IoD Members' Update
June 2020

We are in the process of re-opening Ireland after a very lengthy shut-down. Much remains uncertain. It will be some time before the full human cost of the COVID-19 pandemic is truly known and our thoughts are with all those who have lost loved ones and/or who have been deeply affected in any way. We will live with the human cost for many years.

We have some sense of the economic cost, too, and we know that we will all be dealing with this legacy for many years. 

The world of work as we know it is in the midst of a revolution. Much has been learned from the last few weeks in terms of home/office working. The conduct of business and meetings has moved into a predominantly virtual environment. Strong and brave leadership has never been more relevant and more necessary both at a personal and national level. We all have a role to play.

Stay well and safe.
IoD Webinar:
Key Questions for Non-Executive Directors to Ask Management on COVID-19
As part of our ongoing work to share exclusive content and insights with members, we are delighted to invite you to join our upcoming webinar entitled, ‘Key Questions Non-Executive Directors Should Ask on COVID-19’. The webinar will be presented by  David Lawton , Managing Director, Financial Industry Advisory Services,  Alvarez & Marsal , and  Malcolm McKenzie , Managing Director, Corporate Transformation Services,  Alvarez & Marsal .

In this webinar, David and Malcolm will discuss:
 
  • Key questions which you should be now raising at Board level.
  • Approaches which may have been fine before COVID-19 and now must be urgently reviewed.
  • How you will need to ensure that the important issues are surfaced and addressed, but also that you can demonstrate (ex post) that your firm’s governance arrangements worked well.

Date: Thursday, 4th June 2020
Presenters:   David Lawton, Managing Director, Financial Industry Advisory Services, Alvarez & Marsal, and Malcolm McKenzie, Managing Director, Corporate Transformation Services, Alvarez & Marsal .
Time: 09:30 - 10:15
Sponsor: IoD Morning and Evening Briefings Series is kindly sponsored by   Mazars

Please note, there will be a live Q&A facility for this webinar.
McCann FitzGerald Factsheet
June 2020
 

The Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business here sets out how the COVID-19 restrictions will be lifted. Businesses need to prepare plans, adapted for their particular circumstances, to facilitate their re-opening and the return to work of employees. Such plans need to have proper regard for the safety of all employees, customers, suppliers and others having dealings with the business.

Our sincere thanks to McCann FitzGerald for their ongoing assistance in producing the IoD Factsheets.

Remember, you need to be logged into the website to view the IoD Factsheets.
The IoD Blog:
Crisis Management Planning to Navigate COVID-19 
"Whatever the direction the crisis plan takes, the decisions that need to be made are tough."

Emer O'Riordan , Partner, Audit & Business Advisory, Mazars, and Lorcan Colclough , Partner, Audit & Business Advisory, Mazars, team up to co-write this insightful piece on crisis management planning in the time of COVID-19.

Previous blogs are also available on our website . If you are interested in contributing to our blog or for further information, please contact Paul O'Mahony at pomahony@iodireland.ie or call 01 411 0010.  
Meet a Member
Charley Stoney is the CEO of the Institute of Advertising Practitioners in Ireland (IAPI). She has held Managing Director roles in marketing and advertising over the last 17 years. These roles have included marketing talent business, Alternatives; leading field marketing agency, FMI Ltd; and marketing services agency, McConnells Fusion. Charley has been CEO of IAPI for the last two years and is also a board member of the Advertising Standards Authority for Ireland (ASAI) as well as a board member and joint CEO of the Central Copy Clearance in Ireland (CCCI).

Since joining the IoD, how have you benefitted from your membership?
 
My reason for joining the IoD is to network and so understand the mindset of directors outside of the marketing discipline in order to help position our industry on a more commercial footing. The joint initiative between IAPI and the IoD in 2019 when we co-hosted a seminar entitled ‘Putting Brand at the Heart of your Financial Strategy’, aimed at CEOs, CFOs as well as CMOs, was of huge benefit to me personally and to my organisation.
 
I am also a firm supporter of the content and seminars (now webinars!) that the IoD hosts on behalf of members as they help to establish business priorities as a director and keep us informed of topical fiduciary responsibilities.

What is one characteristic that you believe every leader should possess? 
 
