Letting the customers know they are always right
‘As a small family business, one of the biggest things that sets us apart is that we’re not corporate ... we’re just ourselves’
Family Business Special Report
Mounting costs place further pressure on thin margins
As the auto-enrolment pension scheme looms, small firms need ‘a strategic roadmap’ to give owners the security to plan for success
Selling is the best option when there’s no one obvious to take the reins
The sale of a family enterprise can be a complex proposition, so planning and advice are key
Open communication, respect and strong governance key to family succession
Ensuring a smooth transition from one generation to the next requires taking certain steps
Sustainability matters despite signs of flagging momentum
he reality is that all businesses will be required to decarbonise – think of it in terms of evolution rather than revolution
Digitalisation is no longer an option but a necessity for businesses seeking to thrive
Implementing artificial intelligence a complex process requiring planning and co-ordination across the organisation
Family dynamic is often a key success factor
Natural competitiveness motivates those in family-run businesses to never settle for second best
Simple cyber steps can make all the difference
‘The bad actors are always inventing new ways to attack’
Cybercrime a major threat to small businesses
With digital crime on the rise, SMEs underestimate the need to invest in cybersecurity at their peril
Wisdom shared in passing the baton
Sharing wisdom between generations is vital to family business success, as leading hoteliers and industry advisers tell John Daly
The Godfather’s business lessons 50 years on
The commercial judgment and financial prudence of Don Corleone came down to ice-cool card-playing regardless of the turbulent times
A well planned transition is key to sustaining business success
It takes a solid plan to maintain the long-term health of a business, as owners and advisers alike recognise
Family Business Network seeks commission on public expenditure
FBN Ireland says family-run businesses form the most stable source of State tax income
Personal touch is key for small business
Family businesses are driven by a ‘small is beautiful’ ethos, as leaders in the sector explain
Europe’s family-run businesses at odds over digital future
Being family run presents distinct challenges that can complicate modernisation for SMEs
Leaders think smarter in turbulent times
Sustaining business growth in a challenging marketplace requires a robust, efficient strategy, say leading professional advisers
Partnership puts business on a solid foundation
Even the most single-minded entrepreneur benefits from a second opinion, business owners and professional advisors tell John Daly
Family businesses take pride in a legacy of success
Often pillars of the community, family businesses form the backbone of the nation’s home-grown economy with retail and homebuilding being especially strong sectors. Here’s three success stories
Industry agencies seek to reduce skills gap among SMEs
Mark Jordan, chief strategy officer with Skillnet Ireland, says research shows that SMEs need support in key areas of business leadership.
Resilience is in DNA of family business but challenges are unique
Succession planning is just one area in which FBN Ireland can offer support, its head tells John Daly
Immediate challenges and long-term options call for strategic thinking
Running any family business requires strategies that cover the full range from immediate cashflow management through to succession.
Blueprint for adjusting financial outlook from God forbid to sunny day
John O’Driscoll, of Blueprint Financial Planning, advises business owners to update their plans in line with market realities. He talks to John Daly
Succession plan? Logan Roy’s formulas for family firm survival
John Daly looks at the standout one-liners from Logan Roy, the lead character in the TV series ‘Succession’
Personal service drives success at family-operated car dealership
Staying ahead of the customer’s needs is vital for any business, as the managers of Bradys of Castleknock tell John Daly
Local support helped get Glenilen from farm kitchen to major brand
Valerie and Alan Kingston of Glenilen Farm say their customers care deeply about the environment. They talk to John Daly
Family businesses stay and fight but the winds of change are blowing
Nothing in business stays the same, as John Daly learns from bestselling author Paul Keogh and David O’Kelly of KPMG
Innovation and customer trust are recipes for business longevity
John Daly talks to the owners of Timbertrove and Dualtron, two business whose success has been sustained by their ability to engage with change
Planning and communication will help secure your farm’s future
All parties need to be fully involved in any farm succession plan, as Donal Whelton, of AIB, explains to John Daly
Sisters taking property business to new heights
‘It came to a point where the two of us had a sit down to discuss the possibility of taking on the business together’
Expert advice key to business success
Advisers offer valuable insights on the choices open to family business owners
Successful business moving with the times
‘The range of product offering has evolved and changed over time, with each generation bringing their own decisions and choices into the business’
Driving Ireland’s economic revival
Experts from a range of sectors explain the critical role played by family businesses in Ireland’s economy
Crosswords & Puzzles
Crosswords & puzzles to keep you challenged and entertained
Common Ground
How does a post-Brexit world shape the identity and relationship of these islands
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