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We revisit our conversation with Frances Ibe, Chief Experience Officer at Tide. Frances shares invaluable insights on her journey from developer to product leadership and how to avoid common pitfalls during the discovery process.Chapters01:07 – Meet Frances Ibe02:05 – Common Discovery Pitfalls03:34 – Embedding Continuous Discovery04:51 – The Myth of Talking to 20 Customers06:38 – What is a Data Prototype?08:03 – Building Confidence in Product Bets10:42 – Sharing Insights Across the Business13:52 – Keeping Sprint Reviews Engaging15:49 – Discovery Through Observation17:21 – Responding to Data-Driven Disruption18:30 – The Power of Storytelling20:49 – Training Teams in Storytelling22:36 – Maintaining Message Consistency23:48 – Collaborating Across Disciplines25:01 – Francis' Game-Changing AdviceFeatured Links: Follow Frances on LinkedIn | Tide | 'Six things we learned at the Pendomonium and #mtpcon roadshow - London 2024' feature by Louron PrattOur HostsLily Smith enjoys working as a consultant product manager with early-stage and growing startups and as a mentor to other product managers. She's currently Chief Product Officer at BBC Maestro, and has spent 13 years in the tech industry working with startups in the SaaS and mobile space. She's worked on a diverse range of products – leading the product teams through discovery, prototyping, testing and delivery. Lily also founded ProductTank Bristol and runs ProductCamp in Bristol and Bath. Randy Silver is a Leadership & Product Coach and Consultant. He gets teams unstuck, helping you to supercharge your results. Randy's held interim CPO and Leadership roles at scale-ups and SMEs, advised start-ups, and been Head of Product at HSBC and Sainsbury's. He participated in Silicon Valley Product Group's Coaching the Coaches forum, and speaks frequently at conferences and events. You can join one of communities he runs for CPOs (CPO Circles), Product Managers (Product In the {A}ether) and Product Coaches. He's the author of What Do We Do Now? A Product Manager's Guide to Strategy in the Time of COVID-19. A recovering music journalist and editor, Randy also launched Amazon's music stores in the US & UK.
When Luke Murphy was growing up in rural Kerry, his father, a chemistry lecturer and environmental scientist, had a habit of turning even the simplest questions into full-scale lessons. "Ask about water testing and you'd get a deep dive into inorganic chemistry. It was fascinating, but also totally overwhelming," Murphy recalls. "It really made me think about how hard it is for experts to communicate the value of what they do." Waking Dreams from County Kerry Years later, that early insight would become the foundation for Waking Dreams Media, the Dublin-based video production company Murphy founded in January 2021. What began as a solo venture during the bleakest days of Ireland's third pandemic lockdown has since evolved into a growing team. Today, Waking Dreams Media delivers strategic video communications for some of the country's most technically complex businesses. But Murphy insists this is not a story about creative cinematography or camera gear. Instead, his team's work is about making complicated ideas easier to grasp. In particular, he's found a sweet spot in helping founders and teams who are building the kinds of products that don't yet have a ready-made market, or whose value can't be easily summed up in a single sentence. "These aren't off-the-shelf products," Murphy explains. "They're innovations, often emerging from research, deep tech, or life sciences. The challenge is not just showing what the product does, but helping someone who's never seen anything like it before understand why it matters." From the story of a gravestone to the story of a product Murphy's entrepreneurial streak showed up early. While completing a degree in Film and Media at UCC, he worked freelance behind the camera to support himself. He also co-founded a startup called The Story Of, a business that used QR codes to link gravestones with short videos about a person's life. The concept gained serious traction, even attracting media attention in Australia. But what Murphy took from that experience wasn't just media momentum. It was clarity about what he actually enjoyed. "I realised I was less interested in being the founder of a tech company than I was in helping tech companies communicate what they do," he says. "I loved the storytelling side, especially when it meant getting to grips with something complex and making it accessible." This impulse shaped the vision for Waking Dreams Media. Today, the company works with clients ranging from UCC Innovation and Blockchain Ireland to SMEs building smart RFID tools or pharmaceutical spinouts. Several of the startups they've supported have gone on to raise high six-figure funding rounds and land enterprise contracts. And they've often usd the videos in pitch decks and investor meetings. In one instance, a multinational client saw over 100,000 organic impressions from a single video campaign. "We start with messaging, not cameras" According to Murphy, the biggest misconception about video production is that it's simply about visuals. "People often assume video means showing up with a camera and recording whatever's there. But that's not how it works when you're dealing with complex B2B products. You can't explain a semiconductor startup the same way you'd shoot a wedding." Devising a strategy is the first stage of every project Murphy takes on. Murphy's team works with clients to clarify their core messaging, and ask questions. What changes in the customer's daily life if they use this product? What makes it different from what already exists? Why should a buyer or investor trust you? That messaging document becomes the foundation for everything else, not just the video but the website, sales deck and investor materials. It is a tool for internal alignment as much as external explanation. As Murphy puts it, "It's not about polishing a script. It's about revealing the story that already exists." Clients say the results speak for themselves. One founder described their Waking Dreams video as "...
Lean BPI, the Irish digital growth consultancy for SMEs and microenterprises, has announced new survey results which reveal that cost is the greatest inhibitor of digital transformation for small enterprises in Ireland. The research found that almost half (46%) of small business owners cite it as a top barrier. The research of 100 business owners in Ireland, running companies with 20 employees or fewer, was carried out by Censuswide on behalf of Lean BPI. It found that other major obstacles cited by businesses included legacy systems and cybersecurity risks (36% each) and connectivity issues (29%). The latter appears to be a significantly greater issue for organisations who are fully remote, with 37% who operate this working model saying connectivity is a barrier. Despite concerns among small enterprises regarding the cost of digital adoption, 34% admit they have not made use of any Government digital supports. However, there is strong interest, with 75% expressing a desire to learn more about them. Lean BPI is encouraging small enterprises to prioritise digital transformation and take advantage of available supports to protect themselves from external risks and increasing market competition. Concerningly, one-third (34%) of small business owners feel they are not keeping up with the pace of digital change of their rivals, indicating the importance of digital adoption in remaining competitive. In addition, small enterprises recognise the significance of digital adoption in general, with 64% agreeing digital transformation is helping their business to grow. This is evident in the research which found 38% of businesses are getting further sales and prospective leads through their social media channels. It is therefore unsurprising that 75% plan to invest more in digital over the next 12 months and 70% have a clear digital strategy for their business in place. John O'Shanahan, founder and managing director, Lean BPI, said: "Although cost is a significant factor in digital adoption, government grants can substantially ease the financial burden for small enterprises. The research suggests that inconsistent behaviour may stem from an awareness gap, with over three-quarters of small businesses eager to learn more about the supports available. "With external pressures and intensified competition at play, small enterprises risk falling behind if they fail to adapt to the digital environment. It's essential that they conduct their own research and engage with their Local Enterprise Office Network to help break down the barriers to digital adoption. Encouragingly, the majority of small business owners are already on the right path, with a clear digital strategy in place for their business. With the right supports and guidance available, small enterprises can embrace digital transformation with their arms wide open and strengthen their position within the market in spite of external challenges." See more stories here. More about Irish Tech News Irish Tech News are Ireland's No. 1 Online Tech Publication and often Ireland's No.1 Tech Podcast too. You can find hundreds of fantastic previous episodes and subscribe using whatever platform you like via our Anchor.fm page here: https://anchor.fm/irish-tech-news If you'd like to be featured in an upcoming Podcast email us at Simon@IrishTechNews.ie now to discuss. Irish Tech News have a range of services available to help promote your business. Why not drop us a line at Info@IrishTechNews.ie now to find out more about how we can help you reach our audience. You can also find and follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat.
Michael Moore, chief executive of the British Private Equity and Venture Capital Association, takes aim at the lazy caricatures and media misfires that still dominate public perceptions of private equity. Far from asset-stripping villains, today's private capital investors are quietly powering British enterprise — backing thousands of SMEs, creating jobs, driving productivity, and helping build a more resilient, innovative economy.Stay informed with CapX's unmissable daily briefings from the heart of Westminster. Go to capx.co to subscribe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Welcome to the Bryden Wood Podcast. In this episode, 'UK Industrial Strategy: Analysis, Gaps, and the Path to Growth', co-founder Martin Wood, Technical Director Adrian La Porta, and John Dyson examine the UK's recently published industrial strategy.The discussion highlights the positive aspects of the strategy, such as establishing a 10-year framework for economic stability , identifying key high-growth sectors (advanced manufacturing, clean energy, creative industries, defence, digital/technologies, financial services, life sciences, and professional/business services) , and its systems-thinking approach to complex challenges. They note the importance of a focus on pharmaceuticals, an area where the UK has historically excelled in innovation. The strategy's attention to reducing electricity prices for energy-intensive businesses and boosting R&D is also acknowledged as positive.However, the conversation pivots to what the strategy lacks: a clear 'industrialization strategy' that details how economic growth will be achieved. The team points out the disconnect between university education and industry needs, particularly in areas like automation. They also discuss the UK's 'cultural gap' and 'structural problem' regarding investment confidence at critical stages for new ideas , and the tendency to silo efforts rather than fostering integration between regional clusters.The podcast explores broader issues like the UK's productivity puzzle , the low uptake of AI and robotics in SMEs , and the need for a compelling national vision beyond mere policy documents. They argue for a stronger connection between educational institutions and industry, akin to the US model where universities actively foster startups.Ultimately, the episode emphasises that while the industrial strategy is a good start, its success hinges on fostering deeper integration between commerce, education, and investment , and creating a cohesive, skilled workforce across all levels.Intro: 0:00John Dyson on UK Industrial Strategy: 0:27Adrian La Porta on Industrialization: 3:52Martin Wood on Stability and Environment: 5:21Integration and Investment Gaps: 7:23Clusters and Regional Issues: 10:55Education, Skills, and Industrialization: 15:16Cultural and Economic Reflections: 21:29Vision, Integration, and Conclusion: 25:34Send us a textTo learn more about Bryden Wood's Design to Value philosophy, visit www.brydenwood.com. You can also follow Bryden Wood on LinkedIn.
