Tag: key

Eighteen Events Announced for Dublin City’s Local Enterprise Week 2026

Small businesses and budding entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to sample 18 events aimed at helping them to start or grow their business as part of this year’s Local Enterprise Week in Dublin City. The initiative of the Local Enterprise Offices, supported by Enterprise Ireland and the local authorities, takes place from the 2nd to the 7th of March this year across the country.

While there are hundreds of events taking place nationally during the week, there are plenty of events in Dublin City open to all. These events will focus on helping small businesses or anyone just looking to get started on their business journey to plan, start, sustain and grow.  From AI and Green regulations to Food and Finance workshops there will be something for every type of business across the week.

Each of the 31 Local Enterprise Offices will be running a full programme of events in their area that will cover a variety of topics relevant to small businesses and those starting up.  The events are open to all, from budding entrepreneurs to established businesses and offers the opportunity to get expert advice on key areas of business from raising funds, improving your online presence, the benefits of AI, to how to make your business more productive and save money.

Warren Cray, Head of Enterprise, Dublin City Council said on the upcoming events: 

“Local Enterprise Week is the highlight of the year for us at LEO Dublin City. It’s a real opportunity for businesses to step back and look at where they can grow, innovate, or perhaps become more sustainable — and to discover what support is right on their doorstep. Whether you’re running an established business or you’ve been sitting on an idea and wondering where to start, this is the week to do something about it. I’d encourage anyone with even a passing interest to come along, you might be surprised at what’s possible.”

The Local Enterprise Offices located in the local authorities and funded through Enterprise Ireland support thousands of small Irish businesses and entrepreneurs nationwide.  Since their establishment in 2014 they have been for the first stop for entrepreneurs and small businesses and providing a range of supports including funding, mentoring, training and sector specific expertise to help guide businesses at any stage of their development.

They also run key initiatives to foster entrepreneurship across the country including Local Enterprise Week, National Women’s Enterprise Day, the Student Enterprise Programme and the National Enterprise Awards.  The Local Enterprise Offices are also running a campaign encouraging small businesses to save time money and energy by availing of their competitiveness and productivity supports including Green, Lean and Digital for Business. www.AllInADaysWork.ie

For more information on the Local Enterprise Offices go to www.LocalEnterprise.ie

Details for all the events taking place across the country during Local Enterprise Week, from March 2nd to 7th March, are available at www.LocalEnterprise.ie/Week

For the Full List of Dublin City Events: Local Enterprise Week Dublin City Events 2026.

Valentine’s Day spend shows strong growth in key luxuries

Despite a modest overall dip in Valentine’s Day spending (-14%) last Saturday, several categories spiked as romantic consumers shifted their focus to luxury treats and quality time together.

Bank of Ireland’s debit and credit card spending data for the full day of February 14th versus Valentine’s Day last year shows strong increases across pubs, jewellery, hotels and restaurants. The data highlights that while shoppers spent less on traditional gifts such as flowers and cards, they were more willing to invest in a special night out.

Jewellery spending also surged by 51% on the day itself, suggesting that more people left things last-minute for gifts this year. Hospitality also benefitted this year. Pubs saw the most dramatic rise, up 51%, although this was likely a mixture of ‘romance and rugby’ with the Ireland versus Italy rugby game landing last Saturday too.  Restaurant spending was up 22% compared to Valentine’s Day last year and hotel stays rose 11%, with a strong appetite for romantic dining and overnight stays.

While some traditional categories such as flowers, experiences and perfumes recorded declines, the data highlights a clear shift in consumer preference with less emphasis on single‑use gifts and more investment in shared enjoyment.

Gerardo Larios Rizo, Head of Hospitality Sector, Bank of Ireland said: “Our Valentine’s Day data shows that while overall spending was slightly softer, people were still determined to make the day special. Instead of splashing out on single‑use gifts, consumers shifted to special moments such as a romantic dinner, a hotel stay or even celebrating ‘romance and rugby’ in their local pub. While some romantics shopped ahead, the spike in jewellery sales on the day itself suggests a rush of last-minute panic-buying this year.”

