescape.com

EXPERIENCE  WICKLOW GAOL

Visitors to Wicklow Gaol are brought on an unforgettable journey through an original prison building, telling the stories of the men, women and children imprisoned there under British rule over two centuries of turbulent history. Lots of activities are planned at the Gaol this Halloween, including storytelling (suitable for all ages), fancy dress and a scary movie night. Irish ghost hunters will also lead a Halloween spirit hunt in the Gaol (date and details for 2022 subject to confirmation).

www.wicklowshistoricgaol.com

EXPERIENCE

POWERSCOURT DISTILLERY

Powerscourt Distillery sits in the old mill house on the grounds of Powerscourt Estate. The brainchild of Gerry Ginty and Ashely Gardiner, the distillery boasts three pot stills, six separate tasting rooms, a gift shop, a cafe, a screening room and adjoining maturation facilities.

W: www.powerscourtdistillery.com

HISTORY  SEEFIN PASSAGE TOMB

Built about 5,000 years ago and located on a hilltop 1700 ft above sea level, Seefin Passage Tomb has two decorated stones at the entrance and a 30 ft long passageway that leads to five compartments. If you make it to the top, you’ll be treated to some of the finest vistas you can ever enjoy in Ireland.

ImagecourtesyofLiosaMcNamara

SUCCESSFUL CREDIT APPLICATIONS FOR SMES

CREDIT REVIEW IS HELPING TO ENSURE VIABLE SMES GET ACCESS TO BANK CREDIT

To improve your chances of making a successful credit application, you need to present your case well to your bank, so that they understand your business. The easiest way to do this is to have a simple business plan which includes both trading records showing what your business trading was like pre-Covid and during Covid, along with credible cash flow projections for your business going forward.

If your business changed substantially during Covid, your business plan should address these changes. In addition, you may have to unwind any special concessions made during the pandemic and demonstrate how your business can afford to do that – as well as meeting

current commitments. For example, if you negotiated rent concessions from your landlord that will have to be paid back as well as paying current rent due.

Similarly, if your business warehoused its tax debts, you will be required to enter into a Phased Payment Agreement (PPA) with Revenue – effectively agreeing a threeto-five-year repayment plan at 3% interest. You should engage with Revenue early to ensure you get a deal that works for you and your business.

You may have legacy debt that was required to weather the Covid period –repayments will impact your cashflow going forward and your ability to repay the bank you are now seeking finance from. The bank

will want you to show that you can make all repayments comfortably. More detailed information is available in the information note ‘How to Apply for a Loan’ which can be found at www.creditreview.ie in the ‘Resources’ section.

If you are refused business credit by your bank, or have your existing facilities reduced or withdrawn, Credit Review can help you to appeal this decision. Set up by the Minister for Finance in 2010, Credit Review’s mission is to ensure viable SMEs and farms access the bank finance they need for their businesses.

For more information on our independent appeals process, visit www.creditreview.ie or call 0818-211789

OF

PAUL BRADY’S NEW AUTOBIOGRAPHY CHRONICLES

THE MUSICIAN’S YEARS AT THE FOREFRONT OF IRELAND’S FOLK SCENE, ALONG WITH HIS OWN SUCCESSFUL SOLO CAREER

Sorcery A kind

The old Irish phrase ‘The Lord never closes one door but opens an apartment block down the road’ never seemed truer when in July 1996

I found myself invited to be part of a week-long gathering of songwriters at Myles Copeland’s fourteenth-century Chateau Marouatte in France. Financed by a conglomerate of publishers including my own at the time, twenty-five writers were similarly invited from all over the world to collaborate and co-write songs.

This came at a perfect time. Stepping back from the record business was something completely new and challenging. I had never professionally co-written before, in fact previously didn’t feel comfortable with the concept, fearing that the songs would be formulaic and lack emotional integrity.

With only a few exceptions, all the songs on my previous albums I’d written on my own. Those few I co-wrote were very organic and individual creations and not designed to be covered by anyone else. I was nervous too. Would I be able to do it?