Andrea Dermody, DCU lecturer, consultant and former head of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at State Street, talks about her work in shaping the next generation of inclusive business leaders. A prominent voice in the field of diversity, equity and inclusion, she discusses the global impact and challenges in this area. While at State Street she spearheaded initiatives across 14 countries and supported 12,000 employees through more than 50 employee resource groups.Visit www.thinkbusiness.ie for more news and supports for start-ups and SMEs in Ireland. If you want to start and grow a business, ThinkBusiness.
Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by Kripa Anand. Today, we're exploring innovative strategies and solutions that empower small and medium-sized businesses to thrive. We'll focus on the power of community, collaboration, and strategic customer engagement as key drivers for sustainable growth.Joining us today is Curtis Agemian, Co-Founder & CEO of Ostana, a platform designed to help small and medium-sized businesses grow by enabling seamless collaboration and maximizing customer engagement. Today, we'll discuss building small business communities, fostering collaboration, and balancing customer retention with acquisition efforts.Key Highlights:1. Building Up Small Business Communities: Curtis explains how fostering local collaboration creates ecosystems where businesses thrive and support each other's success.2. Getting Small to Medium-Sized Businesses to Collaborate with Each Other: Practical examples of how businesses can work together to promote products, share customers, and create joint offers.3. Customer Retention vs. Acquiring New Customers: The importance of customer retention for sustainable growth and how SMEs can balance efforts between retaining and acquiring clients.4. Ostana's Value Proposition for Small Businesses: How Ostana helps businesses drive customer loyalty, increase repeat sales, and attract new customers with affordable and effective solutions.5. Connecting with Local Business Leaders: Curtis shares insights from a moving interaction with a local BIA Executive Director, revealing the needs of businesses to partner for mutual growth.Special Thanks to Our Partners:RBC: https://www.rbcroyalbank.com/dms/business/accounts/beyond-banking/index.htmlUPS: https://solutions.ups.com/ca-beunstoppable.html?WT.mc_id=BUSMEWAGoogle: https://www.google.ca/A1 Global College: https://a1globalcollege.ca/ADP Canada: https://www.adp.ca/en.aspxFor more expert insights, visit www.canadiansme.ca and subscribe to the CanadianSME Small Business Magazine. Stay innovative, stay informed, and thrive in the digital age!Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered as direct financial or business advice. Always consult with a qualified professional for advice specific to your situation.
Welcome to 'AI Lawyer Talking Tech'. Today, we unpack the profound impact of artificial intelligence on the legal world, a transformation marking an industrial, informational, and cultural revolution. We'll discuss the immense opportunities AI presents, from vastly improving efficiency in document drafting, research, and contract review to enabling faster identification of legal insights and strategic opportunities. However, we also confront the significant challenges, including the crucial need for human oversight to counteract AI "hallucinations" and avoid fabricating legal authority, ensuring client confidentiality, and addressing ethical implications like algorithmic bias and data privacy. As policymakers work to establish frameworks for AI innovation and accountability, legal professionals face a critical period of adaptation, demanding both technical competence and strategic understanding to harness AI's full potential responsibly.Applying Generative AI Tools to Patent Law Practice25 Jul 2025JD SupraLawyers defending Baltimore jail conditions receive public reprimand for AI-generated citations24 Jul 2025The Baltimore BannerLegalOn raises $50M to expand legal AI product development and global reach24 Jul 2025SiliconANGLEJudge sanctions lawyers defending Alabama's prison system for using fake ChatGPT cases in filings24 Jul 2025Winnipeg Free PressLitera unveils Lito AI agent to transform legal workflows24 Jul 2025IT Brief UKCourt Kicks Lawyers Off Case After Finding Fake AI Cases In Filings24 Jul 2025Above The LawLegalOn Closes $50 Million Series E Led by Goldman Sachs24 Jul 2025CityBiz.coLaw Firms and AI Recommendations: Do LLMs Favor Big Law?24 Jul 2025JD SupraThe 2025 AI Action Plan: Key Business and Legal Implications24 Jul 2025National Law ReviewRenne Public Law Group Cultivates the Next Generation of Public Interest Lawyers24 Jul 2025Renne Public Law GroupSpecial Issue: Vol. 38/6 International Journal for the Semiotics of Law--" Semiotic Assemblage, Translanguaging and Translating Laws of the Middle East and North African Regions"24 Jul 2025Law at the End of the DayBehind the Idea: Genie AI24 Jul 2025Fintech TimesSoftBank-backed LegalOn lands $50M to streamline legal workflows with AI24 Jul 2025TechCrunchA Shadow AI Crisis Is Brewing in the GC's Office24 Jul 2025Corporate Compliance InsightsLegalOn Closes $50M Series E, Partners with OpenAI to Develop Advanced AI Agents24 Jul 2025LawSitesU.S. Lawmakers Introduce New Copyright and Privacy Bill that Will Criminalize Training AI On Copyrighted Content24 Jul 2025TekediaAI in court: rights, responsibilities and regulation24 Jul 2025Legal CheekAI Action Plan: US leadership must be ‘unchallenged'24 Jul 2025Stephen's LighthouseBridging the AI gap: How professionals can turn awareness into action24 Jul 2025Thomson Reuters InstituteCooley Is Pleased to Announce Its Partnership in New Centre for Creative AI24 Jul 2025CooleyTrump Administration Unveils Its Plan for Winning the AI Race24 Jul 2025K&L GatesPresident Trump's AI Action Plan and White House Control of Renewables — AI: The Washington Report24 Jul 2025Mintz LevinThe Trump Administration's AI Action Plan: Deregulation and Global Dominance24 Jul 2025SteptoeIntegrating Artificial Intelligence in M&A Processes: A New Strategic Era - Part 1: Leveraging AI and its Advantages24 Jul 2025Norton Rose FulbrightEuropean Commission Issues Guidelines for Providers of General-Purpose AI Models24 Jul 2025WilmerHaleAmerica's AI Action Plan: Breaking Down the Trump Administration's Strategy...24 Jul 2025Nelson MullinsGDPR Relief for SMEs? EDPB and EDPS Weigh in on the EU's Simplification Plans23 Jul 2025Squire Patton Boggs
Bank of Ireland recently launched its new Sustainable Business Coach online platform, a free digital tool designed to help SMEs identify their ESG priorities. Along with Green Business loans, this is one of a plethora of sustainability resources emerging from the Bank. Colette Shirley, director of Sustainability at Bank of Ireland talks about the development of the Coach and why it is vital to support businesses on their sustainability journey.Visit www.thinkbusiness.ie for more news and supports for start-ups and SMEs in Ireland. If you want to start and grow a business, ThinkBusiness.
In this episode of Insurance Tomorrow, Vanessa is joined by Delvin Tillett, Head of Cyber at Allianz Commercial, and Jake Moore, Global Cybersecurity Advisor at ESET to unravel the cyber risk landscape in the wake of the recent cyber-attacks on leading UK retailers. We delve into: The current cyber risk landscape and how this is impacting SMEs. The role of insurance in tackling these risks. How businesses can address vulnerabilities in their IT systems. What brokers should consider when advising their clients. Emerging cyber risks and how brokers can prepare their clients. Enjoyed this episode? Don't forget to rate and review to help others discover the Insurance Tomorrow podcast. And, if you're not subscribed yet, tap the follow button so you don't miss out on the latest insights. For more resources, articles, and webinars on business risks and other key topics, visit the Allianz Knowledge Centre. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Stephen Grootes speaks to Ndumiso Zulu, CEO of the Masisizane Fund, about the most common funding options available for startups and how these differ from those suited to scaling businesses. They explore the funding landscape, key challenges entrepreneurs face, and how businesses can position themselves for growth. The Money Show is a podcast hosted by well-known journalist and radio presenter, Stephen Grootes. He explores the latest economic trends, business developments, investment opportunities, and personal finance strategies. Each episode features engaging conversations with top newsmakers, industry experts, financial advisors, entrepreneurs, and politicians, offering you thought-provoking insights to navigate the ever-changing financial landscape. Thank you for listening to a podcast from The Money Show Listen live Primedia+ weekdays from 18:00 and 20:00 (SA Time) to The Money Show with Stephen Grootes broadcast on 702 https://buff.ly/gk3y0Kj and CapeTalk https://buff.ly/NnFM3Nk For more from the show, go to https://buff.ly/7QpH0jY or find all the catch-up podcasts here https://buff.ly/PlhvUVe Subscribe to The Money Show Daily Newsletter and the Weekly Business Wrap here https://buff.ly/v5mfetc The Money Show is brought to you by Absa Follow us on social media 702 on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TalkRadio702 702 on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@talkradio702 702 on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talkradio702/ 702 on X: https://x.com/CapeTalk 702 on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@radio702 CapeTalk on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CapeTalk CapeTalk on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@capetalk CapeTalk on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ CapeTalk on X: https://x.com/Radio702 CapeTalk on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CapeTalk567 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
@Michael Kerr and @Graham Stephen, founder of @BizVal Global, discuss #businessvaluation for small and medium enterprises (SMEs). With "85 to 95% of small businesses not sellable" we discuss the imperative for owners and advisers to understand business value today so they can begin proactively increasing it from tomorrow. Graham explains why forward-looking valuations are the key to helping business owners make informed decisions.They explore Graham's journey into entrepreneurship and his fascinating global perspective on business valuation,TakeawaysBusiness valuation is often overlooked until a sale is imminent.Many business owners do not understand the true value of their business.Regular valuations can help business owners make informed decisions.Owner dependency is a critical factor in business valuation.Valuation should be a forward-looking process, not just historical.Understanding cash profits is more important than revenue figures.The compliance aspect of valuation can limit its effectiveness.Data accuracy is essential for credible valuations.Removing red tape can foster a better environment for SMEs.Access to funding is crucial for small business growth.Chapters00:00 Introduction to BizVal Global and Its Purpose02:32 Graham's Journey to Entrepreneurship05:27 Understanding Business Valuation Importance08:43 The 85% of Unsellable Businesses12:13 Global Perspectives on Business Valuation14:25 Choosing the Right Valuation Approach18:43 The Valuation Process Explained21:40 Key Valuation Drivers for Business Owners24:39 The Role of Accountants in Valuation27:36 Valuation Multiples and Their Implications30:39 Understanding Business Valuation: Buyers and Multiples34:30 The Impact of Business Age and Owner Dependency38:33 Mitigating Risks: Insurance and Business Preparedness39:28 Data Sources and Valuation Challenges43:21 Valuation Process: A Comprehensive Approach49:23 Valuation Gaps: Realistic Expectations and Deal Structures52:10 Improving Australia's SME Landscape: Key Recommendations@kerrcapital Thanks for listening. Visit the Owner To Owner Podcast website to subscribe, listen back, or check out any resources or information mentioned on the show.Search @ownertoownerpodcast on your favourite podcast player to subscribe and listen to the episodes.Reach out to Michael Kerr via the website if you need personal assistance or advice for your small business.michael.kerr@kerrcapital.com.auwww.ownertoownerpodcast.com.au
