MkM Direct Ltd Reports Cautious Optimism for the Economy

Oct. 19, 2011 - PRLog -- September 7th and 8th saw Dublin Castle host political and economic leaders from around the world at the annual Global Irish Economic Forum. Over two days, discussions were held that touched on Irelands current economic state, what got us here and what can be done to improve the situation. The forum allowed a free exchange of ideas on topics including internships, tourism, national debt, and much more.

Despite serious talks and the acknowledgment of the still serious position Ireland is in at the moment, the tone of the conference was one of positivity and accomplishment. Keynote speaker Bill Clinton spoke of looking ahead and of globalization, citing Asia, India and Brazil and key areas for growth for the future. Plans were set for the coming year, and accomplishments from this year’s conference include a major tourism event, an Irish Homecoming, planned for 2013, increased internship placements in Asia for Irish graduate, and a follow up committee to keep the momentum from the conference going throughout the next twelve months.

“There are small signs everywhere of good things to come; like buds on the trees in the spring. You know something’s coming, you just don’t know when,” says business owner Sean Sheehan. “There has been an abundance of good news recently, and we as Irish business people need to keep the ball rolling!”

He goes on to explain that outside of the forum, there have been positive changes in the Republic and in the North. Monday saw the announcement of 170 new jobs in Dublin, along with a report released by Ibec that states an increase in both new hires planned for the coming year and a more positive outlook by business owners for the third quarter. While recession and unemployment rates have not started moving in a positive direction yet, both the rates of decline of business activity in Northern Ireland and the number of people signing onto the live register in the Republic have both slowed. Finally, Forfas released a report stating that if current resources are managed correctly and strategic plans set out, Ireland can become a leader in the very lucrative video game industry.

At the end of October, the government will release a three year economic plan, designed to give re-assurance and stability to Irish households and business owners alike, with the budget to follow in December as per usual. While this is often a time of anxiety, it is hoped the report will assuage this effect for the next couple years.

Mr. Sheehan is encouraging other business owners to keep forging ahead, because now we can see a glimmer of that light at the end of the tunnel, and it can be reached in the foreseeable future. “It’s up to us to work together. We’ve come this far, now we just have to maintain our resolve a little bit longer.

Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore closed the Economic Forum on a positive note,  saying “We all know these are difficult times. We should admit mistakes were made. We can't change the past, but we can define the future. What matters now is what happens next."

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MkM Direct Ltd. is a leading outsourced direct sales and marketing company
with operations in Ireland. Key business areas are face to face sales and marketing through business to business, business to consumer and event campaigns.