Sorry, but I can’t restrict it to one as it’s such a multi-faceted role but in order of priority I would choose the following three characteristics: Empathy, Decisiveness and Authenticity.
IoD Webinar Recording:
 The Effect of COVID-19 on GDPR - What Directors Need to Know 
The recording of our latest webinar, ‘The Effect of COVID-19 on GDPR- What Directors Need to Know’ , with Paul Lavery, Partner,  McCann FitzGerald ,   held on Thursday, 21st May, is now available in the members' area of our website.

The insightful presentation covered: GDPR’s applicability in this time of crisis; how, even in these exceptional times, GDPR rules and regulations must be adhered to and how they are perhaps more important now than ever; potential future updates to GDPR, and any future developments; and an update on the role of the Data Protection Officer (DPO) and interaction with board of directors. 

This webinar was kindly sponsored by Mazars as part of the IoD's Morning and Evening Briefings Series. 

Please bear in mind that you need to be logged into the website to view this members' only content.
IoD Director Sentiment Monitor Q1 2020: Results
The results of our latest  Director Sentiment Monitor  (DSM) survey, for  Q1 2020 , have been published. The DSM is conducted on a quarterly basis to track our members’ views on key issues.
 
The latest research - conducted between 18th-26th March 2020 - reveals our members’ views on the early impact of Covid-19, Ireland’s post-Brexit relationships with the UK and the EU, as well as insights into business confidence, financial performance, and future market potential.

Its key findings include: 83% of IoD members rate as ‘significant’ the potential impact of COVID-19 on their organisation’s bottom line for the year 2020; just 3% of directors are ‘more optimistic’ in respect of the Irish economy in Q1 2020 by comparison to 30% in Q4 2019; there has been a 53% reduction, on average, in business leaders envisaging opportunities for growth this year across all markets, domestic and overseas, from Q4 2019 to the end of Q1 2020; and, 74% of business leaders do not believe that the EU and UK can achieve a trade deal by the December 2020 deadline.

Read more here about the results of the  Director Sentiment Monitor Q1 2020
IoD Ireland's Exclusive ‘COVID-19 Resources and Guidance’ Online Hub
The ‘COVID-19 Resources and Guidance’ Online Hub has been created to provide timely expertise, resource documents and newly commissioned content.

It can be accessed directly through the Members’ Area of the website and new content will be promoted weekly with members through our COVID-19 ezines. 
 
The hub already contains helpful resource documents from Mazars, McCann FitzGerald, Grant Thornton, Mason Hayes & Curran, Duff & Phelps, Hayes Solicitors, and more. Additional resources will be added regularly.

The hub also contains exclusive blogs by Tony Smurfit, CEO, Smurfit Kappa; Marian Finnegan, Managing Director, Residential and Advisory, Sherry FitzGerald; Colm O'Reilly, CEO, Business Post; Jim Power, Economist and Media Commentator; Siobhan Byrne Learat, Founder and CEO, Adams & Butler; Conor Brophy, Director, Teneo; Alan Holmes , INED and Executive Director, Websure; and Simon Keogh, CEO, Rugby Players Ireland.

Please bear in mind that you need to be logged into the website to view this members' only content.
Policy and Announcements Hub
Local Authorities are Now Taking Applications for €250m Restart Grant
The Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Heather Humphreys TD, has announced that the application form for the new €250m Restart Grant providing direct grant aid to micro and small businesses is now available online on all local authority websites. The Restart Grant is aimed at helping micro and small businesses with the costs associated with reopening and reemploying workers following COVID-19 closures. Read the press release .

Impact of COVID-19 on ICT Usage by Households
The Central Statistics Office (CSO) has published details on how ICT usage by households and individuals has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. "Irish life has changed following the introduction in March of the measures to address the COVID-19 pandemic. People are at home a lot more now, with schools and many workplaces closed. This has had an effect of people’s use of the internet during this time." Read the key findings .
 
Strong Merchandise Export Performance for Q1 2020 in CSO Trade Data
The Central Statistics Office has published its latest Goods Exports and Imports release which shows that in March 2020 the highest ever level of monthly goods exports from Ireland was recorded. In Q1 2020 total goods exports increased by €4.8bn to €42.3bn. This represents an increase of 13 percent compared to Q1 2019 when exports were €37.6bn. Minister Humphreys commented, “The data shows how strongly the Irish economy was performing before the COVID-19 pandemic struck with all the health and economic impacts that have ensued.” Read the report .