Bank of Ireland card spending – Feb 14th 2026 versus Feb 14th 2025

  • Pubs (+51%)
  • Jewellery (+51%)
  • Restaurants (+22%)
  • Hotels (+11%)
  • Gift Websites (+4%)
  • Chocolates flat year on year
  • Flowers (-33%)
  • Cards (-28%)
  • Perfume (-6%)

Composability: The Key to Solving Telecom’s Agility Crisis

Telecom operators are at a pivotal juncture. Rapidly rising customer expectations, intensifying competition, and the rollout of technologies such as 5G, IoT and edge computing are transforming the industry and creating an urgent need for greater speed and flexibility. Yet, many communications service providers (CSPs) remain constrained by monolithic and rigid Business Support Systems (BSS) and Operations Support Systems (OSS), where even minor updates to services, processes or integrations can result in significant cost and delays.

These challenges have become a defining issue for the industry and in the sections that follow, we’ll explore how composable architectures are helping CSPs overcome them and regain agility. This shift toward modular, API-first and loosely coupled BSS/OSS systems is enabling CSPs to innovate rapidly, launch new services at digital speed, and scale efficiently.

TM Forum’s Open Digital Architecture (ODA) provides a clear industry blueprint for this shift, defining the modular building blocks and open interfaces needed to replace monolithic BSS/OSS with flexible, composable systems.

Cerillion, with extensive experience in deploying composable BSS/OSS solutions for leading CSPs, provides practical guidance on how operators can modernise their systems without disruptive rip-and-replace projects.

The Agility Challenge

Legacy BSS/OSS platforms were built for a time when service portfolios were predictable and network environments were stable. Today’s telecom realities are far different: rapid service innovation, intense partner ecosystems, regulatory complexity and dynamic enterprise demands. According to TM Forum, up to 72% of 5G revenue growth is dependent on BSS/OSS transformation.

While earlier research (such as TM Forum) suggested that a high proportion of 5G revenue growth depends on OSS/BSS transformation, more recent GSMA Intelligence analysis underlines that the real value of 5G lies in its role in enterprise digital transformation. GSMA projects that mobile technologies – 5G included will drive $11 trillion of economic value by 2030, and reports that around 85% of enterprises regard 5G as critical to their digital transformation strategies.

As part of this evolution, ODA sets out a standardised architecture that helps CSPs break down legacy complexity by adopting interchangeable components, common data models, and certified Open APIs.

Telecoms industry spending trends underline the urgency: IDC forecasts that the combined telco software solution market will grow from $48.7 billion in 2024 to $60.4 billion in 2029. Such rapid expansion highlights why CSPs recognise that agility isn’t optional but essential for survival.

Composable BSS/OSS and Market Impact

Composable architecture replaces monolithic systems with modular, API-first components that can be developed, deployed and updated independently. This approach allows CSPs to assemble new services, such as an IoT device bundle and partner app, without waiting months for system upgrades.

The principles of composable architecture align directly with ODA, which promotes modular components, well-defined service domains, and open interfaces that can be assembled and evolved independently.

Composable design brings several key advantages. As each module of the system, whether it’s a product catalogue or order management component, evolves independently, businesses can respond more quickly. Open Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) connect partner services, network functions and business tools, ensuring every element works together seamlessly. This efficiency also allows business users to configure new offers without relying on IT, while cloud-native microservices enable continuous scalability and updates, without disrupting legacy systems.

By building solutions that conform to ODA’s structure, operators ensure greater interoperability across partner ecosystems and avoid the vendor lock-in associated with traditional monolithic platforms.

According to HTF Market Research, the cloud-native telecoms market exceeded USD 10 billion in 2024, reflecting strong adoption of modern, modular architectures. The shift is more than technical; it’s strategic. Composable systems empower business teams, accelerate time-to-market and support legacy coexistence to manage cost and risk. In this context, Cerillion illustrates how legacy platforms can evolve into flexible, interoperable systems that enable rapid innovation without full-scale replacement.

