Modifications: Regulation of Lobbying in Ireland

Ireland has passed the Regulation of Lobbying and Oireachtas (Allowance to Members) (Amendment) Act 2023 (the “Lobbying Amendment Act”) which was signed by the President on 23 June 2023. The Lobbying Amendment Act strengthens and amends the Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015 (the “2015 Act”) by expanding its scope and enhancing enforcement for breach as outlined in our previous briefing on the draft legislation. The Lobbying Amendment Act will become…

  • Post category:Arthur Cox LLP
  • Reading time:6 mins read
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IP Basics: Completing brand and design clearance

Welcome to the latest episode of Gowling WLG's global Intellectual Property podcast, where we discuss a range of topics to help you protect your brands, creations and inventions. Kate Swaine: Hello, and welcome to Gowling WLG's podcast on brand and design clearance. My name is Kate Swaine and I am the co-head of our global IP team. I am going to take you through the brand and design clearance process,…

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  • Reading time:11 mins read
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Selling your business – is an EOT the answer?

You may have heard of EOTs, and how they are an option for business owners to realise the value of their business.  An EOT is an Employee Ownership Trust, which is a trust that allows a company to become owned by its employees. Benefits for you If you are thinking of selling your business, selling to an EOT can be a great way to do so tax efficiently. Provided the…

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EU – Restricting Financial Ties to Combat Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing

On March 2, 2023, the European Union’s Court of Justice (CJEU) affirmed the legitimacy of penalties and administrative actions levied by the Financial and Capital Market Commission (FKTK) against PrivatBank to mitigate potential involvement in money laundering and terrorist financing. PrivatBank, based in Latvia, has shareholders A and B, both Cypriot nationals, and Unimain Holdings, a Cypriot company. These shareholders are also PrivatBank’s customers. The FKTK, which is the Central…

  • Post category:Finance Malta
  • Reading time:7 mins read
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India Additional Guidelines for Health and Wellness Celebrities and Influencers

On August 10, 2023, the Department of Consumer Affairs (“DCA”) issued additional guidelines for celebrities, influencers, and virtual influencers who endorse health and wellness products or services (“Guidelines”). The intention of these Guidelines is to curb misleading advertisements and unsubstantiated claims, and to promote transparency in health and wellness endorsements. These Guidelines expand DCA’s existing “Guidelines for Prevention of Misleading Advertisements and Endorsements for Misleading Advertisements, 2022” and “Endorsement Know-hows!”…

  • Post category:Spice route legal
  • Reading time:4 mins read
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The major trends in the semiconductor industry right now

In the past months, we witnessed two major semiconductor events across the globe: The 2023 Global Semiconductor Alliance’s (GSA) European Executive Forum gathered leading global senior executives on June 14-15 in Munich to embrace the most pressing issues affecting an industry caught in the throes of change. SEMICON West 2023 took place in San Francisco on July 11-13 to discuss key challenges affecting the global microelectronics industry. In this article, we’ve distilled the…

  • Post category:CapGemini
  • Reading time:14 mins read
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Helping Consumers Help Themselves

Tuck associate professor Lauren Grewal wouldn’t say she was destined to become an academic, yet her odds of following that career path were better than fifty-fifty. Both of her parents have been marketing professors, and Grewal has fond memories of being in their classrooms as a kid and thinking the college students were so cool. by Kirk Kardashian When she herself became a college student, at Brandeis, the influence of…

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Is Believing Our Kids Are Safer Worth Closing Off Some of Their Futures?

