Failure Is An Option- Changing the psyche of Irish business

As we look around at the successes of the modern world we live in, you may be forgiven for thinking that the human race has been exceptionally successful. The microchip, automobiles, phones, computers, electricity, the whole progression of the human race has been built upon it’s successes. Well actually no it hasn’t, we are here because of our ability to build upon failures and using reason to make sure failure doesn’t happen again. This is the story of the world we see around us today.  Failure built our world. 

So it is in business. In Ireland we seem to think upon failure as an expression of the person. The business failed because the person running the business is a failure. They didn’t think of that silver bullet that kept them afloat or turned their company around. Our bankruptcy laws are testiment to this fact; it now takes twleve years to be realeased from the bracket of bankruptcy. Our banks (whats left of them) tend to frown upon those who have shown business failure by looking at how they have failed, but never ask ‘So you failed in your last business venture, but what did you learn from it?’. When we view failure in this country we see as a stick to beat people with, instead what we should be doing is asking what they have learned and in turn learn from them.

In the USA the bankruptcy laws are designed to ensure quick turn around from failure to success for entrepreneurs (not dodgy bankers wanting to escape the wrath of an Irish public and pay back the people he worked for!). To have a company that has failed before has become a badge of honor, a item to say look what I did before, I have learned from my failure. In Ireland we need to change our thinking about failure in business. We have it built into our psyche that to fail is to be a failure yourself. This is not true, nor should we endorse such an idea. To fail is to learn and we must treat it as such. 

When I embarked out on my voyage of discovery with our magazine I had all the ideas in the world and of course they were all going to work! We were going to create the best business magazine in Ireland, get it on every shelf and give small business something that was just for them. But it didn't work out that way and I failed. But with that failure came a greater desire for success. I took the what I had done wrong and began to move it with. Now we are launching a brand new website dedicated to SMEs with a podcast, news and information, specialised articles and within a few months videos. I don’t mind telling you that I failed because I can also tell you why I failed...I didn’t listen to the failures before me. If your business is failing or you have failed ask yourself what you have learned and soon you’ll realise your 'failure' has become your biggest asset.

 Irish business needs to begin to change it’s attitude towards failure and needs to realise that Failure is an option. 

Social Media- It's About Community

The power of social media has been apparent for sometime now; It’s power to circumvent ridiculous gagging orders, It’s power to highlight the plight of nations and its power to bring a group of people together in common cause. This week I was privileged to witness first hand the power of social media.

Early in the morning we got chatting with Debbie from Tus Nua Designs about the plight of the small business community in Ireland. Feeling inspired and empowered Debbie decided that the SME community in Ireland needed a place to go on Twitter where they could talk easily to other small business people. Soon we were joined by Olwen Dawe from Irish Business Intelligence who shared our enthusiasms for helping the small business community. Armed with our hashtag (#SMEcommunity) we went out into the world of twitter to raise Irish small business into the spotlight. Before we knew what we had, small business people from across the country were joining in. They voiced concerns, showed support to small business, shared news and information useful to the SME community. A few hours later and #SMEcommunity was the number one trending item in Ireland. 

You see the thing about social media is that it’s a community of people. In this case it was small business people talking and showing the passion that they had for what they did.  The SME community in Ireland is one that fills this writer with a great sense of positivity. While the problems of SMEs have been quite evident in recent time (6 firms a day closing their doors forever on average), we must believe that we are going to survive and thrive. Although at times we feel that the world is coming down on top of us, we must not believe that we are alone. The SME community is out there waiting to listen, to help, to talk, to support and to encourage. We are all part of the same community and together we are showing that many people can have one voice. 

Together we can get Irish business moving in the right direction and will continue to be the shoulders on which our economy rests.

When your tweeting make sure you add #SMEcommunity or #YeSMEcan to your tweets to show support with or to talk to, the Irish SME community. 

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A Massive thank-you to Olwen from Irish Business Intelligence and Debbie from Tus Nua Designs for helping to create #SMEcommunity

New SME Advisory Group Launched

John Perry TD

The first meeting of the Small Business Advisory Group designed to act as a conduit between the Government and small business got underway this morning.

