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ISME at work
Our Restart Ireland webinar is now available to watch back. On the day we were joined by over 200 businesses. Our panel answered questions about the vaccination roll out and reopening the Irish economy. The panel included: Minister Robert Troy - Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. Professor Luke O’Neill, School of Biochemistry and Immunology in Trinity College Nuala Mulqueeney, Managing Director of Aillwee Cave and ISME Member. The webinar can now be watched back.
ISME COVID-19 SURVEY APRIL 2021
On 13th April, ISME released the results of our seventh flash survey on COVID-19. The number of businesses who believe they can keep trading for more than 9 months has increased to 63%, up 13% from January
The survey found that 64% of respondents are availing of the TWSS or EWSS, making wages supports by far the largest liquidity solution availed of by business. Just 8% of those surveyed are availing of the COVID-19 Restrictions Support Scheme.
16% of respondents were availing of the pandemic unemployment payment (PUP) as a self-employed person, the same as in January.
On a positive note, the number of respondents who believe their business can operate for more than 9 months has increased to 63%, up 13% from January. The number of respondents who believe their businesses will cease operating remains at 1%, similar to January - full data in report below or click here.
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
ISME Member’s Regional Meetings – South East
11th May 13.00-14.00 Book here
HR Essentials in 2021
11th, 12th, 14th May 12.00-13.30 Book here
FREE - Unlock the Potential of Microsoft Teams
13th May 12 noon Book here
ISME & Google Garage Workshop: Learn the basics of Google Ads
20th May 11:00-12:00 Book here
ISME National Council Election & AGM
25th May 11.30 Email marketing@isme.ie to attend
Q1’21 TRENDS REPORT
The Q1’21 Business Trends Quarterly survey showed 5 out of 14 confidence indicators yielding declining results, dropping by two from the previous quarter.
• BREXIT Uncertainty dropped by 4% to 42%. Business Confidence rose massively by 39%, bringing the
Q4 total to 6%, compared to -33% in Q4. This aligns with Economic Uncertainty, which dropped by 7% this quarter. • There was a significant rise in Business Expectations, which rose from 26% in Q4 to 36% this quarter, rising by 10%. Business Environment continues to decline, while Profitability Expectations increased by 15%. It should be re-emphasised that levels have not hit the initial lows experienced in Q1’2020. • The Current Employment confidence indictor decreased by 5%, while Future Employment increased by a further 13%, from 6% to 19%. • Current Sales have decreased from -34% to -46%, while Sales Expectations have shown their greatest recovery since plummeting in Q1’20, increasing from -10% to 28%.
• Read the full report below or download here.
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
Master Your Pitch: 3-Part Mini Series
25th, 26th, 28th May 12.00-13.30 Book here
Your Excel Journey: 4-Part Mini-Series
30th June & 2nd July Book here
Back to Business – Pitch my Business
9th June 10.30 Book here
ISME & Google Garage Workshop: Shop Local: How to safely reach more local shoppers with Pointy from Google
3rd June, 11:00-12:30 Book here
NEW AFFINITIES
ISME is adding three new partners to the current ADVANTAGE Affinity programme providing ISME members with the opportunity to reduce costs and add value to their business. They include:
Broadband from Vodafone
ISME Members get: • 10% discount on Vodafone Simply Broadband • 15% discount on Vodafone Mobile Broadband - Simply
Broadband 4G • Discounts all run for the duration of the contract
Find out more on here.
Environmental Certification & Support from EcoMerit
EcoMerit Environmental Certification helps you improve your environmental performance, reduce costs, manage risk and enhance your marketing and brand appeal.
Find out more on here.
Merchant Services from PaymentPlus
Available from 5th May, ISME Members will get • Launch offer - 6 months free terminal rental from May • Merchant services on a no contract basis • No termination fees • Price Promise - if PaymentPlus can’t show any savings, they will offer them a €50 Me2You gift voucher • Next day fund settlement • And more
Find out more here
ISME’S PENSIONS EQUITY CAMPAIGN
On 1st February we launched our campaign to raise funds for a legal challenge to force the creation of a fair system for private sector pension savers. The last Public Service Pay Commission report found that while there is almost 100% pension coverage in the public sector, the overall figure for the private sector is 40%. This means that workers in the private sector who aspire to a pension even close to that of a similarly paid public sector worker, would have to surrender more than a third of their salary. To support the challenge ISME is calling on private pension holders to make a donation today. Find our more here.
Q1’21 GOVERNMENT SATISFACTION REPORT
COVID Hub for Members
ISME’s latest Government Satisfaction Report finds SME’s satisfaction with government performance declines. The report also found: • Medium sized enterprises most satisfied with government • Micro businesses least satisfied with government performance • Government’s handling of costs to businesses trends negatively • Services and Retail sectors most dissatisfied with government performance Read the full report below or download here. ISME have developed an online Members only hub with tools and templates to help guide you during this difficult time. Included in the COVID-19 page are explainers and links to all government schemes, HR resources, best practice advice and supports. Access by logging into the Members Area of the website here
ISME’s Brexit portal
ISME have created a page for BREXIT resources to help you navigate these unknown times. Included on the page is A Brexit Guide written by Paul McMahon who was a regular ISME Roadshow speaker in 2019. ‘BrexitLegal.ie’ is a comprehensive free website about Brexit for Irish business. Read more here.
Get your business noticed with ISME.
Advertising with ISME is an effective way to reach the Irish business community. You can advertise in our online publication The bISME, the next issue is out in July and ISME members enjoy up to 50% discount on adverting rates.
ISME Members: you can advertise for free through the Shop Local and Back to Business campaigns. If you wish to receive members rates and more details on promotional opportunities please email Marketing@isme.ie
GROW WITH GOOGLE
Q1’21 PROMPT PAYMENTS
SME’s latest Prompt Payments report finds SME payment delays have improved, but only slightly. The report also found payment times for SMEs remains high at 45 days. Read the full report below or download here. COVID-19 has had an unprecedented impact on people and businesses everywhere. Together with Google we are working to offer a series of free webinars to help businesses navigate this uncertain time and find future opportunities for growth. The next two webinars are Learn the basics of Google Ads, 20th May and How to safely reach more local shoppers with Pointy from Google, 3rd June. These webinars are available to ISME members only. You can register for both here.
Creating Space For Business To Grow
At Glandore, Ireland’s leading provider of serviced, flexible, private office space and coworking, we have an in-depth understanding of the markets in which our client and member businesses operate. Our mission is to provide space for your business to grow and facilitate a professional network that can help you reach new markets. We are experts in our field having been active in the market since 2001. We create office spaces to help businesses flourish and to help attract the best talent in the market. We’ve got everything covered, from Operations to IT Services and more. With newly designed collaboration spaces and state of the art meeting rooms, Glandore has everything your business may need as you navigate remote working or plan your return to the office.
