Danske Advantage
Our aim at Danske Bank is to help Northern Ireland grow again. One of the ways we can do this is by providing you with insights, knowledge and access to world class speakers that will help you re-shape and future proof your business for what lies ahead. With that in mind, our webinars, podcasts and inspirational speaker sessions are now hosted here, on our Danske Advantage Hub. Keep checking this page for regular updates on future events as well as materials from past ones.
The webinars cover wider business matters such as economic, markets and Brexit updates. The podcast series, hosted by Dr Wendy Austin MBE, covers topics from employee engagement, digital strategy and data analytics to finance and cash flow management. Our inspirational speaker series features world renowned thought leader and futurist Thimon de Jong and Belfast’s very own Carl Frampton on facing resilience in the face of adversity.
Podcasts
Climate Change, risks and opportunities for businesses in NI
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In this podcast we discuss the impact of the climate crisis on Northern Ireland and the implications this has for business. You will hear from Géraldine Noé, Head of Environmental Sustainability at Business in the Community NI and Chris Martin, Head of Climate Risk and Strategy at Danske Bank. They will highlight why companies in NI need to develop a green and sustainable strategy for their business, how they can start and where to find help and resources:
- The business case for climate action in NI: risks and opportunities
- Barriers to action for businesses
- Business Action on Climate campaign and the Climate Action Pledge: challenging and supporting businesses on their climate journey
- How Business in the Community and Danske Bank can support businesses and where to find additional resources
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How Trader Support Service can help you

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In this episode, our host Dr. Wendy Austin MBE is joined by Frank Dunsmuir, Fujitsu’s Industry Lead for Customs & International Trade, and Shanker Singham, CEO of Competere and renowned International Trade Lawyer. Both Frank and Shanker are senior members of the Trader Support Service and joined our podcast to discuss how the service is helping businesses of all sizes to navigate the changes to the way goods move under the new Northern Ireland Protocol. The Trader Support Service was implemented by UK Government to help businesses that move goods from Great Britain to Northern Ireland or from outside of the UK into Northern Ireland. But what does the Trader Support Service do? And how will it work as a customs intermediary service for NI trade? What are the main challenges facing GB-NI traders after Brexit? How does the Trader Support Service work and what do businesses need to do? What role do Irish ports play in this whole process? And where can businesses source additional help and guidance from? What additional support is the TSS putting in place to support the issues with Groupage? Frank and Shanker are world renowned experts in their field and have extensive experience in providing solutions to the complex implications on NI trade. Have a listen to find out more.
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Building human connections in a virtual first world

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In the first episode of the Danske Advantage Podcast, our host Dr. Wendy Austin MBE is joined by Caroline van der Feltz, Danske Bank’s HR Director, to discuss the challenges of embracing digital solutions and improving human connections in our new virtual-first environment. How can we stay connected when staff are working virtually and customers are turning to digital solutions rather than visiting branches? What challenges to digital solutions post to diversity and inclusion? How can we ensure diversity and inclusion are enabled? How have Danske Bank’s staff embraced digital solutions? Has there been a change in leadership style as a result of the new digital-first reality? What impact has it had on staff morale and engagement? And how much easier is recruiting for specialist positions in a digital environment? Find out in the first episode of the Danske Advantage Podcast!
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Unlocking Success Through Digital Transformation

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Our host Dr. Wendy Austin MBE is joined by Greg Bradley, Managing Director of BLK BOX Fitness and Jerry Staple, Co-Founder of Origin Digital, to chat about the importance of having a digital strategy embedded within your overall business plan, the improvements it can make to customer experience and its positive impact on business growth. Why is having a good digital strategy so important? What’s the best way to measure its success? What would our guests say to a fellow business leader thinking of starting out or amending their digital strategy? What is digital transformation and how can it help your business? How can a business take advantage of the digital transformation opportunities that have arisen from COVID? How important is customer experience in an increasingly digital world? How can a digital transformation enhance customer experience? And how do you bring your employees along the digital transformation journey with you? Discover all this and more in the latest episode of the Danske Advantage Podcast!
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Fighting Back With Frampton

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Northern Ireland’s first two-weight World Champion boxer Carl Frampton joins our host Dr. Wendy Austin MBE to discuss resilience and bouncing back in a post-COVID society. How does Frampton deal with adversity? What advice does he have for building resilience and overcoming setbacks? How does Frampton react to criticism and how does he deal with the pressure of living life in the public eye? How important have Frampton’s family and support network been to his success? Who are his inspirations? Why do the physical and mental challenges of boxing go hand in hand and how important is it to be vocal about mental health? What impact has COVID had on boxing? How does Frampton stay motivated? What’s the greatest challenge outside of boxing that Frampton has overcome? What are his ambitions when he hangs up the gloves? And how can Frampton’s attitude and philosophy be applied to other walks of life, such as business? Listen to the Danske Advantage podcast to find out!
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Inspirational speakers
Sustain Exchange

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With climate change and sustainability being high on everyone’s agenda, our next partner event with MLN will explore the challenges and opportunities facing local organisations. This event will also host the Carbon Bus as it visits Northern Ireland in advance of the COP26 summit. The keynote speaker is Sir Jonathon Porritt CBE, one of the UK’s leading authorities on the climate crisis and potential solutions.
Jonathon will tell us why the next 12 months, as we rebuild our economies after the coronavirus crisis, are the decisive time for organisations to take meaningful action.You will also hear insights from local business leaders that could help your business on its own sustainable journey.
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The Future of Place

