Here are six inspirational tourist spots that are ‘off the beaten track’ and involve a little action.

2016 was the best year ever for Irish tourism, surpassing all previous records. 10.5 million people visited the island of Ireland. For 2017, Tourism Ireland aims to grow overseas tourism revenue by 4.5% in 2017 to bring in €5.7 billion to the north and south of the island.

While the major attractions will always draw the big numbers, smaller, inventive tourism entrepreneurs are emerging. Below are six that are leading the way.

Winterfell Tours

Where? Newcastle, Co Down.

Game of Thrones fans can walk in the footsteps of Tyrion Lannister and Jon Snow. Just a 40 minute drive from Belfast, Winterfell Tours offers twenty of the most prominent Game of Thrones film location spots including Winterfell Castle, Robb’s Camp and Walder Frey’s Twins. A must visit for all ‘Thrones’ fans.

Pure Magic

Where? Dollymount, Dublin

A charismatic water sports company in Dollymount, Pure Magic, has a team of instructors dedicated to all things kite surfing and SUP (stand up paddleboard). It’s known for exceptional customer service. There’s also a Pure Magic Lodge on Achill Island for action-packed getaways.

Mór Active

If you’re searching for a deep insight into Ireland’s natural beauty, culture, and traditions, Mór Active is a good call. It offers tailored activity, culture and eco tours. You can see the wonders of Killarney, the Ring of Kerry, Dingle, and the Wild Atlantic Way through the eyes of an expert. Founded in 2007, Mór Active’s glowing TripAdvisor presence sets an example for other Irish tour operators to follow.

Bike Park Ireland

Where? Roscrea, Co Tipperary

With the first trail constructed in 2012, Bike Park Ireland soon became the first official mountain bike park in Ireland to offer a day out for cyclists of all skill sets. There are six downhill trails and the uplift service – an ex-army truck with 30 bus seats and a bike trailer – turns uphill transportation into a real adventure.

Shane’s Howth Hikes

Where? Howth, Dublin

Just half an hour from Dublin city centre by car, Howth village provides a welcome escape from city life. Shane’s Howth Hikes tours are as popular with locals as they are with visitors. Customers can book ‘The Howth Heritage Free Walk’ as a starting point, and if they’re keen to explore more, the ‘Howth Safari’ is an inspiring hike.

Boyne Boats Adventure

Where? Drogheda, Co Louth

One in five tourists visit a destination because they have seen it on a TV show. Boyne Boats’ currachs were used in the filming of Game of Thrones. The Boyne Boats adventures include ‘Paddle like an Iron Islander’ and ‘The King’s Tour’. The tour is an hour of rich local heritage as customers learn to paddle like a true warrior. This is one of Ireland’s real hidden gems.

Do you want to start a tourism business?

Interested in setting up a tour or activity company, or finding tips for your existing one? Here are five tips for finding the right price for your tours and activities.

WANT TO START YOUR OWN TOURISM BUSINESS? Make sure you have your business plan right and get the money you need.

Article by Lucy Fuggle of TrekkSoft. ⊕ Images from TrekkSoft, HBO and Shutterstock.

The winds of change are blowing. Brexit will have an impact on Irish business. This free sales forecast template can help you forecast your sales. It allows you to vary your pricing and see the impact it will have on your profits.

This useful template has three inter-related resources, each of which is on separate tabs within the document. The tabs are as follows:

1. Unit sales price template. This allows you to vary your pricing and see the impact. The figures you input into this tab will be reflected in the second tab, which is a sales forecast.
2. Forecast of sales. This allows you to forecast your sales on a month by month basis over a period of 12 months. Figures you input into that spreadsheet will be picked up in the next spreadsheet, which is the P&L.
3. P&L template. This will show you a net profit or loss for your business.

This template should be used in conjunction with our free and Business Plan Template to give an overall view of your business and its performance.

Remember, prepare for change, don’t wait to react to it.

YOU MAY ALSO FIND INTERESTING: Help is at hand for Irish companies who want to export to markets other than the UK. Find out more.

An overdraft is a very useful thing to have. Here’s how to manage one.

Used correctly, an overdraft is a very useful tool for businesses of all sizes. Here’s how to manage one.

An overdraft is a credit arrangement with a bank allowing a customer to write cheques or make payments from the current account up to an agreed limit. It is a form of working capital finance.

An overdraft facility fee is often charged, along with interest on the amount of the (debit) balance on the current account, at an agreed rate.

