Insights
2020…2021
Our consumer team reflects on the challenges of 2020 for businesses across Ireland and takes a forward look at what might lie in store for 2021
What might a Biden presidency look like for our small part of the world?
This small part of the world has a soft power in the US that seems to extend beyond the Oval Office. How can we take advantage of that under a Biden presidency?
Education, education, education is key to economic recovery
AS the speed of change and evolution precipitated by Covid continues to accelerate at a rapid pace, I’m reminded of Lenin’s famous quote ‘there are decades where nothing happens; and there are weeks where decades happen’.
Without clarity on the protocol, business in NI will pay the price
While Covid-19 becomes a greater part of everyday life, political focus, given some leeway from the stricter days of full lockdown, is starting to shift back to the Brexit behemoth. Despite businesses in Northern Ireland having spent the last six months focused on pandemic response, the Brexit countdown has continued to tick without any substantial breakthrough. Accordingly, companies moving goods north to south and east to west have been left in limbo, faced with a myriad of new regulations and possible tariffs. Ultimately, we are sadly no closer to identifying what a new tariff regime or regulatory procedures might look like. As we enter the preliminary round of the final phase, it is critical that businesses, big and small, are swiftly given clarity and that additional costs, including any new tariffs, are kept to an absolute minimum.
Link between future–proofing arts and attracting foreign investment
The civic and economic purpose of arts and culture to a healthy, functioning, society is revealed to be more explicitly necessary than ever.
Does the workplace matter…
While some will have developed a digital mindset and provided an online offering, for many others walk–in custom will remain core to their success. If we do not return to the workplace how will those dependent business survive?