Megalith

HBR CASE STUDY

Ireland's booming economy lured John Dooley home six years ago. Is it strong enough to keep him there?

Riding the Celtic Tiger
by Eileen Roche
iThursday morning, John Dooley felt cheerful despite the bleak weather. BioSol, the global biotechnology corporation he worked for, had recently made significant progress in its therapeutic antibody for the treatment of adult andjuvenile asthma. If the momentum continued, it would mean great things not only for the company but also for the thousands of people who suffered from the illness. On a personal level, John's own career could get a real boost as well. Hadn't his boss, Niall Doyle, said as mucb yesterday, when he told John that corporate headquarters was impressed and suggested tbey meet today to talk about futureplans? Last night, after the children had gone to bed, John and his wife, Fiona,

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s HE WALKED INTO WORK on a rainy

had conjectured what that might mean for their family. John was the vice president of strategic research now; maybe he'd be promoted to director ofhis division? Or perhaps the company wanted to tap him for a new project altogether? John bad always loved the start-up phase ofaproject-the feeling of endless possibility, the challenge of assembling the right team, the excitement of discovering something entirely new. He was finishing off his cup of tea when Doyle knocked on his open office door. "Morning, John. Thought I'd find you in here early." "Niall," he smiled. "What can 1 do for you?" Doyle sat down and came right to the point"Good news, John. As I mentionedyesterday, the people in California are

HBR's cases, which arefictional,present common managerial dilemmas and offer concrete solutions from experts.
NOVEMBER 2005

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CASE STUDY

• Riding the Celtic Tiger

impressed. Had to wait until this moming to talk to you officially, though. The eight-hour time difference can be a hassle, all right, but that's not your problem - at least, notyet," he grinned. "I talked to Carl last night, and he thinks, and I agree, that you're the right man for the job-the director of strategy job, that is, over at headquarters. It's a big jump, I know, but I've got full confidence in you. You're more than up for the challenge. I've always expected great things from you." He beamed. "So, what do you think?" Truthfully, John didn't know what tothink. He hadn't even considered a promotion of that magnitude. He was feeling honored, excited, and overwhelmed, all at once. He cleared his throat, then said, "Niall, I'm floored. I'm not sure what to say." "Quite right. This is big news to digest Take some time to think about it. I just want you to know you've got my full hacking." "Thanks, I appreciate that. And I'm honored to be offered such atremendous opportunity. It would mean big changes, though, and not just for me. I'll have to talk it over with Fiona - " "Of course, of course. It's a big decision,you can't go rushing in. But I hope you realize just what this could mean for your career. Not everyone gets a chance like this. Besides, you and Fiona have lived in tbe States before, so it won't be a massive culture shock.... Well, 1won't keep you any longer. If there's anything you want to talk about, though, the door's always open." And, with a backward wave, he walked out.

worked their way across Australia, tending bar and doing other odd jobs, but mostly just enjoying themselves. When they'd returned home to Ireland, John had gone back to school, earning a master's degree in biology. He and Fiona married, and, when Johnwas accepted to the doctoral program at MIT, they moved to Massachusetts. The truth was, it had been difficult to make a good living in Ireland then. Jobs were scarce, unemployment was high, and it seemed the natural choice to set out for greener pastures. A lot of John's and Fiona's friends and siblings had moved abroad around that time, too.

John had a brother in Canada and a sister in...