Key steps

1. Managing your overdraft properly puts you in control. This means that you need up-to-date information. Ensure that you have registered your current account online with your bank. This way, you will be able to easily track the money going into, and out, of your account.
2. Understand the charges and fees which may be applied to your overdraft. There are typical fees, such as:
   Facility fee – This is a once-off fee for setting up your overdraft.
   Renewal fee – This is only charged if you renew your overdraft at the end of the agreed term. 
   Referral fee – This is a fee the bank charges for each transaction made on your current account, when you are over your agreed overdraft limit.
   Surcharge interest – This is extra interest that the bank will charge on top of the standard interest for the overdraft, if you exceed your agreed overdraft limit.
3. Avoid paying by cheque as much as possible. Where possible, use online payments facilities instead. In most cases, it’s a lot cheaper to use online facilities,
4. Ask your customers to pay you electronically instead of paying you by cheque. This will save you money and ensures you gain quicker access to your funds and potentially avoid the need for an overdraft (or at the least reduce the level of overdraft facility required).
5. Never use an overdraft as a long-term borrowing facility. The interest rate for an overdraft is generally higher than for term lending, for example, so you should consider, carefully, the alternative ways of funding your business. Alternatives to an overdraft could include:

• Injecting more cash into the business
• Improved management of your debtor book
• Seeking increased terms from suppliers
• Other bank finance, including invoice discounting, asset finance and a term loan

TOP TIPS

Plan ahead: Keep your cashflow projections up-to-date and understand how your business’s financial needs may change in the period ahead. Stress-test your cashflow. For example, if your debtors take an extra 30 days to pay or if your creditors want payment up front, how will this affect your cashflow

Be cautious: Be realistic about how quickly you expect your customers to pay you. It’s better to expect slow payment and receive the cash more quickly. If you think that you will probably need access to more funding than your current overdraft limit, talk to your bank immediately.

Be proactive: If you do not have an overdraft, or if your existing overdraft limit is too low, contact your bank to discuss a suitable limit, on a temporary or permanent basis, based on the working capital needs of your business. Early contact will help you to avoid any potential embarrassment later, not to mention any additional charges, should an overdraft limit be breached.

YOU MAY ALSO FIND THIS INTERESTING: What you need when applying for a bank loan.

Lighthouse Cinema

Located in the Market Square in Smithfield, the Lighthouse cinema is regarded as one of the coolest places to catch a movie in Dublin. The Lighthouse distinguishes itself from its competitors by offering punters a mixture of Hollywood blockbusters, old classics and art-house films. A stone’s throw from the achingly cool Stoneybatter, the cinema is surrounded by a wealth of hip pubs and restaurants.

Eye Cinema

Galway’s locally-owned Eye bills itself as “the cinema that Galway deserves but has never had”. It sets itself apart from the big cinema chains by giving customers a choice of both mainstream film as well as more arthouse offerings. Visitors get the full multiplex experience with multiple screens, cafés, bars and an ice cream parlour. However, its Eye’s commitment to culture (as well as independent cinema it also host live events with musicians, poets, and comedians) that makes Eye the best in the West.

Phoenix Cinema Dingle

This family-run cinema is just another reason to love Dingle; an adult ticket to its nightly evening showing is only €8 while a matinee ticket will set you back €5.50. The 150 seat cinema also has its ‘Art Film’ night on Tuesdays, with tea and biscuits thrown in for good measure. A good option following a day exploring the Wild Atlantic Way or one of the town’s other attractions.

Century Cinemas

Another family run business, Century has been bringing cinema to Letterkenny for over 75 years. It has all the trappings of a multiplex with eight screens, stadium seating, and 3D movies. However, it also broadcasts live theatre and dance productions. In 2013 it opened its very own ice skating rink, Century Ice, so there’s no shortage of things to do in this enterprising venue.

IFI

Home of the Irish Film Institute, Temple Bar’s IFI is the go-to cinema for Dublin film buffs who want to get their fix of the latest in cutting-edge movie making. Its Georgian building gives visitors a cosy cinema-going experience, while its bar and café give people a place to hang out before sampling what’s on offer on the big screen.

Movie Junction

Cork’s Movie Junction is Ireland’s only dedicated drive in cinema, open seven nights a week. Visitors pick up snacks at the drive-thru kiosk, pull up in the parking bay, tune into the Movie Junction FM frequency on the car radio, then sit back and enjoy the latest blockbuster. Pizzas and chips can be ordered and delivered to your car door, and canopies keep your windscreen clear when it rains. A little slice of American culture in County Cork.

