Business of Possibility Podcast
Business & Economics Podcasts
A podcast series hosted by Wendy Austin and brought to you by Ulster University Business School. Taking a deep dive into the world of business in Northern Ireland, Wendy explores key themes and the latest research in business today with a host of dynamic business leaders, industry experts and leading academics. Through thought leadership, stories and conversations this podcast offers valuable insights and guidance on topics such as leadership, future of work, skills, resilience, innovation and entrepreneurship. Make sure you subscribe to the series wherever you get your podcasts and keep an eye on Ulster University Business School’s social media channels for updates.
Location:
United Kingdom
Description:
A podcast series hosted by Wendy Austin and brought to you by Ulster University Business School. Taking a deep dive into the world of business in Northern Ireland, Wendy explores key themes and the latest research in business today with a host of dynamic business leaders, industry experts and leading academics. Through thought leadership, stories and conversations this podcast offers valuable insights and guidance on topics such as leadership, future of work, skills, resilience, innovation and entrepreneurship. Make sure you subscribe to the series wherever you get your podcasts and keep an eye on Ulster University Business School’s social media channels for updates.
Twitter:
@UlsterBizSchool
Language:
English
Contact:
07564935997
Email:
uubspodcast@outlook.com
Episodes
S4: Episode 4 | Staying Relevant in a Changing Workplace
7/31/2024
Wendy Austin chats to Professor Gillian Armstrong, Pro Vice Chancellor & Executive Dean, UUBS, Suzanne Wylie, CEO, NI Chamber of Commerce and Gavin Nelson, Chief Operating Officer, Third Sector Connect about NI’s changing skills landscape and opportunities to help you stay ahead in the modern workplace.
Duration:00:42:23
S4: Episode 3 | Wellbeing at Work: Building Healthier Workplaces
4/24/2024
Wendy sits down with Professor Catherine Ross, Chief Scientific Officer, Scottish Government and Non-Executive Director Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, Greg McCann, Executive Director of FinTrU North West and Dr Shirley Barrett, Acting Head of Department of Global Business and Enterprise, Ulster University Business School to examine the latest trends influencing health and wellbeing in business, and how companies can create healthier, more supportive work environments. This episode was recorded in front of a live audience at the Ulster University Derry ~ Londonderry campus.
Duration:01:02:36
S4: Episode 2 | AI in Business: Balancing Mind and Machine
2/28/2024
Artificial Intelligence is quickly becoming a common thread in our daily life, revolutionising how we work, live, and interact. Wendy Austin sits down with leading academics and industry experts to explore how AI is transforming industries, and the challenges and opportunities that it presents to business.
Duration:00:53:34
S4: Episode 1 | Entrepreneurship: A local and global perspective
11/13/2023
Stimulating entrepreneurship remains an important challenge for Northern Ireland. In this episode, the first in a brand new series, former BBC broadcaster and journalist Wendy Austin is joined by a diverse panel of experts; Marie Doyle, Partner, Deloitte, Mat Hunter, Co-CEO, Plus X and Tim Mescon, Visiting Professor, Ulster University Business School, for an insightful discussion on the topic.
You will hear from a diverse panel of experts who will discuss the topic of entrepreneurship in both a global and local context. The podcast was recorded in-front of a small live audience at the new Academy Restaurant at Ulster University Belfast Campus on 24th October 2023.
Duration:00:47:08
S3: Episode 6 | Skill Up for the Future
7/9/2023
In this episode, we explore how SKILL UP, a fully funded skills programme, is helping thousands of people across Northern Ireland take their career and business to the next level – featuring Graeme Wilkinson, Director of Skills, Department for the Economy, Joanne Ferguson, Director, CME Group, Emer Maguire, award-winning Musical Comedian and Sean O Fithcheallaigh, Design Engineer, Sensata Technologies.
(Panel event and podcast recording)
Duration:00:43:43
S3: Episode 5 | Leading the Charge for Business Sustainability
6/12/2023
In this episode, we hear best practice and guidance from leading experts and practitioners on the front line of sustainable business in Northern Ireland - featuring Chris Martin, Head of Sustainability UK, Danske Bank, Brian Reid, CEO, Deli lites and Lynsey Hollywood, Senior Lecturer at Ulster University Business School.
Duration:00:39:11
S3: Episode 4 | Empowering Talent
5/1/2023
Accessing and keeping the right talent is one of the most challenging issues currently facing businesses today. Join our special guests to explore the strategies leaders can use to build more engaged and energised workforces. Featuring René Carayol MBE, globally recognised keynote speaker and executive coach, Caroline van der Feltz, HR Director, Danske Bank, and Judith Wylie, Senior Lecturer, Ulster University Business School.
Duration:00:38:58
S3: Episode 3 | Degree Apprenticeships: Unlocking Tomorrow's Talent
3/7/2023
Recorded live at Ulster University’s new Belfast campus, in this episode Wendy Austin explores how Degree Apprenticeships are being used by local employers within the services sectors to attract, engage and upskill talent. Featuring Andy McKibbin (Partner, Deloitte), Rory McFadden (Senior Analyst, Deloitte), Darren Burrows (Founder and CEO, Funds-Axis), Stacey Irvine-Herald (Senior HR Business Partner, Danske Bank) and Clark Barnes (Project Analyst, Danske Bank).