Erica Wass, Principal Product Consultant at Brainmates, joins the Product Experience podcast to share pragmatic tools for building strategic foresight into your roadmap. From horizon scanning to backcasting, this episode explores how product teams can harness future-focused techniques—bolstered by generative AI—to improve decision-making, resilience, and impact.Chapters:0:00 – Why foresight matters in product1:00 – Introducing Erica Wass2:30 – How product is changing3:45 – The value of strategic foresight5:00 – Clarifying the term and its importance7:00 – Who owns foresight in the product org10:00 – Techniques: Horizon scanning, scenario planning, backcasting14:30 – Horizon scanning in action: Google & Android16:00 – Scenario planning for resilience21:00 – Tips on running scenario sessions23:45 – Backcasting: Vision-first roadmapping26:00 – Using AI to accelerate foresight30:00 – Product team dynamics in the AI era33:00 – Mistakes to avoid and balancing action with foresight37:00 – Wrap-up and takeawaysKey Takeaways— Horizon scanning helps teams identify early, weak signals that may grow into significant trends.— Scenario planning enables resilience by preparing teams for a range of plausible futures.— Backcasting flips traditional planning by working backward from a long-term goal to define near-term milestones.— Generative AI can democratise access to foresight tools—when used with critical thinking and proper validation.— Product professionals should take a proactive role in guiding strategic conversations, regardless of their title.— Avoid extremes with AI: neither fear it nor over-rely on it. Use it as a pairing partner rather than a replacement.Our HostsLily Smith enjoys working as a consultant product manager with early-stage and growing startups and as a mentor to other product managers. She's currently Chief Product Officer at BBC Maestro, and has spent 13 years in the tech industry working with startups in the SaaS and mobile space. She's worked on a diverse range of products – leading the product teams through discovery, prototyping, testing and delivery. Lily also founded ProductTank Bristol and runs ProductCamp in Bristol and Bath. Randy Silver is a Leadership & Product Coach and Consultant. He gets teams unstuck, helping you to supercharge your results. Randy's held interim CPO and Leadership roles at scale-ups and SMEs, advised start-ups, and been Head of Product at HSBC and Sainsbury's. He participated in Silicon Valley Product Group's Coaching the Coaches forum, and speaks frequently at conferences and events. You can join one of communities he runs for CPOs (CPO Circles), Product Managers (Product In the {A}ether) and Product Coaches. He's the author of What Do We Do Now? A Product Manager's Guide to Strategy in the Time of COVID-19. A recovering music journalist and editor, Randy also launched Amazon's music stores in the US & UK.
Over 6,500 SMEs have been directly supported by the all-of-Government National Enterprise Hub (NEH) in the first 12 months since its launch. The top grants availed of by businesses ranged in value from €3,000 to €7,000 and focused on supporting businesses with cashflow, expansion and productivity to help them deal with concerns around rising costs, and competitiveness. The National Enterprise Hub has attracted over 220,000 active online users to its website over the last 12 months and also offers a full-time dedicated phone line, connecting business owners with specialist advisors who can discuss potential grant options over the phone. The National Enterprise Hub, an initiative of the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment and Enterprise Ireland, brings together information and resources on over 250 Government supports from 30 different Departments and State Agencies. Looking ahead, there will be a continued and renewed focus on simplifying business grant applications for SMEs engaging with the National Enterprise Hub. The businesses are from a range of industries however the majority fall within Tourism & Hospitality, retail & consumer products, food, health & beauty, professional services and the construction sector. This free service makes it easier and more efficient for businesses to access and avail of supports such as grants, funding, loans and expert advice across a range of sectors. Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke, said, "With over 6,500 companies engaging in its first 12 months, the National Enterprise Hub has proven effective in streamlining and simplifying access for SMEs to government supports, equipping them with vital digital and sustainability resources to navigate rising costs and stay competitive. Research from my Department shows that four in five businesses believe sustainability is important. An awareness campaign is currently underway showcasing how the NEH can support businesses in cutting costs through grants such as the LEO's Energy Efficiency Grant and SEAI's Business Energy Upgrade Scheme. My focus now with the NEH is on reducing administrative burdens and red tape for businesses by consolidating multiple grant applications into a single, simplified process. We must redouble our efforts to simplify processes for businesses and make sure that we think about small businesses first. I look forward to its continued growth and positive impact on Irish SMEs." Conor O'Donovan, Head of Start-Ups and the National Enterprise Hub, said: "SME engagement with the National Enterprise Hub has met and exceeded our targets to date, supporting 6,500 businesses within our first year of operation. One of the main aims of the Hub was to engage with businesses who haven't availed of government supports to date and to make the process of availing of government supports faster and easier." "We know that Irish SMEs are operating in a complex environment and being able to access grants and supports is more important than ever. Small businesses who are engaging with the National Enterprise Hub are concerned about rising cost of business and competitiveness - that is why a single source of government supports for businesses is important to ensure that accessing the right information is made easier. The National Enterprise Hub has a team of dedicated advisors who are directing SMEs to the right support that will help them. It's for every business in the country and we'd encourage every business to go online to neh.gov.ie or pick up the phone and start the conversation around your business needs today." Audrey Hughes, CEO of Principle HR, said: "Like so many Irish SMEs, we are focused on providing the highest quality of service delivery to our customers, while remaining competitive. Accessing government supports to assist can feel daunting but the National Enterprise Hub made the process so much easier by putting us in contact with the right agency whose support and expertise fitted our n...
The following article of the Tech industry is: “How Automation Empowers SMEs to Stay Human” by Shelley Pursell, Director of Marketing for Latam and Iberia, Hubspot.
SCARP is the Small Company Administrative Rescue Process and was designed to cut the costs and timeframes for SMEs needing to be restructured or wound up. It's been around in full for 4 years but the take up has been lower than expected. Many insolvency professionals say that's because the Revenue the nation's biggest creditor is not using it and has an effective Veto on using SCARPs. But is that true? All to discuss with Paddy Purtill, Principal Officer in the Collector Generals, Revenue.
Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by Kripa Anand, where we explore the opportunities and resources empowering Canadian SMEs to thrive. Today, we're diving into the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence and the exciting new avenues for SMEs to adopt this technology with support.Joining us is Timothy Pereira, Managing Director of AI Launch Lab / Laboratoire Lancement IA, a non-profit providing AI training and subsidized talent to help Canadian SMEs embrace AI. We'll discuss subsidized AI opportunities, the impact of AI on education and work, and the available subsidies for AI projects. Let's begin!Key Highlights:1. Subsidized AI Opportunities for Small and Medium Enterprises: Timothy will discuss the specific subsidized opportunities that exist for small and medium-sized enterprises across Canada, including those outside of big cities, to leverage AI in ways that weren't feasible until recently.2. What AI Advances Mean for the Future of Education and Work: Timothy will explore the significant shifts he foresees in the future of education and the nature of work due to AI advancements, and how individuals and businesses can prepare for these changes.3. Subsidies Available for AI Projects: Timothy will elaborate on the specific subsidies and support that AI Launch Lab / Laboratoire Lancement IA can provide for SMEs looking to undertake AI adoption projects.4. The Rapid Evolution of AI Tools: Timothy will share a compelling anecdote about a hackathon that demonstrates the rapid evolution of AI tools, illustrating how this makes AI projects increasingly feasible for businesses.5. AI Launch Lab's Offer for SMEs: Timothy will outline the specific support and talent resources that AI Launch Lab / Laboratoire Lancement IA can provide to SMEs interested in exploring AI and starting their AI journey.Special Thanks to Our Partners:RBC: https://www.rbcroyalbank.com/dms/business/accounts/beyond-banking/index.htmlUPS: https://solutions.ups.com/ca-beunstoppable.html?WT.mc_id=BUSMEWAGoogle: https://www.google.ca/A1 Global College: https://a1globalcollege.ca/For more expert insights, visit www.canadiansme.ca and subscribe to the CanadianSME Small Business Magazine. Stay innovative, stay informed, and thrive in the digital age!Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered as direct financial or business advice. Always consult with a qualified professional for advice specific to your situation.
On today's episode of LegalTechTalk Uncovered 2025, we have the honour of speaking with Amir Ali OBE. He is the founder and CEO of Remote Court Users, a legal tech initiative focused on improving access to justice for SMEs through streamlined, digitized debt recovery. A former lawyer and High Court enforcement professional, he also chaired the Civil Court Users Association and was awarded an OBE for his services to court users and the law. His broader mission includes establishing the Legal Aid Foundation to provide free legal advice for those unable to afford it.