Fifteen months after the tragedy in Uvalde, many school districts in Texas and around the country are working with their local police departments to place more police officers inside schools. These officers—mostly known as school resource officers—will arrive at a fraught time. Just a few years ago, after George Floyd's murder, many districts ended their school resource officer programs in the wake of a backlash to policing in schools. The…

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‘Bunch of Weirdos’: Why Mainstream Investors Buy Crypto

In a little more than a decade, investors have transformed cryptocurrency from a techno-curiosity into a trillion-dollar-plus opportunity that has the potential to one day reshape the global economy. Yet in the past 10 years, little has been revealed about the investors who have signed on for this wild ride. That is, until now. A new study by Harvard Business School professor Marco Di Maggio shows that on average, cryptocurrency…

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Horatio Alger Is a Hoax, But We Can Still Celebrate the American Dream

  The Horatio Alger Myth has resurfaced in headlines this summer in political controversy that shows little insight into the true character behind this myth of American success. Alger was a scandalized failure whose recreated image was later manufactured by publicity seeking publishers in the 1920s several decades after his death. Is that really something partisans of either persuasion should celebrate? The failed writer Horatio Alger of the 19th century…

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Dating, Marriage, Parenting, and the Gender Wage Gap

On average, women earn 79 cents on the dollar compared to men—a figure that has been repeated by economists and politicians for years. It has proven a simple way to underscore a persistent and complex problem in the United States. Although factually correct, the finding that women make less than 80% of what men do doesn’t tell the full story about gender in the workplace. Mushfiq Mobarak, professor of economics,…

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Basis Period Reform: A Change to the Way that Profit is Allocated

The objective is to tax profits based on the tax year instead of the profits for the 12 months to the accounting date in the tax year. The changes will take effect from the 2024/25 tax year, with transitional rules applying in 2023/24. The reform affects individuals who are self-employed, including partners in trading partnerships, if their accounting periods are not aligned to the tax year (dates from 31 March…

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  • Reading time:5 mins read
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The Power of Gratitude in the Workplace – with Scott Colby

Scott explores why gratitude is a form of self-care, why it’s good business to implement a gratitude practice, and the impact of workplace loneliness. He also reveals the reason that 79% of workers leave their jobs, the transformative power of a handwritten note and how 36 questions can build long-lasting connections. Show Topics Lessons from Guatemala for healthcare leaders Gratitude is a form of self-care The power of handwritten notes …

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Identify Critical Roles to Improve Performance

Leaders like to show that they value employees. They proclaim that everyone on the team is critical to the organization’s success. As uplifting as that sentiment is, it simply isn’t true. Talent can be a source of competitive advantage only if great people are in the most critical roles. Having stars in jobs that aren’t critical is just a waste of talent. It’s accepted wisdom in strategy execution that focused…

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Considerations for Expanding into New Pet Food Markets

Launching into a new market requires careful consideration of the industry trends, target consumers, competitive landscape, product mix, and operations investment. This is no different for the pet food industry. The pet food industry is growing yearly and is expected to reach an 8% CAGR by 2023, with consumers spending $51 million on pet food alone. As such, companies looking to take advantage of this market growth should evaluate their potential…

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Improving EV batteries with real-world driving data

To improve EV batteries, study them on the road. New research shows adding real-world driving data to battery management software and computer models of battery pack performance can lead to longer-lasting, more reliable batteries. By Mark Shwartz Driving styles, temperature, and charging patterns can affect battery health. (Image credit: Getty Images) Most electric vehicles are equipped with an electronic brain that manages day-to-day battery performance and safety. This battery management…

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Reinventing the Way We Work (Again)

The last time we talked about returning to the office, you suggested that we take this opportunity to think about the workplace—not just how to organize workers and cubicles, and whether we mask, and what the hybrid policy is, but to assess how our organization works, and how we‘re working together as a team. Now it’s 2023. Do you think that those conversations are still needed? Absolutely. For the most…

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5 financial tips for women going through a divorce

Divorce is always an emotionally challenging experience for everybody involved. But women often take on more of the financial burden at the end of a marriage. Research from Legal & General shows that there is a significant “gender divorce gap” as women experience a 33% drop in their income, compared with just 18% for men. This could be due to the gender pay gap, where women are likely to earn…

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Industrial Automation and Investment Implications

Industrial automation is top-of-mind for manufacturers and logistics companies, especially given the prevailing labor shortage and escalating material and labor expenses.  Key market players, such as Robotics Manufacturers, Distributors, and Systems Integrators (SIs), have been widening their offerings to meet evolving demand, causing a surge in mergers and acquisitions. Consolidation across the value chain is intensifying, and players are now having to compete with current and former partners, in addition…

