In this special wrap-up episode of Smooth Scaling, Marie Donnellan reflects on the biggest insights, standout stories, and hard-won lessons from Season One.From global entrepreneurs to regional innovators, our guests have shared candid truths about purpose, structure, resilience, talent, and culture, the real foundations needed to scale successfully on the international stage.Marie revisits the highlights of each conversation, draws together her five biggest takeaways, and celebrates the momentum of the regional scaling community.Whether you’ve listened to every episode or you’re just discovering the series, this finale is packed with perspective, inspiration, and practical wisdom for anyone on a scaling journey.
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14:29
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14:29
Financial Foundations for Global Scale: Welcoming Joe O'Donovan to Platform94
In this episode of Smooth Scaling, we’re delighted to welcome Joe O’Donovan, our newly appointed Fractional Chief Financial Officer at Platform94 and the latest leader to join our pioneering Fractional C-Suite initiative.Joe brings over two decades of leadership in high-growth and complex environments, including 13 years as CFO and later CEO of Galway Clinic, CEO of Grace Healthcare, and advisory roles with innovative scaling companies like ByoWave. He’s a Chartered Accountant who has guided organisations through major expansion, funding cycles, and operational transformation.In this introductory episode, we explore why Joe chose to work with scaling companies in the West and Northwest; the most common financial blind spots that hold founders back; how to strengthen cashflow management and build rolling budgets; when to bring in senior financial leadership; and what it takes to prepare for investment without losing sight of day-to-day growth.If you’re a scaling business looking for strategic financial guidance, or want to understand how world-class CFO expertise can shape your scaling journey, this episode is for you.
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24:56
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24:56
From Global Giants to Scaling Innovators: Welcoming Sue Gannon to Platform94
In this episode of Smooth Scaling, we’re thrilled to welcome Sue Gannon our newly appointed Fractional Chief People Officer at Platform94 and the first leader to join our fractional C-Suite initiative.Sue brings over 25 years of senior HR leadership across global brands like Netflix, Dr. Martens, Beam Suntory, and Campbell’s, with experience spanning the US, UK, Japan, Australia, and beyond. Now, she’s channeling that expertise into supporting Ireland’s most ambitious scaling companies across the West and Northwest.In this introductory episode we explore why Sue chose to work with scaling businesses in the region; what definite a great people strategy during periods of rapid growth, common pitfalls in international expansion. how founders can structure their leadership teams for long-term success and what it really means to build a values-led, high-performance cultureIf you're a scaling company looking for strategic people support, or simply curious about how world-class HR leadership can transform your business, this is the episode for you.
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20:12
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20:12
The Edge Within: Turning Culture into Competitive Advantage
In this episode of Smooth Scaling, we dive into what it really takes to engage and retain great people in a fast-scaling business. As the competition for talent intensifies, culture is no longer a nice-to-have; it’s a strategic differentiator. We explore how organisations of all sizes can foster purpose, drive connection, and create standout employee experiences from day one, turning culture into your greatest competitive edge.Marie is joined by David Mackey, Co-Founder of Mbryonics; Pamela Treacy, Head of Corporate Business Acquisition at VHI; and Paul Conneally, Co-Founder of Slick+, who offer practical, honest insights on everything from psychological safety and inclusive leadership to the power of purpose, and how technology is reshaping onboarding, mentoring, and the modern workplace.
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37:04
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37:04
Tried & Tested: Evelyn O'Toole on Science, Scale & Staying the Course
In this episode of Smooth Scaling, Marie sits down with Evelyn O’Toole, Founder and CEO of CLS (Complete Laboratory Solutions), to explore the remarkable journey of building one of Ireland’s leading scientific services companies. From humble beginnings in Connemara to becoming a national and international leader, Evelyn shares what gave her the courage to start, how she navigated key growth milestones, and the pivotal decisions that shaped CLS’s success.We dive into the complexities of scaling a business in a highly regulated sector, balancing expansion with quality and technical excellence. Evelyn opens up about how her leadership evolved, the weight of responsibility she’s carried, and the resilience required to keep going during the hardest moments. She reflects on the role of innovation and technology in CLS’s growth, the strategy behind their recent €10 million training investment, and what the future holds -including international ambitions and staying rooted in the West of Ireland.Honest, inspiring, and filled with practical wisdom, this episode is a masterclass in perseverance, purpose, and building something that lasts. Evelyn also shares what she’s most proud of, the advice she’d give to early-stage founders, and what the journey has taught her about herself.
Join Marie Donnellan, CEO of Platform94, as she navigates the exciting but complex world of international business scaling. Featuring real-world stories, insights, and advice from entrepreneurs, experts, and industry leaders, Smooth Scaling delves into the highs, lows, and lessons of growing an international business.
Whether you’re scaling your own business, supporting others, or simply curious about the journey, this podcast is your go-to resource for inspiration and actionable strategies.
Tune in to explore the opportunities, challenges and innovations shaping the future of scaling.
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