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Exploring where and how we’re going to live and work in the months and years ahead. We will discuss: a glimpse of the future, stimulus to plan, reasons to be excited and considering the bigger picture of the workplace return decision.
You will hear from Simon Kuper, International Thought Leader and Financial Times journalist. Based in Paris, Simon has been writing for the Financial Times for some 20 years. His column is highly respected and read by tens of thousands of people around the world. He is best known for his analyses of modern/urban life, from the future of offices, to demographics and the impact of Covid and Brexit. His insights on modern/future living are peppered with humour and insightful anthropological observations. Simon will share his views on ‘The Future of Place’ by exploring the likely future of city centres, offices, neighbourhoods, mobility, shops, homes and gardens.
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Download Future of Place presentation
The Change Playbook

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This partner event with MLN features Professor Emeritus Keith Grint, global authority on leadership and change. Keith will discuss strategies for tame, wicked and critical challenges. As we emerge from the pandemic, and the realities of Brexit, organisations (of all shapes, sizes and sectors) will face a new set of risks and challenges. This event will illuminate these likely realities and suggest leadership strategies to overcome them.
This event also features Conor Lambe, Chief Economist Danske Bank and Sean McGahan, Risk Expert and Chairman of the Institute of Risk Management in NI. Conor will discuss the headlines from his most recent Quarterly Sectoral Forecast and outline the likely economic circumstances for the year ahead. Sean will share his view on the most pressing risks facing organisations and leaders as we move into a post-pandemic, post-Brexit world.
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Fighting Back With Frampton

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Northern Ireland’s first two-weight World Champion boxer Carl Frampton joins our host Dr. Wendy Austin MBE to discuss resilience and bouncing back in a post-COVID society. How does Frampton deal with adversity? What advice does he have for building resilience and overcoming setbacks? How does Frampton react to criticism and how does he deal with the pressure of living life in the public eye? How important have Frampton’s family and support network been to his success? Who are his inspirations? Why do the physical and mental challenges of boxing go hand in hand and how important is it to be vocal about mental health? What impact has COVID had on boxing? How does Frampton stay motivated? What’s the greatest challenge outside of boxing that Frampton has overcome? What are his ambitions when he hangs up the gloves? And how can Frampton’s attitude and philosophy be applied to other walks of life, such as business? Listen to the Danske Advantage podcast to find out!
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RESET – a virtual leadership lunch with Thimon de Jong
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Keynote and Q&A with an international speaker and thought-leader on future human behaviour, societal change and business strategy.
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Unlearn 2021: Disruptive Change – with Graeme Codrington
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Globally Renowned Futurist, Unlearner & Speaker. Based in South Africa, Graeme has worked with some of the world’s most recognized brands, travelling to over 80 countries, and speaking to around 100,000 people (in person pre-Covid) every year. He is the author of 5 best-selling books, and on faculty at 5 top global business schools. Graeme asserts that business leaders should be looking at their world through a lens of AC/DC (‘After’ / ‘During’ Covid) and he offers perspective-shifting insights and practical take-aways relating to the next 12 weeks, 12 months and 12 years. Graeme contends that ‘structure is strategy’ as we look to 2021 and beyond. He is inspiring organisations (of all shapes, sizes and sectors) to plan for flexibility in 2021 and attempt to unlearn as we all wrestle with limiting orthodoxies. Graeme’s insights are research-based and created specifically to catalyse new thinking for attendees and their teams and he will share the key attributes that will help businesses / leaders in NI anticipate, plan and surmount the ongoing disruptive change.
If you would like to hear more from Graeme Codrington you can contact him at graeme@tomorrowtodayglobal.com or visit his website at https://www.graemecodrington.com
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Webinars
Sowing the seeds for global growth with Linwoods

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Linwoods is a local business that has successfully responded to changing market dynamics and trends to drive international growth and build a brand synonymous with healthy eating. A leader in the health food market, Linwoods is dedicated to making healthy eating convenient and accessible to everyone through its innovative products which are now exported to over 20 countries globally.
During this event, John and Patrick will share how the business started out as a traditional shop 50 years ago and how it has become a global business through making change happen and adapting to align with consumer demand. Linwoods has embraced innovation as a core part of its business, with new product development being the key to its successful international growth and strong brand equity.
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Staying one step ahead of the fraudsters
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We’re committed to preventing you becoming a victim of fraud. Fraudsters are becoming increasingly creative in order to gain access to your money, whether it’s your personal funds or business account. Awareness is the best method of prevention and in this webinar Chris Wynne, our Head of Financial Crime Prevention discusses the most common fraud types to help you ensure your business can avoid being the next victim.
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Q3 Economic and Markets Update and Sectoral Focus

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This update features our regular contributors, Chief Economist Conor Lambe, Head of Treasury and Markets John Paul Coleman and guest speaker Stephen Kelly, the CEO of Manufacturing NI. They discuss, the outlook for economic growth, the key factors influencing the economy, the drivers of recent moves in foreign exchange and interest rate markets and key factors influencing the outlook for these markets. Manufacturing NI represents all manufacturing businesses from SMEs to major international corporations across Northern Ireland. Stephen will give us an insight into the current issues, challenges and potential solutions for local businesses. You will also h
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Economic Analysis
Fresh insights and perspectives on the UK and Northern Ireland economies
Read moreUseful information
- EU Exit readiness Checklist
- Invest NI Brexit preparation grant
- Inter Trade Ireland - Making Brexit more manageable
- Economy NI
- Keep it safe - Helping you protect your business from fraud
- Take Five to stop fraud
- The Little Leaflet of Cyber Advice - April 2020
- cyber security small business guide
- Mobile Device Security Pocket Guide
- The Little Book of Big Scams - 5th Edition - April 2020
- The Little Booklet of Phone Scams - April 2020