The Taoiseach Enda Kenny attended the meeting, which is chaired by the Minister For Small Business, John Perry.

The Minister for Small Business, John Perry said that "it is vitally important that as a Government we communicate what we are doing and that we hear close hand what issues need to be addressed more urgently and what measures can be considered to further support small business."

Minister Perry said that the Small Business Advisory Group would be working against the backdrop of the most difficult challenge ever confronted by this State in relation to the position of the public finances. "Any initiatives developed must have regard to what is deliverable in this context."

The broad terms of reference for the Small Business Advisory Group are to facilitate structured and regular dialogue between the Minister for Small Business and representatives of the small business sector on issues of concern to that sector on how to promote the economic development and job potential of the sector having regard to the current restraints imposed on the national finances and to recommend action points and follow up.

The Group is not being required to issue any report.

The Director of the Small Firms Association, Patricia Callan, welcomed today's launch of the Small Business Advisory Group. 

Group will advise SMEs

"Through the establishment of the Group, the Government have recognised the critical role that small firms play in the Irish economy and this forum will focus on the key concerns for small firms and ensure that the correct environment is created that will support them," Callan said. 

While recognising the financial constraints that the Government is operating under, Callan said it was essential that they continued to focus on where there will be a direct return on investment and that is through supporting small businesses in retaining jobs. 

"We need to ensure that the competitive environment is urgently created to allow small Irish firms compete, through tackling Government controlled costs such as electricity and other energy costs, local authority charges, regulatory burden and waste/water charges."

Teach A Man To Fish

With all the talk of bailouts from Ireland to Greece one thing has been abundantly clear, the people at the big boys table want their money back. Of course like any ‘good’ lender the ECB is keen to recoup its monies, but at what cost. The bigger, more financially secure, members of the EU have struggled to come to terms with the fallout of the biggest economic crisis in world history. Like a slighted lover  revenge seems to choke the air and daggers have been seen to flash under the robes of many discontented member states. Through all of the troubles of recent times Europe has remained fixed to its position that countries must take responsibility for their actions and begin to make reparations. What Europe fails to see properly is the plight of the countries involved and its own role the cause of the debacle.

The Bigger Picture

What Europe needs to understand is that its not payback time, its pro-active time. The solutions to the problem do not lie simply in asking for their money back. It must give countries an opportunity to prosper and grow and not simply to survive. If countries cannot be progressive then it stands to reason that the bailouts will not be worth the paper they are printed on.  Helping (or teaching) countries to be more competitive in the global economy by treating them like a business. Create a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) analysis to understand where the countries must go to create jobs, increase lending to SMEs and compete with bigger neighboring countries.  But with the onset of new sense of country protectionism this is unlikely to happen and it will cause irreparable damage to the future of the union and the euro.

A Union Fractured

When things were going well and money was pouring into every facet of European life, we were all friends. A pat on the back for Ireland doing so well and a sense of self satisfaction that Europe was at the forefront of a new economic utopia sweeping the world. Every country was buoyed by the prospect future of easy money and good living. However, when the seams began to rip apart countries went into self preservation mode. Like Judas at the last supper old friends claimed they never knew each other. Suddenly with bonds broken, countries fell back to their own borders to await the inevitable fallout and soon the union looked fractured and broken. Now instead of France and Germany been seen as part of the answer, they are seen as part of the problem. French president Nicolas Sarkozy’s adamant conviction that Ireland must relinquish its 12.5% corporation tax in order to get a better deal on our bailout, is proof of that point. Old anxieties have arisen to show up cracks that were paper over by financial prosperity. 

Taking Responsibility

You may or may not have seen the exchange of words between Manuel Barroso and Joe Higgins, where Higgins challenged Barroso on the fact that the EU and the ECB had not taken enough responsibility. Mr. Barroso did not take to kindly to this suggestion and insisted that Ireland's problems were of her own making:

The EU and IMFs inability to look back and take a certain amount of responsibility for the happenings over the past number years will cost it dear. Its time to admit that they got it wrong and that they are continuing to do so. Lending out more money to stem the tide caused by lending is an idea that could have only been cooked up by an entity in denial. The same entity that said it was good to borrow, borrow, borrow now allows itself to believe it had nothing to with the crisis and sits patiently with its head in the sand, unable to hear the can being kicked down the road.

