Donncha Hughes
Trainer, Mentor and Startup Business Advisor - talk to me if you want to Grow your Business!
Ireland
2K followers
500+ connections
About
I specialise in working with technology and professional services SMEs and startups. I provide mentoring, hands on consultancy, and training to help promoters to grow their businesses.
My areas of expertise include: Business Plans, Grant applications, Networking, Business Strategy, Goal Setting, Market Research, Marketing and Sales, WordPress and supports for Business.
I graduated from NUIG with a Masters in Marketing. I worked for 18 months in a marketing role in a private hospital in Galway. I moved to Limerick to join IBEC where I worked for 7.5 years in Business Development and service delivery. We worked on behalf of major MNCs and Irish companies across many sectors. It was great to learn from CEOs and senior managers of over 500 companies.
I was delighted to be appointed Manager of Limerick Institute of Technology's on campus incubation centre in June 2006. Within 4 years the centre had reached capacity. Indeed, 3 companies (Episensor, ResourceKraft and Emutex) had moved out and subsequently created upwards of 50 jobs in Limerick. During my time in LIT, I worked with Graham Royce to create the very successful LEAP programme (forerunner of New Frontiers).
Since leaving LIT in 2010, I offer a niche training and mentoring service as a sole trader. I now work privately with clients and deliver mentoring, business advice and training programmes on Starting a Business, Marketing and Sales, Negotiations and New Frontiers.
My online training website features a growing number of training programmes : CSF Masterclass; New Frontiers Phase 2 Application Form; Financial Projections, Writing a Business Plan and Pitching (Free). Create a free account to access preview content.
Articles by Donncha
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Announcing LEO Galway Client Advisory Service Support
Announcing LEO Galway Client Advisory Service Support
By Donncha Hughes
Activity
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We’re thrilled to announce that former Manchester United and Ireland football star John O’Shea has become an investor in GoChallenge John…
We’re thrilled to announce that former Manchester United and Ireland football star John O’Shea has become an investor in GoChallenge John…
Liked by Donncha Hughes
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2 days and counting until we kick off Enterprise Ireland's New Frontiers programme at Atlantic Technological University Donegal-Sligo. I can't wait…
2 days and counting until we kick off Enterprise Ireland's New Frontiers programme at Atlantic Technological University Donegal-Sligo. I can't wait…
Liked by Donncha Hughes
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A big thank you to The Sunday Times Ireland and Business Correspondent Linda Daly for featuring John O’Shea's recent investment in GoChallenge on the…
A big thank you to The Sunday Times Ireland and Business Correspondent Linda Daly for featuring John O’Shea's recent investment in GoChallenge on the…
Liked by Donncha Hughes
Experience
Education
Licenses & Certifications
Publications
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Guide to Self Employment in Ireland
My Website
Ten steps worth considering by anyone thinking of setting up a Self Employed Business in Ireland.
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Embracing the Challenges and Opportunities of Open Skies
IBEC Mid West
IBEC the business representative body representing SMEs and MNCs in the Greater West of Ireland region prepared this report following consultation with members on the potential impact of Open Skies on Shannon Airport. Up to that point, all flights to Ireland had a stopover in Shannon. This finished in March 2007. Subsequent studies in 2008 found that the introduction of Open Skies and the removal of the stopover decreased transatlantic traffic through Shannon by 40 per cent having a major…
IBEC the business representative body representing SMEs and MNCs in the Greater West of Ireland region prepared this report following consultation with members on the potential impact of Open Skies on Shannon Airport. Up to that point, all flights to Ireland had a stopover in Shannon. This finished in March 2007. Subsequent studies in 2008 found that the introduction of Open Skies and the removal of the stopover decreased transatlantic traffic through Shannon by 40 per cent having a major negative impact on Tourism in the region.
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A Business Perspective on the Way Forward for the Mid-West
IBEC Mid West
IBEC as the business representative body in Ireland surveyed its members in order to prepare a lobbying document for the future of the Mid-West region of Ireland (Tipperary, Clare and Limerick) identifying key infrastructure and other investment priorities vital for business competitiveness for both the SME and multinational sector.
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Guide to Self Employment in Ireland 2023
eBook on Kindle
This newly updated and expanded 'Guide to Self Employment in Ireland 2023' will be of use if you have recently set up or are thinking of setting up a small business in Ireland as a Sole Trader, freelancer or contractor. You may be a graduate, or recently been made redundant, want a change of job, or may have spotted an opportunity to create a business perhaps inspired by a hobby, skill or passion. But you don't want the hassle or cost of setting up a company just yet. Welcome to self employment…
This newly updated and expanded 'Guide to Self Employment in Ireland 2023' will be of use if you have recently set up or are thinking of setting up a small business in Ireland as a Sole Trader, freelancer or contractor. You may be a graduate, or recently been made redundant, want a change of job, or may have spotted an opportunity to create a business perhaps inspired by a hobby, skill or passion. But you don't want the hassle or cost of setting up a company just yet. Welcome to self employment where you conduct business as a sole trader!
