Special Reports

Every SME should calculate a cashflow statementIt’s advisable to create a new cashflow plan every month or quarter and this will help better control cashflow

Uncertain economic climate poses challenges for businesses looking to borrowBusinesses often look to expensive “quick fixes” to meet working capital requirements which may not be suitable to each individual business’s profile

A sound (re)structureWhere can businesses in need of restructure find financing?

Hands-off investingChoppy economic waters can put people off taking financial risk

So many asset classes, how to choose?But if your investment timeframe is long enough, these short-term corrections become less important to your final outcome

Annuities are back in favourThe value’of annuities has grown by virtue of interest rates rising in the recent past and it is likely that there may be another rate rise in the coming months.

Ditching the dieselHow electric vehicles are taking over the market

Switching a company fleet to EVsIt can be tricky with cost implications so businesses need to do their research

Charging up Ireland’s EVsIf we want a million electric cars on the road by 2030, how are we going to charge them all?

Grubs up: Where hospitality industry experts spend their holidaysMel Mullan chats to Ireland’s top chefs and food experts about their tips for a tasteful break in Ireland

All-island event guide, your inspiration for autumnThomas Breathnach looks at a selection of events and activities to inspire your staycation breaks in the upcoming months

Treat yourself to a big screen experience – discover Ireland’s most Hollywood-worthy locationsJo Kerrigan retraces the footsteps of giants on a trip through the Irish locations for globally respected artistic creations

It can’t be a choice between affordability and sustainabilityRetailers also need to have accurate facts and figures to hand when it comes to the environmental impact of their products, as this is what consumers are demanding

How retail has changed foreverStores need to look ‘Instagramable’ and offer an ‘unforgettable experience’ as retail moves towards ‘omnichannel’ trading, say experts

Inflation poses challenges for retailersSector is also having problems finding staff, driving up competition for resources and costs

No size too small: Cybercriminals favouring smaller businesses in ransomware attacksWhile gold standard cyber defences may be beyond the reach of many SMEs, there are some simple steps they can take to protect themselves and deter criminals

A career in cybersecurityA third-level qualification in the fields of IT, networking, business information systems, law and technology or computer forensics is recommended

Open for negotiationIs it right in any circumstances to negotiate with cybercriminals and pay a ransom

Increased spending on R&D to support sustainable practicesIn Ireland this spending spans a wide range of sectors as sustainability becomes an important competitiveness differentiator

Ireland a leading force in medtech revolution Digital health market is forecast to exceed €300bn in value by 2024

R&D grant funding comes with trade-offsNational and EU funding available for research, development and innovation comes with specific challenges

Reading to babies and toddlersLooking through picture books helps children figure out their everyday world and prepares them for focusing on the more complex symbols of language

‘It’s not what you offer, it’s how you offer it’: How to deal with picky eatingPicky eating is the a normal developmental phase with up to 75 percent of parents dealing with it at some point

First steps: Fun-filled activities for tots and toddlers Swimming, soccer or yoga classes can give your child lifelong skills - and benefit parents too

Man and machine in partnershipExperts say there won’t be a dystopian future where robots take over

Fourth industrial revolution set to transform the way we liveArtificial intelligence set to restructure large sections of our economy and society in the coming years

Demystifying Artificial intelligenceScience fiction is littered with tales of intelligent machines but it could be decades before this type of AI becomes a reality

Not so fantastic plasticActive packaging is a subject that has food businesses and retailers salivating

Time to bridge the gender pay gapIreland is lagging behind many of its European counterparts when it comes to policy

Business learning leads the wayBusiness education is really lifelong learning as employees are staying longer in the workforce and changing to roles that require a new set of skills

It could be 2024 or later before OECD corporate tax agreement is implementedEven though the detail remains unclear, experts urge businesses to begin considering implications of the agreement now

‘The two-way US-Ireland trade and investment relationship has never been so strong’Through Brexit, Covid and now Russia’s war on Ukraine, Ireland has remained a trusted partner for US business, says Catherine Duffy, American Chamber of Commerce president

‘As leaders we don’t always need to have all the answers’ Women leaders can be at their most effective when they are being their authentic selves

What kind of accommodation is the best for couples?A key reason couples may choose a self-catering unit is because they want to bring their ‘lockdown puppies’

Self-catering versus the hotel experience? The choice for familiesFor families holidaying in Ireland this summer, there’s a huge choice of accommodation on offer to suit your budget and lifestyle

Fintech sector continues to grow with lots of courses on offer to help develop careersUCD, the National College of Ireland and Dublin Business School are among the third-levels providing master’s courses in fintech

The power is now in consumers’ handsThe modern consumer is hyper-connected to their phone, which means they’re very informed and their expectations are set for instant service and instant value,

Blockchain reshaping businesses worldwideOne of the most significant technology breakthroughs of the 21st century, Blockchain innovation is outpacing existing business models

What will offices look like in 2032?We ask five commentators about their vision for the office of the future

A whole new world (of work)How the work has changed since the pandemic and what the future holds

How supportive is your organisation?Turbulent times and a growing talent shortage means attracting but also retaining staff is a major challenge for organisations everywhere

Menopause and the workplaceSurvey finds women uncomfortable telling employer they are taking a day off due to menopausal symptoms

Women continuously tell us that they are ‘going mad’How the menopause can affect mental health and how to manage it

Going into the menopause preparedHow diet and exercise can help manage the symptoms of menopause

‘The quality of life achievable in Limerick is second to none’Plans to make the city an even better place to live and work are well underway

Bright new future for Derry and StrabaneFourth-largest city poised to lure more people and jobs under major investment drive

Dublin can be heaven… but even heaven could use a little helpWhat can be done to improve Dublin city as a place to live and work?

Building meaningful connections in the new world of workBlended working can provide an opportunity to socially connect with team-mates

Reinventing the office in a changing world of workThe outdated layout that featured endless rows of desks is now a thing of the past

Onboarding during Covid: ‘Starting work remotely was less daunting than in person’Companies need to make sure that new remote workers feel included

Energy efficiency starts with everyday decisionsUpgrading the energy efficiency of your home has many long-term benefits

How are we doing when it comes to the UN’s Sustainability Goals?Our energy sector’s momentum for decarbonisation could be modelled across other big emission sectors

Taking the first steps toward making your business more sustainableFirms want to do better but can find it complex and fear greenwashing accusations

‘The aviation industry is becoming more and more sustainable’Can the aviation industry meet Cop26’s goal of being carbon neutral by 2050?

Geopolitical tensions could leave industry exposed to cyber attackThe common denominator in attacks is organisations failing to train their people

What does the future hold for the aviation industry as we take to the skies again?Ireland leads in aircraft leasing but how quickly industry will recover is unknown