Small Firms Association

🎅 After another challenging year, we hope you enjoy an well-earned break during the Christmas period. From the entire SFA team, warm wishes for a Merry Christmas! #Xmas #Christmas #SmallBusiness #SFA Jonathan McDade David Broderick Zaynab Lawal Naira Ludescher Stephanie Roy

🎄 Holiday Notice: Next week is your last chance to join our workshops, masterminds, and masterclasses before we take a festive break from 20th December to 6th January. We’ve added extra sessions to help you get some last-minute business improvements in before the holidays—don’t miss out on ending the year strong! 🚀 👉 MentorsWork members: Register for all sessions here: https://lnkd.in/e7hFWYZm 👉 Non-members: Sign up for masterclasses here: https://lnkd.in/ecCUheHs #MentorsWork #BusinessGrowth #HolidayNotice Skillnet Ireland Small Firms Association

🚨 MEMBER-ONLY WEBINAR - Year in Review 2024 on Monday, 16th December at 11.30! 2024 has been a dynamic year for employers and HR professionals, with significant changes in areas such as:   Increases to the National Minimum Wage The Right to Request Remote and Flexible Working The Right to Postpone Maternity Leave Restrictions on Non-Disclosure Agreements …and much more!   As we move into 2025, further changes in employment legislation are on the horizon, and these developments will undoubtedly impact your organisation.   We invite you to join SFA HR Executive, Zaynab Lawal, for an insightful webinar on 16th December at 11:30am to not only reflect on the recent changes, but also to look ahead at what’s to come in the year ahead. Register now: https://lnkd.in/eKNXR_gX #HRYearinReview #SmallBusiness #SFA

Yesterday was a busy day at the SFA. We started our evening with the #SFAAwards2025 Finalists Briefing, bringing together the finalists selected in 9 categories, the Emerging New Business winners and the awards sponsors to catch up and network. After the brief session run by Sue O'Neill, we all gathered for the SFA Christmas Evening. Those already in the room were joined by SFA members and welcomed by a heart-warming speech from SFA Chair, Geraldine Magnier. To close the evening, we had the pleasure of having Conall O Móráin for an insightful conversation with SFA Director, David Broderick. Here is our sincere thank you to all in attendance, the energy in the room couldn't be more vibrant! Did you attend? Tell us what you thought of the event in the comments below. This event wouldn't be possible without SFA Awards sponsors: Microfinance Ireland, National Standards Authority of Ireland, (SBCI) Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland, Bord Bia - The Irish Food Board, One4all Group, Enterprise Ireland, Elavon Europe, Skillnet Ireland, PTSB, Sage, DeCare Photos from Conor McCabe. #SFA #SmallBusiness #Networking