Benefits Beyond Speed

Composable BSS/OSS delivers much more than just faster service rollout, including:

 

  • Reducing downtime and operational complexity.
  • Allowing business teams to experiment with new pricing, bundles and partnerships more easily.
  • Enabling third-party integration and ecosystem expansion via API-first platforms.
  • Adapting quickly to new business models or multi-brand operations.

Strategic Implications for CSPs

Aligning transformation roadmaps with ODA provides CSPs with a proven framework that reduces integration risk, accelerates onboarding of new partners, and ensures long-term architectural consistency.

Operators considering the composable route should pursue the following strategic actions:

 

  • Define business drivers and outcomes: Determine the agility and results needed, including faster service launches and ecosystem enablement, before selecting technologies.
  • Adopt an incremental approach: Modernise components gradually instead of pursuing risky full-scale rip-and-replace projects.
  • Promote business-IT collaboration: Enable business teams to configure services while IT ensures operational integrity.
  • Prioritise Open APIs, ODA and partner readiness: Ensure seamless integration with third-party services and ecosystem partners.
  • Measure success with relevant metrics: Track key indicators such as time-to-market, partner onboarding speed and operational efficiency.

Vendors such as Cerillion provide solutions aligned with Open Digital Architecture, API-first design and hybrid deployment that support agile evolution rather than disruption.

Legacy monolithic systems are no longer fit for the dynamic demands of today’s telecom environment. Composable BSS/OSS architecture offers a path to faster launches, empowered business teams and resilient, future-ready ecosystems.

Transformation is complex, but inaction could cost you missed revenue opportunities, slower growth and loss of competitive position. For CSPs, composable BSS/OSS is not optional; it is a strategic imperative. The responsibility of solution providers is to help operators progress, focusing on enhancement rather than constant disruption.

How to Find Authentic Windows Keys at Affordable Prices

Whether you’re building a new PC, upgrading from an older version of Windows, or simply reinstalling your OS, one thing you’ll need is a valid product key. But in a market flooded with too-good-to-be-true offers, finding genuine Windows and Office keys that are both legitimate and affordable can be a challenge.

If you’re in the U.S. or anywhere else, you don’t have to pay the full retail price from Microsoft to get a genuine key, but you do need to know where and how to shop smart. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to find authentic Windows keys without getting scammed, what types of keys are available, and the red flags to avoid.

What Is a Windows Key and Why Is Authenticity Important?

A Windows product key is a 25-character code used to activate and validate your Windows installation. This activation ensures that your copy of Windows is genuine, which unlocks all features, security updates, and support.

Installing Windows without a valid key may still work for a while, but you’ll eventually run into limitations like persistent activation warnings, reduced personalization, or even security risks. More importantly, using unauthorized or pirated keys could lead to software deactivation or potential legal trouble.

Types of Windows Keys Available Online

Before you start shopping, it helps to understand the main types of Windows product keys you’ll come across:

· Retail Keys – These are full-priced licenses sold by Microsoft or authorized resellers. They can be transferred to another computer if you’re switching devices.

· OEM Keys (Original Equipment Manufacturer) – Typically pre-installed on new PCs or sold at a discount. They’re locked to the first device they’re activated on, so they can’t be reused or transferred.

· Volume License Keys – Intended for businesses and large organizations. These are sometimes resold illegally online and should be avoided unless you’re purchasing directly from a verified, authorized distributor.

For most individual users, Retail and OEM keys are the best options. The key is to find a trustworthy seller offering one of these at a reasonable price.

Where to Buy Authentic Windows Keys Without Overpaying

Microsoft Store

Buying directly from Microsoft guarantees authenticity, but it’s also the most expensive option. Still, it’s a good benchmark for comparing prices and ideal if you want the highest level of customer support.

