Is Your Business Sustainable? How to Succeed at Decarbonization

Decarbonization and Sustainability Reporting: Shaping a Resilient Future for the Built Environment In today's world of heightened environmental awareness and the urgent need for sustainable practices, innovative solutions within the built environment have taken center stage. While energy-efficient technologies play a vital role, operational excellence has become the cornerstone of effective carbon reduction efforts in this sector.  Six years ago, the acquisition of a company in the built environment industry brought about significant organizational changes. This decision created a void in the market, but it also created an opportunity for forward-thinking professionals. Recognizing the growing need for expertise in sustainability, a group of experienced professionals from the advisory services division came together to establish DeltaQ. Rooted in energy management within…

Technology for good:  Keeping truck drivers safe and deterring human trafficking

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…

Doing M&A the Japanese way: How Nihon M&A Center connects SMEs with Japanese investors for long term success

Mr. Masahiro Nishii, Managing Director of Nihon M&A Center Singapore Many small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) in Singapore start off as family-run businesses that are built with blood, sweat, and tears. After about 20 years of steady growth, owners are either looking for succession or to sell the company for retirement. But how does one even start to navigate the complicated M&A landscape, and more importantly, how can one ensure that the legacy lives on even after the company is sold? This is where Mr Masahiro Nishii comes in. As the Managing Director of Nihon M&A Center Singapore, he and his team connect SME owners in Singapore with Japanese investors looking for opportunities in the region. Nihon M&A Center is…

Ethical Business Practices: A Growing Concern for Consumers

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…

Generative AI vs Interactive AI: The Battle for AI Dominance

Back in 2014, we've seen Generative AI fundamentally reshape countless industries, from journalism and content creation to product design and beyond. Its ability to generate new and original creations, based on learned patterns from vast amounts of data, sparked a revolution. But as we transition into the next stage of AI evolution, a new challenger has emerged - Interactive AI. A shift in momentum? The recent rise of Interactive AI isn’t a random trend. It symbolizes the next logical step in the evolution of AI technology. While generative AI was amazing in its ability to produce unique outputs, the advent of Interactive AI takes that very capability to an entirely new level. This fresh genre of AI is all about collaboration, refining its…

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