I run the blog on the Internet Growth Alliance web site and it’s a little strange that I’ve not used a blog on the Realex Payments web site – but here we go. I hope to use it to talk about broader industry issues and would be delighted with thoughts, feedback or ideas for discussion.

I thought my first post ought to be about something that it very important to me. Right from the start my real interest is about seeing Irish internet businesses develop and grow internationally.

I make it my business to try and get more people connected, informed and growing when it comes to Irish internet businesses. I see the Irish internet industry as one of the key areas where investment needs to be significant and ongoing. Sometimes we need to state the obvious – we can scale Irish businesses via the internet. While inward investment can create jobs, working with people who are creating and supporting Irish internet businesses is far more rewarding. These businesses create jobs and lots more benefits. Let me focus on some of these:

The most important benefit is the manner in which a successful Irish Internet business can inspire others to move. Having an aspiration or a vision about an internet business is very important – really believing it, is crucial. There’s nothing like looking at a peer, friend, neighbour and saying to yourself – “if he did that – I can do much more!” So local success is a wonderful way to encourage others to try and grow internet businesses.

When Irish business people or internet entrepreneurs meet there’s always an incredible optimism about the room. We know our market is not limited by scale or geographic location – it is in fact limited by our own ambition. Irish Internet businesses are extraordinarily ambitious and want to scale. One of our best advantages is that the country is small, the size of Manchester – did you ever hear someone launch an online business for Manchester? Therefore we must think beyond Ireland right from the start – this is a forced advantage. Irish Internet businesses demonstrate this message constantly.

When we make successful internet businesses we also create an ecosystem around them. These businesses need good advisors, they consume services and they connect with one another. The connections and network effects that can be formed within the Irish Internet industry are very strong and supportive. There are no barriers to lifting the phone and asking others in the industry for help or feedback. It happens all the time. In other countries size and protocol can hamper these connections. This is the shared learning experience that comes from having a vibrant cluster of Irish internet businesses – this learning is not just a benefit but an essential ingredient in fulfilling future ambitions. Enterprise Ireland, with iGAP have been instrumental in this regard.

Knowing what’s around the corner – I remember learning in college that businesses didn’t like uncertainty! So when our banking, political, church and travel systems all hit rock bottom you would expect businesses to suffer and clearly many have. However many others have adapted – quickly, and now look for other ways to achieve their plans. When we are the masters of our businesses – Irish internet businesses – and some other “issue” emerges we can react. We can try new routes, new products, features etc.

People often ask me why we set up the www.alliance.ie, I hope you see the answer! It helps to inspire people, to raise ambitions, to learn and to remain adaptable in an ever changing world. It also helps me in this same way.

The playing field is level and we are on the pitch. We play to win.

It’s ten years, to the day that I left my job – 20^th April 2000. Time to redefine winning!

Colm