The SME Community Podcast

TBF Innovation Lab
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  • Entrepreneurship

The SME Community Podcast is the podcast for ambitious SME owners, entrepreneurs, innovators and business leaders looking for practical insights to grow, adapt and innovate. Hosted by Aisling Hurley, design-led innovation researcher, lecturer and founder of TBF Innovation Lab, each episode features honest conversations with entrepreneurs, researchers, industry experts, educators and changemakers shaping the future of business. Together, we explore innovation, entrepreneurship, artificial intelligence (AI), digital marketing, leadership, sustainability, business strategy, design thinking, research and the real challenges of building successful organisations. Whether you're starting a business, scaling an SME, leading innovation, navigating digital transformation or looking for practical advice from people who've been there, you'll discover inspiring stories, expert insights and actionable ideas you can apply immediately. Originally created in partnership with Local Enterprise Office Tipperary, The SME Community Podcast is now proudly produced by TBF Innovation Lab, bringing together conversations with innovators, founders, academics, policymakers and business leaders from Ireland and beyond. If you're interested in innovation, entrepreneurship, artificial intelligence for business, SME growth, innovation leadership, design-led innovation, responsible innovation and the future of work, subscribe and join the conversation. Visit https://tbf.ie for free business resources, research, training, innovation tools and professional development.

  1. 12/10/2024

    Succession Planning for SMEs; Pass the baton, not the drama

    As the holidays bring families together, it's the perfect time to reflect on the future—both personal and professional. In this episode of The SME Community Podcast, we dive into succession planning for small businesses. Aisling is joined by solicitor Ronan Kennedy and accountant Frank McMahon. Learn about the steps, challenges, and strategies to ensure a smooth transition for your business legacy. Whether you’re passing the reins to family or preparing for new leadership, this episode is packed with insights to help you plan for tomorrow. Don’t leave your business’s future to chance—start the conversation today. Frank McMahon, is the Managing Director at McMahon & Co Auditors & Accountants. He is a Chartered Accountant with over 30 years of experience, spanning both industry and public practice. He holds advanced qualifications in Forensic Accounting, Corporate and Personal Insolvency, and Business & Executive Coaching from UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School. Committed to staying updated, Frank regularly undertakes professional education in taxation, company law, and regulations. Ronan Kennedy is a Partner in Kennedy Frewen O’Brien Solicitors since 2003. He is a CEDR qualified mediator and the litigation partner at the 120 year old firm where he has acted for both Plaintiffs and Defendants. This gives him a unique insight into how opponents operate tactically. He has experience across the court system including the Circuit Court, High Court and Supreme Court. The Local Enterprise Office Tipperary, along with Enterprise Ireland, provide a wide range of help, incentives, training, and development programmes to entrepreneurs in Tipperary.  You can reach LEO Tipperary on https://www.localenterprise.ie/tipperary, or get in touch with them at their base in Clonmel, @TipperaryLEO.  Contact Frank McMahon  www.mcmahonandco.ie,  email:  info@mcmahonandco.ie. Contact Ronan Kennedy at https://kfos.ie, email  info@kfos.ie. You can talk to the TBF team on Twitter or Instagram @tbfcentral using the #SMECommunityPodcast or https://tbf.ie. Suggest a topic for a future episode. The SME Community Podcast is produced by TBF Innovation Lab and hosted by Aisling Hurley. Each episode shares practical conversations on innovation, entrepreneurship, AI, leadership, research and business growth to help SMEs, founders and business leaders innovate with confidence. 🌐 Website: https://tbf.ie 📧 Contact: aisling@tbf.ie Connect on LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/aislinghurley/ Looking for practical innovation tools, AI resources or leadership frameworks? Visit https://tbf.ie

    45 min

  2. 11/30/2024

    Customer Relationships; Turning One-Time Buyers into Lifelong Customers with Cora Barnes

