ThinkBusiness.ie

Irish taxi passengers book in roughly equal shares by app, by phone and at the rank or kerb, according to Danny O'Gorman, general manager of Freenow in Ireland and the UK. On this episode of the ThinkBusiness Podcast, he explains why the ride-hailing company has bought the phone dispatch operators Lynk and Swift. "The kind of makeup of how people request taxis has not changed in Ireland...

Lavonne Burke, global chief privacy officer at Dell, says a business that deploys AI agents is accountable for what they do, even when developers and vendors share part of the liability. She also leads Dell's AI compliance, and tells the ThinkBusiness Podcast that agents need a different level of oversight from generative AI because they act on their own. Burke says business functions now arr...

The ESRI expects around 38,500 housing completions in Ireland this year, when thecountry needs closer to 50,000. On this episode of the ThinkBusiness Podcast, Dr Alan Hore, co-founderof CitA and leader of Skillnet MMC Accelerate, explains how modern methods of construction (MMC) could help close that gap. In MMC, buildings are designed digitally, components are made in a factory, and the work is t...

Irish SMEs are borrowing to grow rather than to survive, according to Paula Harmon, head of small business and agri, everyday lending at Bank of Ireland. She talks about the second phase of the SBCI’s Growth and Sustainability Loan Scheme, why many owners are still relying on cash reserves, and the cost of putting off investment in automation and energy upgrades. The scheme has been given an addit...

Today on the ThinkBusiness Podcast, powered by Bank of Ireland, we’re joined by Gary Bradley of RS Ireland, one of the country’s best-known industrial parts and components suppliers. With roots stretching back almost 80 years as Radionics, the business serves everyone from electrical contractors and construction firms to hospitals, universities, tech and pharmaceutical companies. We discuss its ne...

Welcome to the ThinkBusiness Podcast. I’m John, and today we’re coming to you from the National Ploughing Championships. For many farmers in the southeast and the midlands, this summer was one of the toughest in years. Drought turned green fields brown. Cattle came indoors months early, and winter fodder was used up in July and August. The rain is back and so is the grass. Now farmers are counting...

Artificial intelligence is becoming a bigger part of working life in Ireland, but are employees getting the support they need to keep pace with change? According to PwC Ireland's latest Workforce Hopes and Fears Survey, AI adoption is rising, workplace transformation is accelerating and workers remain optimistic about their ability to learn new skills. Yet access to learning and development r...

This week we come to you from Dingle, County Kerry, and the 19th edition of Blas na hÉireann, the Irish Food Awards. Every October, hundreds of producers gather here, from one-person kitchens to established brands, alongside the retail buyers, chefs and judges who decide which of them goes home with gold, silver or bronze. Bank of Ireland is a sponsor of the Backyard @ Blas speaker space. Over the...

In this episode of the ThinkBusiness Podcast, powered by Bank of Ireland. we speak with David Broderick, Director of the Small Firms Association, about the current trading environment for Ireland's small businesses, the priorities SMEs want to see addressed in Budget 2027, and the practical steps business owners can take to strengthen resilience and drive growth. We also explore how initiativ...

At the recent National Ploughing Championships, Mark Glennon, Bank of Ireland’s agri development manager for the northern half of the country, describes how the year has gone, the demographic challenge facing Irish farming, what the Bank can do to ease succession, and how automation and AI can help farmers. Visit www.thinkbusiness.ie for more news and supports for start-ups and SMEs in Ireland. If...

In this episode of the ThinkBusiness Podcast, powered by Bank of Ireland, I speak with Dr Thomas Cryan, Medical Director at Thérapie Clinic, Europe's leading medical aesthetics group. Fresh from securing first place in the prestigious global Maurício de Maio Mentorship Programme, Dr Cryan joins us to discuss the importance of clinical excellence, continuous learning and patient safety in mode...

Today we’re joined by Maxine Hyde, the second-generation leader of Ballymaloe Foods, one of Ireland’s best-known food brands. Built on the legacy of her grandmother Myrtle Allen and founded by her mother Yasmin Hyde in 1990, Ballymaloe Foods has grown from a single relish recipe into a thriving business employing 70 people and producing a wide range of sauces, relishes and condiments. Visit www.th...

