Ireland Inc.
Innovation is more than invention

Global perception, economic recovery, national social fabric needs are being intensely debated across political and social lines. This is a good thing, and part of a healthy democratic system. In support of these critical national needs, innovation will be an integral part of driving a progressive political, economic, and social agenda. As discussion about how to create, and deploy innovation for Ireland Inc evolves, it's important to have a robust dialogue about what real innovation means. 

Innovation is not a "gee whiz" idea. Innovation is not simply about a new invention where people can say "hey, that's cool". Innovation is about hard work, and the ability to take ideas, and lead for results. It's a process that integrates the ability to identify good ideas, and lead for results. It's a process that integrates the ability to identify good ideas, thought leadership skills to enhance, drive relevant change and collaboration, and most importantly, ability to deploy tangible economic, academic, social or political result.

It's all about the results. 

I have seen the innovation deployed in many forms. My experience in global leadership roles with IBM, Various Boards, and as Chairman of the Board European Tech Cluster has provided me with a wonderful vantage point across global and local implementations. 

From an IBM perspective, all successful companies are in the same busines - the business of innovation. It's a risky venture, from start-up to multinational, the companies that sustain and grow are those that know how to create solutions to fulfil unmet customer needs. 

Smarter Planet

The world and industry is becoming more instrumented, interconnected and intelligent. These improvements are allowing leaders and citizens alike to take advantage of these smarter systems for progressive ideas and implementation of solutions based on thought leadership, analytics and address pressing problems. 

This drives true innovation and a Smarter Planet, from helping Government streamline and innovate effectively, helping Ireland Inc businesses grow globally, supporting traffic or polution control in Dublin, Galway SmarterBay Project, Water Management Model in Cork, IBM Global Entrepreneur program for start-ups among others. 

As Chairman of the Board, European Tech Cluster I have also seen an exciting Cluster model develop. The European Tech Cluster is an innovative organisation. It is industry led organisation, comprised of 300 IT companies, Multinationals, Mid-Size, Start-ups - IBM, EMC, McAffee, McKesson, Dell, KPMG, Moog, GxP Systems, PFH, Smarttech, Zartis, Ourland.ie, Cameo, Initiate Events, among many others. Regional roots, National impact, Global reach... Innovation in motion. 

The innovative vision is driving a collaborative team and strategy across industry, government, academia, for economic , social and academic results and it's working. 

Economic results include Upstart model helping start-ups grow, where it's first foray called DealStart has driven collaboration and deals between start-ups and multinationals. The Innovation That Matters program has also helped start-ups penetrate the Chinese marketplace. 

From an Academic perspective, the Adopt a School