AIBF Business Talk

Every business has a strategy.

But according to Shane Kenny, Founder of Orunova, strategy is rarely the issue.

Speaking on AIBF Business Talk, Shane shares why the biggest challenges facing organisations today aren't found in business plans or financial reports - they're found in relationships, communication and workplace culture.

"It's a people problem. It's a people issue."

Drawing on years of experience working with business owners, leadership teams and family businesses, Shane explains that the strongest organisations are built on something much deeper than process or performance.

They create environments where people feel they belong.

"One of our most innate needs in life is to belong."

For Shane, belonging is fundamentally different from simply fitting in. When people feel psychologically safe, they're more willing to contribute ideas, challenge respectfully and bring their best selves to work. Without that safety, innovation, trust and performance begin to suffer.

One of the biggest obstacles leaders face isn't a lack of solutions - it's the conversations they're avoiding.

"It's often the conversation that's not being had."

Whether it's unresolved conflict, succession planning in family businesses or difficult conversations between colleagues, Shane believes the issues that quietly sit beneath the surface often become the greatest barriers to growth.

The episode also explores the importance of authentic leadership and the hidden cost of workplaces where employees feel they can't truly be themselves.

"Are you being yourself at work? Is your authentic self turning up?"

Shane reflects on one of the most powerful conversations he's had with employees over the years.

"I've witnessed and worked with so many people who've told me, 'I have to try so hard not to be myself... just to survive here.'"

For leaders, the impact extends far beyond the workplace.

"Imagine going home with that to your family."

The conversation is also a reminder that building a stronger culture doesn't require expensive programmes or major restructuring.

It starts with leadership.

"Talk is cheap... let's get out there and demonstrate how we'd like our culture to look."

Rather than telling people what the culture should be, leaders must model it every day through their actions, behaviours and interactions.

And perhaps most importantly, Shane believes creating a workplace where people thrive isn't about increasing budgets - it's about increasing humanity.

"It doesn't cost any more money. It's making the effort, with empathy and compassion, to take an interest in the people around you."

This conversation is a powerful reminder that every successful business is built on people. When leaders create environments where people feel safe, valued and heard, stronger cultures, stronger teams and stronger businesses naturally follow.

Listen to the full conversation with Shane Kenny, Founder of Orunova, on the latest episode of AIBF Business Talk.

Every business says it's customer-centric.

But according to Gary Cullen, Chief Revenue Officer, and Chantelle Murray, Chief Financial Officer at Provident CRM, many businesses are actually designing their processes around themselves instead of the people they're trying to serve.

Speaking on AIBF Business Talk, the pair discuss how Provident CRM helps organisations improve sales performance, strengthen customer relationships, streamline operations and create smarter ways of working through CRM solutions, Monday.com and AI capabilities such as SugarAI. 

"The largest mistake that companies make... is an inward focus."

Rather than asking what the customer needs, many organisations build processes around internal convenience. The result is miscommunication, missed opportunities and customer journeys that simply don't work as well as they should.

"We all like to think that we're customer-centric, but it doesn't quite often work out that way in reality."

For Chantelle, customer experience has become the defining competitive advantage. A great product alone is no longer enough if the experience leaves customers frustrated.

"The most powerful communication tool that you can use is to listen."

The conversation also explores why many businesses continue relying on spreadsheets long after they've outgrown them. While spreadsheets may work in the early days, Gary explains they quickly become a barrier to growth, limiting visibility, increasing risk and making it almost impossible to spot opportunities before they're lost.

"It's very easy for someone to accidentally delete data... but it doesn't scale."

One of the biggest blind spots for business leaders isn't effort - it's information. Without real-time visibility across sales, service and customer interactions, leaders are often making decisions based on reports that are already months out of date.

"The customer could have actually gone elsewhere and you don't even know it's happened."

The financial impact can be enormous. Missed follow-ups, forgotten enquiries and overlooked upselling opportunities quietly chip away at revenue every day.

