A scroll through LinkedIn is always a reminder of how busy our days are. It’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day, event-to-event nature of our schedules.
What we often overlook is taking a step back and really considering what the takeaways were.
Realizing that I’m just as bad at simply moving on, I made it a point to really think about how I spent yesterday, from getting on an early train to Dublin to turning right back around to attend an event in Cork later in the evening.
First was Scale Ireland’s Annual Fall Gathering.
As always, Scale Ireland delivered a room full of #entrepreneurs, #founders, and other business leaders, and a unified theme that opportunity exists to continue growing #Ireland’s innovation ecosystem.
Martina Fitzgerald and Brian Caulfield kept the conversations flowing, the speakers engaged, and all of us attending at the edge of our seats.
There were two things particularly noteworthy about the participation of Tanaiste Simon Harris. First his comments, while perhaps prepared, were very forthright. It’s perhaps cliche to say that the job of government isn’t just to slice up the pie, but to make the pie bigger (ie grow the #economy), but I think all in the room believed that Tanaiste Harris not only meant it, he is also carving a path to make it a reality.
Even more notable, when others spoke Tanaiste Harris listened, with intention. He took notes and paid attention. His responses were genuine and relevant.
The event was also a chance to reconnect, even if briefly, with Rosanne Longmore, Rena Maycock, and Patrick Ryan, all on amazing entrepreneurial journeys, and to see, even with a just a passing head nod, (and sometime that’s all it takes), Shane Kerins and Paul Swift.
As always, the best takeaways from events like these are the new relationships that are born, and I look forward to continuing conversations with Louise McGrath and Mark McDermott.
The Cork MeetUp, curated by Alan Gleeson, had a much different feel. Packed in a pub, the conversations flowed over pints and buffalo wings, and it was obvious many in attendance are still developing their networking chops.
This didn’t diminish the value of the evening at all.
Listening to the conversation between Alan and Padraig Coffey of Zartis felt like we were getting insider information that we shouldn’t have been privy to. The rise and near fall, and rise again, of what is now an incredible, and relevant company, provided lessons in resilience, leadership, and team building.
Seeing John Peavoy, whom I’ve now known long enough that his daughter I remember starting school was our designated driver; Frank Brennan, whose drive and enthusiasm keeps me motivated; and Adrian Wall (again with a head nod) offered reassurance that I was in the “right room.” Barry Guiney and Shane Breslin… looking forward to learning more about both of you!
All in all, a good, and more importantly, productive, day!
