Happy Halloween, but will elections, home & abroad, bring the real scares? Another scary thought…
Yes folks, it really is only eight weeks to Christmas!!! How did that happen, it seems like only yesterday we were making new year resolutions, which didn’t last 24 hours btw! Is it just us here at PeopleSource, or is time moving faster the older we get? (Actually, don’t answer that, we don’t want to know!). Have you written your list to Santa? Booked your Christmas Party venue?
Paper thin, 50/50, neck and neck, too close to call, dead heat, photo finish, down to the wire, insert any number of phrases currently being used to describe how close the US election is going to be. It’s worrying that the two sides have become so polarised, they seem to have lost any kind of moderate middle, unless, perhaps, Kamala Harris represents the moderate middle? As an election closer to home looms, let’s hope we don’t go down the same route of divisive, populist politics and name-calling. Would the recent budget influence your vote?
One loss to our political scene this month must be acknowledged; the death of Mary O’Rourke has robbed us of one of those sane voices who could support one policy, or oppose another, with respect for the other side’s argument. A great example to potential candidates of all persuasions.
Business outlook…
We’ll kick off with an excellent report from our friends at EY, taking an in-depth look at the prospects for Ireland’s economy (North and South) together with a broader analysis of likely global trends. Key elections notwithstanding, in general, the outlook is positive for us here over the next couple of years, with a growing economy, low unemployment, falling inflation and interest rates. We concur with the EY view that delivering on key infrastructure projects (transport, health and especially clean energy generation) is critical for continued growth in the medium to long term.
Anybody who has stumbled across Garry Connolly, in person or via his posts on LI, will know he likes to bang the drum on FDI. In particular he critiques how the planning process is holding up our energy infrastructure, and prevents us winning our share of major Data Centre investment. Whatever your views, there is something hypnotic about his post on the effects of FDI on Ireland's wealth in the last 40 years
If anyone is knocking around Dublin and fancies a cuppa, pop into Bewley’s where you might find everyone in great form following a recent court ruling cutting their rent in half.
This month’s suggestions for those idle moments browsing over lunch;
- Is your next employer mentioned in Wired.com's Hottest Start-ups in Dublin in 2024
- Don’t disappoint your kids, book now at one of the best places to visit Santa this Christmas
- Fancy a weekend getaway, why not visit a winter market while you're there
- If the clocks going back has affected your mood, try some of these food winter warmers
- Have you checked out the latest ‘suspect’ trend on tiktok, avoid going down a rabbit hole!
- And finally, two for our ladies looking to rock some autumnal, rural looks and as we come into the party season why not rent rather than buy your black tie outfits this year.
For all ACCA members, don't forget to vote ahead of your AGM. Having worked with Stephen Doyle over the years, he'd get our vote!
Stephen Doyle - https://www.linkedin.com/in/
Cast your vote here - https://secure.cesvotes.com/
For the month that’s in it, this is the best interactive graph on the US election available (according to ChatGPT!).
Here in PeopleSource, we've had some interesting water-cooler chats about the US elections, not particularly about one side or the other (it is generally one-sided though!) but mostly about the tone and how destructive it seems. This is grand when chatting about something which we have an interest but no part in, and here's the 'hot topic' - how do you manage political discourse in the workplace?
With our own election due any week now, does your employer have a policy on overt politics in the workplace? Maybe, like Elon Musk, they have firmly put their politics out there for all to see. Is this a form of bullying, or at least passive-aggressive behaviour? Dare an employee debate policies with a boss, or owner, who wears their heart on their sleeve? Or perhaps you have a noisy activist in the ranks who rabbits on incessantly about this party, or that issue, driving everyone to distraction. We have decided that discussion is fine but we're going to draw the line at preaching or canvassing. We suggest, either agree a policy at work, or get yourself some noise-cancelling headphones!!
Entertainment news…
There’s only one show in town this month and that is the beautiful & fabulous Saoirse Ronan on the Graham Norton show last week. There is only one article to read on the subject in The Guardian by Marina Hyde.
