Get the best out of social media

New to social media, or want to make better use of Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and other social media sites for your business?  Here are some tools and online resources that you will find useful.  
First things first, the good news is that they’re all free. For some of the tools, you need to upgrade to paid accounts to get the most value out of them. The majority of these tools have apps which are worth downloading to your smartphone. The tools and resources are listed in A-Z style, not in order of priority. 

1. Buffer

https://bufferapp.com/
Buffer allows you to manage and share content across several social media accounts and to stagger your posts throughout the day. Buffer’s scheduling  features are sophisticated, allowing you to target the right audience with the right content.

2. Hootsuite

https://hootsuite.com/
Hootsuite is one of the most popular social media management tools on the market. It can help you track conversations and measure campaign results. Hootsuite has a number of key features such as managing several social media accounts, as well as getting some decent analytics. 

Klout

https://klout.com/
Klout is one of the best known tools for measuring influence on Twitter and other social media channels.  It currently tracks over 500 million social media accounts worldwide. It also makes suggestions for content that is of interest to your audience. It’s free and also has premium accounts for businesses.

4. LikeAlyzer

http://www.likealyzer.com/
LikeAlyzer analyses Facebook pages and in return gives suggestions as to how they can be improved. It’s particularly popular among businesses that are new to social media. It allows them to check how they compare with other similar businesses and by industry standards.

5. Mashable

http://mashable.com/social-media/
Mashable is one of the best resources on the Web for digital marketing. It’s how many marketers and other professionals keep up to date with the fast-paced world of social media. It publishes starter guides, tips, resources, news and much more on its dedicated social media section.

6.

This post was originally published here - https://www.thinkbusiness.ie/articles/social-media-for-business/ on thinkbusiness

Thinking business with Tom Keogh

Tom Keogh, founder of Keogh’s crisps talks to ThinkBusiness about spuds, social media and storytelling.

How did you start your business?

We literally re-invented the potato. We had to. In-depth market research led to a number of consumer insights that resulted in fundamental changes to our business. We recreated our brand. We moved from selling spuds to crisps. At the start we were living the brand we just needed to tell our story. 

How long have you been in business?

Our family has been growing Irish potatoes in this area for over 200 years. My dad, Peter, and Uncle Tony, own PKS Farms, a potato growing business I’ve worked in from a young age.

Did you raise funds to start?

We were lucky in that we had founder savings, family BES, and support from the Local Enterprise Board when launching Keogh’s Crisps back in 2011. 

How did the company get its big break?

Between 2002 and 2011 the consumption of potatoes had almost halved in Ireland, so we knew we had to start innovating. We decided to launched Keogh’s Crisps, the only hand-cooked crisps in Ireland. Now five years on we have eight flavours on the market and no signs of stopping. 

What sets your brand and products apart in an incredibly competitive market?

It’s our religious attention to quality combined with the rich fertile soils of Fingal which result in great tasting quality products that our consumers can trust and enjoy. 

What are you proud of?

I’m proud of everything this business has achieved from selling our first box of crisps to now seeing our product on the shelves of stores in China, Dubai, Germany … the list goes on. We started with one employee and we now have 33 working for Keogh’s Crisps. 

Do you do use social media to promote your products? What works best?

Social media is a great way for us to tell our story. We are very active on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. It’s a fun way of getting involved with our customers. 

What was your first job? What was the biggest lesson you learnt in that job?

I’ve always worked in the family business. What’s the biggest lesson I’ve learned? Work somewhere else first. 

What is your ‘death row’ meal?

Steak and spuds of course. 

A MUST READ: Inside the mind of Pat McDonagh, the founder of Supermac’s.

This post was originally published here - https://www.thinkbusiness.ie/articles/tom-keogh-founder-of-keoghs-crisps/ on
thinkbusiness

Thinking business with Tom Keogh

Tom Keogh, founder of Keogh’s crisps talks to ThinkBusiness about spuds, social media and storytelling.

 Why did you start this business?

We literally re-invented the potato. In-depth market research led to a number of consumer insights which resulted in fundamental changes to our business. We recreated our brand. We were living the brand we just needed to tell our story. 

 

How long have you been in business?