Songwriting on your own is hard but at least there’s no one telling you it’s wrong to say this or that, or that the musical suggestion

you just made sucks. But, knowing it was a privilege to be included and ready to try a new direction, I said yes and found myself flying into Bordeaux, catching a train to Angoulême and being picked up in a minibus with a load of people I’d never met and driven through rural France to a massive medieval chateau like in a fairy tale.

We were welcomed and shown to our quarters, either a modest room in the heart of the castle or a tiny garret in one of the four corner turrets of the building. I never knew how the accommodation was parcelled out, whether those who had been there before got priority or whether it was drawn out of a hat, or what. I didn’t really care. In the four times I went there over the next couple of years, I found myself billeted in a wide variety of different rooms, each of which had original features, antiques, tapestries and art.

There was a coordinating team made up of employees from the contributing publishers. The deal was, each morning, as we’d all meet for breakfast in the huge central dining room,

Crazy Dreams by Paul Brady, published by Merrion Press is available in all good bookshops, online and as an E-book

we’d be told who we were to write with that day. Most times you’d be partnered with two others, occasionally just one. The expectation was that the various teams would repair to their preselected work-rooms, each with a keyboard and guitar provided, write a song and produce a completed demo of it by that evening.

To do that there were rooms converted into recording studios where a team of musicians including drummers, bass players, keyboardists and guitarists, contributed to the recording of the demos.

It was a scary prospect on the first morning, sitting across a room with two total strangers and a blank page. All the participants were experienced and already varyingly successful songwriters, some also successful artists. But the majority would’ve been backroom writers who co-wrote all the time and whose output was mostly recorded by other established artists.

Mainly they were American; from Nashville, Los Angeles or New York. Some were British, one or two from continental Europe or Australia. I was the only Irish person. There were a few who, like me, were performing singer-songwriters and who only wrote on their own.

Songwriters often say co-writing is a bit like sex on a one-night stand. Who makes the first move and what form does it take? Typically, I’d start to play something on the guitar or keyboard and hum a tune, or I’d have a scrap of a lyric and maybe I’d tentatively throw in a thematic idea. Someone else would join in or suggest a topic they were thinking of. It’s a kind of sorcery and it all depends on the mercurial collective energies and positivity of the participants. Like sex too, sometimes it’s awkward and precarious or even silly. You feel vulnerable, at least I did initially. It involves trusting that the others share your need to make something beautiful. If it’s working, and

individual talents are running free, something starts to grow in mid-air and in a frenzy of collaborative urges and outpourings, it becomes tangible and a definite thing. Suddenly there’s a song that didn’t exist an hour ago and will be there forever. A bit like a baby, it’s the closest this writer will ever come to giving birth.

I began to love it and found I was good at it. The discovery that this didn’t involve the whole of my inner being became a liberating thing. Up to now I had been restricting my creative output content-wise and stylistically to some subconscious notion I had of myself as a performing artist. I’d avoid musical areas and lyrical subjects that I didn’t feel fitted in with that notion, that image. I think, in a way, this might have come from my years in the folk world where the concept prevailed that songs had to ‘mean’ something, be true to some historical context, human struggle for advancement or at the very least deal with some real and burning personal ideals or emotions. Now that I was involved in making something that wasn’t necessarily an expression of my deepest inner self, I found myself bursting with musical ideas in styles I was fluent in, that somehow as a writer I had ignored or considered ‘not for me’. I’m not saying that everything I wrote on my own up to that point was pregnant with ‘meaning’ or burning with emotion all the time. But I tended not to be able to finish a song I was

writing unless I identified with the message or emotion in a direct personal way. Now at the Castle, as we called it, I was engaging with the ideas and emotions of others and able to look at an emerging work from a distance. That all these people were very skilled and successful writers helped me to relax into the process and allow myself to be led in directions where the destination wasn’t yet clear to me. I found myself being pleasantly surprised all the time at the things that would surface.