Authorized Retailers

Reputable tech stores offer genuine Windows keys at slightly reduced prices. These keys usually arrive digitally and can be activated right away.

These platforms often provide digital delivery within minutes and include activation guarantees. While they’re not Microsoft-authorized, many users report successful activation. Stick with platforms that:

· Have positive reviews

· Offer secure checkout

· Provide a refund policy if activation fails.

How to Spot a Fake or Gray-Market Key

Not all keys are created equal, and some may not be legal or permanent. Here are the warning signs:

· Extremely low prices (under USD 10) – These often indicate illegitimate keys or those resold from other countries or expired enterprise licenses.

· No contact or refund info – Trustworthy sellers always provide customer support.

· Poor or no reviews – Lack of third-party feedback is a red flag.

· Forced activation workarounds – If you’re asked to use sketchy software to bypass activation, walk away.

A good practice is to check user feedback on platforms like Trustpilot or Reddit before committing to a purchase from unfamiliar sellers.

Understanding Regional Restrictions

Some Windows keys sold online are region-locked. If you’re buying from a global reseller, make sure the key is valid for use in your country. Otherwise, you may encounter an activation error or be forced to use a VPN, which violates Microsoft’s terms of service.

What to Do After You Purchase

Once you’ve received your key, here’s how to activate it safely:

1. Install Windows (if you haven’t already).

2. Go to Settings > System > Activation.

3. Enter your new product key and follow the prompts.

4. Restart your PC and confirm that Windows is activated.

If you run into activation errors, contact the seller immediately. Reputable platforms often provide a replacement key or a refund.

Can You Use Free Alternatives?

Yes, Microsoft allows users to install Windows without activating it. But the unactivated version comes with limitations like:

· A watermark in the bottom-right corner

· No personalization options (themes, colors, wallpaper)

· Potential issues with updates and security features

If you’re just testing a PC, this is fine temporarily. But for long-term use, a genuine key is worth the peace of mind.

Final Thoughts

Finding an affordable, authentic Windows key is all about balance—cost versus credibility. Avoid deals that seem too good to be true, and always verify the legitimacy of the seller. Buying from trusted sources ensures your software is safe, secure, and fully functional.

You don’t have to pay top dollar, but you should always pay smart. With a little research and caution, you can get Windows up and running legally without breaking the bank or risking your system’s integrity.

Key Metrics To Track When Working With A Healthcare PR Agency

If your hospital is struggling to build a credible reputation in the market, then you can consider working with a healthcare PR agency. Why? This can be a strategic investment that will go a long way in elevating your organisation’s image, building trust with important stakeholders, and eventually helping you in achieving and driving the objectives of your platform. 

However, you need to be sure that you get the most out of this partnership; it’s crucial to outline and monitor the key performance indicators or metrics. What do these metrics do? Well, they provide you with loud evidence of whether your facility is creating an impact while assisting you in assessing the return on your investment. 

Questions like “What are those key metrics?” might have popped into your mind. Don’t worry, as this blog is here to give you the relevant details related to the necessary metrics you need to track while collaborating with this PR agency. 

Media Relations and Visibility 

Media relations and visibility are the categories that pay immense attention to your platform’s ability to grab and secure positive media coverage, as that can do wonders in boosting your entity’s visibility in the long run as well. How is it done? Let’s discuss:

Number of Media Placements

In this situation, the number of media placements plays a massive role. How? This metric tracks the number of times your company or its name was mentioned in various relevant media outlets. This can be in the shape of online, print, and broadcast, providing a solid number to confirm if the agency’s efforts are fulfilling the purpose or not. 

Quality Of Media Placements 

Yes, on one side, quantity matters, but at the same time, you can’t ignore the quality of media placements. Therefore, you need to keep the following factors in mind:

Type of Publication

You need to stay vigilant and check the type of publication the agency is getting you published in. For instance, your platform should get covered in extremely respected publications, national news outlets, or influential blogs that have a huge target audience. Why? The reason is that these spaces add more weight as compared to watching your company’s name and images in smaller, less relevant magazines that wear the label of non-existence. So, if you are trusting their efforts, then this should be there. 