Duration:00:32:10
S3: Episode 2 | Leadership Development: Trends and Future Outlook
11/23/2022
In this episode, Wendy Austin sits down with Justin Urquhart Stewart, Co-Founder of Seven Investment Management and Business Commentator, Professor Gillian Armstrong, Associate Dean, Development and Partnerships (Domestic), Ulster University Business School and Kevin Kelly, Co-Owner of the Management and Leadership Network to explore leadership trends and what this means for managers and leaders in Northern Ireland. This episode was recorded live at Ulster University's new Belfast campus ahead of the Management and Leadership Network's 20th Anniversary Gala.
Duration:00:36:05
S3: Episode 1 | What is the future for a sustainable higher education?
10/18/2022
What is the future for a sustainable higher education?
In this episode recorded live at the new Academy Restaurant (Ulster University), Wendy Austin speaks to Stephen Spinelli, President of Babson College, Tina Mc Kenzie, Chair, FSB, Roger Pollen, Head of External Affairs NI, FSB and Professor Mark Durkin, Executive Dean at the Ulster University Business School to discuss the future of higher education and the value of strategic partnerships in this new era.
Duration:00:46:25
S2: Episode 5 | Demystifying Degree Apprenticeships
12/8/2021
From bridging higher level skills gaps to improving organisational productivity, Degree Apprenticeships provide valuable opportunities to recruit new talent and upskill in key sectors of the economy. In this episode, host Wendy Austin speaks to Deborah Stevenson, People and Operations Director at PwC UK, Judith Wylie, Senior Lecturer at Ulster University Business School, Dermot Dempster, Managing Director, Clonallon Laboratories LTD and former apprentice, Johnny Mooney, Consultant, Deloitte to help demystify the world of degree-level apprenticeships for young people and businesses.
Duration:00:43:43
S2: Episode 4 | Accelerate your Career with Postgraduate Study
9/10/2021
From spotting gaps in our skills and knowledge to reinventing our careers entirely, the pandemic has prompted many of us to hit the pause button and reflect on our futures. Host Wendy Austin is joined by a number of remarkable UUBS alumni who have done amazing things following their time at UU. We hear about their interesting career journeys, personal successes and why postgraduate study is the ideal building block to help you maximise your career potential.
Duration:00:41:45
S2: Episode 3 | So She Did - Championing Female Entrepreneurs
7/20/2021
Whilst positive strides have been made in new business creation in Northern Ireland in recent years, studies show that entrepreneurial activity is typically lower for females than males, with men three times more likely to start their own business than women. In this episode, Wendy Austin speaks to Chris Shannon, Student Enterprise & Entrepreneurship Manager, UUSU Enterprise Centre, Leona Donaghy, Founder, Wholehearted Environments and Gabi Burnside, Entrepreneur Acceleration Manager, Ulster Bank. We hear of the work being done to empower the next generation of entrepreneurs and the inspiring start-up journey from one successful female business owner.
Duration:00:37:03
S2: Episode 2 | Planning for a more resilient future
4/22/2021
It's no secret that small-medium sized businesses form the backbone of the Northern Ireland economy, with family-run enterprises making up seventy-four percent of businesses across the region and contributing significantly to employment opportunities and the welfare of local communities. Wendy Austin is joined by Ian Smyth, Lecturer in Human Resource Management at Ulster University Business School, Darren McDowell, Senior Partner at Harbinson Mulholland and Paul Black, Chief Executive at Alpha Group, to discuss how SMEs, in particular family-owned firms, have fared over the last year and how business leaders can acclimatise to this new reality.
Duration:00:38:36
S2: Episode 1 | Building a Highly Skilled Workforce for Economic Recovery
4/1/2021
In the first episode of series two, Wendy Austin is joined by Diane Dodds, Minister for the Economy, John Healy (OBE), Vice President & Managing Director, Allstate NI and Professor Mark Durkin, Executive Dean at Ulster University Business School to discuss how increased investment in skills development and research and innovation will help power Northern Ireland's rebuilding agenda.
Duration:00:40:30
Episode 7 | Brexit Special
12/17/2020
In this special edition podcast, hear sector-specific 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.
Duration:00:40:13
Episode 6 | Unlocking Creativity
12/1/2020
The pandemic has challenged businesses across all sectors to think differently and create new value in imaginative ways. In this episode, Wendy Austin speaks to Natalie Nixon, President Creative Strategist at Figure8 Thinking and Author of the Creativity Leap 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.
Duration:00:35:54
Episode 5 | The Future of Tourism & Hospitality
11/5/2020
Wendy Austin is joined by 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.
Duration:00:43:01
Episode 4 | Women in Leadership
10/22/2020
In this episode, 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.
Duration:00:45:53
Episode 3 | Adapting skills in a changing environment
9/8/2020
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.
Duration:00:39:09