Posted on: 27 May 2016
Is the job for life a thing of the past? How to prevent another financial crisis? What does the future of Irish Manufacturing look like? How to manage the wealth of nations? These were just some of the questions that were debated at the Future of Business conference, Trinity Business School’s first Trinity Global Business Forum this week.
The Future of Business conference saw leading experts from the world of business and academia speak on a diverse range of topics from the prevention of another financial crisis to ethical leadership to the accommodation crisis and its effects on Irish business.
In his keynote address the Future of Work: Careers, Culture, and the Myth of the Millennial Stephen McIntyre Vice President (Europe, Middle East & Africa) at Twitter said:
“The job-for-life is gone for good. But what has taken its place? And what can this tell us about the future? The High Tech industry has disproportionately shaped our view of modern corporate careers and culture. And Ireland's embrace of tech has put us in the vanguard. Today's Irish graduates face a different world of work.”
On the Future of Irish Manufacturing, Professor of International Business and Economic Development, Frank Barry, addressed questions such as:
“What is it that keeps the pharmaceutical industry here while other sectors have disappeared? And if the multinationals disappear, through pressure on Ireland’s corporation tax regime for example, what then? We will be thrown back onto the resources and ingenuity of our indigenous industries. How will they cope?”
Prof Barry was joined by a panel including Richard Keegan of Enterprise Ireland, Colm Healy of Skelligs Chocolate and Anne Randles of Ornua.
On Preventing another Financial Crisis, Professor Brian Lucey commented:
“Have we done enough to prevent another financial crisis? No. Have we done enough to delay one? Perhaps. Have we learned from the last one? Doubtful. Now you know why economics is known as the dismal science!”
Prof Lucey was joined by Frances Coppola, Financial Writer and Commentator, Megan Greene, Managing Director at Maulife Asset Management, Alan Duffy, CEO HSBC Ireland, and Kyran McStay, Director and Founder of Key Capital.
On Trinity’s first Global Business Forum, Dean of the Trinity Business School, Professor Andrew Burke said:
“It aims to develop a vision and strategy for business and society that focuses on developing economic prosperity, social well-being and an ethical society. To this end, we commence this first forum with the theme ’The Future of Business’ where speakers and panels will not only be addressing some immediate practical concerns but will also be formulating a vision and strategy for the future. Guided by Trinity Business School’s DNA with its core values of: putting in more than you take out, being creative, analytical rigour and putting good ideas into action, we intend to put vision and strategy back onto the agenda for business, politics and society.”
In a series of panel discussions in the course of the day other experts from the business world included CEO of National Treasury Management Agency, former Minister for Finance and Education, Ruairí Quinn, Google’s Director of EMEA Sales, Fionnuala Meehan, Manager of Competitiveness Department of Enterprise Ireland, Richard Keegan and others
Other panel discussions included ‘The Future of Work in the 21st Century; The Ethical Dilemma for Leaders and how to solve them; and the Accommodation Shortage and the Future of Irish Business among others.
