The Business of Possibility Podcast Series One

In this special edition podcast, hear sectoral perspectives from NI business leaders; Stephen Kelly (UUBS Visiting Professor and Chief Executive, Manufacturing NI) Seamus Leheny (Policy Manager, Logistics UK), Aodhán Connolly (Director, NI Retail Consortium) and Dr Trevor Cadden (Senior Lecturer at UUBS) on the key implications on cross-border trade for NI businesses, practical steps that can be taken now to mitigate disruption in 2021 and potential opportunities in a post-Brexit landscape.

The pandemic has challenged businesses across all sectors to think differently and create new value in imaginative ways. Wendy Austin speaks to Natalie Nixon, President Creative Strategist at Figure8 Thinking (and friend of UUBS) and Dr Michael Brennan, Senior Lecturer in Strategic Management at UUBS about how creativity can pave the way for innovation and open up a new world of possibilities for businesses.

In episode five, Wendy Austin talks to Ian Yeoman, Tourism Futurologist and Visiting Professor of Ulster University Business School, Marianne Hood, Chair of Institute of Hospitality NI and Una McMahon-Beattie, Head of Department for Hospitality and Tourism Management at Ulster University Business School to discuss the future of hospitality and tourism in light of COVID-19, the main challenges facing the industry and key trends that will help drive the sector forward.

Wendy Austin is joined by Professor Karise Hutchinson, UU Provost Coleraine (Professor of Leadership at UUBS) and a host of Northern Ireland’s most influential and innovative female business leaders; Roseann Kelly, CEO of Women in Business NI, Kirsty McManus, National Director of Institute of Directors NI and Ann McGregor, Chief Executive of NI Chamber and Commerce to discuss how these inspiring leaders have risen to the Covid-19 challenge and the importance of diversity in Northern Ireland’s business sector.

Wendy Austin speaks to Jackie Henry, Senior Partner, Deloitte and UU Visiting Professor, Professor Gillian Armstrong, Director of Business Engagement at UUBS and Maneeza Aminy, CEO and Founder of Marvel Marketers about the profound impact the pandemic has had on the skills system, jobs and future of work.

The podcast offers insight into the critical skills and capabilities needed to aid business continuity and economic recovery in NI.

Wendy Austin is joined by Ciaran Doherty, General Manager of Huhtamaki Foodservice UK, Gareth Irvine, founder of Copeland Gin Distillery and Dr Kristel Miller, Senior Lecturer at Ulster University Business School, who share real-life experiences of pivoting business models and repurposing operations in an effort to survive.

Overnight, business owners and managers across the world have been faced with the abrupt challenge of managing and leading a remote workforce.

In the inaugural ‘Business of Possibility’ podcast, Wendy Austin speaks to Professor Mark Durkin, Executive Dean, Ulster University Business School and Julie Sinnamon, CEO Enterprise Ireland about effective leadership in a virtual world and how leaders can engage and motivate their teams remotely.

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