On another serious note, sometimes it takes a high-profile tragedy to remind us of something that has been known for decades. The unfortunate death of Liam Payne has resulted in some major soul searching in the music industry. A global petition has garnered tens of thousands of signatures calling for support and guidance for child stars (Payne was 16 when One Direction was born on The X Factor). Love Island’s Maura Higgins spoke about having nothing but the clothes she wore on Love Island to prepare her for life post show. Sadly, the managing of young stars & fame is an issue that has been around as long as the entertainment industry itself.
We’ll pick up the mood somewhat with some nice suggestions to stream, read, or listen to. Starting on Netflix, we recommend Woman of the Hour, the directorial debut of Anna Kendrick (she also stars) telling the true story of a struggling actress in the ‘70s who appears on a dating show and is selected by the contestant, who turns out to be a serial killer. If podcasts and reading are your thing then check out The Book Shelf with Ryan Tubridy. While ‘our Rachel’ has a sibling’s pride in this recommendation, any show that has interviews with Brian O’Driscoll, Paul Giamatti and the Taoiseach in the same month, is worth checking out.
PeopleSource folk were present at two book launches this month. Actor and presenter Simon Delaney launched his debut novel Watching Over You in the wonderful Chapters Book Store while the launch of Johnny Sexton's autobiography, Obsessed was in the slightly larger surroundings of a packed Bord Gais Energy Theatre! Both great Christmas present material!
We don’t often start with tennis, but we must mark the impending retirement of Rafa Nadal. The ‘King of Clay’ won 22 Grand Slam titles, including 14(!!) French Opens and spent 4 years as World #1. Along with Federer and Djokovic, he is part of a golden age of tennis giants.
Ireland’s win away to Finland has proven to be something of a false dawn in soccer and we now languish well down the FIFA World Rankings (just below Burkino Faso!!). A slightly different story for the women’s football securing a Euro playoff final spot against Wales in December. It’s another story entirely in rugby however where this year’s autumn internationals are keenly awaited and Ireland has another crack at the All Blacks, Australia, and what may turn out to be the game of the season, Argentina! Incredible scenes recently where a ‘regular’ Leinster v Munster game brought over 70,000 to Croke Park .
Ten Hag has snagged all the headlines in footie after his sacking ("finally!" say many) but we rather hope our readers will be glued to the Premiership at home where Shelbourne are chasing a first title after 18 years. If they fall at the final hurdle away to Derry, then Shamrock Rovers could chin them on the line. It’s great to see that RTE will show both matches simultaneously.
What part can a recruiter play?
More often than not, in this little section, we trumpet a list of exciting roles we’re working on for those of you who may be considering your next move (and don’t worry, we’ll be doing that here again in this edition!). However, our role in the employment scene extends much further than that. It may not be you looking for a role, but perhaps you know somebody who is and something you see here could be their big break. Or maybe you are hiring and seeing the kind of roles we are working on, will realise we must have some great candidates and contact us for a chat. Please do! We love our job and we think we are pretty good at it!
Then there are those who are unsure what their future direction should be and contact us for a chat and some guidance, and we have helped many! The list goes on, with returners, looking to get back to the coalface, recently qualified accountants, looking for an all-important first placement into industry. Whatever your status in the employment cycle, there’s a good chance we could be of service! And, of course, here’s a list of SOME of the finance roles we are currently working on...
Each month we ask our readers to answer a question for a chance to win €100 One4all voucher.
Our question for the September newsletter was: Is there increasing pressure in your organisation to be in the office more frequently?
Yes - 66% No - 33%
We were surprised that the ‘yes’ vote wasn’t higher, but undoubtedly the return to office calls are on the increase. Our thanks though to one reader who took the time to tell us that his employer has moved further towards fully remote.
And the winner of our €100 voucher is – Rachel Allen – we’ll be in touch!
Following the ‘it could happen to anyone’ email gaff by Laura Keunssberg where she had to cancel an interview with Boris Johnson after accidentally sending him her briefing notes, our question this month is:
Have you ever accidentally sent a work email to the wrong party?
Yes
No
The winner will be chosen at random and will receive a €100 One4All voucher. Enter HERE to be in with a chance to win.
PeopleSource is a specialist finance & accounting recruitment firm. If you would like regular updates follow our LinkedIn company page
