James Mailley

"Sticks in a bundle are unbreakable."Introducing the first in our new series of @isme_ie Members’ Voice where our CEO, Neil McDonnell provides regular updates on the main issues our members are facing, what engagements the ISME team is having with Government, and what lies ahead.

Here’s a clear explanation of why Trump attacked Iran, and why I think the war will end soon. The war isn't about nuclear weapons. It's not about helping the Iranian people. It’s not about doing Israel’s bidding. And it's not about Iran being a threat to the U.S. It's about China. China imports 45-57% of its oil through the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has the capacity to shut it down. A U.S.-aligned Iran means an Iran that would choke off that strait if there's ever a real power struggle between Washington and Beijing. And there already is one. The U.S. and China have been locked in a tariff war for over a year now. Also remember when China threatened export controls on rare earths, encompassing any company anywhere in the world that uses Chinese rare earths? Yes, China essentially said that any company that uses their rare earths (China refines 85-90% of the world’s supply) must seek their permission before exporting their products. This means if a German manufacturer uses rare earths fro China to create chips for American companies, China can block the export of these chips. That’s how much leverage China has over the U.S., and that’s dangerous, especially if China finally decides to reunify with Taiwan. So controlling the Strait of Hormuz becomes critical for the U.S. It's the same reason Trump wants China out of the Panama Canal. The same reason Venezuela matters. The same reason he's eyeing Greenland, where shipping routes to China pass through melting Arctic ice. Energy is everything now. The AI arms race is the most important strategic competition on the planet. Limiting China's access to energy is how the U.S. wins that race, and anyone who believes in freedom and democracy should want America to win. China is investing heavily in domestic energy, building nuclear reactors, solar farms, wind power. They're leapfrogging the rest of the world. But they still import the majority of their oil. And a significant chunk of it comes through the Strait of Hormuz. Iran was reportedly nearing a deal for supersonic anti-ship cruise missiles from China, which would make it easier for Iran to threaten shipping in the Strait and strike U.S. naval vessels. That accelerated the timeline. Trump's comment today about doing in Iran what he did in Venezuela makes perfect sense in this context. He wants influence over who comes next. A regime that's workable for Washington. If he succeeds, this would be a massive strategic win for the U.S. and for Trump.

Carol Bellamy reminds every business owner to value their worth. @IsmeIreland is proud to have Carol and the @IPDGA as a member as both organisations are focused on giving a voice to small businesses in Ireland! #InternationalWomensDay #IWD #WomenInBusiness #WomenEntrepreneur

Unchartered waters. @IsmeIreland's CEO speaking on @rtenews. Ships bound for the US last week will disembark under yet another new tariff regime. As for some stability for the Taoiseach’s visit to the White House next month – perhaps that ship has also sailed.

Business costs not moderating in line with cooling of inflation, ISME says irishtimes.com/business/2026/…

Business and labour costs top list of SME concerns businessplus.ie/news/business-…

‘39% of [businesses] cited the cost of insurance as their main worry. Despite extensive legal reforms in recent years, employer liability, public liability, professional indemnity and motor insurance remain stubbornly high, ISME said.’ #InsuranceReform rte.ie/news/business/…

#SCOvENG Scotland knead to keep things tight so they don’t batter us in the second half. Not raising my hopes too early #FlourOfScotland

What does @Finbarr chair of ISME have in common with Frank Sinatra? And what belief has powered his success in business across the years. This IS_ME #This_IS_ME #IrishBusiness #SMEIreland

@johnmellencamp @billmaher asked @johnmellencamp about lyrics that stuck. On a sleeve cover - words I will never forget “There is nothing more sad or glorious than generations changing hands” Beautiful and bold. I’m a fan forever

ROCK in the USA on the summer tour #setlist

ISME urges Minister Burke to release funds from the Flooding Support Scheme as soon as possible to give already hard-pressed SMEs the chance to resume trading as soon as possible. #StormChandra #flooding irishtimes.com/ireland/2026/0…

This is how the WORLD should be ♥️

#Harris sounding and looking like my President (If I was American)

Chapeau @DavidWalshST in today’s Sunday Times on the extent “fan exuberance” being increasingly a part of sport. Imagine a Darts crowd in the Crucible or the Phoenix Open’s Hole 16 crowd at Wimbledon. I fear this is further evidence that Social Media has the 4th wall in rubble.

AI or lie? By simply “mentioning” AI on earnings calls, share prices were 40% more likely to increase. I think this exacerbates the exaggeration around AI, with claims that IT tools are AI powered when they often have only quite basic, rules-based alerts accntu.re/3JwgdJp

“AI won’t take your job - people who know AI will” One of the many memorable take-aways from the #talentsummit2024. Also how “table-stakes” has entered the HR vernacular for minimum expectation! Well done @RobMacGP and Sigmar Recruitment for a super event #ai

The latest fancy title to take a seat at the boardroom table looks set to be the CAIO – the Chief AI Officer. How long till we say ciao to the CAIO! Waiting for the PR release saying the new CAIO is – you guessed it – an AI itself! bit.ly/NextBoardroomF…

While great to see today's news that Ireland’s investment in research and development topped €1bn in 2023, we are only mid-table on a per-capita basis across the EU. We should be diverting some of the monies from our two rainy-day funds into accelerated investment in R&D.

Chapeau Patrick - wonderful show capped by authentic words about the importance of making Christmas a joy for our children #LateLateToyShow