On this episode of Private Markets 360°, Chris Botsford, Co-Founder and Chief Investment Officer at ADM Capital, shares his insights on the private credit market in Asia. He explores his extensive experience in investing in underfinanced SMEs, the importance of ESG principles, and the critical role of local relationships in navigating diverse jurisdictions. Credits: Host/Author: Chris Sparenberg, Jocelyn Lewis Guests: Chris Botsford, ADM Capital Producer: Georgina Lee www.spglobal.com www.spglobal.com/market-intelligence
In this episode of Accountants Minute Podcast, Peter Towers unpacks the critical role accountants, bookkeepers, and business advisors play in helping SMEs secure funding for survival and growth. From government grants like the Export Market Development Grant and R&D Tax Incentive to equity capital options including Early-Stage Innovation Companies, Section 708 of Corporations Act, and Crowd-Sourced Funding – this episode is a practical roadmap for advisors ready to step up. Peter challenges the notion that funding advice is only for engineers or scientists, showing how trusted advisors can guide clients through strategic planning, financial forecasting, and capital-raising compliance. You'll discover: ✅ Why SME clients need more than tax returns ✅ How to help clients access up to $780,000 in grants ✅ The untapped power of R&D advisory for firms ✅ The role of business advisors in capital raising strategies ✅ How offering these services can attract and retain talented team members Whether you're looking to diversify your services, better serve your clients, or build a stronger firm culture, this episode delivers insight, clarity, and direction. You can also access our podcast on: Amazon Music Apple Podcasts Audible Spotify YouTube
In 2014, only 7 per cent of SMEs considered non-bank lenders; by 2025, this has surged to 55 per cent. This massive growth was unpacked by the team in this week's episode of Broker Daily's Finance Specialist. Non-bank lenders have gained market share due to flexibility, niche offerings, and faster approvals compared to traditional banks. Non-bank lending is now a crucial part of SME finance, offering speed and flexibility that traditional banks can't. However, responsible lending and broker guidance are essential to prevent debt traps.
saas.unbound is a podcast for and about founders who are working on scaling inspiring products that people love, brought to you by https://saas.group/, a serial acquirer of B2B SaaS companies. In episode #32 of season 5, Anna Nadeina talks with Jerome, founder of Zola, HR software platform designed for SMEs to manage employee reviews, training, skills development, and continuous feedback. --------------Episode's Chapters---------------- 00:00 - Meet Jerome: From Engineer to Entrepreneur 03:11 - The Birth of Zola HR 07:32 - From Free Tool to B2B Platform 08:45 - Bootstrapping Challenges and Successes 14:32 - Raising Funds and Future Plans 25:23 - Improving Processes and SEO 27:51 - Sales Process and Strategies 30:21 - Building an All-in-One Software 36:34 - Team Strategy and Culture 39:27 - Biggest Wins and Failures Jerome - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jerome-vobmann/ Zola - https://www.zola.fr/ Subscribe to our channel to be the first to see the interviews that we publish twice a week - https://www.youtube.com/@saas-group Stay up to date: Twitter: https://twitter.com/SaaS_group LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/14790796
On Saturday 19 July 2025, Abuja held its own Feet Of Grace Foundation charity walk and this also marked 10years of the organizations operation.Feet Of Grace has assisted women without limbs in acquiring limbs, supporting those that are running SMEs and helping some of these ladies in school .This is a worthy cause that Feet Of Grace Foundation is carrying out.
Featured Links: Follow Brigitte on LinkedIn | DrDoctor | European Commission Public Health 'Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare' featureOur HostsLily Smith enjoys working as a consultant product manager with early-stage and growing startups and as a mentor to other product managers. She's currently Chief Product Officer at BBC Maestro, and has spent 13 years in the tech industry working with startups in the SaaS and mobile space. She's worked on a diverse range of products – leading the product teams through discovery, prototyping, testing and delivery. Lily also founded ProductTank Bristol and runs ProductCamp in Bristol and Bath. Randy Silver is a Leadership & Product Coach and Consultant. He gets teams unstuck, helping you to supercharge your results. Randy's held interim CPO and Leadership roles at scale-ups and SMEs, advised start-ups, and been Head of Product at HSBC and Sainsbury's. He participated in Silicon Valley Product Group's Coaching the Coaches forum, and speaks frequently at conferences and events. You can join one of communities he runs for CPOs (CPO Circles), Product Managers (Product In the {A}ether) and Product Coaches. He's the author of What Do We Do Now? A Product Manager's Guide to Strategy in the Time of COVID-19. A recovering music journalist and editor, Randy also launched Amazon's music stores in the US & UK.
Manufacturing traceability isn't just a fancy catchword. It's the mark of quality, compliance, and competitiveness for shops of all sizes. Find out what traceability really means for smaller manufacturers, learn how it protects your production process, and discover practical ways to implement it without blowing your budget. You can learn more in this episode or read about it on our blog For more information about MRPeasy software, visit our website: mrpeasy.com
AI isn't a buzzword anymore. It's an operating system shift that's already reshaping how we work, sell, and compete. I spoke with Piers Linney, entrepreneur, ex-Dragon, and co-founder of Implement AI, about what business leaders need to know right now to stay relevant.Piers has sat on boards, built companies from scratch, and now helps SMEs navigate the complex and fast-changing AI landscape. He pulls no punches. If you're still dragging your feet on AI, this episode is a wake-up call.We spoke about where AI is really headed, how SMEs can integrate it practically, and why business owners need to focus on the augmented human, not just automation. He also gets candid about how he's advising his daughters on careers in a world where cognitive labour is under threat.This episode will leave you thinking harder and moving faster about how you adapt. Because if you don't, your competitors will.Key TakeawaysAI is still in dial-up phase. Most SMEs aren't ready for what's coming in the next five years.The real advantage is human + machine. Businesses that augment human capabilities with AI will win.Jobs are shifting. Knowledge work isn't safe. Creativity, adaptability, and experience are what matter now.There's no playbook. You need to experiment, test and build your AI roadmap before your competitors do.Advising the next generation. The education system isn't ready. Parents and leaders need to step in.
BnM announce today that applications are now officially open for the Accelerate Green Grow 2026 Programme, Ireland's pioneering accelerator for climate-focused enterprises. The programme will commence in January 2026, offering another cohort of scaling sustainability innovators the opportunity to accelerate their climate impact. Now in its fourth year, Accelerate Green continues to build momentum as a hub for the next generation of green leaders in Ireland. Since its inception in 2022, the programme has supported 60 Irish companies, helping them scale their solutions, expand into new markets, secure investment, and collectively contribute over 700 jobs to the Irish economy. A Programme Designed for Growth in the Green Economy The Accelerate Green Grow Programme is designed specifically for established SMEs and STEM entrepreneurs who are either scaling or pivoting their businesses to align with the climate change economy. Areas of innovation include renewable energy, sustainable software, circular economy, biodiversity, healthcare, foodtech, and other environmental sectors. Delivered in partnership with Resolve Partners, the programme combines eight intensive modules of strategic business workshops, mentoring, and industry engagement. Participants will benefit from business strategy and scale-up mentorship, support in investor readiness and articulating their climate impact, connections with policymakers, funders, and enterprise agencies, opportunities to pilot solutions within BnM, and a platform to present their innovations at the programme's capstone conference, attended by over 300 stakeholders. Tom Donnellan, Chief Executive of BnM commented: "Accelerate Green is a cornerstone of our commitment to Ireland's climate transition. We are proud to support innovators who are not only building successful businesses but are also making real contributions to biodiversity, sustainability, and carbon reduction. Accelerate Green Grow 2026 will continue to strengthen Ireland's position as a global leader in climate entrepreneurship. It is an unmissable opportunity for businesses looking to grow and scale in the sustainability sector and I encourage all to apply. I look forward to meeting the newest cohort of Grow participants and to learning more about their unique climate solutions." BnM provides unparalleled support throughout the programme, including access to senior leadership expertise, facilities in Boora, Co. Offaly, and the opportunity for direct collaboration on innovation projects. Each participating company is also introduced to a wide ecosystem of industry experts, research networks, and potential investors - positioning them for rapid growth and global scalability. Notable outcomes from previous cohorts include a collaboration between Hibra Design, an Irish automotive engineering development company (AGG 2023 alumni) and BnM's Land and Habitats team to electrify the BnM tractor fleet. Their pilot programme called Boglands Electric Tractor Re-engineering (BETR) commences this month. Similarly, a joint venture between Acel Energy and Conneely Builders, who met during the Accelerate Green Grow 2024 programme have earlier this year secured a contract to deliver a 1.2MW solar farm at Shannon Airport, supplying up to 20% of the airport's electricity needs. Fiona Nulty, co-founder of Biosense and participant in the Accelerate Green Grow 2025 cohort, reflected on their experience from the year: 'Taking part in BnM Accelerate Green Grow with Resolve Partners has been invaluable for our business. The expert guidance, mentoring, and peer network helped us to sharpen our strategy, build confidence in our direction, and grow our ambition. It is a well-structured, programme that gives real time and support to companies working on complex environmental challenges." Applications can be made at www.accelerategreen.ie. More about Irish Tech News Irish Tech News are Ireland's No. 1 Online Tech Publication and often Ireland's No.1 Tech Pod...
