5 essential tips for business owners of Cork

Our Little Island-based company recently hosted Motivate. Prepare. Empower in Cork - a leadership event focused on employee wellness and motivation, as well as the roll-out of Auto Enrolment pensions.

The response was overwhelming: more than 100 human resources (HR) professionals, business owners, and senior leaders gathered to hear from expert speakers on how to navigate the changing landscape of workplace wellbeing.

For me, one message came through loud and clear: employee wellbeing has evolved from a ‘nice to have’ to a strategic necessity.

The data s this - nearly 70% of Irish employees say wellness is a key priority in the workplace, yet more than a third feel their managers aren’t adequately trained to it.

Add financial anxiety into the mix, and you’ve got a perfect storm.

Here are five key takeaways I believe every leader should consider in light of the Cork event:

1. Leadership is a Sherpa Role

Bernard Jackman delivered a brilliant keynote address, reminding us that great leaders aren’t just figureheads - they’re guides.

He introduced the concept of the ‘Business Sherpa’, someone who helps others navigate challenges, build resilience, and achieve their potential.

Leadership today is about creating the conditions for people to thrive, not just hitting targets.

This theme was echoed by list and entrepreneur Pat Lucey, whose own leadership journey in business reinforces the importance of innovation, adaptability, and long-term thinking in building high-performing teams.

2. Auto Enrolment Is Coming - And So Are Big Changes

Auto Enrolment will fundamentally reshape how businesses approach pensions, with rollout set for January, 2026.

It’s a compliance issue, yes, but it’s also an opportunity for employers to show they value their staff’s long-term financial security.

My message is simple: don’t wait until the deadline. Start preparing now - budget for contributions, update payroll systems, and communicate clearly with your team. Get ahead, and you’ll build trust.

3. Financial Wellbeing Needs a Seat at the Table

We talk about mental and physical wellbeing, but financial wellbeing is still the missing piece in many organisations.

Our - including Mairéad O’Driscoll (aka The Tax Nerd), Carrie McDermott of MDM Solicitors, Richard O’Neill from Zurich, and David Looney from Alpha Wealth - all agreed: financial stress doesn’t stay at home. It shows up in productivity dips, absenteeism and disengagement. Helping staff manage their finances is no longer optional - it’s a leadership responsibility.

4. Tax Planning and Financial Literacy are Game-Changers

Mairéad O’Driscoll spoke about the power of tax planning, and I couldn’t agree more.

Too many people - employees and employers alike - are leaving money on the table because they don’t understand the tax system.

As a leader, you have the opportunity to empower your team by providing access to financial education, workshops, and resources that help them make smarter choices.

5. Don’t Just Prepare for Auto Enrolment - Build a Culture of

Auto Enrolment is one piece of the puzzle. The bigger picture is creating a culture where your team feels valued, ed, and set up for success. That means being proactive, not reactive.

It means asking: how can we lead with empathy? How can we help our people feel more secure in their financial lives, so they’re free to focus on doing their best work?

At Alpha Wealth, we’re ionate about helping employers turn financial uncertainty into confidence.

Events like this one are about more than information - they’re about inspiration.

As I said on the day: “Auto Enrolment will be one of the most significant shifts in workplace benefits in over a decade.

“Employers need to act now to prepare, as the rollout will require new payroll processes, budget planning, and communication with staff. This is an opportunity for employers to show they care about their teams’ long-term security - and that matters.”

Let’s stop thinking of employee wellness as a perk. It’s a strategic priority - and when you lead with that mindset, everyone wins.

Nick Charalambous is Managing Director of Alpha Wealth, an impartial financial advisor. With a Cypriot background and having been raised and educated in London, Nick has worked in investment and private banking for some of the biggest banks in the world. He has more than 25 years of financial services experience in Cork.