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CSA guidance on Public Crypto Funds – What fund managers need to know

The number and size of public investment funds in Canada that hold crypto assets (Public Crypto Asset Funds) has grown rapidly since the first Public Crypto Asset Fund was launched in Canada in 2020. On July 6, 2023, the Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) published CSA Staff Notice 81-336 Guidance on Crypto Asset Investment Funds that are Reporting Issuers (the Staff Notice) to provide guidance to fund managers regarding the operation…

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Practical Guidance for Economic Operators: Detecting and Preventing Sanctions Evasion and Circumvention in Trade

Economic operators play a vital role in ensuring that the sanctions regime is effective. Non-compliance with the sanctions regime by economic operators will dilute the effectiveness of the sanctions being imposed by the EU, the UN or other competent authorities. It is therefore key that the appropriate measures are adopted by economic operators in order to mitigate and manage sanctions evasion and circumvention risks. Circumvention is the practice through which…

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  • Reading time:4 mins read
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6 Common Barriers to Employee Success and How to Remove Them

Employee engagement is a crucial factor in driving organizational success. Effective employee listening reveals the obstacles hindering employees from reaching their full potential. Research from Perceptyx has repeatedly identified six common barriers to engagement:     Recognition and reward Growth and development Continuous improvement and innovation Communication Collaboration and teamwork Empowerment In this article, we’ll discuss these barriers, incorporating recent insights from our research and case studies to provide a…

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  • Reading time:12 mins read
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Mandatory tax disclosure requirements for taxpayers, promoters and advisors

Bill C-47, An Act to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on March 28, 2023 (Bill C-47), received royal assent on June 22, 2023. Bill C-47 includes a major expansion of the mandatory disclosure rules for “reportable transactions” and the introduction of disclosure requirements for “notifiable transactions”. These rules require reporting to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) of the reportable transaction within 90 days after the earlier…

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  • Reading time:12 mins read
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Drive profits with dynamic pricing

Dear retailer, let’s talk about pricing. Pricing holds immense power when it comes to driving profits. The better you wield this power, the greater your returns. In the fiercely competitive retail landscape, it is crucial for retailers like you to assess their competition. Understanding where you stand in relation to your main rivals is key to winning over customers. In a previous article, we discussed the importance of competitor intelligence,…

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  • Reading time:3 mins read
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Solar for All Program Aims to Broaden Access to Residential Solar Energy

Congress approved new investments in clean energy at an unprecedented scale in November 2021’s Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (“IIJA”) and August 2022’s Inflation Reduction Act (“IRA”). These laws expanded or created dozens of tax incentives and grant programs to support investment in established renewable energy technologies, like solar and wind, and in technologies earlier in the adoption curve, like hydrogen and carbon capture & sequestration. While the IIJA and…

  • Post category:Rich May law firm
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Do HNWIs need to tighten their belts?

One of the most noticeable aspects of the cost of living crisis is how widespread it has become. Nobody seems to be immune, not even the wealthy. Even if you have accumulated a comfortable amount of wealth, you still need to buy groceries, take flights, pay bills and visit restaurants. The sharp intake of breath that comes with price rises can be experienced by anyone. Feeling the pinch appears to…

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How can you measure software developer productivity

Compared with other critical business functions such as sales or customer operations, software development is perennially undermeasured. The long-held belief by many in tech is that it’s not possible to do it correctly—and that, in any case, only trained engineers are knowledgeable enough to assess the performance of their peers. Yet that status quo is no longer sustainable. Now that most companies are becoming (to one degree or another) software…

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  • Reading time:13 mins read
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How China can Reverse Its Economic Slump

Why did the Chinese central bank cut rates? The modest monetary easing of mid-August—just 10 to 15 basis points off short-term repo rates —is a limited response to a Chinese economy that is under serious downward pressure. Most, including myself, were expecting sustained momentum in the economy in 2023 to be driven by a snapback from the COVID-related lockdowns of late 2022. While there was evidence of such a bounce…

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Who is Winning the Tech Cold War