Outlet Should Be Relevant

The agency shouldn’t be reaching out to random media outlets but the ones whose following is relevant to your target patient. For instance, it will be best if people like health care professionals, policymakers, or other well-known stakeholders follow the media outlet. 

Analyze The Tone

Even if your medical organisation is receiving the desired media coverage, analyze the tone and sentiment of the situation. Examine whether it is negative, neutral, or positive, as you certainly won’t pay them for doing negative publicity. Hence, the PR agency should not leave any stone unturned in providing your company with either exceptionally positive or balanced reporting. 

Inclusion of Key Message 

You will want the key message of your medical facility to be correctly expressed in front of the media. Hence, keep your eyes open to see whether the healthcare PR agency is standing by their commitment as they promised, meaning does their team accurately communicate about your value propositions, and highlight or not. 

Placement and Prominence

When your hospital’s name appears in a feature article, you can expect it to attract more views than just getting briefly mentioned in a broadcast segment. Hence, while working with a healthcare PR agency, see where their teams are mentioning your platform. 

Media Reach and Impressions

You must have read about the terms impressions and reach, but you won’t know what they stand for. Impressions are another critical metric that gives the total number of times your hospital’s coverage was viewed. While reach shares the unique number of individuals who could have seen or heard about your hospital’s coverage. How are these rough figures calculated? It is done on the basis of circulation figures, the amount of traffic the particular website receives, or the number of viewership of all the relevant media options. 

Content Marketing and Thought Leadership 

Does your healthcare PR agency offer content marketing and thought leadership ideas in its package? If so, then be ready to track the following metrics: 

Website Traffic and Engagement

After the PR agency posts some interesting content on your hospital’s site, you need to monitor changes on the website. For instance, look at the overall visits of the target audience you tried to reach, any unique visitors that were compelled to read through the posts or blogs on your website, the rate of bounce, and how much time is spent on your page. And from what source is this traffic coming from, such as organic, referral, or direct? In this way, you can assess the PR agency’s efforts to determine whether the partnership was a waste of time and money. 

Performance Of The Blog 

If the PR agency has filled your website’s blog section with plenty of blogs, then track the content’s performance. For instance, you should see how many views, comments, and shares the information receives. Plus, the time spent on the page.  

Engagement on Social Media

Social media is seen as a vital tool, so the PR agency may use it for creating social media posts or promotional activities. Therefore, monitor metrics in the form of likes, shares, comments, and reach to know that their team’s efforts are working out. 

Conclusion

We hope you are clear regarding the key metrics you need to check while working with a healthcare PR agency. Therefore, after signing a deal, try to follow as suggestions so you don’t end up wasting time and money. 

Could 2025 be the year of technological reinvention? Four key trends Irish organisations need to be aware of

All organizations are looking for the same thing right now: to harness the potential of AI to innovate, overcome challenges and remain competitive in the market.
Throughout 2024, we have witnessed the generalization and massification of GenAI and endless debates about how useful it really is. Looking ahead, we are preparing for a scenario of radical change that will test the ability of companies to build a technological ecosystem, where there is a convergence between innovation and responsibility.
In 2025, the era of experimentation will be replaced by reinvention – it is time to effectively implement (and also discard) much of what has been tested in organizations in proofs of concept, pilot projects, or use cases. This change will significantly impact the business, with the introduction of innovation, implementation of new functionalities, or rethinking of processes. In this sense, I have identified below  four major trends that will impact organizations in 2025:
  1. An AI Pivot
GenAI has dominated debates about technology and Artificial Intelligence. It is expected that 2025 will represent the beginning of a turning point, where “hyper-experimentation” gives way to the reinvention phase. Shortage of developers, high costs, poorly defined strategies and poor coordination between different teams, IT and the overall business goals are some of the factors that have limited the success  of implementing GenAI in companies.
Faced with this challenge, and according to IDC predictions, up to 30% of organizations will reconsider their investments in GenAI if the solutions created are not positively impacting the business. Companies must opt for a less complex approach and move forward in a progressive and step by step fashion, in order to manage decision makers’ expectations.
 
