Journey Protector CEO Anne Lawlor (R) in an Enterprise Ireland promotional campaign. Haulage companies face huge losses daily due to theft, damage to their loads, and hefty fines arising from undetected illegal stowaways entering the rear of their vehicles. Under the new revision of the UK’s Clandestine Entrant Civil Penalty Scheme from 13 February 2024, fines for lorry drivers found with illegal immigrants hiding in their vehicles increased fivefold from £2,000 (approx. €2,250) per stowaway to potentially £10,000 (>€11,000). Considering that independent owner/drivers earn an average of around €200 per day, the added potential penalties and financial risks make crossing the UK border an unacceptable risk. The World Road Transport Organization(IRU) says the scheme puts supply chains at risk, stating…
Image by AndriiKoval on Shutterstock There has been a significant shift in the approach businesses take to their operations. No longer is profit the sole driving factor in the corporate world; instead, an increasing emphasis is being placed on ethical business practices. From 'fair trade' to 'sustainable sourcing', there's a growing trend amongst businesses to make ethical decisions - not only because it's the "right thing to do", but because consumers are demanding it. Being Good is Good Business. - Anita Roddick (Founder of The Body Shop) But what exactly do we mean when we talk about ethical business practices, and how are they affecting consumer response? Ethical business practices: Typically includes practices that promote transparency, ensure worker rights, take…
Image by Michail Petrov on Shitterstock If you've ever wondered how technologies can significantly disrupt existing business models, you're in the right place! In our constantly evolving world, businesses need to stay updated and innovative. The beauty of disruption lies not in the turbulence it creates, but in the novel opportunities it provides for businesses to grow and prosper. This article aims to examine disruptive technologies and their role in fostering business innovation. Before we dive deep, let’s start with an overview of the concept of disruptive technology. "Disruptive Technology", a term coined by Harvard Business School professor Clayton M. Christensen in the late 1990s, refers to an innovation that significantly alters the way that consumers, industries, or businesses operate. These…
A New Era of Longevity: Living Longer and Working Longer As global life expectancy rises, so will the average retirement age. In many advanced countries, longer lifespans and economic pressures are extending working lives well into the late 60s and beyond. This shift has created a new reality: a growing segment of the workforce is older and highly experienced. Yet these workers are often overlooked, underestimated or made redundant. In a previous article, we explored how stereotypes about Millennials and Gen Z being "entitled" can prevent leaders from fully engaging the potential of younger talent. In calling out such generational stereotypes, we must also acknowledge how older employees are equally subject to bias. Older employees, especially those over 60, face…
Image by patpitchaya on Shutterstock So, you may be wondering, is corporate social responsibility (CSR) really necessary? Couldn't corporations just focus on their primary purpose: providing shareholders with satisfactory returns? Well, that line of thinking, quite frankly, is now considered as outdated as fax machines. While it's true that businesses exist to make a profit, the measures of corporate success today have broadened. The emergence of CSR as an essential primer of modern corporate governance is no accident. It's a reflection of the evolving societal expectations of corporations. So, why has CSR become a non-negotiable for businesses? What is the definition of CSR? "Corporate Social Responsibility means pursuing business objectives in a manner that enhances your company's positive impact on society…