    In this episode of The SME Community Podcast, Aisling dives into the art of building lasting customer relationships with Cora Barnes, founder and M.D. of 3Q Recruitment Agency. Discover practical strategies to keep your customers coming back, turn them into loyal advocates, and create unforgettable experiences that set your business apart. Whether you're an SME owner or part of a growing team, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you foster customer loyalty and drive long-term success. Tune in and learn how to turn customer relationships into your secret weapon! Cora Barnes has over 27 years experience in recruitment with an Executive MBA from Smurfit, a Post Graduate Diploma in HR from DBS, and a BA in Social Science from UCD. She is a resident judge for the Dublin City Local Enterprise Office Female Entrepreneur Award since 2008, a Fellow of the Employment Recruitment Federation, ERF Skillnet & Small Firms Association committee member and a board member and fundraiser for educational and youth initiatives in Dublin and South Africa.  She is also a mentor for the SHONA project for empowering young women. You can reach LEO Tipperary on https://www.localenterprise.ie/tipperary, or get in touch with them at their base in Clonmel, @TipperaryLEO.  Contact Cora Barnes  - cora@3qrecruitment.ie or https://3qrecruitment.ie/ or on LinkedIn. You can talk to the TBF on Twitter or Instagram @tbfcentral using the #SMECommunityPodcast or at https://tbf.ie. Suggest a topic for a future episode. The SME Community Podcast is produced by TBF Innovation Lab and hosted by Aisling Hurley. Each episode shares practical conversations on innovation, entrepreneurship, AI, leadership, research and business growth to help SMEs, founders and business leaders innovate with confidence. 🌐 Website: https://tbf.ie 📧 Contact: aisling@tbf.ie Connect on LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/aislinghurley/ Looking for practical innovation tools, AI resources or leadership frameworks? Visit https://tbf.ie

    55 min

  3. 10/15/2024

    Artificial Intelligence Strategies with Pamela Campagna

    In this episode from Boston, USA,  Aisling sits down with Pamela Campagna, where they discuss the practical, actionable strategies on using AI tools and how to begin integrating them into your business. Pamela Campagna has over 30 years of experience in consulting, business, marketing, and entrepreneurship. She is the President of BLUE SAGE Consulting, Inc. a certified women-owned management consulting firm founded in 1997, where she specialises in global strategy, business optimisation & human capital development. She is a former board member and chair of the Marketing Committee of CMC-Global Institute, a virtual global community for professional management consultants. She is also a Certified Management Consultant (CMC®), representing global standards in consulting competencies, professional behavior, and ethics. Pamela is a professor of Practice at HULT International Business School in Cambridge, MA and has lectured at several universities including Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College. Her research focuses on team formation, using AI to develop personal success, as well as entrepreneurial self-efficacy for women entrepreneurs. Contact Pamela Campagna  - https://www.bluesageconsulting.com/ pamelac@bluesageconsulting.com You can reach LEO Tipperary on localenterprise.ie Tipperary, or get in touch with them at their base in Clonmel, @TipperaryLEO.  You can talk to the TBF on Twitter or Instagram @tbfcentral using the #SMECommunityPodcast or at https://tbf.ie. Suggest a topic for a future episode. The SME Community Podcast is produced by TBF Innovation Lab and hosted by Aisling Hurley. Each episode shares practical conversations on innovation, entrepreneurship, AI, leadership, research and business growth to help SMEs, founders and business leaders innovate with confidence. 🌐 Website: https://tbf.ie 📧 Contact: aisling@tbf.ie Connect on LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/aislinghurley/ Looking for practical innovation tools, AI resources or leadership frameworks? Visit https://tbf.ie

    45 min

  4. 09/26/2024

    Women in Business | Clare Brett | National Women's Enterprise Day Special

    In this episode of The SME Community Podcast, Aisling sits down with Clare Brett, the founder of natural  skincare specialist manufacturer, Dublin Herbalist. Clare is a guest at the upcoming NWED event on the 17th of October.  Dublin Herbalists skincare range is created and  blended by hand in Ireland. The range  is suitable for all skin types and is the winner of several beauty awards including a GOLD award in The Global Green Beauty awards 2024. Clare shares how a hobby in 2012 became a business with a range of 24 products, where  the products are now sold globally - even reaching Asia, the challenges along the way and key business survival tips on data analytics, branding and watching the numbers. LEO Tipperary’s event takes place in the fabulous Dromoland Castle and CountryClub Hotel.   NWED Tipperary Event Information: MC: Ciana Campbell. Speakers include Aimee Connolly, from Sculpted by Aimee with panel speakers Hannah Wrixon, Pressed Flowers By Nell and, Clare Brett of Dublin Herbalists. Contact Dublin Herbalist - https://dublinherbalists.ie/ You can reach LEO Tipperary on localenterprise.ie Tipperary, or get in touch with them at their base in Clonmel, @TipperaryLEO.  You can talk to the TBF on Twitter or Instagram @tbfcentral using the #SMECommunityPodcast or at  https://tbf.ie. Suggest a topic for a future episode. The SME Community Podcast is produced by TBF Innovation Lab and hosted by Aisling Hurley. Each episode shares practical conversations on innovation, entrepreneurship, AI, leadership, research and business growth to help SMEs, founders and business leaders innovate with confidence. 🌐 Website: https://tbf.ie 📧 Contact: aisling@tbf.ie Connect on LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/aislinghurley/ Looking for practical innovation tools, AI resources or leadership frameworks? Visit https://tbf.ie