From a family farm in County Monaghan to one of Ireland's most successful food exporters, Silver Hill Duck has built a reputation for quality that stretches far beyond our shores. In an industry facing rising costs, changing consumer tastes and increasing pressure to innovate, the company continues to invest, grow and compete on the global stage. " "My guest today is Barry Cullen of...

How much is your company’s reputation really worth? In an age where trust can be won or lost in a matter of moments, reputation has become far more than a branding exercise. It is a critical business asset that impacts customer loyalty, talent attraction, investment decisions, resilience during crises and, ultimately, the bottom line. On this episode of the ThinkBusiness Podcast, we sit down with...

The latest ThinkBusiness Podcast explores what sustainability looks like when it moves beyond ambitious targets and becomes part of everyday business decision-making. It features Caroline Ashe Brady, Commercial Director at KORE Group, founder of KORE Retrofit, Chairperson of the Passive House Association of Ireland, and one of Ireland's leading voices in sustainable construction, and Colette...

Today we speak with Jussi Lystimäki, the CEO of refurbished smartphone specialist Swappie, about how the business achieved its first full year of profitability, reaching €2.5 million in 2025 as well as his links with Ireland through the acquisition of Done Deal. We also examine why Irish consumers are Europe’s biggest smartphone hoarders, with 69% keeping unused devices at home, and what that mean...

Hello and welcome back to the latest ThinkBusiness Podcast, powered by Bank of Ireland. Today we speak with Maaike Terwindt, AI Specialist for Europe at Google, about how Gemini, Gems and AI agents are reshaping the way SMEs work. From boosting productivity and automating routine tasks to unlocking new growth opportunities, she explains how businesses can put practical AI to work today. Visit www....

Hello and welcome back to the latest ThinkBusiness Podcast, powered by Bank of Ireland. Today we're exploring one of the biggest challenges facing Irish family businesses: succession planning. Joining us is Deborah Kelly, Partner and Head of Corporate at Addleshaw Goddard Ireland, who shares practical advice on preparing for leadership transition, avoiding common pitfalls, and building a busi...

Hello and welcome back to the latest ThinkBusiness Podcast, powered by Bank of Ireland. Today we speak with Fergal Brosnan, CEO of the RDI Hub in Kerry, about building a world-class innovation ecosystem in Ireland's south-west. We explore AI opportunities for entrepreneurs, the new AI Gateway initiative, developing regional talent, and how businesses can thrive in the AI age. Visit www.thinkb...

We speak with Ciaran Marron, the founder of Activ8 Solar Energies, one of Ireland's leading solar and renewable energy companies. From launching a business before solar power became mainstream to helping thousands of homes and businesses cut costs and reduce emissions, our guest has witnessed first-hand the transformation of Ireland's energy landscape. We discuss the growth of the renewa...

Today, we're joined by one of Ireland's most successful hospitality entrepreneurs, Lorraine Heskin, founder and CEO of Gourmet Food Parlour. What began as a 25-seater café in Dún Laoghaire in 2006 has grown into a business serving more than seven million customers, generating over €20 million in annual revenue, employing more than 320 people and operating 11 locations across Ireland. Alo...

Today's guest is Padraic O’Kane, the driving force behind one of Ireland's most successful international sporting events, the Aer Lingus College Football Classic. What began as an ambitious vision to bring American college football to Dublin has evolved into a major annual event that attracts tens of thousands of visitors, generates significant economic impact and showcases Ireland on a...

Artificial intelligence is transforming how businesses operate, but as adoption accelerates, questions around data control, privacy and digital sovereignty are becoming increasingly important. My guest today is Tim Grant, Executive Chair of TensorX, the Irish company building sovereign AI infrastructure for Europe following an €8m funding round. We'll discuss why businesses want their AI data...

In this episode of the ThinkBusiness Podcast, we speak with MarkGo founders Peter McPartlin and Sharon Mooney about how AI is helping level the playing field for SMEs and start-ups that cannot afford expensive marketing agencies or senior consultants. We discuss the biggest marketing challenges facing growing businesses, the rise of AI-powered strategy, common mistakes founders make, and why many...

Community Foundation Ireland has quietly reshaped Irish giving since 2000, channelling €200 million into communities across the country while building a model built on data, trust and long-term partnership. In this episode, CEO Denise Charlton joins the ThinkBusiness Podcast to explore how strategic philanthropy works in practice, from backing causes before they find public support to helping a ne...