Irish companies need proper talent management strategies to build business prosperity and growth, according to the chief executive of the Irish Management Institute.
Dr Simon Boucher was speaking today at the 2013 IMI National Management Conference, which resumed after a five year gap.
Dr Boucher said that more so than at any time since 2008, "delicate" signs of economic recovery are apparent.
He said that house prices are slowly showing signs of recovery, the economy has returned to growth, unemployment is stabilising, and rating agencies are improving the outlook on Irish debt,” said Dr Boucher.
But he warned that the recession has made the world a painfully more competitive place.
"Any organisation that believes its work is done by surviving until now, and waiting for the rising tide to float their boat, will be bitterly disappointed," Dr Boucher said.
"I think business leaders know that the rising tide will pass them by unless they take every opportunity to innovate and create new forms of value for current and future customers," he added.
Eircom chief executive Herb Hribar also addressed today's conference, saying that while change is not easy, it is necessary in business. "No individual or company can afford to stand still,'" he added.
Taoiseach Enda Kenny told today's conference that next weeks' Budget will be a difficult one, but it will be a stepping stone to exiting the bailout.
Enda Kenny said it will send out an "international flare" saying that here is a country emerging from its difficulties. Mr Kenny said there are three budgets left in the lifetime of this Government. The latter two will be approaching normality in terms of budgetary strategy, he added.
