Taoiseach to address IMI conference

Taoiseach Enda Kenny will address the 2013 Irish Management Institute (IMI) conference in Dublin on Wednesday, the institute's first national management conference in five years.

IMI chief executive Dr Simon Boucher said the theme of this year's conference, titled Game Changers for Growth, was focused on game changing ideas that can drive organisational growth.

The event will feature contributions from Eircom group chief executive Herb Hribar, Ireland rugby coach Joe Schmidt, global big data specialist Dr Tom Redman and international emotional intelligence expert Dr Martyn Newman.

“In addition to a keynote contribution from An Taoiseach just days before a vital budget, we will host domestic and international thought leaders who will share new insights about improving performance in all its forms, drawing from a number of areas including management strategy, big data, telecommunications, sporting leadership and organisational psychology,” Dr Boucher said.

He said the day will focus on the practical steps delegates can take to apply best-practice management principles to boost real business performance and growth in their firms.

A national symposium to mark local newspaper week is also taking place in Dublin on Wednesday, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Blanchardstown.

The event, which will feature architect and broadcaster Duncan Stewart, Storyful chief executive Mark Little, Connacht Tribune editor Dave O'Connell and Sean Mahon, president of the Regional Newspapers and Printers Association of Ireland, will look at what newspapers can do to enhance their product from a retail perspective and the future of newspapers in the digital era.