Independent.ie - Small Business RSS Feed

Both teacher and protege can reap the rewards of a mentoring relationship

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0000

MENTORING entails both formal and informal communication, usually face-to-face and during a sustained period of time, between a person who is perceived to have greater relevant knowledge, wisdom or experience (the mentor) and a person who is perceived to have less (the protege).

IBEC slashes growth forecast as consumer spending set to fall 2pc

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0000

Business lobby group IBEC has cut its growth forecast for this year from 1.6pc to 0.9pc. In its first quarterly economic outlook of 2012, it said consumer spending was set to fall by a further 2pc in 2012, before recovering by 0.5pc in 2013.

State plan on sick pay will be disastrous, says ISME

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0000

GOVERNMENT proposals to compel businesses to provide four weeks of sick pay to their employees will have a "disastrous impact" on small and medium enterprises (SMEs), a leading trade group claimed yesterday.

Bootcamp to kick start-ups into top shape

Sun, 22 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0000

A group of well-known Irish technology entrepreneurs will launch a new venture called Startupbootcamp in Dublin next week. The new programme is designed to help domestic and international start-ups bring their first products to market.

Successful marketing is meeting the needs of customers

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0000

MY experience of working with start-ups is that marketing is often their biggest problem. Many new companies believe that marketing is just about brochures, websites and advertising.

Looking after your key personnel is huge part of any business plan

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0000

YOUR business has planned out its principal risks, insuring the buildings against fire and taking out public liability insurance in case a member of the public should have an accident and claim against you.

Opportunity beckons with visa Down Under

Thu, 29 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0000

AS more people leave our shores to secure employment opportunities abroad, the age of these emigrants is changing.

Lack of bank funding is crippling us, claim small companies

Mon, 12 Dec 2011 11:05:13 +0000

SME - Irish Small and Medium Enterprises Association - has claimed that over half of small and medium Irish businesses who have applied for loans in the last three months have been told no by their banks.

Hiring-as-you-go sets trend for future workplace

Thu, 08 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0000

FANS of the "Four Hour Working Week" will know that author Tim Ferris is an ardent supporter of virtual assistants and other methods of employing people as you need them.

Get ahead by learning to love networking

Thu, 01 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0000

NOBODY is born loving you or your organisation. You have to bring them on a journey and this can be done in a structured way.