Hi °C | Lo °C We will lag behind until education matches industry needs
How to tackle Ireland's skills deficit has become a familiar refrain amongst Irish employers and across media.
Problem solver: Horse-meat crisis a real opportunity to highlight our robust quality controls
Q: Do you have a view on how Ireland can re-boost its reputation for good food, following the horse-meat crisis?
It's time for business to hang out on Google +
OVER the past week, Google announced that it is making a number of significant updates to Google Plus.
Sales teams must learn to use strategic and value triangles
You want to matter – you want to be seen as 'strategic' so you can win the order. But when it comes to buying decisions, what is your customer's or prospect's strategy and how can you really connect with it to drive sales?
Bank of Ireland says lending to SMEs is up by 25pc
BANK of Ireland said it has increased lending to small and medium enterprises by a quarter so far this year, and expects to comfortably beat its government-imposed lending targets.
Blue Bay plans €450m lending fund by June
NEWCOMER Blue Bay could begin lending to SMEs by the end of the month.
Problem solver: Local Enterprise Boards can supply a useful menu when starting a food unit
Q: I am thinking of starting a food business but I am not sure what steps I should be taking. Can you provide me with some advice?
My Big Idea Holiday burglary got my alarm bells ringing for family protection
'AFTER an intruder entered my children's room through a locked patio door while on holidays 15 months ago, I decided there and then this would never happen to me again.
Problem solver: Business has to be driven, you can't sit back and wait for sales to come flooding in
Q: I own a print business in a regional town. What is the best way for me to grow sales?
A well-motivated and satisfied workforce is not just a pipe dream
ONE of the key challenges facing companies in recent times is the ability to motivate their staff.
Banks trailing EU counterparts with SME lending
SMALL and medium-sized companies in Ireland are having a tougher time getting credit than those in most other European countries, the head of the Central Bank has said.
US web firm creates 100 jobs at new Irish base
A US web design company is to open its European headquarters in Dublin, creating 100 jobs in the process.
Small business start-up fund rises from ashes of boom years
A START-UP fund for small businesses in inner city Dublin has been relaunched after falling dormant during the Celtic Tiger.
Reporting of 'significant issues' in audits will enhance transparency
The new requirement for audit committees of certain listed companies to set out in the annual report the "significant issues" they have considered in relation to the financial statements and how those issues have been addressed, will pose challenges for audit committees, management and auditors.
Problem solver: Management is achieving results through others
Q: I feel that my business is out of control. I spend all of my days producing product and delivering it, my sales are flat and the excitement seems to be gone. What am I doing wrong?
Signs of 'two-speed' recovery as IT jobs thrive, says IBEC
A two-track economy is becoming more and more clear as the so-called hi-tech industries thrive but lower-skilled sectors continue to struggle.
Appointing risk assessment officer is key to mitigating claims costs
Businesses today are spending surprisingly little time assessing the insurability of their business – understanding the inherent risks, and planning for the unfortunate realisation of these risks.
Feargal Quinn: A similar business in a nearby county is going bust – should I buy it?
Q: I have set up a company selling software and things are going well. I see a company in a neighbouring county is in trouble and may go bust. I'm interested in buying the company. Do you think I'm better off waiting until it goes to the wall or stepping in now? Or do you think I'm crazy? I have read academic research that says it is never a good idea to buy companies and organic expansion is best. Any advice would be welcome.
Cyber attacks a very real threat to security of Irish businesses
US President Barack Obama proposed last week to boost spending to protect US computer networks from Internet-based attacks but the problem is also very real here in Ireland.
Have job interviews become an arid question and answer session?
MANY organisations put much time and effort into making their selection process as rigorous as possible in the hope of making more watertight hiring decisions.
SME lobby group calls for one-off tax and social welfare 'amnesty'
THE Government should introduce a one-off tax and social welfare "amnesty" to bring offenders back into the tax system, business lobby group ISME said yesterday.
AIB targets its small business customers with new online services
AIB is introducing more online services for small businesses, targeting the two-thirds of its small business customers who do not use online banking.
Wanted: small firms for Start-up Awards
SMALL businesses are being encouraged to enter the Start-up Awards and have the chance to get national exposure and €50,000 worth of support.
Rabbitte tells banks to lend more to small business
Pat Rabbitte warned banks must do more to get credit flowing to the SME sector.
Self-employed must file tax returns earlier from 2014
SELF-employed people will have to file tax returns much earlier than usual next year because of the change in Budget Day to October 15.
Noonan urges EU pooling of loans to help SMEs access bond finance
THE European Union should explore setting up an agency to pool loans to small businesses in order to aid their access to public bond markets as banks cut lending, according to a paper prepared by the Irish Government for this weekend's EU finance ministers' meeting.
Feargal Quinn: Know your customers and they will keep coming back
QWHAT would you say is the best piece of business advice you ever received?
How biased are you when you act in the role as an interviewer?
SOMETIMES you don't have to dig too far below the surface to discover you have likes and dislikes when it comes to who you will hire or reject for a job opening.
A smooth transition of CEOs 'crucial responsibility of a board'
In an age of enhanced corporate governance it may come as a surprise to find that one of the most overlooked responsibilities by many corporate boards is the effective execution of sustainable succession planning.
Should social media be handled by a young tech-savvy intern?
Hiring interns for your social media strategy could seem like a good idea, but can it be effective?
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Irish News
Man charged with assault on homeless man who was later found dead
A YOUNG man has been charged with assaulting a homeless man whose battered body was discovered in a rubbish disposal chute.
TD challenges Shatter 'behaviour'
An Independent TD has challenged Justice Minister Alan Shatter over his behaviour and attitude at a Garda checkpoint days before his appointment to the Cabinet.
Watchdog slams Garda co-operation
The state investigative body set up to probe allegations of Garda wrongdoing has branded the force's co-operation unacceptable.
Hogan to raise issue of beach which lost Blue Flag due to "statistical glitch”
Environment Minister Phil Hogan has promised to lobby the European Commission about the fact that a famous beach lost its Blue Flag due to a "statistical glitch".
Watchdog slams Garda co-operation
The state investigative body set up to probe allegations of Garda wrongdoing has branded the force's co-operation unacceptable.
Concern at mistreatment claims
The Government is deeply concerned by allegations of mistreatment of children at a number of creches, Tanaiste Eamon Gilmore has said.
Almost 5,000 metal thefts in last two years
Almost 5,000 metal thefts have been reported to gardai in the last two years, figures show.
Show me the money: Little Jacob (3) gets 5 cent coin stuck between his front teeth
Three-year-old Jacob Ryan is rushed to A&E after getting a five cent coin stuck between his front teeth.
Metal theft not 'victimless crime'
Almost 5,000 metal thefts have been reported to gardai in the last two years, figures show.
New Shatter controversy as questions raised in Dail about garda checkpoint incident
JUSTICE Minister Alan Shatter was at the centre of controversy again today after a TD raised questions in the Dail about whether he tried to avoid a breathalyser test.
