These webinars will offer a blueprint for action and future business resilience, with direct access to both national and international speakers. The hosts in four of the island’s most prestigious business schools will provide regional and local context to the conversations, sharing insight into the way that crisis innovation is unfolding on this island and further afield.

One of the speakers is Professor Oliver Gassman. Professor Gassman taught at Harvard Business School and  has worked with companies like BMW, IBM and  Toshiba. He has a profound understanding of what it means to innovate and how to break down barriers in your business to do it properly.

In his 15 minute webinar on business model innovation for post crisis growth, he outlines the key steps to help businesses withstand the external pressures of change caused by Covid-19, and crucially adapt to grow.

Professor Gassman says “The pandemic has  impacted the supply chains of many of the bigger firms. This is an opportunity for smaller companies to fill those gaps. SMEs may not be as cheap as other suppliers, but it’s become more important to have a supply chain that is reliable.”

“It’s also important that smaller businesses are aware of what’s happening around them. You need to identify trends in your sector. Crises like the pandemic, accelerate trends and you need to be aware of possible impacts on your business.”

He concludes “SMEs have an advantage as they tend to be more agile than big business. You should think big, start small, fail cheap and learn fast.”

To watch Professor Gassman’s webinar, hosted by Dr Lawrence Dooley from University College Cork visit https://intertradeireland.com/covid-19-supports/innovation-business-resilience-webinar-series