Our family has been growing Irish potatoes in this area for over 200 years. My dad, Peter and Uncle Tony, own PKS Farms, a potato growing business I’ve grown up with and worked in from a young age.

 

How did the company go about getting funding when it first started?

We were lucky in that we had founder savings, family BES, and support from the Local Enterprise board when launching Keogh’s Crisps back in 2011. 

 

How did the company get its big break?

Between 2002 and 2011 the consumption of potatoes had almost halved in Ireland, so we knew we had to start innovating. We decided to launched Keogh’s Crisps, the only hand cooked crisps in Ireland. Now five years on we have eight flavours on the market and no signs of stopping. 

 

What sets your brand and products apart; in an incredibly competitive market?

It’s our religious attention to quality combined with the rich fertile soils of Fingal which result in great tasting quality products that our consumers can trust and enjoy. 

 

If you had unlimited funds what areas of the business would you hire for?

I’m proud of everything this business has achieved from selling our first box of crisps to now seeing our product on the shelves of stores in China, Dubai, Germany … the list goes on. We started with one employee and we now have 33 working for Keogh’s Crisps. 

 

Do you do use social media? What do you find works best?

Social media is a great way for us to tell our story. We are very active on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. It’s a fun way of getting involved with our customers. 

 

What was your first job? What was the biggest lesson you learnt in that job?

I’ve always worked in the family business. What’s the biggest lesson I’ve learned? Work somewhere else first. 

 

What is your ‘death row’ meal?

Steak and spuds of course. 

 

For more information, check out Keogh’s.

This post was originally published here - https://www.thinkbusiness.ie/articles/thinking-business-with-tom-keogh/ on
thinkbusiness

How to win international tenders

International tendering is an enormous business opportunity for Irish SMEs. What is Ireland doing and can we do more to help Irish firms win international tenders?
Seamus McCann (above right), chairman of ConsultingIreland, wants to encourage more Irish SMEs to tender for global projects.
The projects are paid for by international bodies such as the European Commission, the UN and the World Bank and, in many cases, 60% of the project value is paid upfront to the business that wins the tender.
Below, McCann outlines the reasons why Ireland needs to allocate additional resources to compete and win in an area with such massive potential. 
Did you know? 
•    On a daily basis, there are 200,000 projects put out to tender by International Financial Institutions (IFIs) such as the EU and World Bank. Two hundred thousand. 
•    IFI global tenders have an eye-watering market value of €1 trillion-plus per annum. 
•    Irish organisations and SMEs have excellent international reputations, built up over many years.
•    EU and World Bank (and other ‘service and supply’) tenders are available across sectors such as transport, water, energy, ICT, agriculture, health, and education. 
•    Many of our more established European partners (e.g. France and Germany) are already engaging, highly trained Irish experts, for International (IFI) assignments – in part, because of their English language skills. 
•    Significantly, English is also the language of choice for most global (IFI) tenders.  
•    In many cases, company cash flows can benefit from advances of up to 60% and payments are generally prompt.
•    In emerging markets, public sector activity is also a prelude to private sector involvement.
•    UK political uncertainty, fanned by Brexit, may present significant opportunities for Ireland.
So, there you have it. Tendering for international projects can be very lucrative. 
“Denmark, a country very similar to Ireland, is winning

This post was originally published here - https://www.thinkbusiness.ie/articles/win-international-tenders/ on
thinkbusiness

Coworking spaces in Ireland

Here is a list of coworking spaces in Ireland. It’s growing all the time, so please let us know if we are missing any.
Coworking is witnessing tremendous growth. In the next three years, it is estimated there will be 26,000 coworking hubs internationally. 
In Ireland, more and more coworking spaces and ‘innovation hubs’ are opening to cater for a growing army of flexible creators, entrepreneurs, and makers. 
Research carried out by Emergent Research suggests that by 2020 there will be four million people working in coworking spaces around the world.
In America, 40% of the workforce will be freelancers, temps, independent contractors and ‘solopreneurs’ by 2020. (According to the American Bureau of Labour Statistics).
The trend is likely to be replicated in Ireland. 
Below is a list of coworking spaces* in Ireland. If we are missing any, please let us know on our Facebook page. 
* Prices stated are at the time of writing and are subject to change. Please check the website of the service being offered to confirm current prices. 
Antrim
Blick Studios – prices from £100pm.
Bloom @BT9 – prices from £100pm.
City Business Hub – £70 + VAT per day
Farset Labs – student £15pm, enthusiast £25pm, freelancer £35pm, investor £75pm.
WabiSabi – for creatives of all kinds. 
The Foundry – unlimited use £130, Mon-Fri £85, daily/hourly from £5.
Glandore – prices range from €55 – €275 (depending on package).
Clare
Ocean Office Share – daily €20, 10-day membership €120, monthly €250.

