Irish businesses need to realise the digital economy is the ‘real’ economy

4 Mar 2010

The new head of the Irish Internet Association says the imperative is to bring more firms online.

With a strong background in the area of small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), Joan Mulvihill self-deprecatingly describes herself as a mole planted by the Irish business community into the internet industry to figure out the digital economy.

“I’ve been parachuted in from the SME sector and I’m not a technologist,” she jokes, before turning serious, “but even I can see that the overall economy, in reality, is the digital economy.

“If you look at the world today from the point of view of airlines, hotels and retailers, if you want to exist in business, you have to be online in some way. Even if you’re not selling online, the internet can help you be more productive.”

Read more of Irish businesses need to realise the digital economy is the ‘real’ economy at Digital 21.

By John Kennedy

Photo: The new CEO of the Irish Internet Association, Joan Mulvihill, argues the digital economy is about all businesses that trade in Ireland, not just internet firms

To watch a video interview with Joan Mulvihill, go to Digital 21

www.digital21.ieDigital 21 is a campaign to highlight the imperative of creating an action programme to secure the digital infrastructure and services upon which the success of our economy depends.

John Kennedy is a journalist who served as editor of Silicon Republic for 17 years

editorial@siliconrepublic.com