Épisodes

  • Episode 2: “From Microsoft to The HR Company: A Conversation with Philip Carney”

    Episode 2: “From Microsoft to The HR Company: A Conversation with Philip Carney”
    Nov 15 2025
    🎙️ Podcast Title: Ice Expo Podcast — “From Microsoft to The HR Company: A Conversation with Philip Carney”Description: In this inspiring episode of the Ice Expo Podcast, we dive deep into the career journey of Philip Carney, CEO and Founder of The HR Company. From his early beginnings in finance to working alongside Bill Gates at Microsoft, and ultimately launching one of Ireland’s leading HR consultancies — Philip shares lessons learned, challenges faced, and invaluable advice for small business owners navigating compliance and growth in today’s workplace.⏱️ Time Codes & Highlights00:00 – 00:05 | Introduction Danielle welcomes listeners to another episode of the Ice Expo Podcast, setting the stage for a conversation about leadership, business growth, and HR innovation.00:05 – 00:41 | Meet Philip Carney Philip shares his early background, beginning as an accountant with Nortel in Galway, and reflects on the career-shaping lessons that freedom and opportunity brought him as a young professional.00:41 – 02:28 | The Nortel Years He discusses Nortel’s groundbreaking approach to rotating leadership roles — giving employees exposure to multiple departments and teaching future leaders how to think broadly about business.02:28 – 03:42 | Enter Microsoft & Bill Gates Philip recalls his time at Microsoft, working closely with Bill Gates, describing him as both “patient and impatient” — a visionary who taught him to “ask forgiveness, not permission.”03:42 – 05:12 | Leaving Corporate Life Behind After years in the corporate world, Philip explains why he left Microsoft to strike out on his own — seeking independence from bureaucracy and politics to build something more personal.05:12 – 06:43 | Founding The HR Company He describes the challenges of transitioning from global corporation to small startup, and how identifying a gap in HR administration and compliance sparked the company’s creation.06:43 – 09:01 | Early Clients & Growth From signing their first major client, Analog Devices, to growing a national client base, Philip reflects on learning to sell, adapting to technology, and building trust one relationship at a time.09:01 – 12:25 | Advice for Small Businesses Philip shares powerful guidance for small employers — emphasizing the importance of compliance, fair procedure, and proactive HR systems to avoid costly mistakes.12:25 – 15:10 | Memorable HR Cases From shocking workplace incidents to complex legal disputes, Philip walks listeners through how process, patience, and empathy are essential in resolving HR challenges.15:10 – 17:58 | Lessons Learned & Self-Reflection He offers candid reflections on his early career — wishing he’d been more assertive, and encouraging young professionals to believe in their abilities and take initiative.17:58 – 20:00 | Modern Challenges & Compliance Trends The discussion turns to gender pay reporting, collective bargaining, and how today’s workplaces are shaped by ever-evolving compliance standards.20:00 – 23:20 | Inside The HR Company Today Philip outlines the company’s services — from compliance audits and employee handbooks to behavioral assessments and data protection tools — designed to make HR more human and efficient.23:20 – 26:16 | Behavioral Testing & Recruitment Insights He explains why he never reads CVs, how personality assessments reveal true potential, and why understanding people’s behavior leads to better hiring and happier teams.26:16 – 31:00 | Evolving Over 25 Years Marking 25 years in business, Philip reflects on growth, team development, and how training managers to handle issues early prevents escalation and builds stronger workplaces.31:00 – 37:36 | Culture, Generations & The Future of Work Philip discusses evolving workplace culture, challenges facing younger generations post-COVID, and how businesses can adapt to changing communication and social dynamics.37:36 – 39:42 | The Future: AI & Innovation Looking ahead, The HR Company plans to embrace AI responsibly — using it to enhance data insights while keeping “wisdom and human understanding” at the heart of HR.39:42 – 41:05 | Closing Thoughts Philip shares his passion for helping businesses succeed through people. The conversation ends with gratitude, inspiration, and an invitation to meet him at the next Ice Expo event.
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    42 min
  • Episode 2: Glenn Ryan, Director of O'Neill and Brennan

    Episode 2: Glenn Ryan, Director of O'Neill and Brennan
    Nov 8 2025

    Join us for Episode 2 of the ICE Expo Podcast as we sit down with Glenn Ryan, Director of O'Neill and Brennan, one of Ireland's longest-established recruitment agencies in the construction industry.

    In this episode, Glenn shares his journey from teaching to recruitment, discusses the evolution of the construction industry in Ireland, and reveals how O'Neill and Brennan have been connecting talent with opportunity since the mid-1990s. We also dive into his remarkable football career, including captaining Kildare to an All-Ireland final in 1998 under legendary manager Mick O'Dwyer.


    Visit O'Neill and Brennan's stand at ICE Expo in Punchestown this May!

    Sponsored by: Euro Auctions
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    36 min
  • Episode 1: Frank Smyth | From Apprentice to Multi-Brand Dealer

    Episode 1: Frank Smyth | From Apprentice to Multi-Brand Dealer
    Nov 1 2025

    Welcome to the very first episode of the ICE Expo Podcast - where we lift the lid on construction and plant equipment!

    In this inaugural episode, we sit down with Frank Smyth from FJS Plant to discuss his incredible journey in the construction equipment industry. From learning to drive tractors before he could ride a bike, to becoming a successful multi-brand dealer representing Kubota, Liugong, Furukawa, Marlo, and more.

    Frank shares candid insights about:

    • Growing up around machinery and finding his passion
    • Winning apprentice competitions and building his reputation
    • The evolution of FJS Plant and taking on major agencies
    • Ireland's first electric excavator and the future of the industry
    • The challenges facing dealers today
    • His motorbike racing career and journey to completing an Ironman
    • Building a strong company culture and developing the next generation

    This is a raw, honest conversation about life in the plant equipment business - the successes, the setbacks, and everything in between.


    #ICEExpo #Construction #PlantEquipment #Podcast #Ireland #Kubota #ConstructionEquipment #HeavyMachinery #FJSPlant
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    1 h et 8 min
  • Welcome to The ICE Expo Podcast!

    Welcome to The ICE Expo Podcast!
    Oct 30 2025
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