Business –  the Power of the Brand
Having a strong brand presence is more important than ever in a world of growing disruption, fragmentation and uncertainty. In this talk looking at both the macro and micro pictures, Jim explores the influences and forces that brands are subject to and shaped by, and offers guidance on how businesses and organisations can build a strong brand presence that generates loyalty and trust even through difficult times.

Economics – Rebuilding the Irish Economy
What sectors will be instrumental in rebuilding the Irish economy post-pandemic?  And within those sectors, what do businesses need to do to be part of the rebuilding process? After 2011, the rebuilding happened much quicker than people expected. There were winners and losers, on a big scale.  What does this mean for the current scenario? Staff retention and quality is paramount. How can you configure the profile of your staff to deal with the new realities? In this talk, Jim looks at what companies need to consider if they are to play their part in rebuilding Ireland’s post-Covid economy.

Economics – The current and future ‘Mega Trends’ to watch out for
Jim explains the dynamics and characteristics of the big trends that will shape business into the future.

Inequality is a growing problem, increasingly influencing everything. It’s a threat to the world and political stability, and political elites need to address it. In the future, for example, Jim believes, Universal Basic Income will become an increasingly debated global topic. 

Climate change is a disruptive force that affects us all. Politically it’s divisive and, in Ireland, often a partisan issue. In this talk, Jim explores the universal effects it will have on business if we fail to tackle it, and looks at some of the actions that industries can take to adapt to the new realities.

SMEs comprise over 98% of business in Ireland, yet are often neglected in favour of FDI.  Ireland has a problem with concentration density, with a few big companies dominating everything. What would happen if they go? In this talk, Jim highlights SMEs’ contribution to the economy and explores how SMEs are affected by existing policy and how we can use policy differently to help them.  What are the opportunities that HE sees in the speaking market?

Working from Home (WFH) is a big deal now, especially post-Covid. What has happened? And what are the implications for the next year?  Businesses need to think about what they’re going to do about the workplace of the future. This has implications for the economy.  

And how does WFH affect consumer behaviour – is bricks and mortar dead? Covid has accelerated the move to shopping online by about 5 years.  What are the implications of this for retail and everything else?

The Global corporate tax reform agenda.  With a new U.S. president in office, what will it look like? In a globalised world, national decisions and policy can have a strong influence even thousands of miles away.  

Regional economic development. Here, Jim explores what drives local economies and how Ireland can build a rich and diverse economy that spreads success more equally across the country.