Joseph Kelly Thinking out loud

Ending 2009

It has been quite an interesting and eventful year to gain business experience. From launching the Loopthing Social Business Network in April we have had a busy 8 months full of increased challenges and demands, with invaluable experience for a young team, wrap this up in a global economic recession and the years teachings will take a bit of beating.

From my own perspective I have knocked down a lot of youthful mind barriers that might have restricted thinking on wider international business levels. Being based in London and having undertaken an Asian research trip during July have both added greatly to my vision on international growth. The Tokyoites in particular were very interesting to analyse in business practice and some great meetings shaped my thinking on undertaking business expansion in the region.

From an Irish perspective the year has done more to shape my national political and business views than at any other time in my life. Identifying those deploying sustainable business practices was very evident, as were the unsustainable who enjoyed the economic ride.

The political environment has become so stale that an immediate general election would even do little to revive it.  It has become clear that expertise and experience is lacking in many government departments and serious constitutional changes will have to be looked into in rectifying this problem. The ability of the National Parliament (Oireachtas - President, Dáil Éireann and Seanad Éireann) to effectively and efficiently run the country has been called into question. Those with the desire to represent their local constituencies cannot be accused of a lack of patriotism or thirst for public life. However, the experience and education they possess for crucial ministerial positions must be assessed. If the required experience and education is not evident then the country must look to qualified alternative Irish citizens to hold ministerial positions, having not been elected but still being held responsible to Dáil Éireann (Constitution of Ireland 7.1 pg 38). So is debating the Irish consitution a possibility, and is it odds on to take a decade to provide any results.

The UK bears a very similar stale political position, but I believe the forecast early 2010 election will do much more to spur debate and interest in guiding their economy forward than in Ireland. Contrasting the differences between the two countries is now a constant exercise. Worryingly my contrasts are mostly negative from an Irish perspective. However I am keen to suggest solutions and not just focus on identifying problems.

On ending 2009, this isn't a case of sitting back and seeing what 2010 will bring us, we need to take decisive action immediately. In fairness the December budget was a step in the right track but only tackles Ireland's current problems and will need much more strategic public sector cuts and private sector initiatives. A general election in my view is badly needed, not just to change government, but to give local arenas the ability to analyse who in their community is actually capable of representing their current interests.

But let's wait until tomorrow morning, or how about 2012, my god!

Happy New Year All