    45 min

  5. 09/12/2024

    Protecting Intellectual Property in SMEs | Dr Nadav Ben Haim (SETU)

    In this episode of The SME Community Podcast, Aisling sits down with Dr. Nadav Ben Haim, the recently appointed Life Sciences Commercialisation Case Manager at the Technology Transfer Office (TTO) of South East Technological University (SETU).   Together, they dive into the essentials of Intellectual Property (IP) Strategy and explore how SMEs can leverage IP to create tangible monetary value. IP is seen as the domain of tech giants and larger organisations involved in such industries as pharma etc. but did you know that it is equally applicable to smaller businesses and startups? Dr. Ben Haim offers practical insights for beginners, helping business owners understand the basics of protecting their innovations and how smart IP strategies can unlock new opportunities for growth and revenue, helping you go from local to global.  You can reach LEO Tipperary on localenterprise.ie Tipperary, or get in touch with them at their base in Clonmel, @TipperaryLEO.  Learn about the Technology Transfer Office (TTO) of South East Technological University: https://www.setu.ie/research-innovation/innovation-and-entrepreneurship/technology-transfer-offices Learn about Innovation Vouchers: https://www.enterprise-ireland.com/en/supports/innovation-voucher  You can talk to the TBF  on Twitter or Instagram @tbfcentral using the #SMECommunityPodcast or at https://tbf.ie. Suggest a topic for a future episode. The SME Community Podcast is produced by TBF Innovation Lab and hosted by Aisling Hurley. Each episode shares practical conversations on innovation, entrepreneurship, AI, leadership, research and business growth to help SMEs, founders and business leaders innovate with confidence. 🌐 Website: https://tbf.ie 📧 Contact: aisling@tbf.ie Connect on LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/aislinghurley/ Looking for practical innovation tools, AI resources or leadership frameworks? Visit https://tbf.ie

    51 min

  6. 01/26/2024

    Retail Marketing Strategies for SMEs | Eimear Dwan

    The retail landscape and customer behaviours, both online and in stores, have dramatically shifted over the past few years, placing significant demands upon retailers. They are having to innovate faster and increase buyer engagement while also finding significant operational efficiencies and addressing sustainability goals. This episode is a special edition in advance of the Retail Symposium being held in March by Tipperary County Council as part of Enterprise Week.    In this episode Aisling is  joined by Eimear Dwan who is the recently appointed marketing manager for the Crescent Shopping Centre in Limerick. Prior to this, she worked for Brown Thomas Arnotts as marketing executive over Fashions and Accessories. She has an honours degree in ‘Marketing & Management’ from TUS and a Master’s Degree from University of Limerick.  Still only in her twenties, Eimear is the youngest ever marketing manager appointed to The Crescent Shopping Centre.  You can reach LEO Tipperary on localenteprise.ie Tipperary, or get in touch with them at their base in Clonmel, @TipperaryLEO.  You can learn more about The Crescent Shopping Centre at: https://crescentshoppingcentre.ie/inspiration/ Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/crescentshoppingcentre/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/crescentshoppingcentre You can talk to the TBF on Twitter or Instagram @tbfcentral using the #SMECommunityPodcast or at https://tbf.ie Suggest a topic for a future episode. The SME Community Podcast is produced by TBF Innovation Lab and hosted by Aisling Hurley. Each episode shares practical conversations on innovation, entrepreneurship, AI, leadership, research and business growth to help SMEs, founders and business leaders innovate with confidence. 🌐 Website: https://tbf.ie 📧 Contact: aisling@tbf.ie Connect on LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/aislinghurley/ Looking for practical innovation tools, AI resources or leadership frameworks? Visit https://tbf.ie

