KBS Future Thinking

Prof Deirdre O'Loughlin talks Researching Poverty and Austerity

We are back with a new episode! In this episode, Finbarr and Erin chat with Prof Deirdre O'Loughlin about her research and newly published book, "Researching Poverty and Austerity: Theoretical Approaches, Methodologies and Policy Applications". A book that was longlisted for the CABS Management Book of the year 2024. Deirdre's research critically explores the intersection between marketing, consumption, vulnerability and social/public policy within several key contexts, including debt and austerity research, family care, and health and financial services co-creation. Her research greatly impacts several key domains, specifically in exposing the effects of austerity, credit and debt consumption, highlighting marketing and consumer responsibility, and identifying the social and public policy implications. 'Poverty is a complex global challenge rooted in intertwined social, economic and political factors, which excludes people from participating fully in normalised social and market-based activities. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated poverty-related issues such as food insecurity, and growing numbers of people are having to rely on welfare assistance. This pandemic, coupled with austerity measures implemented across many European countries over the past years, has negatively impacted towns, cities, regions and countries, leaving places and communities depleted. This edited volume curates a collection of relevant research addressing the challenges of poverty and the political-economic measures that perpetuate it. It adopts a cross-disciplinary approach to covering relevant theories, methodologies and policy-oriented research, highlighting the interlinkages between poverty and austerity that have resulted since the 2008 financial crisis' https://www.amazon.co.uk/Researching-Poverty-Austerity-Methodologies-Applications/dp/1032127775 This episode was produced by the KBS Digital Hub-Grzegorz Rogala

Lillian Morrell talks Business Transformation and her Career Journey

In this episode, Finbarr and Erin chat with Lillian Morrell, a Business Architect at Pebble Business Transformation. Lillian, a Kemmy Business School graduate with a BA in Law and Accounting, spent over 13 years of her career with Kerry Group before joining Pebble Business Transformation, which has recently merged with Argon & Co. Lillian is an ambitious professional with a strong work ethic and leadership skills, a highly efficient team player, and a decisive individual. She is hands-on, innovative, team-oriented, and an effective communicator. Lillian discusses her time studying at KBS and her co-op placement experience, which she found immensely beneficial, leading to her role at Kerry Group through their graduate programme. During her tenure at Kerry Group, Lillian seized the opportunity to move to Malaysia, where she spent six years gaining remarkable international and cultural experience. This move coincided with the outbreak of Covid, which subsequently led her to relocate to Dubai. Lillian shares insights into her current role as a Business Architect, explaining how she assists businesses in their transformation processes across various divisions and sectors. This episode was produced by the KBS Digital Hub-Grzegorz Rogala

Aongus Hegarty talks Leadership, EDI and Global Business

In this episode, Finbarr and Erin are joined by Aongus Hegarty, a seasoned board member, strategic advisor, thought leader, and adjunct professor at the Kemmy Business School. Aongus also serves as Chair of the Lero Governance Committee, which oversees the National Software Centre backed by the Science Foundation of Ireland, based at the University of Limerick. Aongus Hegarty strongly focuses on people, business, and technology, recognising the critical and interconnected role all three play in driving growth and innovation. From 1999 to 2023, Aongus held several executive roles at Dell Technologies. His most recent position was President for International Markets, an organisation spanning over 170 countries. Before this role, he served as President of Europe, the Middle East, and Africa for a decade, leading the business and go-to-market strategy. Additionally, he led the company’s SME business globally, drove strategic initiatives and growth with Dell’s channel and distribution partners, and held leadership roles in the company’s Consumer and Online businesses. Aongus has extensive experience as a commentator on business, leadership, digital transformation, sustainability, entrepreneurship, and diverse and inclusive workforces. In 2021, he was appointed by the Irish Government as Co-Chair of the Balance for Better Business (B4BB) initiative, promoting increased female representation on company boards and leadership teams. Furthermore, he is a member of the Special Olympics Ireland Council of Patrons, Chair of the Munster Rugby Commercial Advisory Group, and a member of the 30% Club Ireland Advisory Group. His past roles include Chair of the American Chamber of Commerce to the European Union. Aongus is also involved in several business ventures. He is the founding member of Lakeside Capital LTD, dedicated to sourcing and investing in forward-thinking sustainable enterprises. He is a member of the Global Advisory Council for VentureWave Capital, a private equity firm focusing on entrepreneurial companies with high-impact potential. Aongus Hegarty is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) and received the Alumni Award for Outstanding Achievement in 2013 from the University of Limerick. In 2019, he was awarded the prestigious life fellowship from the Irish Management Institute (IMI). This episode was produced by the KBS Digital Hub-Grzegorz Rogala

Joel Olympio talks Entrepreneurship and his Startup 'Chapter'

In this episode, Finbarr and Erin chat with Joel Olympio, entrepreneur and co-founder of 'Chapter', a startup aiming to enhance focus with innovative technology. His work has been recognised globally winning awards by Dyson, Prototypes for Humanity and the Irish Design Institute. Joel graduated from the University of Limerick in 2023, studying Product Design & Technology. He has worked at Dolmen Design & Innovation, an award-winning design consultancy firm based in Dublin. Joel's interests are at the intersection of design, technology and inclusion which he uses to fuel the stories he tells through Chapter's products. At Chapter, they are designing inclusive focus and productivity devices starting with Oasis, an award-winning pair of glasses that reduce visual distractions and enhance focus: https://chapter.technology You can read Joel's blog here: https://joelolympio.com/myjournal This episode was produced by the KBS Digital Hub-Grzegorz Rogala

Dermot Casey talks Irish Business, Research, Development and Innovation

In this episode, Finbarr and Erin welcome Dermot Casey, CEO of the Industry Research and Development Group (IRDG). The conversation centres on the IRDG, a collaborative innovation network led by businesses striving for excellence in research, development, and innovation across various industries. IRDG is a non-profit business network, representing, supporting and connecting hundreds of companies engaged in research and innovation nationally. Over the last two years, IRDG launched the Innovative Skillnet, Ireland's Innovation Index and the Amplify Conference. Dermot became CEO in January 2022. He joined IRDG from Resolve Partners a leading Innovation Consultancy where he built accelerators, supported fundraising, and worked with founders, researchers, Universities, and Corporates. Over his career, he’s ranged from investing and supporting deep technology companies in NDRC, as COO growing Storyful from 2 to 35 staff and over a decade in technical and management roles in GE. Dermot has been an adjunct lecturer in Strategy, Innovation and Digital Transformation at the Michael Smurfit Graduate School of Business, UCD. Dermot is a Board Member of the National Standards Authority of Ireland and was a director of the Festival of Curiosity from 2017-2023. He holds an MBA and a BSc in Computer Science from UCD. https://www.irdg.ie/about-irdg/ This episode was produced by the KBS Digital Hub-Grzegorz Rogala