Teach a Man To Fish

What the EU needs is new direction and a new way of thinking.  This thinking must involve working with countries to build an economic future which is good for them and the EU. A new way of thinking needs to be present that doesn’t involve ideas that seem to have come from an economics undergraduate; Sack public sector workers, increase taxes and make cuts to your vital services.  While on the outside those suggestions seem like good beginner solutions, the real problem is still left to wallow. Where will these countries produce jobs and begin to build an economy fit for purpose. In recent months we have seen a air of positivity sweep into Ireland. We are still in dark days but rays of light are beginning to poke through the clouds. We are coming up with solutions to solve our economic problems, while the ECB stands holding the bill.  Our ideas, our initiatives, our schemes and our SMEs are creating solutions.

Maybe the EU/ECB could learn a thing or two from us: Teach a man debt and that's all you’ll get, Teach a man to fish and he’ll bring you financial stability.

EU to Revamp Intellectual Property Rights

 

Intellectual property rights (IPR), which comprise patents, trademarks, designs and geographical indications, as well as copyright (authors' rights) and rights related to copyright (for performers, producers and broadcasters), have been around for centuries. Often, without our even realising, they affect our daily lives: they protect the technology we use (cars, mobile phones, trains), the food we eat and the music we listen to or the films we watch. But in the last few years, technological change and, in particular, the growing importance of online activities, have completely changed the world in which IPR operate. The existing mix of European and national rules are no longer adapted and need to be modernised. That is why the Commission has adopted today a comprehensive strategy to revamp the legal framework in which IPR operate. Our objective is to enable inventors, creators, users and consumers to adapt to the new circumstances and to enhance new business opportunities. The new rules will strike the right balance between promoting creation and innovation, in part by ensuring reward and investment for creators and, on the other hand, promoting the widest possible access to goods and services protected by IPR. Getting this balance right will make a real difference to businesses (from the individual artist working alone to the big pharmaceutical companies) by encouraging investment in innovation. This will benefit the EU's growth and competitiveness which is delivered through the single market. Consumers will benefit from wider and easier access to information and cultural content, for example online music. The strategy deals with many issues to ensure IPR are covered comprehensively - from the patent a business needs to protect an invention to tackling the misuse of such inventions via a proposal also adopted today which will strengthen action on counterfeiting and piracy. Among the first deliverables of this IPR overall strategy are today's proposals for an easier licensing system for so-called "orphan works" that will allow many cultural works to be accessible online, and for a new regulation to reinforce customs actions in fighting trade of IPR infringing goods.

"Ensuring the right level of protection of intellectual property rights in the single market is essential for Europe's economy. Progress depends on new ideas and new knowledge," said Internal Market Commissioner Michel Barnier. "There will be no investment in innovation if rights are not protected. On the other hand, consumers and users need to have access to cultural content, for example online music, for new business models and cultural diversity to both thrive. Our aim today is to get the balance between these two objectives right for IPR across the board. To make Europe's framework for intellectual property an enabler for companies and citizens and fit for the online world and the global competition for ideas."

Algirdas Šemeta, Commissioner responsible for Customs said: "Customs are ideally placed at the border, to protect citizens and legitimate businesses and their contribution is highly valuable in fighting counterfeiting and piracy". He added: "I am convinced that a robust system of intellectual property rights is essential for the whole EU economy. With today's proposal, customs will be able to provide greater protection for IPR and to better tackle the trade in IPR infringing goods."

The IPR Strategy sets out a series of short- and long-term key policy actions in various areas which include:

Patents: the Commission already launched proposals in April for a unitary patent protection under enhanced cooperation (see IP/11/470). Meanwhile, work will continue on proposals relating to the creation of a unified and specialised patent court for the classical European patents and the future European patents with unitary effect. This would considerably reduce litigation costs and the time it takes to resolve patent disputes. It would also increase legal certainty for business.

