Thirty nine percent of businesses say ‘generating business’ as the biggest challenge they face, followed by issues around managing a remote workforce (24%), and ensuring compliance with the Return to Work Protocols (21%).

This is according to the latest survey from the Association of Compliance Officers of Ireland (ACOI). While the survey of over 600 ACOI member organisations revealed encouraging signs among the business community, it also shone a light on the challenges and concerns these businesses are facing.

The survey shows that over 88% of businesses are ready to trade compliantly in the new COVID-present environment and 93% have appointed a dedicated Return to Work compliance individual or team with responsibility for ensuring adherence to the back to work protocols.

Commenting on the survey, CEO of ACOI, Michael Kavanagh said, "Businesses face an uphill battle to get through these next few months and possibly years. A new EU economic report has found that Ireland’s economy is set to shrink 8.5% this year, so it is not surprising that business survival is the key concern. Generating sufficient new business is seen as the biggest oncoming challenge for Irish businesses. Issues around managing a remote workforce are also posing major difficulties for a quarter of Irish companies."

He added, "If anything, it is surprising that this figure isn’t higher given how new most management teams are to co-ordinating their operations remotely. The pandemic has forced a very steep learning curve for businesses and changed, almost overnight, how many of us operate, how we communicate, manage our workflows and systems, and troubleshoot and collaborate."

Source: www.businessworld.ie