The Tech Blog Writer Podcast - Inspired Tech Startup Stories & Interviews With Tech Leaders, Entrepreneurs And Innovators

I wanted this conversation to do two things at once. First, ground the hype in real practice. Second, show how a small country can punch well above its weight by connecting industry, academia, and government with purpose. With Chantelle Kiernan from IDA Ireland and Stephen Flanagan from Eli Lilly and Company, we explored what digital transformation really looks like on the factory floor in Ireland, why talent is the engine behind it, and how cross-sector collaboration is turning ideas into measurable outcomes. Ireland’s manufacturing base employs hundreds of thousands and fuels exports, yet what stands out is the shared mindset. The shift toward Industry 5.0 puts people at the center while using digital, disruptive, and sustainable technologies to rethink production. Eli Lilly’s experience shows how a digital-first culture changes everything. New sites start paperless by default. Established plants raise their game through micro-learning, data-driven problem solving, and champions who model the behavior. The