"People tend to look at it in a one-month window, but when you extrapolate it over the course of a year, that number can become quite significant."

As artificial intelligence continues to transform business, both Gary and Chantelle are clear that technology should strengthen relationships, not replace them.

"For me, relationships matter more because that's going to be what makes you unique."

Gary agrees that AI should remove repetitive work so businesses can spend more time where it matters most.

"For an SME or for a small business, you just cannot replace the human in the chain."

Instead, AI should enhance efficiency, surface valuable insights and give teams more time to build trust, solve problems and create meaningful customer experiences.

Their conversation is a timely reminder that growth isn't just about better software or faster automation. It's about giving your people the tools they need, staying close to your customers and never losing sight of the relationships that drive every successful business.

Listen to the full conversation with Gary Cullen and Chantelle Murray from Provident CRM on the latest episode of AIBF Business Talk.

Most people assume entrepreneurs are natural risk-takers. Barry Darmody wasn't.

"I was very resistant about leaving my career."

Speaking on AIBF Business Talk, the founder of Search4Less, HRM4Less and Enki Legal Services reflects on a career spanning almost three decades, from software engineering to building businesses that help organisations work smarter. 

Yet despite his entrepreneurial success, starting his own business was never part of the plan. 

"It wasn't something I was very comfortable on the risk side with."

Rather than being inspired by a brilliant business idea or a carefully mapped-out strategy, the turning point came from a growing sense that something was missing. After years in corporate life, he realised he was no longer challenged by the work he was doing.

"I'm not very happy doing what I'm doing here day-to-day. I'm just dialling it in."

That moment of honesty became the catalyst for everything that followed.

"I think sometimes you have that realisation in life that there's probably something better for you out there, and you've just got to take the risk."

Today, HRM4Less & Search4Less are trusted by businesses across Ireland, but Barry is quick to dismiss the idea of overnight success. What many people see as a rapid rise was, in reality, years of persistence, innovation and problem-solving behind the scenes.

"People had this impression that this was an overnight success."

"The reality was, behind the scenes, we were like swans. We were graceful on top, paddling underneath."

That perspective continues to shape the way he leads today. Despite building multiple successful businesses, Barry believes the biggest threat to long-term success isn't failure - it's complacency.

"Every day I come in, I always have this fear that it could be taken away with a click. So that keeps us agile, and it keeps us hungry."

The conversation also explores the growing role of artificial intelligence and what it means for business leaders. While many see AI as a replacement for expertise, Barry argues that technology is only as powerful as the knowledge behind it.

"The key differential is our domain knowledge."

"If you don't know what questions to ask, it's not really going to be valuable to you."

For Barry, the future isn't about choosing between people and technology. It's about combining both to make better decisions, solve problems more effectively and continue creating value for customers.

His story is a reminder that entrepreneurship isn't defined by a willingness to take bigger risks. It's defined by recognising when it's time to  back yourself, embracing change and continuing to learn long after success arrives.

Listen to the full conversation with Barry Darmody on the latest episode of AIBF Business Talk.

Most people think architecture is about buildings. Ken Byrne believes it's about people.

For the founder of Project Design Architects, the best buildings aren't the ones that win awards-they're the ones that quietly improve how we live, work and experience the world around us.

"It's not about the building. Architecture is about the experience."

Speaking on AIBF Business Talk, Ken reflects on a career spanning more than three decades, from working in some of Ireland's leading architectural practices to launching his own business in the wake of the 2008 recession.

What many would see as the worst possible time to start a business turned out to be the defining moment of his career.

"The best thing that happened to me was the recession," he explains, describing how those challenging years gave him the opportunity to build a practice centred on relationships, trust and exceptional client experience.

One of the biggest lessons he's learned has nothing to do with architecture.

"If I could go back and give my younger self one piece of business advice, it would be to listen."

