Driving the Tiger: The Spirit of Irish Enterprise by John J. Travers
Within the past decade the economy of Ireland has out-performed every other economy in Europe. Many factors have contributed to this success but none more than the extraordinary spirit of enterprise that has been unleashed among a new generation of Irish men and women. John Travers has spoken at length to fifteen of these new entrepreneurs. The conversations have revealed unique insights into their background, motivation, practices and personal passions. There are many surprises; some astonishing stories of risk taking and a universal commitment to ardently-held values. Their business activity is as varied as imaginable: from telecoms to sandwich bars; from deep-sea fishing to bodyart; from managing Boyzone and Westlife to developing a regional airline; and, with cutting edge technology and internet development side by side with Riverdance and motor racing. Those featured in this title are: Denis O'Brien - Entrepreneur, Chairman of Communicorp, Former Chairman of Esat Telecom and 98FM radio; Moya Doherty - Founder and manager of Tyrone Productionsk; Louis Walsh - Manager of Boyzone, Westlife and Samantha Mumba; Eddie Jordan - Manager of the Jordan Formula 1 Racing team; Louise Kennedy - Founder and owner of Louise Kennedy Fashion Design Label; Cyril McGuire - Co-Founder and Executive Chairman of Trintech; Carole Ward - Artist and owner of the Bodyartist Company; Brody Sweeny - Founder and Managing Director of O'Brien's Irish Sandwich Bars Pat & Annette; Shanahan - CEO of Tellabs Ireland, Director of Abbey Physiotherapy; Chris Horn - Founder and Chairman of IONA Technologies; Charlie Ardagh - Co-Founder and Director of Formus Communications Ireland; Mary Mangan - Managing Director of buyandsell.net; Barry McDonagh - Founder of the goodspider.com; and, Padraig O Ceidigh - Managing Director of Aer Arann.