The COVID-19 Pandemic and the Social Insurance Fund
The Parliamentary Budget Office has published a document that addresses the potential implications of the COVID-19 pandemic for the Social Insurance Fund (SIF). It states, "Given that the Government’s return to work roadmap envisages only a phased return to work, and that these phases may be suspended in the case of a COVID-19 resurgence, we can anticipate there will be a continued and significant absence of employees from the labour force in Q3 and Q4 of 2020." This will have a significant impact on the SIF’s income. Read the document .
Member Survey Results 2020
New Research from the Institute of Directors in Ireland
Every two years, IoD Ireland undertakes independent market research with a sample of our members to solicit your views on the IoD and our activities.

We commissioned research agency Behaviour and Attitudes (B&A) to carry out this research, which took place between 10-24 February 2020. As part of this, 300 IoD members were randomly chosen to participate in the phone survey. I would like to thank you again for taking the time to provide your valuable insights. 
 
We are delighted that members value IoD membership, with 7/10 members noting their experience as excellent to very good; and 82% of respondents noting that their membership has lived up to their expectations. We also note your thoughts and feedback with regard to our key member services, in particular that the top-rated service was access to expertise at 86%.

In recognition of this we have, over the last few months, increased our resources and guidance output, through the publication of several exclusive articles/blogs, director factsheets, and videos. We hope that you have found these useful. Thank you to all who took part in the survey.
Webinars from Simon Kucher in partnership with IoD
In partnership with Simon Kucher we are delighted to announce that IoD members can again register and avail of the second of two webinars, free of charge. This follows the first webinar, entitled; ‘ Back to growth: Restarting your commercial strategy’ . The second webinar, at 15:00 on Tuesday, 23rd June, is entitled ‘ Agile Cost Management: Remaining profitable as costs increase’

This webinar is organised directly by Simon Kucher, and all registration and webinar details are dealt with directly by them. 

Webinar title: Agile Cost Management: Remaining profitable as costs increase
Date: Tuesday, 23rd June 2020
Time : 15:00

To register for this webinar, click the below ‘Book Now’ button.
IoD and Members in the News
The Times (Ireland edition): One in 12 Irish firms expects growth in 2020
Irish Examiner : Seismic shift in business leader confidence (print edition)
Newstalk : COVID-19 fatalities in Smurfit Kappa revealed in IoD blog (radio recording unavailable)

IoD Member Benefits
The Business Post Digital Subscription Offer
IoD Ireland is delighted to introduce our latest member benefit for a limited time only, a discounted rate for the Business Post digital subscription.

The Business Post is a trusted and iconic Irish media brand. With a strong print and digital presence, it is the only Irish-owned Sunday newspaper in the market and has a well-established reputation for independent, innovative and quality journalism.

The market leader for financial, political and economic news, it continues to be an authoritative and respected voice in national life with an emphasis on straight and unbiased reporting, rigorous analysis and forthright opinions.

What is the IoD Ireland member benefit?
IoD members can subscribe to the digital edition of Business Post for €90 + VAT (9%) for 12 months. This is reduced from the current special offer of €149 for 12 months.

Each digital subscription will include:

  • Full access to the Business Post website with daily news updates
  • Access to the Business Post e-reader
  • Access to daily newsletters from Monday-Sunday
  • Access to the archive
  • Access is also available on three different devices.

Benefit availability
This offer is open for a limited period to IoD members until 31 st August 2020.
Health and Wellbeing
National Return to Work Safely Protocol
The Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Heather Humphreys TD, has published the National ‘Return to Work Safely Protocol’. The Protocol clearly and comprehensively sets out the steps and processes that businesses must take to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace. Read the Protocol .

COVID-19 Health Surveillance Monitor
COVID-19 Health Surveillance Monitor collates the key statistics relating to the coronavirus pandemic in Ireland and analyses the numbers across a range of parameters in a dashboard format.

For the latest safety information during the current health crisis, please continue to follow the   HSE website   and the   Department of Health website  
Connect with the IoD
Follow our company page on LinkedIn for the latest updates.
Follow our latest updates at @IoDIreland and #IoDevents .