That philosophy shapes every project his team undertakes. Rather than chasing awards, Ken believes great architecture should solve problems, enrich lives and stand the test of time.

"Good architecture isn't about winning awards. It's functional, it's economical, and above all, it works for the people who use it."

But this conversation goes far beyond architecture.

Elaine and Ken explore entrepreneurship, leadership, resilience, communication, creating exceptional customer experiences, and why listening may be the most underrated skill in business.

Whether you're building a home, growing a business or leading a team, this episode is packed with practical insights and timeless lessons.

🎙️ Watch the full conversation with Ken Byrne, Founder of Project Design Architects, on the latest episode of AIBF Business Talk.

Most business owners know how to make money.

Far fewer know how to turn it into lasting wealth.

That is the conversation at the heart of the latest episode of AIBF Business Talk, where founder of Cashflow Club Ireland, Karl Davidson, joins Elaine Carroll to challenge some of the biggest assumptions entrepreneurs have about money.

After beginning his career as an engineer, Karl's journey took an unexpected turn when one book completely changed the way he thought about wealth, investing and financial education.

Today, he helps entrepreneurs build financial intelligence alongside successful businesses.

But one message stood out above all.

"Knowing how to sell isn't the same as knowing how to build wealth."

Karl believes many successful business owners are unknowingly trapped by the same financial programming they grew up with.

They know how to sell.

They know how to market.

They know how to grow revenue.

But they often never learn what to do with the money once they earn it.

"I know multi-millionaires making massive amounts of money... but they have no assets."

Throughout the episode, Karl explains why financial education is no longer optional for entrepreneurs.

"The biggest problem isn't income. It's education."

The conversation explores why cash flow continues to create pressure for many SMEs, why relying on a single income stream has become increasingly risky, and why business owners need to think beyond simply growing turnover.

Rather than chasing more revenue, Karl encourages entrepreneurs to build systems that create long-term financial freedom.

One habit has remained unchanged throughout his own journey.

"Every single month, we do a budget. Without fail."

Alongside disciplined budgeting, he explains why paying yourself first, investing consistently and allowing compound growth to work over time can completely change a family's financial future.

The discussion also moves beyond money.

Karl reflects on how becoming a father reshaped his definition of success.

Where wealth once meant fast cars and luxury experiences, today it means something entirely different.

"Time is your biggest asset."

As uncertainty continues to shape the global economy, the episode also explores AI, multiple income streams, investing, community and why entrepreneurs who continue learning will always be in a stronger position than those who stand still.

For Karl, financial freedom doesn't begin with earning more.

It begins with thinking differently.

This episode of AIBF Business Talk is packed with practical lessons for business owners who want to build not just profitable businesses, but lasting wealth.

Sometimes the biggest opportunities arrive disguised as life's biggest disappointments.

For Chika Njoku, losing her job wasn't part of the plan. With a strong background in accounting and a clear career path ahead, entrepreneurship wasn't something she had imagined for herself. But when redundancy forced her to rethink her future, she discovered a path she never expected.

In the latest episode of AIBF Business Talk, Chika shares the honest story behind her entrepreneurial journey, proving that success doesn't always begin with a business plan. Sometimes, it starts with simply paying attention to what people are already telling you.

"I never knew I was good at entrepreneurship," she reflects during the conversation. "I thought I was a career-focused person."

That perspective changed after she found herself at home, balancing family life and school runs following her redundancy. What seemed like an ordinary daily routine soon became the beginning of something much bigger.

People repeatedly stopped her to compliment her style, confidence and appearance. Those conversations planted a seed that would eventually grow into a successful business.

"What started like a joke," she explains, became the foundation of a brand that has gone on to help women feel more confident in themselves.

Throughout the episode, Chika speaks openly about embracing uncertainty, trusting her instincts and recognising opportunities that others might dismiss. She also reflects on the importance of resilience, consistency and showing up, even when the next step isn't completely clear.