The eBook published for the Kindle is available for £0.99 - link on my website.
The introduction identifies two major strands of activity to be managed by a new business owner; how the business is going to make money; and managing the business from a legal and compliance perspective.
The first is how your business is going to make money. This involves figuring out who your customer is and what you are going to sell to them. So the question is what range of products or services can you provide that provides fantastic value to potential customers. Your ‘job’ is to find your first customers and deliver on your promises such that they pay you more money than it costs to provide the product or service.
The second major strand of activity is managing the business from a legal and compliance viewpoint. This involves creating a legal structure, paying tax, registering for VAT, hiring employees and other items such as Insurance and Health & Safety.
The ultimate success of your business depends on managing both these strands which will be covered in this guide - across 26 major headings - plus a new section on trading with the UK post Brexit. It is hoped that you find this GUIDE to be a useful checklist for action for your new business.
Feedback and comment on my website and via social media is appreciated.
Projects
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Brexit Support Advisory Service for LEO Mayo
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I have been asked by LEO Mayo to provide a Brexit Support Advisory Service to their client base in County Mayo over the coming weeks and months. As you know, LEO Mayo is the first stop enterprise support agency for the county’s indigenous micro-enterprise sector those employing less than 10 staff.
The first objective is to formulate an up to date quantitative picture on the impact of and readiness for Brexit amongst the client base. We are distributing an Annual Employment Survey to LEO…I have been asked by LEO Mayo to provide a Brexit Support Advisory Service to their client base in County Mayo over the coming weeks and months. As you know, LEO Mayo is the first stop enterprise support agency for the county’s indigenous micro-enterprise sector those employing less than 10 staff.
The first objective is to formulate an up to date quantitative picture on the impact of and readiness for Brexit amongst the client base. We are distributing an Annual Employment Survey to LEO Mayo clients.
The second objective is to engage with the client base with the aim being to provide LEO Mayo with qualitative insight from businesses on the ground as to their readiness for Brexit. It is hoped that this will be of benefit to microenterprise in County Mayo. So you might get a call from me. In our chat we can for instance determine if you should create or review “An Action Plan for Brexit” (templates available covering issues to include Logistics, Customs, Compliance and Finance) and if specific Brexit supports offered by LEO Mayo and/or those detailed on the Prepare for Brexit website (www.prepareforbrexit.com ) are relevant to your business. -
Board Member of YAP Ireland
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I am a Board Director (pro bono) for YAP Ireland CLG. Funded by Tusla, YAP's vision is a society where all Young People and Families are connected with their communities. In early 2017, YAP Ireland published a Strategic Plan for 2017-2020. The mission was rewritten 'We change the lives of young people and families in need of support by providing community-based, strengths focused, inclusive, flexible services which improve their skills and capacity to meet their own goals'. I am proud to be…
I am a Board Director (pro bono) for YAP Ireland CLG. Funded by Tusla, YAP's vision is a society where all Young People and Families are connected with their communities. In early 2017, YAP Ireland published a Strategic Plan for 2017-2020. The mission was rewritten 'We change the lives of young people and families in need of support by providing community-based, strengths focused, inclusive, flexible services which improve their skills and capacity to meet their own goals'. I am proud to be associated with YAP Ireland and hope to make a contribution to the Board over the three year term.
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ReVolv - EC COSME Project
The ReVolv project objectives are:
(a) to demonstrate the Trumaster-ALR both technically and economically at commercial scale for treating LCDs
(b) to obtain the necessary regulatory approvals for the use of the technology for treating LCDs
(c) to increase customer confidence in the technology performance at full scale and de-risk early adoption
(d) to demonstrate the environmental benefits of the technology and reduce LCD stockpiling in Europe
(e) to fully exploit the…The ReVolv project objectives are:
(a) to demonstrate the Trumaster-ALR both technically and economically at commercial scale for treating LCDs
(b) to obtain the necessary regulatory approvals for the use of the technology for treating LCDs
(c) to increase customer confidence in the technology performance at full scale and de-risk early adoption
(d) to demonstrate the environmental benefits of the technology and reduce LCD stockpiling in Europe
(e) to fully exploit the demonstration at full commercial scale in the project leading to widespread uptake of the technology by WEEE recyclers.Other creatorsSee project -
Specialist Advisory Supports Service for LEO Galway
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I am delighted to announce that I will be working directly with LEO Galway during 2018 to proactively identify LEO clients in order to assist them to avail of the full range of enterprise supports provided to grow their businesses by Galway LEO and the wider entrepreneurship support environment. See my LinkedIn Pulse article for more detail.
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Startup Galway Pitches Meetup
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The Pitches Meetup met 15 times over nearly 2 years. It served its aim to be a forum for startups to practice their Pitches amongst friends (other startup founders, experienced startups and business people) and to learn about the supports available to startups in a practical way. The meetup group is now being managed by Startup Blink who hope to run regular networking events. Another notable Meetup group in Galway is WorkBench Wednesday which takes place in BOI WorkBench and meets on a monthly…
The Pitches Meetup met 15 times over nearly 2 years. It served its aim to be a forum for startups to practice their Pitches amongst friends (other startup founders, experienced startups and business people) and to learn about the supports available to startups in a practical way. The meetup group is now being managed by Startup Blink who hope to run regular networking events. Another notable Meetup group in Galway is WorkBench Wednesday which takes place in BOI WorkBench and meets on a monthly basis in the evenings.