  1. Artificial Intelligence Agents
The evolution of AI Agents represents a paradigm shift that redefines the limits of traditional Artificial Intelligence. With a high degree of autonomy, these agents are capable of carrying out predefined tasks independently, revolutionizing multiple areas. From decision-making without human intervention, through software development, and process optimization, this technology offers highly efficient solutions, generating a significant impact on organizational productivity.
It is estimated that, by 2028, 15% of corporate decisions will be made by these agents. More than a virtual tool that complements human actions, Artificial Intelligence agents are an opportunity to rethink the role of technology, prioritizing the balance between responsible integration and the protection of human needs.
More than having just a chatbot replying to some questions or doing some actions, AI agents will be talking between them, orchestrating actions and proving a task-oriented process where actions will be done by agents and supervised by humans.
  1. Data-as-a-Product
Data-as-a-Product (DaaP) remains one of the biggest challenges for organizations in the coming years. If we consider data as strategic assets, and look at it as a product, we are making our companies more efficient and business-oriented. To achieve this, businesses must create not only a robust governance system, but also AI platforms that generate assertive insights capable of guaranteeing ethical compliance, while promoting transparency and responsibility.
There are more advantages than disadvantages in treating data as a product – this model provides innovation and creativity, enabling teams to develop solutions with a previously available date, which increases the efficiency and productivity of organizations.
In short, components of a Data Product are Data Content: Raw and processed data Metadata: Documentation, lineage, and quality metrics and APIs/ Interfaces: For seamless access and integration.
Built to be discoverable, reliable, and usable by all teams across the organization.
  1. Data and Document Governance
Could 2025 finally be the year when the topic of Data Governance assumes a pivotal role within organisations? I believe so. With the emergence of Generative AI and the growing ability to directly query documentation, the scope of data governance is expanding into a broader concept of “document governance”. This evolution highlights the increasing necessity of establishing robust governance over who queries, what they query, in which documents, and with what permissions. Such measures are essential to ensure comprehensive control and security in this rapidly evolving landscape.
This subject goes beyond being a purely IT-driven initiative; it represents a vital connection between technology and business. For Data and Document Governance to be effective, it demands close collaboration between technical experts and business leaders. This ensures that data management strategies are not only technically sound but also aligned with the organisation’s broader goals. By uniting these areas, organisations can safeguard critical information, streamline operations, and support well-informed decision-making, an integrated effort that highlights its essential role in achieving sustainable growth and maintaining a competitive edge.
According to IDC, by 2028 it is expected that the amount invested in AI, worldwide, will exceed €700Bn. An impressive indicator, without a doubt. 2025 will be a critical year in this process,  the year of effective implementation of GenAI and (yet another!) technological reinvention. Enhancing responsible innovation, raising awareness about the conscious use of technology, investing in the robustness of the “governance” of Artificial Intelligence and the potential of AI Agents are strategies that will transform the future of companies in Ireland and globally.
By: Ricardo Batista, Managing Director UK & Ireland, Noesis

Trinity and CKDelta take AI approach to tackle key challenges of utilities sector

Researchers from Trinity College Dublin are partnering with CKDelta to take an AI-driven approach to tackling some key efficiency and sustainability challenges faced by the utilities sector.

CKDelta is an AI software business within CKI Innovations Opportunities Development (CKH IOD), a member of CK Hutchison Holdings, leveraging data, expertise and intellectual property to drive improved business performance. Headquartered in Dublin, CKDelta is providing €865,000 in funding  to support the appointment of a postdoctoral researcher and a number of PhD students, who will work on a range of research projects under the supervision of Professor Gregory O’Hare, Professor of Artificial Intelligence and Head of Trinity’s School of Computer Science and Statistics.

