In 2008 the Irish government decided to position Ireland as an "innovation economy".
Great, but is anything similar happening in the North?
Subsequent difficulties with financial turbulence may have dulled Ireland's focus somewhat, but here are three exciting action signs that this visionary Irish initiative is gaining momentum.
Three actions that should cover the NI government with guilt due to their lack of initiative in providing a clear vision for the economy.
First action; the clear indicator of intent evident in the Spring 09 announcement that the government has signed an agreement with ESB and carmaker Renault-Nissan to radically increase the usage of electric vehicles in Ireland.
Not only does this align Ireland with Israel and Denmark at the forefront of the commercial application of green technology, it also provides a platform for future development of businesses in related areas. There is the additional enormous benefit of branding - Ireland being seen as a leading innovator and thus attracting other innovative initiatives.
The specific business model being used for the roll-out over the next few years was featured in last weekend's Sunday Times magazine - and it looks like a winner. Check out www.betterplace.com/
Second action; the high profile Global Irish Economic Forum held at Farmleigh attracted the interest and continuing attention of powerful, innovative, entrepreneurial world business leaders from the Irish diaspora. There is a Northern (but ignored!) diaspora too.
Third action; Ireland has now secured the hugely important EU research and innovation portfolio, "which resonates very strongly with our own Smart Economy agenda” to quote Brian Cowen. He also said that the Research and Innovation Commissioner, Maire Geoghegan-Quinn, will play a key role in the drive to maintain and create jobs, and stimulate economic growth in Europe.
These three notable actions, together with the overarching vision, inspire me.
In spite of all the obstacles, diversions and difficulties, the people in the Republic have a real vision and economic strategy, led by their much-maligned politicians and being demonstrably implemented. It is actually under way.
In the North, so far as I can see, while small photo-opportunity wins may be achieved, our Ministers and MLAs have no obvious compelling vision or strategy for the economy.
Nothing to excite our imagination. No economic leadership, no vision, no strategy, no action. No inspiration. Just a vacuum. And a mindset of reactivity.
The complete opposite of innovation and entrepreneurship.
Go on, persuade me I'm wrong. I want to be inspired!
Find out more about Will at http://www.willmckee.ie/
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7 comments:
Willo, good lad. Inspiration is good. Do you think that a small(ish) region like NI should be hooking its horses up to one sector (e.g. Green Tech), or multiple sectors?
To unpack what I'm talking about, there are stacks of "green" firms kicking around, manufacturing, consulting etc etc. Do you feel that there are openings for companies to provide services to these other companies, to "join them up" or fill in the blanks? Everyone wants to be a brick; no-one wants to be cement - why is that?
Knock me down if I'm being naive - just a fecking doctor after all.
GOW
I think you've missed the fact that the entrepreneurial/innovation problem seems to stem from our MLAs' relationships with feet, (just some examples of real quotes from actual press reports about our leaders) see below:
Foot in the mouth
Both feet in the mouth
Dragging feet
Grass growing under their feet
Sitting feet apart
Pulling the rug from under their feet
Stamping their feet
Get on their feet
Get off their feet
It might not be a foot but it's a good eight inches! (ok, this one I made up!)
Unsteady on their feet
Cold feet
Feet under the table
Keep one's feet on the ground
.....and last, but not least........
Which foot do you kick with?
ROI seems to have a sense of their place in the bigger game, i.e. providing for themselves by adding real value to Europe.
In NI we just can't break away from the provincial... too small, too insular, too fractured, too scared!
There are good sectors to play in - green tech, biotech, digital content etc - but we almost need a single commercial entity for each, to harness all of the individual talents and to build the scale needed to compete in international markets.
Maybe we need a change in attitude across our entire oeuvre. Time to stop celebrating mediocrity. Why did we call our second largest airport after a tragic footballer who drank himself to death, rather than after the aviation and engineering pioneer and entrepreneur Harry Ferguson?
Where are Rick and Bug? Willo - they should be commenting on your blog!
Adversity and struggle drives entrepreneurship and innovation - perhaps we're all just too darn comfy!
Not sure we should be chuckin rocks at the folks on the hill about that, as it takes a couple of generations to change the mind-set of a nation.
Come on GOW, sure we had all those American businessmen over 6 months ago. And look at the difference that made to the business outlook!!
I jest of course. We seem to have no problem getting rich folk to drop in once in a while, long term commitment seems harder to nail down, but is that a political problem, or is it just that "it's nice to visit Northern Ireland, but I wouldn't want to work there".
Perhaps we are too small, too insular for the people to reach critical innovation mass, but are politicians going to provide the necessary leadership to unite NI's Innovation fire? It's just a suggestion, but perhaps focusing on a global niche (like electric cars) is the way only way to do it. Pick a niche (like we did with ship building a while ago) and unite our undoubted talent to make a golbal impact. Robinson and McGuinness could be the new Harland and Wolff!!
Maybe it is more like Laurel and Hardy!
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