Jim Hughes, founder and CEO of Innovate, talks to us in our first Founder Friday fireside chat at The Hatch Lab. We chat about surviving recession, creating a positive work culture and planning for growth.

Key Takeaways

[7:00] A lot was learned from the recession, like how to be efficient and innovative.

[9:00] Business strategy is built on four pillars: your financial objectives, value proposition, business processes and how you drive organisational capacity into your business.

[11:45] Building relationships is about relating to people and connecting with them.

[12:50] Positive work cultures come from the top. It needs honesty on a consistent basis.

[14:15] You have to recruit primarily on character and a set of values. Diversity is also hugely important in an organisation.

[17:30]  The one thing that determines a business’ success is good management.

[21:47] Resilience comes from challenges you've faced in other areas of your life.

[22:52] Have a growth mindset - the ability to be able to take on failures, understand where you made the mistake, learn from it and move forward from it.

[23:20] If you’re not making mistakes you’re not learning.

[23:20] Don’t wait for the perfect situation to make a decision. Make the decision and move on.

[25:15] Three pieces of advice for new entrepreneurs: surround yourself with great people, listen to your customer, be true to yourself.

Links to things mentioned in this episode

thehatchlab.ie

Founder Friday Gorey

innovate.ie

Innovate on LinkedIn 

Innovate on Facebook

Innovate on Twitter

Innovate on YouTube