Started in 2009, but only recently launched, Nubie.com helps you to start, fund, manage and grow your business – it’s a cloud-based platform for start-ups and high performing small businesses, with information and tools to help you succeed in business.

The web-based service aims to meet the immediate business needs of Irish “start-ups”, over 13,000 of whom are formed in Ireland each year (according to BOI’s Business Start-Up Barometer 2009).

It will provide start-ups with customised roadmaps tailored for the Irish market and online tools to research their idea, develop a business plan, check grant eligibility, seek funding and get off the ground quicker. As well as business planning, funding and forecasting, Nubie will also provide a range of related services including invoicing, customer relationship management and marketing. …

Social networking has become a mainstream business tool in Ireland with fully 40% of businesses having successfully used social networks to win new business, reveals a new global survey commissioned by global workspace solutions provider Regus.

Testimony to the faith businesses are now putting in the social networking medium is seen in the fact that 26% of Irish businesses are setting aside a proportion of marketing budget specifically for social networking activities. …

Facebook has begun the rollout of its new feature, Facebook Questions. While online Question and Answer services are not exactly new, Facebook’s community of 500 million users adds a new dynamic to the space and could potentially create an exciting opportunity for small businesses.

A Facebook blog post explained the service: “Millions of people ask their friends questions on Facebook every day. What new music should I listen to? Where’s the best sushi place in town? How do I learn to play the piano? With this new application, you can get a broader set of answers and learn valuable information from people knowledgeable on a range of topics.” …

For small businesses growing beyond one outlet can be difficult and expensive. The more you grow the more capital you need. Franchising your business can be a good way of expanding yet keeping costs minimal.

So how does franchising work? Well, to start with, your business needs to be successful. Nobody will want to franchise a business from you if it doesn’t make money. A franchised business needs to generate enough profit to make money for both the franchisee and you. …

Across Ireland communities are seeing small local businesses struggling to remain competitive against larger chain stores that are popping up everywhere. While many are lamenting the loss of local businesses few are doing anything about it.

However, independent businesses in Carrigaline, Co. Cork have decided to group together and do something to keep the local economy thriving.

Businesses have taken the initiative to launch Ireland’s first town-wide Loyalty Card. Cardholders can use one card to collect points in multiple local businesses and redeem them for a range of rewards.

The more the customer uses the card the more points they earn and the greater the reward they get. As the business is not giving a discount to every one-time visitor who walks through the door they can give bigger rewards to their most regular customers.
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