What’s your favourite cinema? Let us know on our Facebook page.

READ: The film sector is big business. If you want to open a cinema find the right finance.

Data leaks are damaging. It’s never too late to put ten basic security practices in place.

52% of firms* in Ireland have no comprehensive strategy when it comes to preventing digital crime or data leaks.

Sensitive data leaks are the stuff of nightmares for business owners (and public representatives). What can you do when the horrible happens? 

When it comes to sharing information, social media strategist Darragh Doyle says business owners should have very clear social media policies in place.

“Along with the policies and a nondisclosure agreement, employers should make it very clear that company information is never published in social groups,” says Doyle. 

Nightmare scenario

And what do you do if customer data or other sensitive data makes its way into the ‘wrong’ hands? 

“You have to own the problem,” says Doyle. “You have to find out how the issue occurred, where did it leak from, and then seek to address the fallout.”

Can someone press the big red button? 

“You also need to know the administrators of your social media groups and trust them. The question is, ‘Can someone hit the big red button?’” asks Doyle. 

Data dumps

It’s also important to keep company devices free from sensitive data. “Employees should be asked to do a data wipe, every day if necessary,” advises Doyle. 

“For example, they may have downloaded a database for a meeting to view it on screen. They should erase sensitive documents. It’s like having a clean desk policy but for smart devices and laptops.” 

The top ten things to do

*Grant Thornton suggested in a 2016 report that only 16% of Irish firms believe that cyber-crime is a credible threat.

The cost of cyber-crime to the Irish economy is estimated at €630m annually.

Here is a list of 10 useful tips that will help protect your business from cybercrime.

• Secure your computers: Firstly, install anti-spyware and anti-virus software and always make sure that your firewall is activated. Additionally, Windows has a standard firewall on all of its computers. Access it from your control panel and confirm it’s switched on. This will help reduce your susceptibility to malware.

• Secure your wireless network: Verify that your wireless network is not available to the public. Verify that your internet access is password protected and restrict usage to employees and guest visitors.
• Encrypt your data: Encrypt, encrypt, encrypt. This cannot be emphasised enough. Encryption allows you to encode your information so that only authorised personnel can access it. Use encryption for any sensitive files or data that you own.
• Avoid clicking unsafe links: The old saying “if it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is” rings true here. Exercise caution when it comes to advertisements online, install ad-blocking software or, better yet, simply ignore them.
• Use strong passwords: Perhaps the most obvious safety precaution, you should implement a strong alphanumeric password policy that consists of numbers, lowercase letters, uppercase letters and special characters with the password requiring a minimum of 12 characters.
• Review statements regularly: A relatively simple action, review your monthly financial statements and check for any irregularities. If you spot anything suspicious, contact your bank immediately.
• Keep systems updated: To combat any new threats that may emerge, keep your anti-virus software and Windows systems up-to-date. Advise staff to update their systems on a regular basis. If this approach is not suitable, automate how your updates are installed and roll it out across the whole business.
• Social media housekeeping: Make sure there is adequate security surrounding who has access to the company’s social media accounts. Ensure that only authorised personnel have access to social media accounts and the log-in details.
• Use multiple email accounts: Use a separate e-mail for financial dealings, another for social networks and one for general queries and so on. In the scenario that a hacker manages to gain access to one of these, all of the sensitive information isn’t compromised. In the same vein, use different passwords for each address.
• Don’t store your credit card information online: Yes we know it’s a nuisance but having to input your card information for every transaction can save you a lot of hassle in the long term. If a hacker does manage to bypass your security they may also have access to your card details. Don’t take the risk. Alternatively, only use a prepaid card online.

If you find yourself the victim of a cyber-attack please contact The Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation on +353 1 666 3776 as well as the Data Protection Office and your Internet Service Provider.

Performance management is a system of involving your employees to help you achieve your business’s goals.

It’s as important for an SME to have performance management systems in place, as it is for a larger business. Why? Because the more you involve your employees in delivering your business targets, the more you will meet customer expectations, improve productivity and deliver the bottom line numbers.

This 10-point checklist will help you create a performance management system for your business. 

1: Start at the top

The CEO (owner) needs to champion a performance management system, and all senior managers should be involved in the process.