If world leaders learn only one lesson from the war in Ukraine, it should be that the ability to rapidly innovate—to invent, adopt, and effectively integrate new technologies—can have profound implications for combat outcomes. Outgunned and outnumbered, Ukrainians took a page from the U.S. playbook and turned to technology to gain an advantage over the adversary. They deftly adopted Starlink satellite communications, turned commercial drones into flying bombs, and, quickly…

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Market Entry Strategy: Mastering Business Expansion

Imagine a canvas where businesses paint their aspirations of growth and expansion. Market entry strategies provide the brushes, colors, and strokes required to bring those aspirations to life. These strategies are meticulously crafted blueprints that guide businesses in penetrating new markets, unearthing fresh customer bases, and solidifying their global footprint. A market entry strategy transcends mere market presence—it’s a calculated journey aimed at capitalizing on opportunities, mitigating risks, and achieving…

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This is How you can make a strong start as a CEO

In this episode of the Inside the Strategy Room podcast, two authors of a recent article on the CEO transition discuss how incoming leaders can make the most of their first 12 months in the role. Carolyn Dewar, who co-leads McKinsey’s CEO excellence work, is a co-author of last year’s bestseller CEO Excellence: The Six Mindsets That Distinguish the Best Leaders from the Rest. Kurt Strovink is co-leader of McKinsey’s global…

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  • Reading time:17 mins read
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The seat of the male libido. What?

A team of Stanford Medicine researchers have shown in male mice that a particular neuronal circuit is responsible for sexual arousal and for the actions and pleasure that ensue, opening avenues for treatment in men. The brain’s hardwired housing for male mammalian sex drive, behavior and reward looks to be a one-stop shop. Stanford Medicine investigators have mapped out a dedicated brain circuit in male mice that is tripped off…

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Biden Was Justified to Send Cluster Munitions to Ukraine

The recent White House announcement that it would send cluster munitions to Ukraine was met with both criticism and applause. The administration defended its decision, noting that Russia has been using these munitions to attack Ukraine and that Kyiv has been asking for these munitions for self-defense purposes. They have now begun to arrive. The decision has unsurprisingly proved divisive. The typically conservative editorial page of the Wall Street Journal…

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The importance of “Allies”

Alliances matter. Not even superpowers can go it alone. Today alliances around the world are shifting, and not always in America’s favor. To be sure, there has been some good news for the United States and its friends. The Ukraine War has revived NATO as an alliance and (largely) unified it in support of Ukraine. Meanwhile, the formerly neutral Finland and Sweden applied for membership in NATO: Finland joined in…

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‘Lockdown Fatigue’ Diminished the Effectiveness of COVID-19 Restrictions

In early 2020, as restrictions imposed to contain the coronavirus swept across the world, concerns about “lockdown fatigue” followed closely in their wake. As early as spring and early summer in the U.S., media commentators worried that lockdown policies were chafing, and that a critical mass of weary rule-breakers could render such policies ineffective. But were the fears about the diluting effects of lockdown fatigue warranted? After all, it was…

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EU Adopts Mandatory ESG Reporting Standards

In January 2023, the European Union adopted the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), which requires EU and non-EU companies with activities in the EU to file annual sustainability reports alongside their financial statements. These reports must be prepared in accordance with European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS). On July 31, 2023, the European Commission adopted the first set of ESRS. The ESRS soon will become law and will apply directly in…

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Cross border M&A – Tips for international buyers doing deals in Canada

Doing an M&A transaction across borders means increased complexity and risk for the parties involved, but careful planning — guided by experienced advice — can help ensure nothing gets lost in translation. Our first set of 10 tips for U.S. professionals doing private M&A deals in Canada covers everything from why structuring an earn-out clause as a “reverse earn-out” is a good tax strategy to the nuances of procuring representation…

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  • Reading time:10 mins read
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A new generation of work(ers)

Born between 1997 and 2012, Gen Zers are different from previous generations. Unafraid to speak up or break long-established taboos, a Gen Z team member might leave the office at 17.00 (five o’clock) sharp because they have football practice, even if there is more work to do. They might also question the company’s stance on a controversial social issue. More broadly, headlines such as “Generation Disconnected: Data on Gen Z…

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