October 16, 2015

Just What The Doctor Ordered

The filling of routine or standard prescriptions is a tedious and time-consuming service that seems to add little value to either patient or doctor. Not to mention the inconvenience for many in trying to arrange a visit to the surgery during office hours.

A right pain you could say, and one that's not easily cured.

What's Up, Tech?

Software engineer Oisin Kim, our featured entrepreneur on this week's Kickstart Your Business, helped a doctor friend to computerise their paper-based GP Clinic system. He saw an opportunity to 'take the pain out of prescriptions' and a whole range of other medical services by bringing together video, messaging and postal technologies in his WebDoctor platform.

An App A Day...

George and Gerard applauded Oisin's innovative approach to tackling the shortcomings in the traditional General Practice system, and whilst Oisin naturally sees opportunities to introduce specialists, Gerard recommended that he focus all his efforts first on WebDoctor.ie becoming the go-to doctor for patients requiring the mainstream medical services provided by the typical GP.

Whilst there will always be a place for hands-on consultation, there are so many maladies and treatments that can be handled better at arm's length, and Oisin would be best advised to work alongside rather than try to replace the traditional clinic.

What's Your Diagnosis?

What do you suggest Oisin and his team do to build a business that's in rude financial health? Listen back to Oisin on Kickstart Your Business and let us know what you suggest.

We'd love to hear from you.

Kickstart Your Business is broadcast live on The Right Hook on Newstalk 106 in Ireland every Thursday at 6.20pm, and is available to listen to on Playback immediately afterwards.

October 09, 2015

On Course For Marketing Success

The keen golfer has long been the ideal customer for premium brands eager to capitalise on a shopping list that usually features a wide range of high-end products and services, such as accommodation, food and drink, equipment, clothing, transport and more. The marketing whole-in-one so to speak!

Meanwhile, the profile of the typical golfer is changing, as they become more mobile in every sense of the word, with more and more of them opting to play at different courses rather than tie themselves to the one club for life.

More Than One Club In The Bag

Our featured entrepreneur on this week's Kickstart Your Business, John Aherne of GolfGraffix, himself a keen golfer, gamer and self-taught software developer, has long been intrigued by the marketing opportunities available through the use of graphics to help golfers visualise and plan their next game of golf.

He's developed GolfGraffix to offer golf-course owners and designers a number of software packages that help them to market their courses more effectively to customers, whilst providing promotional opportunities to the premium brands watching closely from the edge of the fairway.

Into The Big Wide Open

Keen golfer George and brand-builder Gerard agreed that with over 32,000 golf courses worldwide, John has succeeded in creating a business with huge potential.

At the same time, Gerard agreed with John that is important to maintain focus on the more strategic opportunities that present themselves, rather than shoot off in a number of directions at once. One hole at a time, you might say.

And even more important to recognise that GolfGraffix is no longer a software development company, but a media player, and to develop a business strategy and behaviour to match.

Drive For Show, Putt For Dough?

What do you think John and his team need do to play the course and stay the course? Listen back to John on Kickstart Your Business and let us know what you suggest.

We'd love to hear from you.

Kickstart Your Business is broadcast live on The Right Hook on Newstalk 106 in Ireland every Thursday at 6.20pm, and is available to listen to on Playback immediately afterwards.

October 02, 2015

Ah Sweet! Introducing The Good Gut Gremlin Treat

It seems very few treats don't come with some form of health-warning, and a whole lot of guilty feelings, attached. For the health-conscious shopper then, a visit to the supermarket can be something of a joyless experience, a walk amongst the forbidden fruits of an increasingly industrial production machine that packs more and more additives and irritants into the foods that we eat.

The Healthiest Sweet Treat In The World?

Our featured guest on Kickstart Your Business, clinical nutritionist Conor Saunders, has long been fascinated with the whole area of gut health. His studies and experience suggested that traditional fermented foods are the best for intestinal well-being, and so he began to explore how to turn kefir, a fermented dairy drink popular in Asia in particular, into a delicious treat. The result is Kefi, which Conor describes as a 'Lovin' Ice Cream'.

Our Gut Reaction

George and Gerard enjoyed the taste of Kefi, a less sweet take on the traditional dairy treat, and agreed that Conor appears to have created a refreshment that's healthy for us all, and can be enjoyed by a whole range of people who usually have to steer clear of sweet treats (think those suffering from diabetes, lactose and gluten intolerances).

However, Gerard suggested that Conor needs to leave the 'science bit' in the laboratory, and make much more of the natural and memorable phrases he's coined, such as 'the good gut gremlins', and which are much more likely to get a more immediate good gut reaction from adults and children alike.

We Scream, You Scream

What else can Conor and his team do to get everyone enjoying the healthiest sweet treat in the world? Listen back to Conor on Kickstart Your Business and let us know what you suggest.

We'd love to hear from you.

Kickstart Your Business is broadcast live on The Right Hook on Newstalk 106 in Ireland every Thursday at 6.15pm, and is available to listen to on Playback immediately afterwards.