Trade marks: while trade mark registration in the EU has been harmonised in Member States for almost 20 years and the Community trade mark was established 15 years ago, there is an increasing demand for more streamlined, effective and consistent registration systems. The Commission intends to present proposals in 2011 to modernise the trade mark system both at EU and national levels and adapt it to the Internet era.

Geographical indications (GIs): GIs secure a link between a product's quality and its geographical origin. However, there is currently no such system available at EU level for the protection of non-agricultural products such as Carrara marble or Solingen knives. This leads to an unlevel playing field in the Single Market. The Commission will therefore carry out an in-depth analysis of the existing legal framework in the Member States as well as the potential economic impact of protection for non-agricultural GIs in 2011 and 2012. Depending on the outcome of an impact assessment, these could eventually be followed up by legislative proposals.

Multi-territorial copyright licensing: While the substantive scope of copyright has been largely harmonised, rights are still licensed on a national basis. In view of the digital Single Market, streamlining copyright licensing and revenue distribution is one of the most important challenges that must be addressed. In the 2nd half of 2011, the Commission will submit a proposal to create a legal framework for the efficient multi-territorial collective management of copyright, in particular in the music sector. It will also establish common rules on the transparent governance and revenue distribution. In the second half of 2011, the Commission will also launch a consultation on the various issues related to the online distribution of audiovisual works.

Digital libraries: The creation of European digital libraries that preserve and disseminate Europe's rich cultural and intellectual heritage is key to the development of the knowledge economy. To facilitate this, the Commission is also tabling today a legislative proposal that will enable the digitisation and online availability of so-called "orphan works" (works like books and newspaper or magazine articles that are still protected by copyright but where the right holders are not known or cannot be located to obtain copyright permissions) – see MEMO/11/333. Concurrently, the Commission looks forward to concluding a Memorandum of Understanding amongst libraries, publishers, authors and collecting societies to facilitate licensing solutions to digitise and make available out-of-commerce books.

IPR violations: Counterfeiting and piracy are a growing threat for the economy. Between 2005 and 2009, the number of registered cases at the EU borders of goods suspected of infringing IPR increased from 26 704 to 43 572. Meanwhile, the creative industry estimates that piracy has cost the European music, movie, TV and software industry €10 billion and more than 185 000 jobs in 2008 alone. The Commission is set to intensify its efforts in this area. Firstly, the Commission has tabled a regulation today that is to reinforce the European Observatory on Counterfeiting and Piracy, which it launched in 2009, by entrusting its tasks to the Office for Harmonisation in the Internal Market (OHIM). This will allow the Observatory to benefit from OHIM's intellectual property expertise and strong record of delivery in trade marks and designs. The Regulation now passes to the European Parliament and the Council for consideration. Secondly, in Spring 2012, the Commission will propose to revise the IPR Enforcement Directive (see IP/04/540). The Directive provides for civil law measures allowing right holders to enforce their intellectual property rights but should be adapted, in particular to meet the specific challenges of the digital environment.

IPR enforcement by customs: Customs supervise all trade crossing EU external borders: they carry out controls for many purposes and have an essential role in fighting the trade in IPR infringing goods. In 2009 only, customs intercepted over 40 000 suspect shipments involving 118 million articles. Whilst the majority of goods intercepted are counterfeit or pirated, customs' unique position at the border allows for the enforcement of a wide range of intellectual property rights. As part of today's overall IPR strategy, the Commission also proposes a new customs regulation, to further reinforce the legal framework for customs' actions. The proposal also aims to tackle the trade in small consignments of counterfeit goods sent by post as the overwhelming majority of these goods results from internet sales.

EU Can Help Irish Business

Research and innovation, involving collaboration between businesses and knowledge providers, and utilising EU funding, is one of the motors that will drive sustainable development in Ireland. This was the clear message given by a panel of industry practitioners, Enterprise Ireland, and an eminent academic from the University of Strathclyde at a research and development-themed seminar held in Intel Shannon last week.

The seminar, which was organised by Shannon Chamber in conjunction with Enterprise Ireland and Supply Network Shannon, succinctly demonstrated how Irish companies can access significant research and development funding for technology, product and process development, which will ultimately generate new products, improve their competitiveness and in turn, their bottom lines.