Her story is a reminder that entrepreneurship isn't always about having all the answers. Often, it's about listening, adapting and having the courage to take the first step.

Today, Chika is the founder of Kalicious Collections, a bestselling author of A–Z Guide to Making Money Online: Build Income Streams From Scratch (Even as a Beginner), and a multiple Business All-Star recipient. 

Looking back, she sees redundancy not as the end of her career, but as the beginning of a journey that led her to build a business, inspire others, and help people create opportunities of their own. 

For business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs alike, this episode offers an honest conversation about resilience, reinvention and building a business from unexpected beginnings.

As Chika says, "Waiting to be perfect kills your dreams, kills the vision, kills everything." It's a powerful reminder that progress will always beat perfection.

Watch the full episode of AIBF Business Talk and discover why some of the most successful businesses begin with a moment that initially felt like failure.

Some businesses sell products.

That is what O'Sullivan Golf Travel has spent more than two decades building.

In the latest episode of AIBF Business Talk, founder Cathal O’Sullivan sits down with Elaine Carroll to share the story behind one of Ireland’s leading golf travel companies and the reality of growing a premium service business from the ground up.

What started as a young entrepreneur taking a leap of faith in his twenties has since grown into an internationally recognised business bringing golfers from across the globe to Ireland.

But the journey did not happen overnight.

“It takes time to get your name and your brand out there.”

Cathal speaks openly about the early years of building the business one client at a time, travelling to America to promote Ireland as a destination and trying to create opportunities with no guarantees things would work out.

“There probably was times where you’d say, ‘I don’t know if I can do this anymore.’”

The episode explores the emotional side of entrepreneurship too, including losing his father just months after launching the business and the support from family that helped keep everything moving forward.

At the centre of the conversation is a lesson many businesses forget.

People remember experiences far longer than transactions.

“We pride ourselves on creating memories and that’s what it is.”

From luxury golf trips and personalised itineraries to transport, restaurants, local hospitality and those tiny details guests never see, Cathal explains how the company built a reputation around trust and service.

“That initial 20 seconds can make a huge difference to their experience.”

The conversation also dives into leadership, delegation and the realities of scaling a business while trying to maintain standards.

“We’re firefighters. We’re problem solvers every day of the week.”

Now operating with an international team and welcoming hundreds of groups into Ireland every year, O’Sullivan Golf Travel has become more than a golf company. It has become part of how visitors experience Ireland itself.

The episode is packed with lessons around resilience, customer experience, culture, trust and building a business through word of mouth rather than shortcuts.

“Just back yourself, I guess.”

And perhaps the most powerful lesson of all:

“If you do good, you’ll do well.”

This episode of AIBF Business Talk is a reminder that some of the best businesses are not built through hype.

Some businesses start with funding rounds and five-year plans.

That is where the story of Funky Monkey Foods truly begins.

In the latest episode of All-Ireland Business Foundation Business Talk, Funky Monkey Foods Founder Deborah Crowley, sits down with Elaine Carroll to share the very real story behind one of Ireland’s growing food brands.

What started with homemade curry sauce sold through Facebook quickly turned into something much bigger. But behind the supermarket listings, growing demand and national recognition is a journey built on sacrifice, resilience and family support.

Debbie speaks openly about the pressure of trying to support two daughters through college while juggling shift work, family life and financial stress.

“I was looking for a quick way to make money,” she recalls.

So she started cooking.

From soups and curry sauce to spice bag seasoning, orders began arriving through Facebook faster than expected.

“My husband said, ‘You’re off your head, nobody’s going to just buy food randomly on Facebook.’ But they actually did.”

The episode gives listeners an honest look at the reality behind entrepreneurship. The exhaustion. The uncertainty. The moments where everything feels one step away from falling apart.

“We were just both physically exhausted because it never stopped,” Debbie shares.

But through every challenge, one thing remained constant. Family.

