Geraldine Magnier, Idiro Analytics – A Finalist in the Expleo WMB Woman in Technology Award Category
4th April 2022
Over the coming weeks, we will be introducing you to our WMB Award Finalists. Ultimately there will be one winner in each of our five Award categories, to be announced at our Conference & Awards on May 16th. If you’d like to attend our Conference & Awards, you can book now>>
Here, we introduce you to Geraldine Magnier, Idiro Analytics – a finalist in the Expleo WMB Woman in Technology Award category.
Title and Company Name
Co-Founder & Director of Idiro Analytics
Sector & size of operation
Technology Sector (AI & Analytics) – Indigeneous SME
You originally hail from
Originally from Cork but I consider myself a Tipperary woman as we moved there when I was 8 years. When I go ‘home’ it is to the town called Carrick-on-Suir. A beautiful town in the sunny south east.
Single or relationship
I am married to Aidan Connolly for 8 years.
What is the best part of your job
When we group together to think creatively. I love the buzz, the possibility. The energy from collaboration is a tonic.
I enjoy and appreciate the collegiality and connection that we have in Idiro. Also mentoring is a huge rewarding plus of my job, as I get to be a guide or sign post on the road for those on the path just behind me.
And the most challenging
Being aware of the importance of true connection, I am challenged mostly by time constraints to get more face to face time with colleagues individually or collectively.
Your definition of success
There is success within myself and success as I perceive it in business. Personally, it is when I have tried my best and left no stone unturned and made myself and another truly smile from the inside, along the way.
A business is successful if it contributes to the good of the whole and intentionally promotes well-being, including fiscal health and a sense of thriving within the company.
Best trait
Being highly sensitised means that I can often read the mood in a room or situation and adapt accordingly and quickly.
Worst trait
Sometimes my passion can be intense for others so I have to be sure that my message within the passion is clear.
Biggest ‘win’ to date
In 2008, we won ‘Grand Prix’ in the UK Data Strategy Awards, the overall top prize, having been put up against global brands. This and other team endeavors ultimately led to the biggest win for the company, which was landing a deal that brought our work to 26 additional countries. We have analysed over 15 % of the world’s population and it is still growing. This expansion led to other major wins such as ‘Best SME in the Analytics Sector’ and our CEO was voted ‘Analytics & AI Leader’ 2020/21.
But, as an individual, I consider the biggest win to be philosophical, where we had a reawakening of our sense of purpose and value in our specific niche and went on to open up Europe’s first indigenous AI Ethics Centre. This elevated morale and invigorated things that allowed other big wins.
The Biggest win for me as an individual is the recognition that I am a work in progress. Every day I strive to get better. I’ve gained self-acceptance around knowing that all I can do every day is get better.
Who inspires you most
A person who stays true to themselves and has the ability to follow through and deal with the consequences of their authenticity. I am in awe of such courage even when a person doesn’t feel brave in the same moment.
Name two things on your ‘bucket list’
To learn the Irish language and go island hopping all around Ireland.
What does it mean for you to be a woman in business today
This question is meaningful and layered for me. Meaningful in that I hope I can leverage my position as a woman to promote the good of the whole through inclusion, cooperation, interdependence, and collaboration.
It’s layered in that I feel I have a responsibility to the collective of women who are striving to achieve a personal best in a world that can still have unique challenges.
There are many books and programmes for women now. I enjoy mentoring women individually, learning about their unique challenges. I want to take it to the next level of understanding. This mentoring includes young women, and women of all ages.
Best advice to pass on
I’m thriving on opening myself to challenging my fixed beliefs, seeing new perspectives, looking more at my authentic self, and being willing to make substantial and sometimes difficult changes for the better.
I recommend some kind of self-development programme, coaching, process, practice, or intention to be able to consistently achieve higher levels in business and in life. I like having a little help along the way.
