E193 - The Small Firm Association's '4 Just Demands' and how best to climb the greasy pole to the C-Suite.

That Great Business Show

E193 That Great Business Show

David Broderick, Director of the SFA (part of IBEC), discusses the organisation's 'Four Just Demands'. David knows business as he was sent both to deliver cakes from his family business, and then also as a young boy, sent to collect the cash. Business in its rawest from an early age. He was also made redundant during Covid, that turned him to self-employment, as a consultant/mentor. He advises about not having the 'wrong' mentor, such as a friend, rather than someone who will tell you the unvarnished truth. Unofficially (not SFA policy he underlines), he wants an X and Y axis for high-speed trains to cross the country and go from top to bottom.

David discusses the real life cases he gets on the phone of businesses that are really, really struggling. He talks about energy, insurance, tax, labour (the living wage etc) and other costs. And, bad news, he says in some cases there's a further 30% rise to come.

The most immediate thing he wants is a targeted PRSI rebate for smaller businesses. He thinks MicroFinance Ireland are doing a great job, but like them to be allowed to lend larger amounts to businesses. He also wants more training vouchers to cover the costs to employers of having their employees taking time out for upskilling

His 'hire in a heartbeat' - his mother who is still out in Dublin Airport handing out samples of her own Broderick's cakes.

Barry Guiney, Headhunter, Odgers Berndtson who is also a Secretary of UCC Rugby Club - and also is a Certified Scrum Master - which has nothing to do with rugby, but lots to do with Toyota. They have launched the ScaleUp Collective - aimed at scaling (not start-up) companies. He sees a demand for executives who can build revenue growth as well as those who can bring a company to 'payday' - a successful exit. He references Scale Ireland and Endeavour Ireland networks, hoping to replicate the likes of Stripe etc. He discusses MBA differences between the US and the EU as well as the difference between the originating entrepreneur versus the commercial executive in salaries and other words. Irish tax rates he says can be a disincentive for attracting top talent to Ireland. He talks about ghosting in the industry - when a job is offered, the process is gone through...and then nothing. Why?

His 'hire in a heartbeat'? (He has hired 50 plus over his career so far). James Clear author of Atomic Habits.

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