“Traditional manufacturing is dead,” said Professor Umit Bititci from the Department of Manufacturing and Engineering Management, Strathclyde University, stressing that Irish businesses need to be positioning themselves in the high-value adaptive manufacturing space. The future is about continuous manufacturing where, for example, personalised medicine will become the norm, not the exception,” he said, adding that crowdsourcing will replace outsourcing in the development of new products and designs.

“That’s why businesses need to develop capability in multi-party research, which combines the knowledge and capability of industrialists and academics,” said Liam Brown of Enterprise Ireland and one of the national contact points for the EU’s Framework Programme 7, which is investing in excess of €50 billion in trans-national collaborative research and development projects between 2007 and 2013. Irish companies and academics are already involved in this level of research, but we need greater involvement in the years ahead,” stated Mr Brown, urging Irish companies to contact their development agencies to understand how they can get involved in what he describes as “the most generous R&D programme in the world.”

The seminar, whilst addressing higher-level research, did not omit the research funding needs of companies who are at early stage development. 

Enterprise Ireland’s innovation vouchers, which are valued at €5,000 and issued three times a year, are structured to meet the research requirements of businesses with less than fifty employees and an annual turnover of less than €10million. Manufacturing and internationally traded services companies, who wish to collaborate with third level institutions to undertake project-specific research can also access innovation partnership funding in the order of €150,000 to €350,000.

As Shannon Chamber’s chief executive, Helen Downes stated: “Irish businesses can thrive in the years ahead, once they position themselves to avail of the range of innovation funding available, domestically and at an EU level. Europe still looks favourably on Irish business. The primary conditions attaining to R&D funding is that there are deliverables in the form of new technologies and new products. It's a win-win for Ireland and Europe.”

Irish Company Brings Start-ups to Silicon Valley

North-West based Company Seedups recently returned from SxSW in Austin, Texas after a successful visit to the prestigious SXSW Interactive festival to launch their service to the US market. "With Ireland and Northern Ireland being in the news for the wrong reasons, it's important that not only are we open for business, we're spearheading new initiatives" said Seedups founder Michael Faulkner.

The innovative online matching engine for Entrepreneurs and Investors launched in Ireland and the UK in February and is enjoying a whirlwind spell in America, including the establishment of an office in Silicon Valley and a launch party alongside some of the other digital talent from Ireland in Austin. The launch was picked up by Entrepreneur Magazine, and has quickly been adapted by American entrepreneurs.

The Seedups office in Silicon Valley is in the Enterprise Ireland offices situated near San Jose, and places Seedups, and Irish businesses looking to raise funds right at the heart of the most vibrant launching area for Tech startups in the world.

To mark their launch, Seedups are giving away $5,000 (or Euro equivalent) to 1 lucky entrepreneur. To win the prize, all entrepreneurs have to do is submit a 60 second video pitch, which is hosted on the seedups.com website, and the pitch with the most votes will win the money. “$5,000 cash can be a great boost for new companies, and at Seedups we’re determined to help startups” continued Mr. Faulkner. The competition will run until 1st May, and is open to startups from anywhere in the Ireland, the UK and US.

Of what this will mean for Irish companies, Mr. Faulkner said “After months of preparation and following the set up of an office in Silicon Valley, we’re really looking forward to working with tech start-ups in the US. We’re also ecstatic at being part of what is a strong team of delegates from Ireland who are supported by Invest NI. It's important to remember that the next generation of entrepreneurs will not be in traditional industries, but will be coming up with innovative answers through web-based app development, and these brightest minds will need funding to match their ideas.

Seedups model works on the concept of "fair value" for both Start-ups and Investors. This allows entrepreneurs the chance to hold on to more control of their business, while allows investors the chance to diversify their portfolio. This financing model is beginning to take a hold in many countries around the world, and has been used quite successfully in funding creative and community projects. With Seedups disruptive technology, it is now available to business start-ups in the US, Ireland and the UK.

Seedups are now calling on innovative entrepreneurs to list their business on the Seedups.com platform, and get funded through the growing number of investors, from both sides of the atlantic.

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Connor Doherty

Online Community Manager, Seedups

Web: www.seedups.com

Twitter: @seedups

Create. Fund. Grow.