🏆 The finalists in the SFA National Business Awards 2025 have been officially announced by Sue O'Neill, Chair of the SFA Awards Judging Panel. The aim of the awards is to celebrate the achievements of small business in Ireland and to recognise the vital contribution of the small business sector to Irish industry. The strong response to the awards programme highlights the resilience of Irish small businesses, who continue to put their best foot forward in seeking recognition for their hard work," said Sue O’Neill. "In addition to our nine award categories, we're also showcasing five outstanding Emerging New Businesses (established less than two years ago), and it's clear that entrepreneurship is thriving across Ireland." "The Small Firms Association remains committed to celebrating the achievements of small business owners. With 273,000 small businesses employing almost half of Ireland's private sector workforce, these awards shine a spotlight on excellence, innovation, and success across every sector and region of the country," she added. 49 companies have been selected from 16 different counties, across ten categories. MANUFACTURING FINALISTS - Sponsored by PTSB Scatter Box ALS Identify Hygeia Lawrence Engineering Ltd Leinster Environmentals ULTRAPURE Laboratories Ltd   FOOD & DRINK FINALISTS - Sponsored by Bord Bia - The Irish Food Board Builíin Blasta Carlingford Oyster Company Drink Botanicals Ireland Shines Seafoods The Delicious Food Co Zingibeer Ltd.   SERVICES FINALISTS - Sponsored by Sage 3Q Recruitment Ltd. ASafe Global RedSky Europe ROCTEL SolarSmart Energy Ltd ZEUS Scooters   OUTSTANDING SMALL BUSINESS FINALISTS - Sponsored by Elavon Europe Agile Executives GP Practice Ally Happy Cubs IO Agri Jack Murphy Clothing The Smooth Company   INNOVATION FINALISTS - Sponsored by National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) EcoVolt Ltd Hugh J Ward & Co Solicitors Klearcom Oriel Marine Extracts ROCTEL Total Plastic Solution   RETAIL FINALISTS - Sponsored by One4all Group Dublin Herbalists Nutty Delights Rugs.ie Jack Murphy Clothing The Smooth Company Nibbed   EXPORTER OF THE YEAR FINALISTS - Sponsored by Enterprise Ireland Aterim Carlingford Oyster Company Drink Botanicals Ireland Klearcom Oriel Marine Extracts RedSky Europe VOYA SUSTAINABILITY FINALISTS - Sponsored by (SBCI) Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland Drumhierny Woodland Hideaway Hygeia Oriel Marine Extracts Re-Cycle Bikes Velo Coffee Roasters Active Tribe   WORKPLACE WELLBEING FINALISTS - Sponsored by DeCare 3Q Recruitment VOYA ContractingPLUS Employee Financial Wellness OnePageCRM PD Ceramics Ltd   EMERGING NEW BUSINESS WINNERS - Sponsored by Microfinance Ireland Your Friend, My Friend Eco Powered Cabinets RealSafe App Copper Coast Renewables Colectivo | Collective Impact Congratulations to all finalists and Emerging New Business winners! For more information, visit www.SFAAwards.ie #SFAAwards2025 #BusinessAwards #BusinessSuccess #IrishBusiness

🚨 Could you be overlooking a simple way to reduce absenteeism and boost productivity? Find out at the SFA Ergonomics Advice Webinar, taking place tomorrow, 7 November at 3PM. During this session, Occupational Health Professional of the Year 2024, Carol Deasy from Occupational Health Solutions Ireland, will go through the practical steps to ensure your workplace is legally compliant and optimised for your employees' wellbeing. Learn how to effectively communicate best practice ergonomics advice to your staff - promote healthy workplace environments, reduce the risk of injuries, and enhance overall staff well-being. We encourage employers to participate in this informative event to ensure their teams are supported with the latest ergonomic practices. Register now - https://lnkd.in/eQuzzXaW Jonathan McDade #Ergonomics #SmallBusiness #SupportingWellbeing #SFA

We are delighted to announce that Geraldine Magnier, CEO of Idiro Analytics, an advanced analytics company, has been re-elected to serve a second two-year term as the Chairperson of the Small Firms Association (SFA). After serving two successful years as chair of the SFA, Geraldine was re-elected by her peers on the SFA Council and members present at our Annual General Meeting. In Geraldine's words: "When asked if I'd stand again for election, I said yes, because it's an honour to serve the small businesses of Ireland and despite a challenging environment right now, there is nothing more rewarding than working in a progressive environment where the people are open to solution making and creating meaningful change to benefit SBs and that's exactly what being part of the SFA means to me and our members." Know more about Geraldine and other members of our council https://lnkd.in/eGT9tfJg David Broderick Jonathan McDade #SFA #SmallBusiness #SFAAGM

Great to see Minister Peter Burke from Fine Gael, Ged Nash from Labour, Eoin Hayes from the Social Democrats, Minister Dara Calleary from Fianna Fáil & Louise OReilly from Sinn Fein participating in the Ibec General Election Hustings #ElectingforBusiness #GeneralElection #GE24 #SmallBusiness

🎙️ SFA Director, David Broderick, is live on Midlands 103's Taking Care of Business with Ronan Berry at 7:10PM today. Make sure you tune in. #SFA #GE24 #GE2024 #SmallBusiness #TakingCareofBusiness

🎙️ Tune in: SFA Director David Broderick is talking to Mandy Johnston about SFA's recently launched General Election Manifesto: For a Nation of Small Businesses tomorrow from 9 to 10AM for #TakingStock on Newstalk. Make sure to tune in for this conversation! You can explore our manifesto and its pillars here https://lnkd.in/edpbCjcq Jonathan McDade #SFA #GE24 #GE2024 #SmallBusiness #IrishBusiness