UCD Business Impact Podcast

Season 5 Episode 8 – Top Soft Skills Employers Want in 2025—and How to Showcase Them in the Age of AI

Louise Campbell | Senior Manager of Smurfit Careers Network

15th April 2025 - In a rapidly changing job market, the traditional CV just doesn’t cut it anymore. In this episode, Louise Campbell shares essential insights on the evolving recruitment landscape—and what graduates need to know to stand out.

With hiring trends shifting towards soft skills, adaptability, and cross-functional collaboration, Louise explores how graduates can thrive by showcasing emotional intelligence, communication abilities, and critical thinking—especially in high-pressure interview simulations and real-time assessments.

We also dive into how AI, gamification, and data-driven decision-making are transforming recruitment processes, and why employers now value skills-based profiles over traditional résumés. If you're preparing to enter the workforce or planning your next career move, this is a must-listen episode packed with actionable tips for succeeding in a competitive and tech-driven job market.

 

 

Season 5 Episode 7 – Explaining AI: Building Smarter, More Transparent Technology for Business

Assistant Professor Miguel Nicolau | Business Analytics and Computer Science

25th March 2025 - How can biologically inspired computing shape the future of AI in business? In this episode, we explore how nature’s principles help evolve better technological solutions, the role of explainable AI, and the growing challenge of trusting machine-generated decisions in business.

Join us as we discuss the balance between AI’s immense power and understanding real-world applications with insights from a computer scientist in a business school.

 

Season 5 Episode 6 – Morality, Bias, and the Future of AI: How Technology Shapes - and Reflects - Society

Associate Professor Marius Claudy | Marketing and Psychology

In this thought-provoking episode, we sit down with Marius Claudy, Associate Professor of Marketing, to explore the profound ways morality influences our relationship with technology. He discusses the ethical dilemmas of algorithmic bias and unpacks the nuances of how political views, social conditioning, and human psychology shape our trust in emerging tech. As regulation looms on the horizon, we ask: How can we design technology to foster fairness rather than reinforce bias? And what lessons can we learn to ensure AI serves society equitably?

In addition, he also explains how UCD’s new MSc in Management (Online) embraces AI-driven innovation to enhance learning. From generating synthetic datasets to transforming lecture materials, AI fosters self-directed learning and prepares students for the evolving business landscape. This programme equips future leaders to adapt and drive change in education and industry.

 

 

Season 5 Episode 5 – Stronger Boards, Smarter Decisions: The Power of Purpose and Cognitive Diversity

Dr Margaret Cullen | Programme Director of Diploma in Corporate Governance 

Governance expert Dr Margaret Cullen explores the biggest challenges facing corporate boards and shares actionable solutions to navigate uncertainty. She highlights the power of a clear corporate purpose in fostering collaboration between the board, CEO, and executive team and explains why cognitive diversity is key to driving success. 

Plus, she shares a vital warning for boards to always monitor the external environment to stay ahead of change.

Tune in for expert insights on future-proofing leadership and maximising board effectiveness. Learn more about UCD Smurfit Executive Development's Diploma in Corporate Governance here.

 

 

Season 5 Episode 4 – Turning Waste into Wealth: Sadhbh Wood’s Sustainable Start-up Story

Sadhbh Wood | CEO of Bean Around, UCD Quinn School alumna

In this inspiring episode, we sit down with UCD Quinn School alumna Sadhbh Wood, a trailblazing entrepreneur who turned recycled coffee grounds into a thriving skincare business. Hear how she became the first Irish finalist in the International Hult Prize, the world’s largest social entrepreneurship competition for students.
Sadhbh shares her start-up story, the challenges of building a sustainable brand, and her ambitious plans to take her company global.
Plus, we chat with UCD’s Hult Prize Committee to uncover how students can enter this year’s competition and turn their innovative ideas into real-world impact.

 

Season 5 Episode 3 – From Politics and Tech Bros to Bitcoin and Airport Caps, 2024 a Year in Review

Donal O'Donovan and Catherine Sanz | Business Journalists

Donal O’Donovan, Business Editor at the Irish Independent and Chairman of the Business Journalists Association of Ireland, and Catherine Sanz, journalist with the Business Post and winner of the Women in Business Journalism Award Category at the 2024 UCD Smurfit School Business Journalist Awards, look back over the leading business stories of 2024.

 

Season 5 Episode 2 – The Customer is Always Wrong

Assistant Professor Anshu Suri | Marketing and Consumer Behaviour

Dr Anshu Suri digs deep into the heart of consumer behaviour from why customers are more tolerant of brands supporting green initiatives, the real reasons people take to social media to list company complaints and why big firms neglect their customers. Listen to this fascinating conversation covering current consumer behaviour and where we’re headed in the future.

 

Season 5 Episode 1 – From Greenlabelling to Greenshifting: A Comprehensive Guide

Assistant Professor Fabiola Schneider | Climate Emergency and Sustainable Transitions

Greenlabeling, greenlighting and greenshifting. What does it all mean? Dr Fabiola Schneider offers a comprehensive guide on emerging jobs, UCD’s new course, sustainable investments and how businesses can navigate new regulations and work towards true green credentials.