Cork
Gate Design House – monthly €200.
Regus – offices range from €6.90 – €9.10 per day (depending on location).
Bank of Ireland Workbench, Patrick Street – free.
Plus 10 – daily €25, weekly €60, monthly €180.
E-Centres – €50 per week.
Donegal
CoLab work space – currently offering a two-month free trial.
The Base Enterprise Centre – rates subject to application.
Derry
Magazine Studios – see website for rates. 
Eighty81 workspaces – £150pm.
Down
Code Space Newry – check out the website.

This post was originally published here - https://www.thinkbusiness.ie/articles/coworking-spaces-in-ireland/ on thinkbusiness

Give yourself the best chance of survival

Do you check the financial health of your business? If not, you should do so regularly. Here’s how.

 

As a business owner, it’s crucial that you are fully up-to-date with the overall financial health and wellbeing of your company.

To achieve this, ratio analysis is a great way to do it. Ratio analysis is one of, if not, the most powerful tool for keeping track of your finances.

It is calculated by comparing a number of different aspects of your company, including:

•Profitability

•Liquidity

•Efficiency

•Leverage

•Activity

•Investor returns

The ratios are calculated by taking current year figures and then comparing them to past years, other companies, or the sector you are in. They can also be used to benchmark your business against leaders in your sector.

Ratio analysis can act as an early warning system.

Download the template now, see above left. Also, we have a handy guide to ratios.

This post was originally published here - https://www.thinkbusiness.ie/articles/ratio-analysis-template/ on
thinkbusiness

‘I built my business around something I love’

Brian Waring left the corporate world to create Craft Editions, a platform that sells ‘beautiful things made by hand’. This is his journey so far. 
What was your journey – how and why did you set up Craft Editions?
After 25 years working at a senior level for companies including Virgin and Starbucks I was looking for a new challenge. I have always had a passion for crafts and beautiful things made by hand. On a trip to South Africa in 2015, I decided to launch Craft Editions and build a business around something that I love. 
You have a section called ‘Featured Makers’. This is a nice blend of content and commerce, is this the way you see the development of the platform?
Yes absolutely. A fundamental part of Craft Editions is to tell the story behind the makers of the pieces that we will sell. I think in an era of mass production people increasingly want to find and acquire beautiful things that are individual and to understand the story behind the person who made it and how it is made. 

How do you ‘source’ the craftspeople and their wares?
Over the last year, I have travelled throughout Ireland, the UK and South Africa meeting talented makers and visiting craft exhibitions. I have immersed myself in the world of craft. I have met many wonderful people and have shared many of these stories via the Craft Editions website. For our Curated Editions, I choose a selection of craftspeople whom I have met and whose work I love, and I collaborate with them to create beautiful works for people to collect.
What’s your ambition for the platform?
My ambition is to grow Craft Editions organically to a size that feels manageable. I want a business that stays true to the personal connection with each of the makers.

This post was originally published here - https://www.thinkbusiness.ie/articles/brian-warring-craft-editions/ on
thinkbusiness

After graduation do you want a job or to start a business?

The exams are finished, assignments are handed in, you’ve completed your degree, but what next? Hannah Kelly, from gradireland.com, looks at your career options.
A degree in most disciplines leaves a lot of doors open to you in a variety of different sectors. No matter what area of employment you’re interested in, there is a lot of scope on your horizon, but, deciding what to do once you can be overwhelming. Knowing what your options are and what will suit you best is vital, including the advantages and disadvantages of each choice. 

