Our Books

Harnessing technology for the benefit of people and places

The Digital Growth Mindset

Many European SMEs have poor productivity growth. Our goal must be to help SMEs level the playing pitch with big businesses by empowering them to get the maximum impact from their investment in digital assets. This requires a change in mindsets as owning a digital asset is not the same as powering up your business through digital. In other words, sustainable digitalisation does not stop at acquiring a Zoom subscription or collaborating through Google Docs. It means to profoundly remodel your business in a way that maximises the digital empowerment of your activities.

Each stage of growth of my own former business, Novara Technology, from starting in the spare bedroom of my home to becoming Ireland’s second largest hosting company, was underpinned by a change in mindset on my part. My focus was constantly on how we could use digital to do things better. This led to a considerable investment in in-house developed automation software. This meant that by the time of Novara’s successful sale we had one of the best staff to sales ratios in the industry and were highly profitable with zero debt.

I use the analogy of the power loader ‘exoskeleton’ we saw in the movie Aliens to help explain the difference between buying a digital asset and using it to its full potential within your business. When business owners create real synergy between their team, their operations and their digital assets they can power up and use the ‘digital exoskeleton’ to make their businesses, as Daft Punk would put it, Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger!

At its most basic, the Digital Growth Mindset is about understanding what value customers get from your business and then delivering that as effectively as possible by embedding digital capability and agility in your business.

I hope you find our work book helpful to your business growth!

Putting People and Places First

A workbook on Harnessing the Power of Technology and Community

At a time of unprecedented change, the future of towns and their small business communities is inextricably linked with technology and AI. It's not just about what technology can do; it's about changing the mindsets of local stakeholders to collaboratively leverage technology and maximise their potential.

To sustain local jobs, we must instil new ways of building resilience and adaptability at the grassroots level of each high street. Strengthening both traditional and knowledge-led businesses begins with the goal of becoming a Digital First Community. This means working together to attract investment, knowledge workers, home buyers, shoppers, and visitors by constantly improving three pillars: the physical environment, digital empowerment, and smart solutions.

Digital can be a great equaliser for those who use it effectively. Our workbook, Putting People and Places First, is designed to empower communities through the Green and Digital Transition. It ensures that you are empowered, both individually and collectively, can make a difference by harnessing the tools and techniques outlined in this book.

Transform your locality. Embrace digital empowerment. Create a vibrant, sustainable future.

Do What You Can With What You’ve Got

The world is changing, and many of us are seeking better work/life balance, new career paths, and a brighter future for our children (my young son being a key inspiration), while also doing right by the climate and our communities. I’ve long admired Tim Berners-Lee, who gave us the internet freely, envisioning a societal shift in how we live and work. His question, “will that be for better or for worse?” still lingers.

Whichever side of the technology debate you’re on, its power to shape our world is undeniable. I lean towards the “for better” view. Embracing a digital-first path over the past six years has made my work more creative and my life more meaningful. Charles Handy’s idea of a “portfolio career” describes my journey well, and this book shares those experiences in the hope they’ll be useful to others.

Along the way, I’ve made my share of mistakes—what James Joyce might call “portals of discovery.” This isn’t an academic text or a literary masterpiece, but a practical guide for anyone ready to make the most of what they have, improve their own lives, and help their local communities thrive for the next generation.

  • It was a pleasure to present the opening speaker, the UK's Minister for Services, Small Business and Exports, Gareth Thomas M.P. , with a copy of our book The Digital Growth Mindset at the UK Small Business Forumorum

  • Eoin Costello presents Digital Growth Mindset book to Taoiseach

  • Eoin Costello presents The Digital Growth Mindset to chair of the 5th OECD Digital4SME roundtable in Paris, Minister Valentino Valentini

  • Eoin presents a copy of Digital First Communities to An Tánaiste Leo Varadkar T.D.

  • Eoin presents a copy of Digital First Communities to Minister Calleary at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment

  • Eoin presents a copy of Digital First Communities to Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill T.D.

  • Eoin presents Dun Laoghaire to be Dublins Remote Work Capital to Minister Paschal Donohoe

  • Eoin presents a copy of Digital First Communities to Minister Smyth

  • Eoin presents a copy of Digital First Communities to the chair of the OECD 4th Digital 4 SMESs Roundtable Minister Stuart Nash, New Zealand's Minister for Small Businesses

  • Eoin presents a copy of Digital First Communities to the European Commission's Amaryllis Verhoeven, Head of Unit, Digital Transformation of Industry at European Commission