ISO certification is more than just earning a certificate, and it requires continuous maintenance to both retain certification and drive effective improvements. Over the course of your 3-year certification cycle, you will need to ensure your Management System is regularly updated and reviewed so that it remains relevant to the way you're currently working. That in addition to annual tasks such as internal auditing and management review, it can be a lot to keep on top of. Which is why some turn to external ISO Support. In this episode, Steph Churchman explains what ISO Support is, the challenges of managing ISO internally and the benefits of external support. You'll learn · What is ISO Support? · What tasks can you outsource · Challenges of managing ISO internally · What are the benefits of ISO Support? Resources · Isologyhub · ISO Support Plan In this episode, we talk about: [02:05] Episode Summary – Steph explains what is meant by ISO Support, explains the challenges with managing ISO internally and the benefits of engaging in external support. [02:20] What is ISO Support? ISO certification involves a 3-year cycle, where you will be subjected to an annual Surveillance audit by your certification body. On year 3, you will need to undertake a recertification audit, which will determine if you can keep your ISO certification. During that cycle, you will be required to complete annual tasks such as internal auditing, documentation updates and management review to ensure that your management system is effective in driving continual improvement. ISO Support is a service provided by an external party to help facilitate the management of these annual tasks, usually undertaken by a dedicated ISO consultancy. [03:40] What tasks can be outsourced? To learn about what tasks can be outsourced, check out a previous episode. [03:55] ISO Management Challenge #1: Internal auditors not being comfortable about auditing their peers - It may be the case that certain individuals do no get on, however if someone manages a key process or area of the business, they still need to be audited. There's also the chance for auditors to be misunderstood, or have trouble getting the answers they need from auditees. Auditing requires the ability to effectively communicate and make yourself understood. It's quite common for auditees to ask for further clarification on questions asked, so you need to be able to work with them so that they understand what you're really asking. [04:45] ISO Management Challenge #2: Internal auditors not being particularly objective or impartial when auditing leadership – It can be hard to be impartial towards leadership, even if it is ultimately in their best interest! These dynamics can be habitual, but by not pointing out genuine issues or opportunities for improvement, you dimmish the purpose of the exercise. This also involves any leadership being receptive to feedback given. If this hasn't been taken well in the past, it's understandable for individuals to be hesitant doing so again, even if it's a necessary part of the process. [05:35] ISO Management Challenge #3: Fed up with paying for training for a high turnover of internal auditors - Internal Auditing will require a qualification, which will cost money. It's not a tremendous amount for these courses, but it would be an extra thing to budget for, and then there's factoring the time to complete the course which takes away from that individuals other responsibilities. It can also be frustrating when your only Internal Auditor moves on and so you have to train another. Depending on the business, this could happen quite frequently and so ends up being a repetitive expense. You will also need to ensure any current auditors are competent to audit against any new ISO Standards that you may add along the way. [06:35] ISO Management Challenge #4: Managers not having time to update processes - Your Management system is likely owned by either just 1 individual or by a small team within the business. Those involved will already have their plates full with day-to-day operations, and anything ISO related is just another task to add onto that pile. In the eyes of many, they may seem unimportant in comparison, and will continually get shuffled down the priority list until it's time for a Surveillance Audit. There will also be a certain amount of documentation to review and update on a regular basis. Even those with mature systems can experience trouble with duplicated processes, or confusion with old versions, and finding the time to sit and refresh all of that is often hard to accomplish. [07:30] ISO Management Challenge #5: Managers not aware of their legal, regulatory or ISO Standards requirements - As ISO Standards lay out best practice, they do require businesses to be aware of and adhere to relevant legislation and regulations. Managers will likely not be an expert in ISO Standards or legislation, so it can be easy for things to get missed if they've not had sufficient training beforehand. It will take time for relevant individuals within a business to be trained, or complete CPD to be fully competent to ensure full ISO and legal compliance. [08:25] ISO Management Challenge #6: Not updating key information i.e. Risk Register, BCP's, environmental/energy metrics - Monitoring and measuring is a big part of ISO Management. You need to document certain metrics if you want to track them effectively. You will also need to update key documentation, as nothing stays the same forever. Major business changes may prompt updates to key policies and procedures. You may have opportunities to improve that fall out of audits that require certain documentation to be updated. Or correcting things where non-conformities have been raised. These updates are necessary to keep the momentum of a management system going. It needs to grow with you, which it will fail to do if everything documented is only applicable to how your business operated a few years ago. [09:15] ISO Management Challenge #7: Not reviewing key information i.e. Objectives, Environmental/H & S/Data Security trends - Objectives is another key metric that should be reviewed on a regular basis. To not only establish if you are making progress with them, but also to possibly adjust if the original plans were too lofty. They should still be a challenge to obtain, but we're all only human and sometimes our first estimates about what's achievable might be a tad too ambitious. There is also a need to review audit results to see if there's any trends in areas such as info sec, sustainability and risk. This could be opportunities for improvement or some reoccurring issues that need to be addressed. All of this monitoring is going to require dedicated time from relevant personal, including feeding back results and following through with further actions. [10:55] ISO Support Benefit #1: Expertise and Specialisation - Dedicated ISO consultants will keep you up-to-date with the latest standard revisions, interpretations, and best practices. This includes their experience with helping businesses to plan and conduct annual maintenance. They are there as a guiding hand and can be a great sounding board for you if you have questions surrounding ideas or actions that you're unsure about. Their help ensures your system is maintained effectively and most importantly, compliantly. [11:40] ISO Support Benefit #2: Cost Savings - While there's a fee for outsourcing, it's often more cost-effective than maintaining an in-house team or dedicating significant internal resources. As mentioned earlier, you would need qualified internal auditors at the very least, this will require training costs. You also need to consider the time taken out of individual's typical working schedule to be able to conduct annual ISO maintenance, this will take away from their day-to-day tasks. We took this into consideration when creating our ISO Support Plan option, which is a 3-year contract that allows you to stay at a fixed rate for those 3-years. It's a set it and forget it approach to ISO Support, which is flexible on both the number of days required annually in addition to the tasks you'd like support with. [12:35] ISO Support Benefit #3: Reduced Workload for Internal Staff - It's often the case that Individuals, especially in SMEs, often wear many hats. Adding ISO maintenance onto that will impact on their day-to-day activities. Outsourcing frees up their time and resources, allowing them to focus on core business activities rather than the complexities of ISO maintenance. A lot of people don't take training into consideration for people who get handed the task of maintaining a management system. It's a lot of unnecessary stress when they've likely already got enough on their plate. Outsourcing will take a lot of that burden away, and give them a chance to lean on consultant guidance and be able to learn how to manage the tasks without fear of jeopardising the company's certification. [13:30] ISO Support Benefit #4: Impartiality and Objectivity - An external consultant can offer an unbiased perspective on your management system's performance, identifying areas for improvement that might be overlooked by internal staff due to familiarity, bias or ingrained practices. A fresh pair of eyes can provide a lot of valuable insight, in addition to their lessons learned from other clients. It also helps to have another unbiased voice on your side if you have suggestions for improvement that need presenting to leadership. It should also be noted that impartial audits are a requirement of ISO Standards, this is so you're not marking your own homework all the time. It's another level of assurance that you are doing what you say you're doing. [14:20] ISO Support Benefit #5: Continuity and Risk Mitigation - Employee turnover can disrupt internal ISO maintenance. Outsourcing provides continuity, as any external provider will be available for the duration of an agreed contract, there's no ambiguity on how long you have their support for. They will help you plan out what needs to be done, and facilitate this with the relevant individuals within your business. [15:00] ISO Support Benefit #6: Improved Efficiency and Effectiveness - External specialists will have the experience to help streamline processes and tools for maintenance activities. Making the system and it's running more efficient, leaving you with more time to implement worthwhile changes that reap tangible results. Having their guidance from the start means you'll be hitting the ground running. At Blackmores, we ensure that annual activities are planned out in advance so everyone can be prepared and work on a consistent schedule. [15:40] ISO Support Benefit #7: Enhanced Compliance and Audit Readiness - Outsourced consultants are going to be more adept at ensuring the system remains fully compliant with ISO standards. As they can proactively identify and address non-conformities that could easily be missed by those with significantly less auditing experience. There is a level of experience that is tricky to achieve if you do not regularly conduct internal audits. Consultants know what to look for, and will often have significant industry experience to know what stones to unturn to find issues and opportunities. Afterall, that is the purpose of internal audits, to not only check that process, policies and procedures are being followed, but to seek out where you can be doing better, or fixing issues as your business changes and adapts. [16:40] ISO Support Benefit #8: Focus on Core Business Activities - By offloading the burden of ISO maintenance, you can re-allocate your focus and resources to core business activities and strategic initiatives. ISO Consultants can take a lot of the mental burden of managing ISO systems away. There will still be homework to do on your side, as ultimately, you know how your business works best, but a consultant will guide you through what needs to be done. We know that many of you tasked with ISO compliance in your business have another primary role that requires a lot more of your attention. So make it easier on yourselves with the help of an expert, so you can get on and do what you need to do with minimal interruption. [17:30] ISO Support Benefit #9: Potential for Scalability and Flexibility - Outsourced services can often be scaled up or down based on the business's needs, offering flexibility that an internal team might not be able to provide, especially during periods of growth, crisis or during large projects. ISO Consultants can help either pick up the slack or give you more of the rope to handle annual ISO maintenance depending on what you need or want. At Blackmores, we have an ISO Support Plan that can be tailored to your exact needs, including the options to complete tasks such as:- · Conducting impartial internal audits · Providing surveillance support · Updating legal registers · Documentation updates · Conducting annual management reviews With 3 levels of support available, we have no issue with you increasing or decreasing days required each year, or varying the tasks depending on where you need the most support. If you'd like any assistance with ISO Support, feel free to get in touch with us, we'd be happy to help. We'd love to hear your views and comments about the ISO Show, here's how: ● Share the ISO Show on Twitter or Linkedin ● Leave an honest review on iTunes or Soundcloud. Your ratings and reviews really help and we read each one. Subscribe to keep up-to-date with our latest episodes: Stitcher | Spotify | YouTube |iTunes | Soundcloud | Mailing List
In this episode of Lets Talk Lean, Ryan Tierney (Lean Made Simple) and Paul Blahyj (Toyota Lean Management Centre) sit down with lean officials Phil Catherwood (Welsh Government), Robert Hernan (Enterprise Ireland) and John McClune (Invest Northern Ireland) to talk what it takes to bring lean to the nations.
