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Stephen Donnelly, the health minister, talks to Tony O'Brien, the Business Post columnist and former HSE chief executive, about his vision for Ireland's health service

Saoirse McHugh is a political activist who has made a big impression in the two years since she first ran for election. In this week's episode, Saoirse gives her Five Degrees of Change, including shutting Ireland down as a tax haven, stopping flying, going vegan and establishing a Department of Food.

Michael E Mann, one of the world's best known climate scientists, gives his Five Degrees of Change for a better relationship with the planet. Michael explains why he has taken to the front line of the climate war, and how the forces of "inaction" are changing their tactics from outright climate denial, to deception, distraction and doom mongering.

Sinead Mercier gives her Five Degrees of Change, including ensuring a just transition, only buying second hand clothes, and greater public ownership of our energy system.

Eamon Ryan, leader of the Irish Green Party and current Minister for Environment, Climate, Communications and Transport gives his Five Degrees of Change for a greener world. From growing our offshore wind industry, to getting Ireland's district heating system off the ground, to eating better for his health and the environment, Ryan displays a deep knowledge and passion for environmental policy.

Richard Bruton, the former Minister for the Environment, gives his three policy and two personal changes for a greener world.

Marie Donnelly, Chair of the Climate Change Advisory Council gives her policy and personal changes in this episode of Five Degrees of Change sponsored by PwC. The Climate Change Advisory Council advises the Irish government directly on climate policy and is instrumental in holding the Irish state to account for its climate progress.

David Connolly of Wind Energy Ireland gives his Five Degrees of Change, including three policy changes and two personal changes for a greener world.

In the first Phoenix Talent Talks podcast of 2021, in partnership with The Business Post, we're taking stock and asking: where to now for the economy, the jobs market and the new working norms that have emerged in recent months? Elaine O’Regan talks to economist Jim Power, Mary Buckley of IDA Ireland and Phoenix partners Ed Rossiter and Ruth Lyndon about what lies ahead for employers, business owners and candidates.

Scott Wilson, director of sales and service at eFax, joins Business Post tech editor Emmet Ryan to discuss hybrid working and the impact it is having on digital transformation based on recent research carried out by eFax.

In Mental Health in the Workplace, the sixth episode in the Phoenix Talent Talks podcast series, in partnership with The Business Post, Elaine O’Regan talks to Managing Partner at Phoenix, Ruth Lyndon, Ciara McLoughlin, Partner and Head of Employment at DLA Piper Ireland and Caroline McEnery, Managing Director of the HR Suite, about mental health best practices for employers and how Covid-19 has impacted the approach to employee well-being.

Paul Conaty of CWSI joins Emmet Ryan to discuss the challenges of maintaining privacy and security through remote working and how you can make sure your business is safe no matter where your staff are located.

In Recover & Rebuild, the fifth episode in the Phoenix Talent Talks podcast series, in partnership with The Business Post, Elaine O’Regan talks to Phoenix founder Ed Rossiter, Anne O'Dwyer at Duff & Phelps and Tom Early at Enterprise Ireland, about the next steps for Covid-hit Irish companies.

With Irish businesses flocking online during the pandemic, it's an undiscovered country for most. Michele Neylon, chief executive of Blacknight, and Bríd O'Connell, chief executive of Guaranteed Irish, join Emmet Ryan to discuss the surge in ecommerce through the crisis and provide advice to companies braving this new world.

In a special preview of the Renaissance Cyber Series, Emmet Ryan sat down with Michael Conway, director of Renaissance and Gary Robinson, CEO of Uleska to talk about the security challenges facing businesses under current restrictions. The chat, which was conducted at a safe distance for all parties, goes through the aspects of working life that need a bit more thought in terms of IT security as well as what to expect at the upcoming cyber series event.

Sunday Business Post media and marketing reporter Elaine O'Regan is joined by Ruth Lyndon, Managing Partner at Phoenix, Olivia Lynch, Tax Partner, KPMG, Alison Manley, Managing Director, Goodbody Fund Management Limited and Eavan Saunders, Managing Partner, Dentons for a discussion on women in leadership.

