In the current economic circumstances, pricing is an issue for a lot of companies and this has been evident in some of the discussion on www.smallbusinesscan.com

Clients are negotiating tough and expect discounts. In retail, prices are being slashed. It

Fine dining doesn't require fine restaurants. As the recession has hit incomes, so more people have turned to home cooking and the Chef Shop has benefited as a result.

Vincent McKenna, himself an experienced chef,

In this current economic climate, it is imperative that all aspects of the business are functioning efficiently and effectively. Costs need to be monitored and kept to a minimum. One such area is sick leave.

Small businesses in Ireland loose on average

It might be thought that water is self-evidently a healthy drink. But various scares have led to some consumers questioning this.

First there was the Perrier Water crisis, when traces of benzene were found in some bottles.

We’ve started putting all the topics that have been discussed on this site over the past seven or eight months and we’re coming up with a programme that hopefully anyone starting a business in Ireland will find useful.

While the programme is grounded in real issues

Want to start a business but don’t have a business idea?  Announcing the launch of the Discovery Zone.

The Discovery Zone is designed to assist experienced professionals who now find themselves at a time in their careers where they

Interleado.com was incorporated in January 2007 and initially setup base in the comfortable surroundings of NovaUCD. Peter Cullen the founder and CEO had just started on the year long M50 Enterprise Programme, run at the time by the dynamic Patricia O’Sullivan.

That Hilden Brewery is one of only two independent brewing companies in Northern Ireland and the longest established business of its kind still operating on the island, says a lot about the challenges micro breweries in this part of the world face. But the tiny firm has big plans, with its sights set on overseas markets and on growing

I came across a passage in a book recently that struck a chord with me regarding marketing. The book, The Silver Lining: An Innovation Playbook for Uncertain Times, pointed out: “Generally, our perspective is that much of a company’s investment in marketing is a waste — particularly for young companies that feel pressure to ‘build

Dublin tech firm Sentry Wireless is on the cusp of major change with a unique firewall for SIM cards due to begin trials in early March.

The SIM product marks a new departure for the company, which launched in 2006 to sell KidSafe, a parental control service that allows parents to

"As part of my strategy, I am also in negotiations with people involved with pedigree dogs in Ireland at the highest level, to encourage them to invest both finance and knowledge in the business. If successful, this will bring information and contacts that will be extremely beneficial in the growth of the site. They will also be able to share the

Elevated Aspects is a new business, but its owners — Andrew and Samantha Leonard — have a successful commercial track record.

Before moving to Portadown, the Leonards ran a small firm — Balloon in a Box — in Manchester. But some businesses only work in certain

Sarah B Events started out in 2002 from a happy chance — Sarah B was asked to dress the marquee for the wedding of the daughter of Albert Reynolds, the former Irish Taoiseach.

“We then realised we could do it as a business,”

Starting with a cafe in Armagh and a first year turnover of £110,000, McNally now runs a group of catering businesses with a turnover of several millions, 65 full-time staff and another 65 part time.

There was, though, a logical progression to all

Strategic partnerships and innovative diversification have allowed Irish-owned tax company taxback.com to continue expanding in Ireland and internationally in tough economic times.

Paul Kennedy, a chartered accountant and business consultant, provides a useful checklist for businesses and entrapenurs alike. Helping you deal with customers, markets, management, budgets and more.

Thirty-two of Ireland’s leading businesses were selected as winners at the Leinster, Munster, Connacht and Ulster provincial finals of the Ulster Bank Business Achievers Awards which took place recently.

THE AWARDS, which are now in their 16th year,

Wine merchant Curious Wines will open a new warehouse, its second, within the coming months as it moves to create a national brand.

Established in 2008, the company sells 300 wine brands from a warehouse in Bandon, Co. Cork, and nationwide online store, curiouswines.ie.

Maintaining profit margins is also key to business survival. Ensure that you are maintaining your profit margins even if you are reducing prices by also reducing the cost of what you are making or providing. Also, don’t be afraid to make hard-headed financial decisions, says Bolger.

To survive and grow today, business owners need to align themselves with the right networks, advice and support systems, but ultimately they must have the drive and ambition to succeed and the confidence to promote their business and be seen above the competition.