The research projects will fall under two main umbrellas: predictive maintenance and early warning systems.

Predictive maintenance is a data-driven approach that uses AI to monitor the condition and performance of assets and predict when they need servicing or replacement. As a consequence maintenance can be scheduled at the optimal time, avoiding unnecessary downtime, reducing operational expenses, and improving safety and reliability.

The research collaboration will seek to deliver predictive maintenance models that provide better insights for informed decision making, with maintenance currently often driven on the foot of customer complaints and logs of issues as they arise.

Early warning systems represent a set of tools and methods that aim to detect, monitor, and forecast potential threats or disruptions to utility companies. In the case of the water industry they provide benefits in cases such as leaks, bursts, floods, sewerage overflows and blockages.

The research programme also seeks to enhance an early warning system to improve the efficiency, reliability, and resilience of the water network, reduce operational and maintenance costs, enhance customer satisfaction and trust, and protect public health and the environment. It also aims to develop an anomaly detection system to identify near real time differences from expected behaviours, which may be reusable/adaptable to other situations.

In addition to the funding, experts from CKDelta will be providing the platforms in which the Trinity researchers can investigate the data, as well as offering data engineering and data science support.

Prof. Gregory O’Hare, Trinity, said: “We are very grateful to CKDelta for their support and look forward to pooling our expertise as we seek to address some of the most pressing challenges affecting the utilities sector. The scale of the challenges means there is also a significant opportunity to improve sustainability and efficiency, and we believe our data- and AI-driven approach offers great potential in taking a tangible leap forwards.

“We hope that this collaboration will form the basis of a sustained, trusted and mutually beneficial relationship. This will be centred around a co-laboratory where the shared expertise of both Trinity and CKDelta will help with the effective, informed and judicious adoption and deployment of appropriate cutting edge AI technologies within the CKDelta utilities client portfolio and beyond.”

Joe Parker, CEO of CKH IOD, said:  “This collaboration combines two complementary forces in AI: the frontier research capabilities of Trinity College Dublin—and its ability to experiment, innovate and test new ideas without restriction, in a way that few commercial organisations can; with CK Delta’s unique capacity to apply innovation directly to real-world commercial challenges, to help businesses thrive in an increasingly data-driven economy.

“Throughout the next four years, the partnership will generate new streams of knowledge transfer, with cross-pollination of skills, perspectives and specialisms that may otherwise be impossible.”

Future Planet Expands Strategic Sustainability Leadership With Four Key Hires

Future Planet, the leading AI sustainability software company, has announced the addition of four key strategic appointments in response to significant market demand for sustainability software solutions.

The new roles and appointments are Orla Carolan as Executive Director of ESG Strategy & Compliance; Colum Kenny as Director of Sales; Mary White as Operations Manager and Simpal Sharma as Sustainability Solutions Lead.

Companies are under increasing pressure to implement robust sustainability strategies and comply with regulatory pressure like the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). These four appointments will accelerate Future Planet’s vision to help companies achieve sustainable performance and compliance.

With nearly two decades of experience, Orla Carolan brings a wealth of knowledge from senior roles at Grant Thornton and JPMorgan Bank (Ireland). She recently worked on secondment with the EFRAG (European Financial Reporting Advisory Group) secretariat on the development of the sector-specific European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS). Orla is one of Ireland’s leading authorities on the CSRD and her leadership will be instrumental in helping Future Planet’s customers with ESG strategies and compliance.

Speaking on her new appointment, Orla said: “As a customer of Future Planet in my last role, I saw first-hand the benefits companies can get from a combination of sustainability expertise and smart software. I had to join the company. I’m delighted to work with Future Planet’s amazing team and their state-of-the-art technology to ease the compliance and reporting burden for more clients, and help these clients develop and achieve their ESG strategies.”