Other creatorsSee project
Organizations
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Bizmentors.ie
Member of Advisory Board
- PresentA Bizmentor providing pro-bono mentoring to startup and small business in Galway. Three one hour sessions over several months. Apply directly to Bizmentors.ie An Advisory Board member working with Executive Management to oversee: Strategy, Policy and Procedures, Future Development, Funding and Staffing. Exciting times as have secured Enterprise Ireland funding to expand into Mayo and Roscommon in 2017/18 - also assessing EU projects to roll out model.
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Accelerate Green is now open for applications. Bord na Móna are seeking innovative, climate-solution companies for the 2 programmes: Accelerate Green…
Accelerate Green is now open for applications. Bord na Móna are seeking innovative, climate-solution companies for the 2 programmes: Accelerate Green…
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[#Seth on Public Speaking] Momentum activities like Public Speaking share an attribute with riding a bicycle: It gets easier when you get good at it.
[#Seth on Public Speaking] Momentum activities like Public Speaking share an attribute with riding a bicycle: It gets easier when you get good at it.
Shared by Donncha Hughes
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I recently finished a year on the Enterprise Ireland New Frontiers programme. it was a fantastic opportunity to take a deep dive in to a new business…
I recently finished a year on the Enterprise Ireland New Frontiers programme. it was a fantastic opportunity to take a deep dive in to a new business…
Liked by Donncha Hughes
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GoChallenge is thrilled to be running our 'Leave No One Behind' challenge with the amazing team at Red Hat. We've been blown away by the team's…
GoChallenge is thrilled to be running our 'Leave No One Behind' challenge with the amazing team at Red Hat. We've been blown away by the team's…
Liked by Donncha Hughes
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👏 Thank you all so much. It has been an absolute pleasure to work alongside you over the last number of months. 👀 I will continue to monitor your…
👏 Thank you all so much. It has been an absolute pleasure to work alongside you over the last number of months. 👀 I will continue to monitor your…
Liked by Donncha Hughes
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📢 'The Business of Creativity' - we are very excited to launch our new (non accredited) incubator for digital creatives, the EXPLORER Programme…
📢 'The Business of Creativity' - we are very excited to launch our new (non accredited) incubator for digital creatives, the EXPLORER Programme…
Liked by Donncha Hughes
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Thanks for sharing Sarah Cosgrove - big thanks to Atlantic Technological University for this and to the amazing mentors and ATU staff involved in the…
Thanks for sharing Sarah Cosgrove - big thanks to Atlantic Technological University for this and to the amazing mentors and ATU staff involved in the…
Liked by Donncha Hughes
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I love to see Enterprise Ireland's New Frontiers programme alumni featured in the news. Linda Hegarty co-founder of Slick+ is featured in today's…
I love to see Enterprise Ireland's New Frontiers programme alumni featured in the news. Linda Hegarty co-founder of Slick+ is featured in today's…
Liked by Donncha Hughes
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Idea/Pre-seed stage FinTech founders. This is for you... If you're at the start of your journey to becoming authorised by a regulatory body…
Idea/Pre-seed stage FinTech founders. This is for you... If you're at the start of your journey to becoming authorised by a regulatory body…
Liked by Donncha Hughes
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Do you need to publicly procure a public funded contract on the Etenders platform? If so this training hosted by Local Enterprise Office Leitrim is…
Do you need to publicly procure a public funded contract on the Etenders platform? If so this training hosted by Local Enterprise Office Leitrim is…
Liked by Donncha Hughes
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[SaaS Pricing Blog] Matt Hodges of Intercom, Loom and Equals - "If you take away one thing from reading this, I hope it’s that you realize you’ll…
[SaaS Pricing Blog] Matt Hodges of Intercom, Loom and Equals - "If you take away one thing from reading this, I hope it’s that you realize you’ll…
Shared by Donncha Hughes
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[contronyms] 25 words that are their own antonyms (opposites) so need to be understood in context. From GetPocket. #writing
[contronyms] 25 words that are their own antonyms (opposites) so need to be understood in context. From GetPocket. #writing
Shared by Donncha Hughes
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Our Ordu self ordering kiosks going into Bennys 😎📈🍔
Our Ordu self ordering kiosks going into Bennys 😎📈🍔
Liked by Donncha Hughes
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Hoping to cycle 🚲 107km in the Croí, West of Ireland Cardiology 🫀 Foundation annual fundraising cycle this weekend! A great cause doing wonderful…
Hoping to cycle 🚲 107km in the Croí, West of Ireland Cardiology 🫀 Foundation annual fundraising cycle this weekend! A great cause doing wonderful…
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