The Impact of Health and Wellness on Irish Business, Electric Ireland breakfast event

Thought leaders give insights at The UCD Business Breakfast sponsored by Electric Ireland

The UCD Smurfit Business School’s Breakfast, which is proudly sponsored by Electric Ireland, was hosted at The Mansion House in Dublin. The theme of the breakfast was ‘The Impact of Health and Wellness on Irish Business’. The panel of speakers featured thought leaders in health and wellness within Irish business: Niall McGrath, co-founder of Fulfill Nutrition; Dave and Steve Flynn, founders of Happy Pear; and Aideen O’Colmain, Corporate Wellness Director at Fitbit.

The panelists discussed the theme from the perspective of their own businesses while also addressing health trends surrounding local and global business in 2017.

Speaking from the event, Steve Flynn, co-founder of the Happy Pear, discussed starting a movement, “It was difficult to start a revolution, we opened a juice bar to get young people involved and then saw them in the chipper that night. It’s all about your perspective and perseverance, they say it takes 10 years to become an overnight success, for us it took 13.”

Aideen O’Colmain, Corporate Wellness Director at Fitbit discussed the upward trajectory of wearable tech in fitness, “When you see the results on your Fitbit and what your friends are getting, this pushes you to do more. We have seen a 11% increased activity rate when the Fitbit wearer has friends or work colleagues wearing it, it’s all about the social connection and feeling like you’re part of a team. A well run corporate wellness programme positively affects everyone in the business.”

Finally, Fulfil co-founder, NIall McGrath, commented, “What we are seeing now is a global trend towards health and wellness. Ireland is only in the very early stages of this trend and I expect we will see this area grow on the agenda of all corporate entities over the coming months and years. It’s key to remember that health and wellness is as much about your mental health as your physical. It’s important for employers and employees to make this a priority and incorporate it into workplace culture.”

Speaking on the importance of the event, Jim Dollard, Executive Director at Electric Ireland said, “Smarter Living is at the heart of everything we do at Electric Ireland. These days, Smarter Living includes taking care of our health and wellbeing in the workplace. It’s inspiring to see UCD Smurfit Business School students, the business leaders of tomorrow, bringing this discussion to the forefront at this morning’s breakfast.”

The event is a significant component of the Smurfit Marketing Development Practice Masters (MDP). The Masters students are mentored by Electric Ireland in Event Management, Stakeholder Engagement and provides them with a platform to network. The breakfast is organised wholly by the students of UCD’s Smurfit Business School. Students must devise a theme and source appropriate speakers that suit the theme. Irish economist George Lee, was on hand, as mentor, to ensure the discussion ran smoothly.

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