Small Business Show #28 with Siobhán King Hughes of Sensormind

Kehlan Kirwan and Conn Ó Muíneacháin in Studio

It’s the Small Business Show for Friday January 27th 2012 and, beginning this week, you can watch us as well as listen.  The audio podcast will continue to be available: just click on the player at the top of this article.  The video will be published this afternoon.

This week, Siobhán King Hughes of Sensormind is our guest as we look back over some of the stories covered on FocuSME over the past week.

Sensormind is a system which uses sensors to discreetly monitor the movements of an elderly person in their home.  If the system detects unusual activity, such as wandering at night or a failure to return from the bathroom, it can send a message to a family member or friend that something may be amiss.  The system is designed to support the older person’s desire to live independently while giving peace of mind to their family and friends.

Stories covered this week: Showcase Ireland at the RDS; Bankruptcy Law Overhaul; Migrant Entrepreneurs; Ennis Innovate is Launched.

Showcase Ireland a Success at the RDS

Almost 5000 buyers from 17 countries attended Showcase Ireland at the RDS over four days this week. Organised by the Craft Council of Ireland the event is the major trade show for craft industries in Ireland and is in its 36th year.

Brian McGee is Head of Market Development with the Council and he spoke to FocuSMEIreland about this year’s show and the prospects for the craft sector in Ireland. 2,500 indigenous businesses employing 5700 people are represented by the Craft Council of Ireland and the sector is worth €0.5bn per annum.

He said that while the domestic market is soft at present, people do ask for Irish goods. Exports, on the other hand, have shown strong growth in recent years.