In the third episode in our Phoenix Talent Talks podcast series, Elaine O’Regan discusses diversity and inclusion with Managing Partner at Phoenix Recruitment Ruth Lyndon, Stephanie Good of the People & Organisation Consulting team in PwC Ireland, Caoimhe Clarkin, Head of Litigation and Regulatory at DLA Piper and Sheelagh Daly, Entrepreneurship Manager at Enterprise Ireland. Talent Talks is a commercial podcast sponsored by Phoenix.

This is a Sponsored Commercial Podcast in association with InterTradeIreland. “A startup is a race against time – whether it’s chasing milestones, raising revenue or gaining customers – the art is understanding when you are out of your depth and when a change in approach is needed.” Not every startup has access or the ability to raise the investment needed to make their business a success. SMEs need to ask themselves; how can we add value and manage expectations? That’s the advice from Henry Joseph-Grant, Chief Commercial Officer at Talixo and one of the founding members of Just Eat UK. Henry helped to build the food and delivery service from an early startup in the UK to a $2.44 billion IPO. In this episode of InterTradeIreland’s Innovation Station podcast, Henry shares his own experiences of working with startups all over the world, as well as highlighting the innovation and scaling challenges that even tech giants such as Uber can face. “Introspection; looking at yourself and really understanding your weaknesses and strengths is more important than benchmarking competitor businesses. Make the changes necessary and gain new skills.” Speaking at a recent InterTradeIreland business masterclass held at Ryan Academy, Henry emphasizes that there is no ‘swiss-army knife approach’ to scaling with limited investment, and that SMEs need an individualized approach into every market, regardless of industry or if it’s a consumer or software focused business. Henry adds that as part of an effective approach towards innovation, SMEs must take a strategic view on scaling. It’s important to get the model right, then grow, otherwise you risk burning through cash. “Scale fast enough for YOU – know what you’re doing and where you need to be. Cultivate the right culture. Create a great atmosphere – don’t have ivory towers, treat everyone like co-owners and co-founders. Make sure there are opportunities for staff to progress. Treat people with integrity- you need to value your workers.”

Business Post readers gathered at the Roe & Co Distillery on James St. last Wednesday evening for a discussion titled, The next five years: Where to now for Ireland? Business Post editor and chief content officer Richie Oakley moderated the discussion which also featured: Pat Rabbitte, former minister and leader of the Labour Party. Lucinda Creighton, former TD, former Minister for Europe, founder of Renua and now chief executive of Vulcan Consulting. Danny McCoy, chief executive of IBEC, Ireland’s largest and most influential business organisation. Vincent Boland, the experienced and well-travelled journalist who writes the weekly Big Picture column in the Business Post. Aidan Regan, associate professor at the School of Politics and International Relations at UCD, now also a columnist with the Business Post. And Susan Mitchell, the paper's Deputy Editor and Health Editor. The discussion posed the questions, what are the challenges the country faces? What policies should the next government adopt? What do businesses need? Are we at risk of taking future economic growth for granted and could events outside our control derail the country's future prospects?

Can a fresh way of thinking really awaken new potential in SMEs to drive growth? According to all the research, it’s a resounding yes. “Design thinking” is already used by 60% of Fortune 500 firms and now Irish SMEs are starting to catch up. Dr. Peter Robbins of Dublin City University Business School is one of Ireland’s foremost experts in innovation. In a masterclass held recently at Ryan Academy, he explains how the ‘Design Thinking’ toolkit can harness innovation and radically improve processes for small businesses. Speaking to InterTradeIreland’s Innovation Station podcast, Peter explains that Design Thinking can ‘de-risk’ complex innovation projects by testing and prototyping the entire process, which in turn then maximises the return on investment at the end. “There is a tool book and methodology to Design Thinking as opposed to blue sky thinking or naval gazing. It is something that needs ‘top down’ support, but Design Thinking is quite accessible and if companies commit, it is a process that delivers results.” Peter stresses that businesses shouldn’t be put off by the term Design Thinking or assume it is more suited to creative companies. Like other innovation processes, it’s one that requires determination and a focus on customers. “Design Thinking helps SMEs find other access points to understand the marketplace. If you can create a product, service or experience that hits the ‘sweet spot’ of being desirable, feasible and viable, then you are right at the heart of innovation success.”