A series of blogposts on essential management skills for success
As part of the New Frontiers Phase 1 programme in ATU iHubs Galway and Mayo (formerly GMIT), Donncha Hughes, an independent business advisor will meet participants in person for a One 2 One session to review their draft applications prior to the final Phase 2 application submission deadline. New Frontiers Phase 2 Application – One…
Enterprise Ireland launched the Pre-Seed Start Fund in October 2022 effectively replacing the highly successful Competitive Start Fund (CSF). The Pre Seed Fund provides funding of €100,000 – former recipients of CSF can apply for €50,000. Over the years, CSF has been tweaked and this latest change resulted in a new name along with increased…
As a business trainer, I personally love business books that I can refer to and recommend to clients, mentees and workshops participants. I imagine that some will like to read and it is great to get recommended books to dig into greater detail on business topics that we are discussing. Business is complicated. It is…
I am delighted to announce that I have published an online training programme called ‘Creating Financial Projections for a Local Business‘. One year access is €50 including VAT. This ONE HOUR online programme is for you if: You a startup promoter or small business owner who needs to create financial projections for your business to…
![4 Point Formula to Win funding – The Startup Pitch [Book review]](https://www.startuphughes.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/The-Startup-Pitch-Book-Review-Featured-Image.jpg)
I assist startups via training and mentoring to pitch for early stage investment to include enterprise agency supports such as New Frontiers and Competitive Start Fund in Ireland. I was delighted to find a superb book by Chris Lipp called ‘The Startup Pitch : A proven formula to win funding’. At 160 pages, it is…
I was asked recently as part of a Q&A to discuss how I deal with ‘difficult clients’ or customers. Having provided a short and off the top of the head response, this post is my reflections on this very interesting question: Starting Point : Choose your Customers Wisely As a freelancer, you…
I am not an accountant but I do my own accounts. I also work with clients on financial projections for their business plans. Finance is at the core of business and marketing. Cashflow is the core of finances. I have published an online course ‘Creating Financial Projections for a Local Business‘. A bonus module was…
Goal setting is a key component of strategy development but Strategy can not be simplified or dressed up as a process of setting goals – that viewpoint may lead to the creation of ‘bad strategy’. One of the central tenets of the superb book Good Strategy, Bad Strategy: The Difference and Why it Matters, by…
Donncha provides two hour, half day and full day Negotiations Workshops. Please contact to discuss your requirements. I was recently asked by Maria Johnston, Operations & Enterprise Development Manager, DCU Invent Centre to deliver a two hour session on Negotiations at 10AM on Tuesday 10th November, 2015 for clients and startups. This post details what…
At the beginning of 2014, I wrote an article reviewing 2013 and setting out my business ambitions for the year. I wrote it firstly as a planning and review mechanism for myself; secondly, on basis that it might be useful for anyone in the same boat; and finally, to highlight issues that have to be…
A self employed person running a professional services business has a different outlook to most other businesses. I think that somewhat different Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) apply when you want to track how the business is doing so that you can plan for the future. Here is my review of my business in…
Information Technology is very important for small business. A new laptop for a small or home office (SOHO) business can be a big investment. This blogpost will outline how I set up my new HP Pavilion g6 laptop. I was up and running within a few hours but it has taken some time to get…
I have had an iPad for many years. It can be a neat business tool for use in and out the office – I particularly like Noteability: an iOS app for for taking notes and signing documents; a Maglus Stylus; a bluetooth wireless keyboard; the office apps with Dropbox; and Zoom . I travel regularly…
I was delighted to be asked by Maria Staunton,of GMIT’s Innovation in Business Centre in Castlebar to speak at the first meeting of 2013 of the Mayo Open Coffee Club. I was asked to speak about ‘New Year, New You, Setting Smarter Goals for 2013’. I readily accepted as I have a keen interest…
To facilitate a good meeting you need to: spend time in preparation, build group dynamic, establish shared focus, maintain control but also capture constuctive input, close with a plan of Action. And follow up including drafting and circulation of minutes is critical.