It was at the Castle that I first met Carole King. Early on in my first visit I was put together with Carole and Mark Hudson, another successful US writer and record producer who had worked with, among others, Aerosmith, Ringo Starr, Ozzy Osbourne and Harry Nilsson. Mark co-wrote the Grammy award-winning Aerosmith hit ‘Livin’ on the Edge’ in 1993. Carole, of course, was already a mega-legend in the world of songwriting.

I was in a slight daze as I faced the two of them and had to pinch myself a few times. But as I sat at a keyboard, I found myself playing some kind of figure and groove, which caused the others to smile and get excited. Strangely, I wasn’t intimidated and settled into the process naturally.

That first morning we wrote ‘Monday Without You’, which went on to be covered by Carole herself on a subsequent album ‘Love Makes the World’ and by the girl band Wilson Phillips (daughters of Beach Boy legend Brian Wilson and John Phillips from the Mamas and Papas). Over the next few years, I wrote several more songs with Carole, including ‘Believe in Me’ that I recorded and ‘I Don’t Want to Be the One’ recorded by Trisha Yearwood.

In my various visits to the Castle, I wrote twenty-five songs in total. In addition to Carole King and Mark Hudson, I wrote with artists Belinda Carlisle, Mark Everett – known as ‘E’ (leader of the band Eels), Conner Reeves, Debbie Petersen of the Bangles, Beth Nielsen Chapman, Jill Sobule, Angelo Palladino and a bunch of songwriters who were super-talented but not really known outside the songwriting fraternity. Three of the songs I wrote there, ‘Minutes Away, Miles Apart’, ‘Travellin’ Light’ and ‘Try Me One More Time’, I recorded on my own subsequent album ‘Oh What A World’ in 1999. It was a remarkable time, setting me on a whole other path that freed me from the stultifying grip of the record business. It changed my life.

Paul Brady with Carole King, Stephen Tyler, Mark Hudson and Gary Burr

Paul Brady with Bonnie Raitt and David Crosby

DAY

LIFE in the

6.30AM I’m up early in the morning to spend time with the kids before school. I also go for a half hour walk to get my head ready for the day ahead. When I get back I’ll have some fruit, in my efforts to be healthy! 8.30AM I mainly work from home but we’re also based in the Guinness Enterprise Centre, so we’ll have team meetings there every couple of weeks. When I established Bowsy, there were eight of us working remotely in six different countries. Working from home is great, but I’m keen to instil more of a hybrid balance. At home, my office is the attic conversion which is great until a package from Amazon arrives! I like to get all the Teams meetings wrapped up before the afternoon. 1PM I’ll normally have a working lunch. Some days I’ll have my lunch outside or go for lunch with my wife and daughter. It’s important not to be stuck in the same room all day. 1.30PM Afternoons are dedicated to client meetings. We often deal with people in the US, so sometimes the working day can extend to 10pm. I also like to leave some time for creative work - looking at ways to improve the business or contacting new customers. 6PM I’ll start to wind down, although I’ll still spend an hour or two following up on emails. 7PM We sit down as a family for dinner. I have two children, Sophie and Jack. Sophie is starting university this year and the idea for Bowsy actually came from that transition. When we started looking at options, I realised nothing had changed since I left university in terms of how students earn a living. Bowsy is about connecting third level students and businesses through remote study related project work and tasks. It’s proving successful so far. 8PM During Covid, I took up gardening so I’ll try and get a few bits done around the garden. My last project was turning a tree stump into a planter. The rest of the evening is spent watching a bit of TV – we’re enjoying the Lord of the Rings prequel at the moment. 11.30PM Usually I’ll read for half an hour or so before switching out the light so I’m ready for the next day!

John Brady, CEO and Co-Founder, Bowsy

“I ALSO LIKE TO LEAVE SOME TIME FOR CREATIVE WORKLOOKING AT WAYS TO IMPROVE THE BUSINESS OR CONTACTING NEW CUSTOMERS.”

Fund

future