An inspirational deal

BACK in the day, a win in the hospital sweepstakes or maybe a prize bond windfall was the stuff of fairytales. Many an hour was wasted, whiling away the day deciding how life would change when that boat, as it most certainly would, came in.

Today we have a new kind of fairytale, one more proactive and demanding, one that requires more than envy dressed as wishful thinking.

The capture of our world, of our way of doing business by computers has opened a new door, one used by those with imagination, courage and a robust work ethic.

This week business process outsourcing firm Voxpro was sold for a reported €150m.

The firm began its journey with half a dozen people working above a pub in Cork just 15 years ago.

The company, founded by Dan and Linda Kiely now employs about 2,700 people around the world.

This is a parable for our times.

The achievement is to be celebrated because it shows that ambition and determination can overcome nearly any obstacle.

Like any great project it is sure to inspire others to try to be as successful.