“Funky Monkey Foods wouldn’t be where it is today without my family. They’ve had my back 100%.”

Now stocked in retailers across Ireland, Funky Monkey Foods has grown from a family kitchen idea into a recognised Irish brand. Yet Debbie’s honesty and grounded nature remain unchanged.

The conversation also explores imposter syndrome, self-belief, learning business without formal training and the importance of staying true to yourself while building something from nothing.

“Stay grounded. Don’t forget where you came from.”

This episode of AIBF Business Talk is a reminder that some of the strongest businesses are not built in boardrooms.

They are built at kitchen tables, during late nights, through sacrifice, and by people simply trying to create a better life for their families.

Share this episode with a friend, founder or connection who needs a reminder of what can grow from one idea and a lot of heart.

For many business owners, the challenge is no longer ambition. It is finding the space to think clearly, lead effectively and step back from the constant demands of the day-to-day.

As businesses grow, so does the pressure on the person leading them. Teams become larger, decisions become heavier and the owner can quickly become the centre point of everything.

“The leader has become the epicentre of everything,” says Shay Lynch of FutureState.

It is this reality that inspired The Owner’s Table, a new initiative delivered by Shay Lynch in collaboration with AIBF Entrepreneurs University. Designed for established business owners, it gives leaders space to step out of the noise and into focused, honest conversation with peers facing similar pressures.

“This is exactly why I set up the Owner’s Table,” Shay explains. “It’s to give them a forum so they can actually not feel isolated, that they’re in a tribe mentality.”

For Shay, many owners are not struggling because of a lack of effort. They are working hard. Often too hard. The real issue is how the business is designed around them.

“When you’re trapped in the business doing everything, you can’t grow. You’re firefighting all day long.”

The Owner’s Table has been created to help business owners challenge that cycle. Through facilitated discussion, strategic frameworks and peer-to-peer learning, participants are encouraged to move from reactive mode into clearer, more intentional leadership.

“It certainly isn’t an effort problem,” Shay says. “I believe it’s a design problem.”

A key focus of the initiative is helping leaders move from operator to architect. In the early stages of business, owners often need to be the engine. But as the business grows, their role must evolve.

“They’re the engine when they weren’t supposed to be. The engine is important in the beginning, but I want them to be the designer now, and the architect of their own success.”

At its core, The Owner’s Table is about giving business owners the space to think, share, reset and lead with greater clarity.

As Shay puts it: “My goal is to give them back their time.”

The Owner’s Table is delivered in collaboration with AIBF Entrepreneurs University and is designed for established business owners seeking greater clarity, structure and sustainable growth.

Tourism may look effortless from the outside, but behind every successful destination is a huge amount of planning, coordination and local collaboration.

In the latest episode of AIBF Business Talk, Elaine Carroll speaks with Richard Brennan of Visit Carlingford about building a tourism platform that helps visitors discover, book and experience one of Ireland’s most loved destinations.

Visit Carlingford began in 2012 after Richard noticed visitors arriving in the town unsure of where to stay, what to do or who to contact. What started as a simple idea for an information website has grown into a platform connecting visitors with accommodation, activities and local experiences.

For Richard, the strength of the business lies in working closely with local providers and keeping standards high across the entire visitor journey.

“Working with the community, working with the businesses I find is very, very important.”

The episode also explores the hidden side of tourism. From accommodation and activities to cleaning, maintenance and customer support, Richard explains that creating a great visitor experience depends on many moving parts working together.

“There’s a lot of moving parts in the back,” he says.

A key turning point for Visit Carlingford was digitalisation. By creating an online marketplace, customers can now book accommodation, activities and food options in one place, helping the business stay visible and accessible at all times.

Looking ahead, Richard hopes to bring the Visit Carlingford model to other towns and villages across Ireland, giving smaller destinations a stronger platform to showcase what they have to offer.

The full episode of AIBF Business Talk featuring Richard Brennan of Visit Carlingford is available now.