    51 min

  7. 11/03/2023

    How SMEs Can Attract & Retain Great Talent | Sinead Heneghan

    2023 has been designated European Year of Skills by the EU Commission. In advance of the LEO Tipperary event on Thursday the 15th of November - How to Grow Local Talent, Aisling speaks with Sinead Heneghan of Landdi.ie about a huge issue amongst the SME community -  which is attracting and retaining talent.  Currently three in four EU companies have difficulty in sourcing workers with the skills the organisation needs, which is leading to prolonged and chronic shortages of the skills required to deliver on the organisation’s strategic objectives. Learn about the changing workforce, the design of work, funding for training and the hidden workforce available to small businesses. You can reach Sinead at: https://www.landdi.ie/ ,  Facebook https://www.facebook.com/LandDInstitute, https://www.instagram.com/landd_institute/ Inclusion Ireland: https://inclusionireland.ie/resource-hub/ You can reach LEO Tipperary on localenteprise.ie Tipperary, or get in touch with them at their base in Clonmel, @TipperaryLEO or https://www.localenterprise.ie/Tipperary/ You can talk to the TBF on Twitter or Instagram @tbfcentral using the #SMECommunityPodcast or at https://tbf.ie Suggest a topic for a future episode. The SME Community Podcast is produced by TBF Innovation Lab and hosted by Aisling Hurley. Each episode shares practical conversations on innovation, entrepreneurship, AI, leadership, research and business growth to help SMEs, founders and business leaders innovate with confidence. 🌐 Website: https://tbf.ie 📧 Contact: aisling@tbf.ie Connect on LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/aislinghurley/ Looking for practical innovation tools, AI resources or leadership frameworks? Visit https://tbf.ie

    49 min

  8. 10/13/2023

    How SMEs Can Use Artificial Intelligence Responsibly | Geraldine Magnier

    If you are wondering where to start with AI, or what it’s all about, this is the episode for you. Aisling talks to Geraldine Magnier of Idiro Analytics, pioneers of AI and analytics for over 20 years.   From crafting an AI policy, ethical considerations, to integration strategies, we've got you covered. Unravel the nuances of managing AI responsibly and ethically, ensuring that your venture not only thrives but also stands as a beacon of trust and innovation.  Learn more about Geraldine and Idiro Analytics at https://idiro.com/ You can reach LEO Tipperary on localenteprise.ie Tipperary, or get in touch with them at their base in Clonmel, @TipperaryLEO or https://www.localenterprise.ie/Tipperary/ You can talk to the TBF on Twitter or Instagram @tbfcentral using the #SMECommunityPodcast or at https://tbf.ie Suggest a topic for a future episode. The SME Community Podcast is produced by TBF Innovation Lab and hosted by Aisling Hurley. Each episode shares practical conversations on innovation, entrepreneurship, AI, leadership, research and business growth to help SMEs, founders and business leaders innovate with confidence. 🌐 Website: https://tbf.ie 📧 Contact: aisling@tbf.ie Connect on LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/aislinghurley/ Looking for practical innovation tools, AI resources or leadership frameworks? Visit https://tbf.ie

    37 min
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About

The SME Community Podcast is the podcast for ambitious SME owners, entrepreneurs, innovators and business leaders looking for practical insights to grow, adapt and innovate. Hosted by Aisling Hurley, design-led innovation researcher, lecturer and founder of TBF Innovation Lab, each episode features honest conversations with entrepreneurs, researchers, industry experts, educators and changemakers shaping the future of business. Together, we explore innovation, entrepreneurship, artificial intelligence (AI), digital marketing, leadership, sustainability, business strategy, design thinking, research and the real challenges of building successful organisations. Whether you're starting a business, scaling an SME, leading innovation, navigating digital transformation or looking for practical advice from people who've been there, you'll discover inspiring stories, expert insights and actionable ideas you can apply immediately. Originally created in partnership with Local Enterprise Office Tipperary, The SME Community Podcast is now proudly produced by TBF Innovation Lab, bringing together conversations with innovators, founders, academics, policymakers and business leaders from Ireland and beyond. If you're interested in innovation, entrepreneurship, artificial intelligence for business, SME growth, innovation leadership, design-led innovation, responsible innovation and the future of work, subscribe and join the conversation. Visit https://tbf.ie for free business resources, research, training, innovation tools and professional development.

Information

  • Creator
    TBF Innovation Lab
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2024
  • Episodes
    38
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The SME Community Podcast
  • Show Website
    The SME Community Podcast