Since October 2020, Soumya Dinesh has been Managing Director and Co-Founder of Atula Technologies – a Buckinghamshire based business specialising in bespoke software solutions for SMEs. Soumya grew up in the cantonment city of Bengaluru, India and excelled academically. She originally wanted to become a pilot but did not pursue this, instead opting to go to Pondicherry University where she got a master's degree in finance. This enabled Soumya to go on to work with one of the biggest accounting firms in the world.Despite an enjoyable and enriching stint there, she learnt it was not what she wanted to do, surprising many by taking the reins of an at-home flower delivery company based around her parent's flower shop when she was in her early 20s. It was here that Soumya got her first taste of e-commerce, which would later become the foundations of Atula Technologies. “It led to tremendous growth for the florist shop, which was once a single unit on one high street. We were the most well-known florist in India for several years after that because we could deliver across the country with our branding.” The florist business was later sold, Soumya married Dinesh and moved to the UK. She then retrained in IT and worked for Lloyd's TSB and SONY Corporation. At the same time, Soumya decided to start creating her own chocolates, which gradually spiralled into her own business. Her company Cherish Chocolates earned several Great Taste awards and was sold up and down the country but was eventually wound down after 10 years when she decided to focus on family.Several years later, Soumya launched Atula Technologies with Dinesh, bringing their IT knowledge and experience together. Now in its fourth year, Soumya says it is “onward and upward” with plans for growth and success for herself and her clients. “I have a lot to offer and so much to give back.” https://www.linkedin.com/in/soumyadinesh/www.atulatech.com
What do military aviation and AI workflows have in common? According to Chase Hannegan. founder of Chase AI, TikTok viral sensation and today's guest on Future Craft, it's all about precision, systems thinking, and being willing to suck at something new. Chase went from Marine Corps Osprey pilot to TikTok-famous agent builder. He's now helping thousands of creators and founders move from prompt experiments to real agent-powered execution—no coding required. In this episode, we get into: Why n8n is Chase's go-to platform for building practical, scalable agents The difference between AI workflows and true agents (and why most people get stuck) How to avoid YouTube tutorial hell and actually learn to build with intelligence A live walkthrough of Chase's personal assistant agent (and how you can steal it) What's not ready for prime time (yet), and how to build trust into your stack Whether you're a marketer, founder, or just AI-curious, Chase breaks down agent building in plain language—and shows that it's not about replacing people, but unlocking their time.
Senator Craughwell leads the charge to a secure digital future Ireland's digital progress has been extraordinary. From online banking and healthcare systems to remote learning and connected infrastructure, the nation has embraced digitalisation across every sector. However, this transformation has come at a cost. As our digital footprint expands, so too does our exposure to cyber threats. Cybersecurity is no longer just a technical issue. It is a public concern and a national responsibility. We often picture cyberattacks as distant or unlikely events, something that happens to big tech companies or foreign governments. Attacks in recent years have shown that Ireland is not immune. Irish institutions - such as the HSE in 2021 - have faced serious disruptions, but so too have countless smaller businesses. Many incidents never make headlines but the reality is that companies' systems, data, personal privacy, financial assets, and systems managed by IT and OT (operational technology) are under continuous threat. What makes these attacks so dangerous is not just their sophistication. It's how easily they succeed. In most cases, breaches begin with one thing: human error. It can be as simple as an employee opening a fraudulent email, a manager misunderstanding a digital risk, or a staff member who is unaware that their actions have consequences far beyond their screen. Awareness is the missing link Awareness is the critical missing link in our national defence. Most successful cyberattacks don't rely on elite hacking tools; they rely on people not being prepared. Attackers exploit gaps in understanding - gaps that exist in homes, schools, businesses and public services. Awareness needs to be treated as a core component of Ireland's cybersecurity response. Without it, no software or firewall can offer enough protection. Ireland's small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are particularly vulnerable. They make up most of the country's enterprises and employ the majority of our workforce. Yet, many of these organisations do not have dedicated cybersecurity teams or robust training in place. The same applies to charities, community organisations, and voluntary services - sectors that handle sensitive data and are crucial to local life but often lack the resources or know-how to defend against threats. The risk is real. The consequences are national. Partnered with CJHNetwork, Data Edge have participated in conducting cyber reviews across Ireland. We found that a number of SMEs within critical supply chains have already been targeted by cyberattacks. These organisations support navigation, satellite communication, and other essential infrastructure which are of strategic importance. This highlights the growing vulnerabilities in sectors vital to public safety and national services. Building national cyber resilience Cyber risk is not theoretical. It is here, it is growing, and it is reaching into the heart of our critical infrastructure. So, what must Ireland do? How do we build resilience before the next wave of attacks hits us harder? We need a coordinated national effort - one that combines public awareness, skilled training, and long-term investment. It should also ensure consistent funding and empower policy makers to deliver widespread public engagement. This includes strengthening support for SMEs and community organisations, expanding cybersecurity training and awareness across all levels of society, and building a skilled and diverse workforce through education, outreach, and accelerated recruitment. Ireland must also invest in the infrastructure, tools, and partnerships that will enable long-term resilience and readiness. Our active involvement as part of a national cybersecurity consortium includes participation in discussions at Leinster House and ongoing collaboration with policymakers, and we recognise that collective insights and local experience are key to shaping Ireland's cybersecurity landscape. Currently, a positio...
Most accountants and bookkeepers still deliver what SMEs have come to expect: an annual set of accounts and a tax return. But what if that's no longer enough? In this powerful episode, Peter Towers, founder of ESS BIZTOOLS, challenges the profession to step up and become the trusted strategic advisor every SME desperately needs. From real-time financial insights to weekly performance reviews, Peter reveals how you can help clients make better decisions – faster – using tools like KPI dashboards, business health checks, cash flow forecasting, and the 52-Week Business Enhancement System. Discover how to: ✅ Build retainer-based, Virtual CFO services ✅ Set up weekly and monthly reporting rhythms that drive accountability ✅ Use business evaluations, checklists, and survival strategies to lift SME performance ✅ Add real value beyond compliance – before AI and automation redefine your role If you're ready to stop reporting history and start shaping the future for your clients, this episode is your roadmap. You can also access our podcast on: Amazon Music Apple Podcasts Audible Spotify YouTube
Let the girl dad life commence! Here's what I've been up to recently.
In this episode of The Product Experience, Lily Smith and Randy Silver speak with Dee Miller, Director of Product Strategy and Insights for Product Equity at Adobe. Dee shares her personal journey into inclusive design, and discusses how Adobe is moving beyond accessibility compliance to build genuinely usable, inclusive, and emotionally accessible products. Featured Links: Follow Dee on LinkedIn | The Adobe Accessibility Checker | Listen to previous The Product Experience episode: 'Building Accessible Products' with Jonathan Hassell (CEO & Founder, Hassell Inclusion) Our HostsLily Smith enjoys working as a consultant product manager with early-stage and growing startups and as a mentor to other product managers. She's currently Chief Product Officer at BBC Maestro, and has spent 13 years in the tech industry working with startups in the SaaS and mobile space. She's worked on a diverse range of products – leading the product teams through discovery, prototyping, testing and delivery. Lily also founded ProductTank Bristol and runs ProductCamp in Bristol and Bath. Randy Silver is a Leadership & Product Coach and Consultant. He gets teams unstuck, helping you to supercharge your results. Randy's held interim CPO and Leadership roles at scale-ups and SMEs, advised start-ups, and been Head of Product at HSBC and Sainsbury's. He participated in Silicon Valley Product Group's Coaching the Coaches forum, and speaks frequently at conferences and events. You can join one of communities he runs for CPOs (CPO Circles), Product Managers (Product In the {A}ether) and Product Coaches. He's the author of What Do We Do Now? A Product Manager's Guide to Strategy in the Time of COVID-19. A recovering music journalist and editor, Randy also launched Amazon's music stores in the US & UK.
This week, Jason Howell and Jeff Jarvis celebrate the arrival of AI Mode for Jeff! They pick apart all of the defections taking place in AI (much of it heading right for Meta's Superintelligence lab), how AI impersonation is becoming a thing even if it isn't very successful yet, and the arrival of Perplexity's $200 per month plan that includes first dibs at their agentic Comet browser. Subscribe to the YouTube channel! https://www.youtube.com/@aiinsideshow Enjoying the AI Inside podcast? Please rate us ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ in your podcatcher of choice! Note: Time codes subject to change depending on dynamic ad insertion by the distributor. CHAPTERS: 0:00:00 - Podcast begins 0:01:33 - Jeff finally got his AI Mode! 0:10:55 - Circle to Search Gets AI Mode, Gaming Help Arrives, and Pixel Watch Finally Gets Gemini 0:16:51 - Apple Loses Top AI Models Executive to Meta's Hiring Spree 0:24:16 - Ilya Sutskever becomes CEO of Safe Superintelligence after Meta poached Daniel Gross 0:31:09 - xAI updated Grok to be more ‘politically incorrect' 0:35:21 - Linda Yaccarino steps down as CEO of Elon Musk's X 0:37:34 - Fake AI voice impersonating Secretary of State Marco Rubio contacts foreign ministers and US officials 0:41:18 - OpenAI tightens the screws on security to keep away prying eyes 0:46:39 - Channel 4 to offer AI-generated ads for SMEs on its streaming service 0:52:31 - How the Owner of Hidden Valley Ranch Learned to Love AI 0:57:21 - Jeff shows off Epicure for AI-generated recipes 1:00:00 - Perplexity launches a $200 monthly subscription plan 1:00:28 - Perplexity launches Comet, an AI-powered web browser 1:04:44 - Excerpt from our interview with Babak Hodjat, co-founder of the tech driving Siri 1:12:57 - Nvidia Just Became the First Company to Hit a $4 Trillion Market Cap Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Stablecoins too – and not as a sign of risk tolerance, but to mitigate the risks of fiat debasement, as 80eight macro strategist Shiven Moodley explains. Moneyweb Crypto news articles
In this episode of Tech Talks Daily, I sit down with Candice DeVille, co-founder and CEO of AI Copilot, who joined me remotely from the serene gardens of Osaka Castle in Japan, where tech meets tradition in one of the most unexpected podcast backdrops we've had. Candice is on a mission to redefine how small and medium-sized businesses approach AI, treating it not as a trend but as a practical strategy for growth and efficiency. Throughout our conversation, she draws on decades of experience in marketing, media, and digital strategy to explain how SMEs can move away from fear-driven stagnation or scattered adoption and toward a structured, ROI-focused roadmap. We explore the practical challenges that come with implementing AI, from dealing with siloed data and low AI literacy to helping teams embrace change. Candice explains why many organizations fail at AI not because of the tools, but because they overlook the human element. Creating a team of AI champions, especially outside of traditional IT roles, can unlock powerful opportunities by tapping into the unique insights held across the business. A standout moment in our discussion is a case study involving a maintenance company that used AI to automate debt collection. The result wasn't just improved cash flow but something far more personal: their CFO regained two full days per week and used that time to spend with his family. It's a simple example of AI driving real outcomes for both business performance and quality of life. We also discuss common traps like shiny object syndrome, lack of planning, and the hype around agents. Candice encourages business leaders to first get their data in order, take a phased approach, and resist the urge to solve everything at once. Her advice is clear: start with what matters, measure impact, and build from there. So how do you turn AI into a business advantage without overwhelming your team or your budget? And how can you ensure that your approach to technology actually enhances the human side of work? Let's find out.