Drawing from over 12 years of multifaceted experience across research, engineering, and management consultancy, Colum Kenny joins Future Planet as Director of Sales to drive the company’s growth trajectory and solidify its position within the market.

Also joining Future Planet are Mary White as Operations Manager and Simpal Sharma as Sustainability Solutions Lead. With a career spanning more than two decades in people, communications, DEI and culture management, Mary’s expertise will be pivotal in overseeing day-to-day operations and spearheading strategic initiatives to propel Future Planet’s continued success.

Leveraging extensive experience in the manufacturing industry and a deep understanding of ESRS and CSRD regulations, Simpal’s proficiency in conducting research and benchmarking across multiple sectors will be invaluable in driving sustainable solutions forward.

On the new appointments, Debbie Power, Chief Commercial Office of Future Planet said: “The time is now. Companies are under pressure to embrace ESG strategies, not only as a compliance measure but as a core component of their business. However, while there has never been so much awareness, there are very few sustainability solutions to ease the burden. At Future Planet, we are here to help. Each of our new team members will be instrumental in empowering our customers to transform, as we help them shape their sustainability strategies, support their compliance requirements and simplify their ESG data management, to deliver real and tangible change.”

Future Planet was co-founded by software entrepreneur Donal Daly and sustainable supply chain expert Ingrid De Doncker in 2021. Learn more at futureplanet.com.

Disengaged employees and poor leader communications key challenges for Irish organisations

Disengaged employees and poor leader communications are among the top challenges facing Irish businesses in 2024, a new report from Springboard Communications has found.

The leading Irish communications agency’s Internal Communications in Ireland Report 2024, supported by the Public Relations Institute of Ireland, also found the number one most important metric for C-level executives is improved employee engagement. The full report is available to download at springboardcommunications.ie/2024ICreport.

Speaking on the Report, Susie Horgan, Founder and Managing Director of Springboard Communications said: “From working with national and global clients across sectors, we have seen first-hand the challenges facing organisations — from recruitment and retention to navigating dispersed teams. Your employees are a primary stakeholder, and post-pandemic, there has been a growing recognition of how critical they are to maintaining and enhancing your reputation both internally and externally.

“Our research backs this up with employee engagement and talent attraction and retention coming out as having the most impact for the C-suite. As we know, this can be increasingly difficult in a hybrid working world, with respondents flagging the dilution of company culture as a top five challenge. As a result, we are also seeing a 26% increase in interactive employee events, including conferences and town-halls – highlighting the desire for connection between colleagues. Effective internal communication is the crucial first step, so it is heartening to see its recognition as a business-critical function. 50% say their team sizes have increased since 2022 while 35% say budgets have also been increased.”

Improving communications from leaders is the number one challenge facing internal communicators in 2024, with over half citing it as a top concern. Commenting on this, Sandy Boundy, Director of Strategy and Insight at Springboard Communications, added: “People leaders are increasingly influential in a hybrid culture as they are the ones directly reaching the wider workforce. Effective communication from leaders is essential as they bridge the gap between the organisation and the broader employee base, ensuring vital information is conveyed accurately. Without the proper tools, resources, and training, leaders can hinder employee engagement and, at worst, contribute to a negative workplace culture.”

Elsewhere, the Report highlights that AI is a key trend along with sustainability communications. While over 60% of internal communications professionals are incorporating AI into their roles, half of organisations lack formal AI policies or guidelines. Susie Horgan added: “Businesses are exposing themselves to significant reputational danger. Failure to have transparent policies in place heightens exposure to risk and the likelihood of outdated information being shared.”

The Report was launched at a Springboard-hosted industry event with insights from leading communications experts including Rosemary Garth, Communications Director, Tesco Ireland; Catherine Dennehy, Senior Internal Communications Manager, Meta; and Sarah Ryan, Director of Communications, daa and PRII National Council Member. The Harnessing the Power of People-Centred Internal Communications event at the Iveagh Garden Hotel, Dublin (30 May), tackled trends and challenges in communications, from reputation management to recruitment and retention.