The long read: Amid high vacancy rates can the town centres hold?
With large towns such as Tralee and Dundalk reporting vacancy rates of 25 per cent, retail outside the big cities is struggling. Will the government’s new plan, Our Rural Future, manage to halt the decay?
Dynamo moves to digital-first strategy to keep brands moving
The agency, which has restructured its management team, says a company’s identity is no longer a static thing but must be responsive
Best in Fest lands contract to manage two family festivals
The events consultancy will oversee Waterford Harvest Festival in September and Winterval in the city at Christmas
How to manage: Boomerang candidates cost more, but have unique value
While rehired workers don’t usually perform any better than those who never left, they are more likely to be committed to the business, research shows
How I work: ‘Not everyone needs to be a challenger or a disruptor to be effective’
Grant Thornton Ireland’s Sinéad Donovan says different people bring different strengths to every team, and diversity is key to avoiding ‘groupthink’
How to manage: Younger staff need help to avoid losing out on on-the-job learning
Many professionals at the beginning of their careers are missing out on invaluable development and it is important for businesses for find ways to address this
Test drive: Is Land Rover Discovery refresh enough to put a dent in the Defender?
Minor visual updates, superb new infotainment tech and inline-six engines mark out the 2021 model as clearly fit for purpose but whether it is a class leader is another question
Test drive: Audi outdoes itself with the high performance electric e-tron GT
This is a bona fide sports car which just happens to have four doors and be powered by electricity
Test drive: Škoda’s high-spec diesel version reminds us that core Kodiaq recipe is solid
This expensive new option will please will please some, but it won’t be for everyone when the basic Kodiaq is already so good
Making It Work: Russian summers inspire a fresh take on cocktails
Dacha Drinks founder Daria Caffrey’s recipes for natural, locally sourced drink-mixers were inspired by her childhood in Tatarstan
Making It Work: Start-up aims to turn data centres into green energy generators
Nexalus has entered into a global partnership with Dana, a US auto parts manufacturer, as it targets ‘heavy energy’ sectors
Making It Work: Forestry data firm branches into mobile technology
Treemetrics has joined forces with a Swedish app maker to launch a tool which will allow forest owners carry out their own valuations
Making It Work: Online beauty retailer sees sales soar in face of pandemic
Millies.ie has opened a new warehouse and reorganised its workforce to keep up with the growth in new customers
Movers and Shakers: SL Controls appoints Pat McGrath as chairman
The former chief executive of PM Group will be a non-executive director at the software integration company
How I manage: ‘You can achieve true trust and buy-in only when everyone feels that they belong’
A strong diversity and inclusion programme helps employees feel valued and united behind a common purpose and ultimately delivers better outcomes, Nestlé’s Kieran Conroy believes
How to manage: Pandemic has given IT professionals an opportunity to lead
Digital transformation has moved to the top of the business agenda over the past year, meaning chief information officers need a whole new set of skills
Test drive: Skoda’s new Octavia is in a class of its own
From its high-quality interiors to the long-distance driving potential, the Skoda RS TDI feels like a car from a superior market sector
Test drive: Seven-seater Toyota Highlander hybrid aims to be a family favourite
Good road handling along with flexible access and spacious back room make the Toyota‘s new hybrid a car eminently suitable for family living
WellAir sees explosion in demand for products in battle against coronavirus
A top executive at the air disinfection company says business has grown due to the pandemic, but that the staff are very conscious that its success comes while many people are suffering
Making It Work: Automation firm stays sharp with robotics for use in pharma industry
Founded back in 1995, Sligo-based family business Ward Automation is still going from strength to strength
Test drive: The Mach-E is the Ford Mustang that isn’t a Ford Mustang
The new Mustang EV may look slightly unusual but, as a quietly comfortable and assured SUV, it is a triumph