How can we turn great ideas into lasting social impact? In this episode of the OECD Podcast, Shayne MacLachlan speaks with Jeroen Jutte, Head of the European Social Fund Coordination Unit at the European Commission. They explore how the EU is using its flagship funding instrument to support and scale social innovation—from pilot projects in disadvantaged communities to multi-country initiatives reaching millions. With funding of over €2 billion dedicated to social innovation, the ESF+ offers a powerful model for using public investment to solve social challenges. Tune in to learn how Europe is taking ideas from the ground and turning them into lasting change. To learn more on ESF+: https://european-social-fund-plus.ec.europa.eu/en https://european-social-fund-plus.ec.europa.eu/en/social-innovation Discover the Local Development Forum: https://www.oecd.org/en/networks/oecd-local-development-forum.html Read the report Starting, Scaling and Sustaining Social Innovation: Evidence and Impact of the European Social Fund: https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/starting-scaling-and-sustaining-social-innovation_ec1dfb67-en.html Host: Shayne MacLachlan, Public Affairs and Communications Manager at the OECD Centre for Entrepreneurship, SMEs, Regions and Cities Guest: Jeroen Jutte leads the European Social Fund Plus coordination unit in the Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion DG of the European Commission. He has also led units dealing with Romania/Bulgaria, the European Semester (EU economic governance), and one dealing with budget discharge as well as relations with the European Court of Auditors. Mr. Jutte is a macro economist by training. To learn more about the OECD, our global reach, and how to join us, go to www.oecd.org/en/about.html To keep up with latest at the OECD, visit www.oecd.org/ Get the latest OECD content delivered directly to your inbox! Subscribe to our newsletters: www.oecd.org/en/about/newsletters.html
The managed service provider (MSP) cyber insurance landscape is facing significant challenges, primarily due to the certification process rather than the coverage itself. Edouard von Herberstein, a seasoned expert in complex risk management, recognized the inefficiencies within this system and founded Spectra, the first MSP certification platform acknowledged by major insurers. His insights reveal that the lack of trust and understanding between insurers and MSPs has created a bottleneck, preventing effective collaboration in enhancing cyber resilience and risk management.Spectra's approach focuses on certifying the MSP as an organization rather than individual technicians. This certification process involves a thorough examination of how MSPs protect themselves, the resilience of the solutions they offer, and the deployment of these solutions to customers. By ensuring that MSPs meet specific standards and best practices, Spectra aims to build trust with insurers, who have historically been skeptical of the MSP sector. This certification not only enhances the credibility of MSPs but also provides insurers with a reliable way to assess risk.The conversation also touches on the skepticism that exists on both sides of the insurance and MSP relationship. Many MSPs view insurers as profit-driven entities that often deny claims, while insurers perceive MSPs as lacking value. However, through initiatives like Spectra, there is a growing recognition of the mutual benefits that can arise from collaboration. Brokers are increasingly seeking certified MSPs to refer to clients, creating a new dynamic where both parties can thrive.Finally, the discussion highlights the importance of insurance in the broader context of cybersecurity. While some argue that organizations can self-insure by maintaining sufficient funds for potential breaches, the reality is that many SMEs do not recover from incidents like ransomware attacks. Insurance provides not only financial support but also critical guidance and resources post-incident. By fostering a partnership between certified MSPs and insurers, Spectra aims to create a more resilient cybersecurity ecosystem that benefits all stakeholders involved. Supported by MSPRADIO : https://mspradio.com/engage/ All our Sponsors: https://businessof.tech/sponsors/ Do you want the show on your podcast app or the written versions of the stories? Subscribe to the Business of Tech: https://www.businessof.tech/subscribe/Looking for a link from the stories? The entire script of the show, with links to articles, are posted in each story on https://www.businessof.tech/ Support the show on Patreon: https://patreon.com/mspradio/ Want to be a guest on Business of Tech: Daily 10-Minute IT Services Insights? Send Dave Sobel a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/businessoftech Want our stuff? Cool Merch? Wear “Why Do We Care?” - Visit https://mspradio.myspreadshop.com Follow us on:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/28908079/YouTube: https://youtube.com/mspradio/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mspradionews/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mspradio/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@businessoftechBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/businessof.tech
Ekco, one of Europe's leading security-first managed service providers, has announced that it has acquired Adapt IT, a Cork-headquartered IT managed service provider (MSP). The new deal, which is Ekco's sixth acquisition in two years, brings Ekco's total acquisition investment to €57 million within this timeframe. In business for more than 20 years, Adapt IT employs 37 people at its Cork location, serving customers in the small-and-medium-sized enterprises (SME) market. Its 300-strong customer base operates in industries such as manufacturing, retail, hospitality, legal, and finance. The deal bolsters Ekco's ability to support fast-growing SMEs with unified, secure, and scalable technology solutions. The acquisition of Adapt IT brings Ekco's global headcount to more than 1,000 employees and adds a seventh Irish location to its growing regional network. In addition to its three sites in Dublin, Ekco now operates in Cork, Waterford, and Laois, as well as across the UK, Netherlands, South Africa, and Malaysia. Adapt IT's expertise in Microsoft solutions will strengthen Ekco's modern working service offering for its customers, and its MSP focus will further build upon Ekco's existing managed service capabilities. Adapt IT's customer base will now benefit from Ekco's suite of advanced cloud services, automation expertise, and cybersecurity capabilities in areas including security information and event management (SIEM), security operations centres (SOC), and backup. As the cybersecurity regulatory landscape continues to evolve, Ekco will also provide peace of mind through its compliance services. Additionally, Adapt IT's teams will be able to avail of comprehensive upskilling, certification, and continuous learning opportunities to keep pace with industry demand. The deal is the latest in Ekco's wider acquisition strategy for growth and brings the total number of businesses acquired by Ekco in the last two years to six. Earlier this year, the company announced the purchase of Predatech, a UK-based cybersecurity consultancy. In 2024, it added UK legal IT specialist CTS to its portfolio of companies. 2023 saw the additions of MSPs Radius and Bluecube, as well as cloud migration and cybersecurity specialist iSystems. Cian Prendergast, CEO at Ekco MSP, said: "The acquisition of Adapt IT is the latest move in our aggressive expansion strategy which targets key acquisitions combined with sustained business growth. This strategy reflects an investment in innovation that will make us in Ekco, and our acquired companies, stronger as a result. We're building a modern, security-first MSP that helps ambitious businesses to operate with confidence and resilience. "Adapt IT, like us, is a cloud-first business that reflects our culture and has had tremendous success in building a nationwide customer base. By bringing our two companies together, we will enhance our regional footprint in a location where we see vast opportunities for our expansion, while also combining our knowledge and services to pioneer the demands of the modern enterprise. It strengthens our position as the go-to IT partner for businesses who want the reliability of a national partner with the responsiveness of a local team." John Levis, Managing Director, Adapt IT, said: "We are delighted to join the Ekco group, an Irish-founded business which is on an impressive growth trajectory. This will enable us to continue to deliver top-tier services to businesses, backed up by the skills and resources of a larger group. We are seeing that even smaller businesses are seeking enterprise-grade IT and cybersecurity solutions - Ekco's expertise will help us to meet this growing demand as the volume and complexity of cyber threats continues to rise." See more stories here.