2: Communicate the benefits

The CEO needs to get the message out about why performance management is being introduced and why it’s of benefit to both the business and the employees.

3: Get employee feedback

Don’t just launch a new system without involving employees in the process. Tell employees how it will work for them. Seek constructive feedback and act on it.

4: Identify clear business objectives

Ensure that the business’s objectives are well-defined. Use financial and non-financial measures, such as customer retention, new business wins or speed of customer response. Next, translate them into individual goals.

5: Set tangible individual goals

Employees should be able to understand what they need to deliver, how their performance will be measured and the skills, behaviours and knowledge that are expected of them. Employees should be provided with written business objectives, a clear job description and the criteria that their performance will be measured.

6: Ensure goals meet the SMART test

The business needs to ensure that goals are specific, measureable, attainable, realistic and timely (or SMART).  Here’s an example. A manufacturing plant sets a goal of reducing overtime hours of ten hours per week to five hours per week no later than the end of the financial year.

7: Formalise employee feedback

Managers should continuously review an employee’s progress against targets. Review meetings should be formal and should be held quarterly, if there are quarterly targets. Employees should be asked to contribute and asked about how they perceive their strengths and weaknesses.

8: Give constructive feedback

Feedback should be about encouraging employee self-awareness. Managers should provide timely feedback and use specific examples to support the points. Focus on the behaviour, not the individual.

9: Understand underperformance

There are many reasons why employees miss targets. Sometimes it’s due to a lack of skills, miscommunication or inadequate supports. Employees may have personal problems or lack motivation. Managers should encourage employees to share reasons why targets are missed. Together, they should agree what support or changes are needed.

10: Seek professional help

Performance management is a specialist skill. If you feel you have insufficient expertise in-house, get help. The investment of retaining an experienced adviser to help design the system will likely pay off in the long run.

INTERESTING: You can’t do it all alone. This is why mentors make sense.

Myles Murray, PMD Solutions, on starting and growing a business in Ireland.

What’s your business pitch? 

Today it is well known that the difference between 25 and 29 breaths per minute can be the difference between life or death within as short a time as 24 hours. PMD Solutions has developed the world’s first continuous and accurate respiratory rate monitoring, to improve patient outcomes by making every breath count. We enable medical teams to deploy timely interventions for patients around the world.  

How long have you been in business?

I was first introduced to the clinical need in 2010. PMD was incorporated in 2011 and now employs 17 amazing people. 

What’s your ambition?

To make a meaningful impact in the world. I know this sounds very grand. However, I look at what we’ve accomplished in PMD, and what we have yet to accomplish, it makes me realise that everyone can make an impact. 

What’s the most important thing you have learned so far in business?

There’s the plan, and then there’s reality. What tells successful companies apart is their ability to pivot, adapt, and adjust to the changing landscape. It is so important to lift up your head to look and listen to be aware of what is being said. That whole idea of work on as appose to in your business.

What was your biggest ‘mistake’ been, in business so far?

Cash is king and it’s not real until it is in the bank. 

Who inspires you in the business world?

Nothing gives me a bigger kick than watching the EY Entrepreneur of the Year awards. 

What would you do to change the business climate in this country?

I believe Ireland has a fantastic infrastructure for supporting all types of business. In particular, for the MedTech sector, the Irish MedTech Association, IDA, and Enterprise Ireland. Great people are doing amazing work already. Ireland is a great place to start a business.  

Did you receive any supports to start your business and what do you need most at this stage of your business? 

PMD has been fortunate with support from LEO South Cork and Enterprise Ireland. We also have visionary investors and partners. Right now PMD is focused on growing its market share. Enterprise Ireland’s foreign offices are an enormous asset in helping to make this happen.

Follow these tips and you’ll be in a better position to hit the ground running when it comes to your tax affairs.

1: At the start of the year, review your taxes due. Your business could be eligible to file returns and make payments less regularly or using direct debit.

2: File your returns on time to avoid interest. Remember, Revenue’s interest rate is calculated on a daily basis, so missing the deadline can be costly.

3: Learn more about the VAT “cash-receipts” basis. This helps you avoid the cashflow difficulty of accounting for VAT on a supply when the invoice has not been paid by a customer. More information on the cash receipts basis and how to opt in is available from the Revenue website.

4: Consider whether you can make a claim for bad debt relief. Where bad debts arise and VAT has been accounted for on the supply, there may be scope for a VAT bad-debt relief claim.