Starting your own business
Entrepreneurship is a very rewarding, if challenging, road for any graduate. If you have a well thought out idea for a business, and a great business plan, you can draw on skills you have from your business and marketing degree to build a presence online with potential customers. 
Networking is also essential when you’re planning to get your idea off the ground. Think back to any people you have met during your time in university that may be able to help you. 
“Successful home-grown startups are crucial for Ireland’s sustained economic growth, and increasingly they are seen as a viable career path for business and marketing graduates, many of whom have gone on to successfully create and manage their companies,” says Dr Michael Gannon, senior lecturer in marketing at DCU.
Positives
●    You’ll learn a lot fast, and you will likely be doing something you like.
●    You can draw on resources and supports and use your network to help you grow the business.
Negatives
•    Long hours, lots of pressure and inconsistent pay are regular challenges for anyone starting a business. 
•    Financing is the biggest challenge for businesses at the start-up stage in particular. Do you have what it takes?
TAKE THE TEST: Do you have what it takes to

This post was originally published here - https://www.thinkbusiness.ie/articles/graduate-jobs-startups-ireland/ on thinkbusiness

Sprucing up an old business sector

Conor Wilson and Pat McKenna aim to transform the laundry business. Sproose connects dry cleaning and laundry businesses to new customers and takes a cut of each transaction. It’s laundry on-demand. 
There is an assumption that when starting a new business or coming up with a fresh idea, it must be unique to the market, but that doesn’t necessarily have to be the case.
Sometimes, taking on a traditional sector and adding a modern twist can be a solution. It’s what Conor Wilson (above) and Pat McKenna did when they came up with the idea for Sproose.
Launched in May 2015, Sproose is an on-demand laundry and dry cleaning service. “We were solving the pain of laundry-day, a nightmare experienced by almost every human on Earth,” says Wilson. 
“Sproose is funded by Enterprise Ireland and is currently in the High Potential Startup Program.”
Conor and Pat originally pitched the idea for their laundry app on RTÉ’s Dragons Den. When the show aired, Sproose received enormous attention from both the public and businesses within the dry cleaning and laundry industry.
“We had so many hits on the site that it crashed and we spent the next two days getting it back up and running. Interestingly, in that time we were contacted by some traditional laundry and dry cleaners. These local businesses faced a problem – they were unable to adapt to the changing consumer demands,” says Wilson. “This changed our thinking about what we could offer.”
Sproose connects dry cleaning and laundry businesses to new customers and takes a cut of each transaction. It’s laundry on-demand. 
Sproose is funded by Enterprise Ireland and is currently in the High Potential Startup Program (HPSU). “This makes us eligible for match funding on our planned investment round later this year and [with this funding] we plan to expand our reach across Ireland, the

This post was originally published here - https://www.thinkbusiness.ie/articles/sproose-laundry-app/ on thinkbusiness

Translating your website to other languages

If your product or service is export focused, it will help if your site ‘translates’ into the languages of the countries you are targeting. Damian Scattergood, MD of STAR Translation Services, gives his advice on proper translation practices. 

If you’re new to translation, it can be a bit daunting the first time around. Where do you start in finding translators and what are the pitfalls?
TIP ONE: Include translation plans at design stage
You should think about translation from day one. Whether it’s a service, software product or website you are creating – include translation as part of the design discussion. 
Before you engage your English web design agency; think about questions to ask them. Here are a couple of design questions to get you started. 
•    Will the new site enable for translation? 
•    What process do you use?
•    If they use plugins – can this plugin work in Japanese?
•    Will we have a single website in five languages or five sites in different languages? What strategy will you take?
•    Did you know German can be 30% longer than English text? So will we have plenty of whitespace in our design, brochures, layouts? How will our brochure or website look when the text gets longer.
Remember, it’s expensive to make changes after the design phase and when the site is live. A good translation company will ask questions about your products and translation during translation. 
TIP TWO: Protect your brand
When you choose a translation agency to work with you are placing your brand in their hands.
Pick the right company for you – one that fits your culture, style and quality. Remember this is a partnership – so you will need to invest time with them.
Cost is not the only factor in translation. You’re effectively giving the translation agency your brand to manage

This post was originally published here - https://www.thinkbusiness.ie/articles/translate-website/ on
thinkbusiness