09012024 - Flipbook - Page 30
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BUSINESS INSIGHT
TUESDAY JANUARY 9 2024
Collaboration ought to
be North Star for business
their sights on bigger and more com-
WOMEN IN
BUSINESS
without
have
is
long-term progress isn’t achieved by
truth to the saying that many hands
any one person, but a team of peo-
make
when
ple or partners fused together with
multidiscipli-
a common aim, a common purpose.
that
achieved
light
work
otherwise.
work.
There
Especially
requires
a
nary approach.
ROSEANN KELLY
collaboration.
Tangible,
Where meetings and work sessions
Such as the four strands woven
W
None of this would be possible
plex goals that they simply could not
prioritise
dialogue
and
innovation
into the fabric of the WiB Group’s
as part of a combined effort to not
mission: to help create an inclusive,
just streamline tasks, but to enable
ORKING together is an
prosperous
the right people to achieve the best
art
Ireland.
form.
Whether
it’s
engaging in dialogue to
Northern
results.
Our collaborative teams across
opportuni-
ties or bringing people together to
Mark, Timely Careers and Centre of
multaneously expanding our knowl-
achieve
Learning
edge base and capability to achieve
purpose,
the
Women
art
in
Business,
Collaboration has the power to
be a lightning rod for business, si-
shared
new
for
Diversity
a
unlock
economy
specialise
of collaboration ought to be high on
accreditation
every business agenda as we collec-
and
tively set foot into a new calendar
opportunities,
year.
al
In
the
modern-day
workplace
that is fast-moving and often exible,
collaboration can help put the piec-
more
purposeful
and
driven
work
environment.
Knowledge
employees
sharing
and
between
colleagues,
Collaboration has the power to be a lightning rod for business, simultaneously
expanding our knowledge base and capability to achieve more
pool-
and
external,
all
of
which
skills
networking,
equality,
(EDI),
diversity
more.
employment
So that, when we look to the year
profession-
ahead and all the many challenges
and
development
to
fast-
we
must
confront,
track fresh talent for the local econ-
collaboration
omy.
tool.
recapping
true
important
In 2024 the WiB Group will continue to lead the way in collaboration
reaches
community
with our partners and stakeholders
of 250,000 people, hosts 120 annual
bringing the economic benet of in-
events
clusion to all.
and
a
with
remember
very
our 21st year, the WiB Group now
inspires
and
a
it,
and
2023
is
programmes,
accredits
more than 175 companies commit-
ing resources among partners both
internal
inclusion
In
es together and ultimately foster a
in
in
ted to progress in EDI, and supports
term objectives.
views.
We
strengthen
each
other’s
and
motivates
over
36,000
women
stems from a company that consid-
In collaborating, we make space
areas of weakness and, in so doing,
across Northern Ireland in their ca-
ers collaboration critical to its long-
for new perspectives and opposing
empower teams and partners to set
reer journeys.
Roseann
Kelly
is
chief
executive of the WiB Group
Looking ahead with cautious optimism
FINANCIAL
STRATEGY
STEPHEN McCONNELL
T
HE
new
year
is
the
perfect
time to reect on what your
“
ees,
and
plan
years
your
for
of
the
nancial
year
economic
important
to
mism
set
and
strategy
ahead.
After
uncertainty,
embrace
clear
it
with
goals
for
it’s
feel
self-assessment
and
audit
overwhelming
deadlines
season
in
full
the
even
of nancial distress. If you see these
crisis
con-
after
busy
suitable team and striking a balance
when
live budgeting system will allow you
salary scales, and appropriate bene-
to
swing,
it’s
any
cash
it
comes
to
exible
working,
injec-
ts to retain valuable team members
tions or unexpected hits throughout
remains challenging. Looking to 2024
the year.
and beyond, business owners should
To maximise deductions and in-
menting
owners
boost
to
create
While there has been some easing
uled living wage changes. Having a
quickly
should
the best course of action.
period.
tailed forecasts, factoring in sched-
react
owners
festive
opti-
with
Business
a
ly to allow professionals to advise on
long-
looming
might
cost-of-living
tinues, consumer condence is low,
centives,
that
businesses
symptoms, voice your concerns ear-
As
also a good time to consider implechanges
struggling
in the recruitment market, curating a
Though the early months of the
can
hit
de-
term success in 2024 and beyond.
year
will
hard.
business has achieved, reassess
As the cost-of-living crisis continues,
consumer confidence is low, even after a
busy festive period
individuals
should take
time
to
assess
about
their
team
Unfortunately,
lowed us into 2024, but the New Year
whether
any
and
of ination, overhead costs will re-
potential upgrades might qualify for
also
main high well into 2024. Cashow
government incentives.
growth.
management,
sensible
budgeting,
Years
of
created
economic
a
stressful
instability
operating
the
are
brings
high
issues
new
Settle
cost
uncer-
credits
consider
tainty
market
business
and
op-
minded
portunities. Take account of R&D tax
stabilisation
out
open
size, structure, and culture.
market areas.
recent
seek
be
their
the
and
business
your efciency or expose you to new
Despite
obligations
and
that
of
doing
have
fol-
opportunities
your
business
for
plan
now for the year ahead but remem-
and regular income and expenditure
have
reviews still take top of the priority
environment for businesses. Under-
business advice when considering a
new opportunity.
list. In the new nancial year, busi-
standing the warning signs of a strug-
nesses need to focus on one of their
gling
biggest overheads, their stafng bill.
avoiding
business
is
nancial
fundamental
distress.
ber
to
always
be
exible
and
take
to
Length-
In April the national living wage
ening creditor payment days, strug-
will increase by 9.8% to £11.44 which,
gling to pay taxes, or an inability to
despite being good news for employ-
upgrade technologies are key signs
Stephen
McConnell
is
business ser vices par tner at
Baker Tilly Mooney Moore
In April, the national living wage will increase by 9.8% to £11.44 which, despite being
good news for employees, will hit struggling businesses hard