5: Where at least 75% of your turnover is sales to customers outside of Ireland, it may be possible to register with Revenue to receive all supplies without VAT. Applications for authorisation should be made on Form VAT 56A, which is available from the Revenue District responsible for your tax affairs or may be downloaded from the Revenue website under “VAT Forms”.

6: Ensure that enough of your preliminary tax is paid in order to avoid possible interest charges.

7: Consider if any tax reliefs may be claimed and employ a qualified tax adviser to help you prepare the submissions and formal claim applications.

8: Use ROS to file and pay your taxes. This online system is obligatory for many businesses.

Tax arrears and the powers of Revenue

The Revenue pursues tax debts in a timely manner. If a tax liability runs into arrears and Revenue has not recovered the tax by following the normal process, it has the following powers:

• It can refer the debt collection to the Revenue Sheriff, who can seize assets of the business and sell them to pay tax debts.
• It can issue a “power of attachment order” to a debtor who owes the taxpayer money, requiring the money to be paid directly to Revenue.
• A court judgment against the taxpayer can be sought, which can result in the forced sale of assets, an instalment order or a bankruptcy petition.

READ MORE: Tax back when you retire.

What a year. How was 2016 for you? What interested you in the past year?

Below are the top 16 articles, features, guides and tools that drove the most engagement from readers (unique sessions and shares) on ThinkBusiness in 2016. It shows what people interested in business are interested in reading.

1: New ways of marketing

Ireland’s top bloggers and vloggers.

2: Business planning – starting and growing

The ThinkBusiness business plan template.

3: Human resources

How to pay people.

4: Ideation

Five small business ideas that beat goliaths.

5: Human resources

Job interview questions you may find useful.

6: Innovative sectors

Off the beaten track – Ireland’s hidden tourism gems.

7: Management guides

Phrases you shouldn’t use at business meetings.

8: Marketing and sales

How to network successfully at events.

9: Ideation

Great business ideas and why they worked.

10: Innovation

Garry Broe – saving the HSE a fortune with one simple idea.

11: Strategy

10 of the worst business predictions. Even the greats get it wrong.

12: Marketing

A free marketing plan template and guide.

13: Innovation

10 world-changing Irish inventions.

14: Starting

A guide to starting a business in Ireland.

15: Sectors

The resurrection and re-invention of the barber shop.

16: Tax advice

How to pay yourself if you are a sole trader.

What did we learn in 2016?

What can we learn from this list of articles, guides, interviews, and utilities? First, there is an appetite amongst our readers for innovative business ideas and insights into sectors that are doing well. Second, there is a real desire for useful advice and practical guides on how to start and grow a business. And third, we saw a keen interest in articles on how business owners deal with the practicalities of running a business, for example, tax advice, and HR guidance.

CONTACT US: If you have a query, or a suggestion for an article, case study, guide or useful tool, please contact us and we will research and get back to you.

Main image courtesy of Cian Twomey.

Stephen Gallagher, head of business energy, SSE Airtricity on how to make your customers your key focus. 

What advice would you give to a business that is scaling, that is growing at a pace that may (at times) seem difficult to handle? What focus should they give to customers and staff?

The advice I would give to any growing business is that no matter your size or market your customers need to be your focus. This applies to startups and established businesses growing at pace.

All businesses need to consider the interaction from the customers’ perspective. 

Small mistakes, inaccuracies – even typos – can damage your credibility. It’s vital that businesses focus on getting it right, the first time. 

The first points of contact with your business, those who manage customer service for your company, must receive high levels of training and feel empowered to engage the consumer. 

Coaching and mentoring employees create a more positive work environment and boost employee engagement. 

Your customers’ needs will not always stay the same – be ready to adapt. Use data to inform your approach. 

Data is the lifeblood of organisations and is only effective if it’s gathered and analysed on a regular basis.

An omnichannel approach – in person, on the phone, through the website, on social media – allows for customers to have better access. We have found services such as webchat, to be a great way to be close to the customer. 

There is a huge opportunity for business in Ireland to embrace digital as a means of reaching a broader consumer base and remaining responsive to your customers.

For businesses of all sizes, to foster relationships and develop brand loyalty, the need to listen to and engage with customers and understand their needs is crucial. Make your customers your key focus.

READ MORE: User experience (UX) and customer experience (CX) may seem like buzzwords, but they are vital for any successful business. Find out why.