In this episode of The Product Experience, Lily and Randy speak with Faith Forster about the art of aligning product work with commercial outcomes. From redefining velocity as a function of customer value to implementing impact models that quantify ROI, Faith outlines practical frameworks to help product teams think commercially without compromising user value. She also explores the evolving role of AI in product development, the necessity of syncing planning cycles with business units, and why happy teams are the cornerstone of faster, better delivery.Key takeawaysVelocity = Value: Product velocity isn't about coding speed—it's about reducing time to customer value to improve ROI and lower opportunity cost.Impact Modelling: A disciplined approach to estimating commercial outcomes before development helps product teams understand and justify their work.AI Integration: Teams are expected to primarily use AI tools within three months to boost delivery speed and build organisational capability.Viability from Day One: Pricing and revenue potential must be considered from the outset—not after feature completion.Cross-Functional Alignment: Successful planning requires synchronising product cycles with finance, sales, and marketing calendars.Happy Teams, Better Results: Reducing friction between design, engineering, and product roles directly impacts delivery speed and feature quality.Chapters00:00 – Redefining velocity: Why speed isn't just about code01:05 – Faith's journey from Dex to Legal03:02 – Introducing the commercial value talk04:51 – Understanding the P&L from a product lens08:07 – Why team cost-awareness matters10:00 – Building better impact models12:25 – Increasing ROI through value velocity16:37 – The AI imperative: Adoption, anxiety, and accelerationOur HostsLily Smith enjoys working as a consultant product manager with early-stage and growing startups and as a mentor to other product managers. She's currently Chief Product Officer at BBC Maestro, and has spent 13 years in the tech industry working with startups in the SaaS and mobile space. She's worked on a diverse range of products – leading the product teams through discovery, prototyping, testing and delivery. Lily also founded ProductTank Bristol and runs ProductCamp in Bristol and Bath. Randy Silver is a Leadership & Product Coach and Consultant. He gets teams unstuck, helping you to supercharge your results. Randy's held interim CPO and Leadership roles at scale-ups and SMEs, advised start-ups, and been Head of Product at HSBC and Sainsbury's. He participated in Silicon Valley Product Group's Coaching the Coaches forum, and speaks frequently at conferences and events. You can join one of communities he runs for CPOs (CPO Circles), Product Managers (Product In the {A}ether) and Product Coaches. He's the author of What Do We Do Now? A Product Manager's Guide to Strategy in the Time of COVID-19. A recovering music journalist and editor, Randy also launched Amazon's music stores in the US & UK.
Are we ready for the AI era or are we stuck in an imagination gap? In this special 200th episode, recorded live at Creative Destruction Lab's Super Session, John Stackhouse and Sonia Sennik sit down with Minister Evan Solomon, Canada's first-ever Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation. From national sovereignty and productivity to global competition and culture, Solomon outlines a bold vision for Canada's AI future - what he calls a “Gutenberg moment” in human progress.Drawing on findings from the new RBC Thought Leadership report The AI Imagination Gap, this episode explores why Canadian enterprises are hesitating on AI adoption and how the right mix of policy, ambition, and imagination can close the gap. Minister Solomon speaks candidly about the four key pillars of Canada's AI strategy: scaling champions, adoption, trust, and sovereignty, and offers tangible insights into how SMEs, researchers, and public institutions can all benefit from AI's abundance, if the right supports are in place.This wide-ranging conversation dives into Canada's AI spine, the importance of protecting national culture through digital sovereignty, and how government, startups, and citizens alike must embrace this pivotal moment with urgency, collaboration, and creativity. Download AI Report:Bridging the Imagination Gap: How Canadian Companies can become global leaders in AI adoption
This week's Espresso covers news from Justos, DEX, Waltz, Welli, and more!Outline of this episode:[00:29] – Justos lands $16.5M to expand AI tools for brokers[00:43] – DEX raises $1.8M from Grupo Loc[00:54] – Welli raises $25M to expand medical-credit platform[01:10] – Waltz raises $9.1M in debt and equity and expands to Latin America[01:18] – Four Latin American startups join Eatable Adventures' Raíces acceleration program[01:38] – Lotux closes second fund to back Latin America pre-seed startups[01:53] – Integrity Holding buys Alaga to expand digital credit for SMEs[02:04] – Tapi acquires Mastercard's Arcus cash and payments networkResources & people mentioned:Startups: Justos, DEX, Nunatak, Bee Technology, Koji, Sciphage, Waltz, Welli, Integrity Holding, Alaga, Tapi, ArcusVCs: Ribbit Capital, Kaszek, Scale Up, Endeavor Catalyst, Grupo Loc, Pulse Capital, Eatable Adventures, Lotux VC, Setpoint Capital, TLV Partners, Aleph
This week on The Tax Factor Neil Insull and Suzanne Briggs look at Reform’s controversial proposal for a 'Britannia Card' that would let wealthy foreigners pay a £250k fee to move to the UK and live exempt from all tax, and a significant rise in HMRC investigations into high earners, signalling a more aggressive compliance strategy. Elsewhere, the tax gap among SMEs is growing - what’s causing it, and how might it be closed? Plus, in estate planning news, Glastonbury founder Michael Eavis may have struck the right chord with tax planning that could legally bypass £80 million in inheritance tax. And finally, as Wimbledon serves up bigger prize pots, Neil and Suzanne reveal how it’s also serving HMRC a bigger slice of the winnings.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
From time to time, we'll re-air a previous episode of the show that our newer audience may have missed.During this episode, Santosh is joined by Jaime Tabachnik, Co-Founder and CEO at Solvento, a company unlocking the flow of money for truckers in Latin America. During the conversation, Santosh and Jaime discuss the intersection of freight and finance. Jaime shares his transition from civil engineering to logistics and payments, and how his experience led to founding Solvento. The company aims to help SMEs in the Mexican trucking industry by providing software and financial solutions to improve cash flow and efficiency. They discuss Solvento's $50 million lending facility, the specifics of the Mexican trucking market, and the impact of nearshoring. Jaime also addresses venture capital investment in lending models, the potential for transformative change in the Mexican economy, and more.Highlights from their conversation include:Solvento and Logistics Payment Automation (0:41)Jaime's background in Supply Chain and Logistics (1:51)Solvento's Infrastructure for Freight Industry (9:46Lending Facility and Quick Pay Solutions (15:49)Mexican Trucking Industry Insights (22:34)Nearshoring and the Mexican Supply Chain (25:53)Lending Models in Emerging Markets (28:39)VC Investment and Capital Efficiency (30:51)Jaime's Motivation and Industry Impact (32:05)Rapid Fire: Security, Elections, and Interest Rates (34:01)Final thoughts and takeaways (37:01)Dynamo is a VC firm led by supply chain and mobility specialists that focus on seed-stage, enterprise startups.Find out more at: https://www.dynamo.vc/
In this episode of The Product Experience, Lily and Randy sit down with Moshe Mikanovsky—product coach, educator, and host of the Product for Product podcast—to explore what makes an effective product management toolkit. From identifying the real problems in your workflow to choosing and implementing tools that stick, Moshe outlines a pragmatic, user-centric approach to tool selection. Chapters:2:59 – From Engineering to Product Management5:25 – Why Choosing Tools is Hard8:11 – Elements of a Product Stack10:49 – From Roadmaps to Analytics14:01 – A Framework for Selecting Tools18:01 – Comparing Tools Beyond Features21:18 – Test and Validate Your Tool Choices26:01 – Why Implementation is Critical28:04 – What's Changing in Product Tools29:26 – AI and the Future of Product Management32:01 – Keeping Your Stack Modern34:29 – Making the Case for Budget & ROI37:23 – When ROI Forces a Change38:45 – Final Thoughts & Listener Call to ActionFeatured Links: Follow Moshe on LinkedIn | Moshe's Product Manager Toolkit | PostHogOur HostsLily Smith enjoys working as a consultant product manager with early-stage and growing startups and as a mentor to other product managers. She's currently Chief Product Officer at BBC Maestro, and has spent 13 years in the tech industry working with startups in the SaaS and mobile space. She's worked on a diverse range of products – leading the product teams through discovery, prototyping, testing and delivery. Lily also founded ProductTank Bristol and runs ProductCamp in Bristol and Bath. Randy Silver is a Leadership & Product Coach and Consultant. He gets teams unstuck, helping you to supercharge your results. Randy's held interim CPO and Leadership roles at scale-ups and SMEs, advised start-ups, and been Head of Product at HSBC and Sainsbury's. He participated in Silicon Valley Product Group's Coaching the Coaches forum, and speaks frequently at conferences and events. You can join one of communities he runs for CPOs (CPO Circles), Product Managers (Product In the {A}ether) and Product Coaches. He's the author of What Do We Do Now? A Product Manager's Guide to Strategy in the Time of COVID-19. A recovering music journalist and editor, Randy also launched Amazon's music stores in the US & UK.
Why you should listenLearn why SMB clients are now the #1 target for cyberattacks and how attackers operate (with shocking real-world examples).Discover how Microsoft partners can add value and margin with simplified cybersecurity services — even without deep in-house expertise.Find out how to protect your firm and clients from ransomware and liability without adding massive overhead or complexity.If you think your clients are “too small” to be a target—think again. Cybercriminals are shifting focus toward SMBs, and Microsoft partners are on the front lines, whether they know it or not.In this episode, I talk to René-Sylvain Bédard (RS), CEO of Indominus Managed Security, about how Microsoft partners can simplify cybersecurity, reduce risk, and turn this into a value-added service—not just an afterthought. You'll learn the real risks, where partners are exposed, and how to protect both clients and your own firm.About René-Sylvain BedardRené-Sylvain has nearly 30 years of experience as a technical architect, is the founder and CEO of Indominus. His work spans consulting firms, governments, telecommunications, aerospace, and SMEs. As a Microsoft partner for over 20 years, he has built strong relationships and received expert training allowing him to position Indominus as a leader in consulting, AI, and managed security services.In 2024, he was sacred "Highly Commended", the 2nd place in the "Best Technology Speaker" category at the Speaker Awards in London and within a few months, Indominus Managed Security was nominated to "Best Tech Company" by the Canadian SME Magazine.In 2025, Rene-Sylvain already published his new book "Secure by design", through Rethink Press and Indominus Managed Security won "Best Cybersecurity for SME", by the Canadian Business Awards.Under his leadership, Indominus is committed to fighting cybercrime globally, using innovative technologies and approaches to protect organizations and individuals.Driven by a passion for helping others and creating a safer world, René-Sylvain is confident that Indominus' expertise will shape a future free from cybercrime. With unwavering commitment to excellence and determination to eradicate cybercrime, he is ready to lead Indominus and its partners towards a safer future.Resources and LinksIndominus.msRené-Sylvain's LinkedIn profileRené-Sylvain's Business cardBook: Secure by Design: A leader's guide to keeping cybercriminals out of your businessWant to become a partner? Email partners@indominus.msPrevious episode: 617 - How Top Consultants Are Winning in 2025Check out more episodes of the Paul Higgins PodcastSubscribe to our YouTube channel:
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