2021 saw a number of winners and losers in the world of technology. From NFTs, a venture capital boom and 5G expansion to cybersecurity woes and folding phones, it was an eventful year both here in Ireland and internationally. But what soared and what stank? Adrian and Vizlegal CEO Gavin Sheridan pick the winners and losers in the tech year that was.

Irish Independent Tech Editor Adrian Weckler hosts this award-winning business podcast which dives deep into the biggest industry advances and tracks the key movers and shakers behind the innovation. From interviewing Big Tech CEOs to investigations into how tech affects our working lives, the show has become Ireland’s most listened-to technology podcast.

Every week we analyse the big tech issues, interv…

The Big Tech Show

2021 saw a number of winners and losers in the wo…

Tech, Ireland and 2021: the big losers and the winners

When will the new Range Rover EV land? Is it a good time for the brand to go full EV? And what is being worked on in their centre for excellence in Shannon? 
Jaguar Land Rover has achieved its highest ever yearly sales and its biggest profit in almost 
 a decade. This is driven by record sales, particularly of Range Rovers with around 133,000 vehicles ordered at the end of the financial year (2023), and three quarters of those were Range Rovers, range Rover Sport and Defender models. 
Adrian was joined on The Big Tech Show this week by General Manager at the Jaguar Land Rover facility in Shannon, Paul Girr. 
When asked by Adrian about concerns about long term take up of EVs, Girr responded that the company has no real concerns in terms of adoption of electric vehicles in the future. 
You can listen to the full episode here on the Irish Independent website or wherever you get your podcasts. 

Jaguar Land Rover’s plans to disrupt with Range Rover EV despite infrastructure concerns 

Why do some companies still see remote working as a positive force for their workforce? How can leadership teams adapt? And how is Ireland informing the culture as a global powerhouse?

On The Big Tech Show this week, Adrian is joined by eBay Ireland Site Leader and Senior Director of Customer Experience, Siobhan Curtin.

From answering phones to running global operations: the meteoric rise of eBay’s Siobhan Curtin

Is remote working creating a mental health crisis? Are those working from home overeating? And what can be done to improve mental health in the digital workforce? 

On The Big Tech Show this week, Adrian is joined by the CEO of mental health and wellbeing platform Kara Connect, Tobba Vigfusdottir. 

Kara Connect has done research this year showing that in 2024 mental health issues cost an employer €1,500 per employee per annum. 

Vigfusdottir says that since the pandemic we have seen a surge in mental health issues because of two factors: our relationship with phones changing and the de-stigmatization of mental health issues. The latter has led more people to enlist the help of mental health services. 

The Icelander pointed out that the younger generation of workers beginning their careers are arriving in the world of work very stressed. She gave the statistic that almost 46 percent of young workers feel bad or anxious most of the time which is contributing to psychiatric waiting lists. 

Tobba stated that those who work from home have most difficulty in physical health and nutrition. She said that nutrition issues then compound, and the worker feels a sense of shame at the prospect of returning to the office. 

You can listen to the full episode here on the Irish Independent website or wherever you get your podcasts.

Tech, Ireland and 2021: the big losers and the winners

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