Talk the talk

Brendan Binchy, managing director of the Irish arm of international consulting group ROCG, talks to David Clerkin.

What does ROCG do?

ROCG is an international consultancy focusing on improving business performance in the SME sector. In particular we work with growth enterprises in this sector, offering them a global perspective combined with local experience and accessibility.

When did it come to Ireland? What opportunities did the group see here?

ROCG Ireland was officially launched just last September but our consultants have a lifetime experience in the Irish marketplace. Over 80% of all Irish businesses operate in the SME sector. They face massive challenges as a result of changes in globalisation, competition for markets, substantial increases in the costs of doing business and the evolution of an economy where the emphasis is now on doing clever things rather than just being an efficient producer. ROCG helps SME’s meet these challenges and grow their businesses.

You’ve just set up a Clonmel office. Where else are you based and why have you picked these cities and towns?

Dublin, Dundalk and we expect Limerick to come on stream later this year. We also partner regularly with our Glasgow, Manchester, Birmingham and London offices. Our ROCG slogan is ‘global reach, local experience’ and both competencies must be in place before we open a local office.

Who are your clients? Why have they picked you and not a rival?

Our clients are progressive companies from the SME sector. We have a real understanding of what drives SME’s and how to help them grow.

How did you get into the consulting business? Why did you choose ROCG?

I initially qualified as an accountant and tax consultant but my first real commercial experience was working for the finance director of Burberrys/ Scotch House in the GUS group in London. Then I moved home to run the family’s retail business with my dad before moving into public practice to work as a finance and tax consultant. This just evolved into a broader business consultancy, but the real catalyst was working with our international consulting network and the arrival of my partner Jimmy Ryan who brought his HR, operations & manufacturing experience into the equation.

How big can ROCG become here? What are your plans?

The only limiting factor is our ability to recruit and train suitably qualified ROCG consultants. Quality rather than quantity is our benchmark, so in planning terms we expect to have no more than six offices in Ireland, a dozen in the UK and four in mainland Europe within the next two years.

What worries you most about the year ahead?

We face the same external opportunities and threats as every other SME.

Anything else we should know?

Change is inevitable but progress is not!