‘IDENTIFY PROBLEMS and try to solve them.” It’s a simple message that resonates at the heart of innovation.

Innovators are problem solvers. The best innovations emerge as solutions to problems with current products, services or processes. It was a message that was brought home during our Innovation Cities Roadshow series. In the midst of the seemingly over-riding gloom, there was a real air of opportunity and an energy at these events. This is further exemplified by the remarkable number of entries for this year’s Innovation Awards.

It seems like the recession has shaken some new entrepreneurs into action, undeterred by the evident problems of sourcing finance and securing sales. These are brave souls who deserve great credit for their efforts, often against the odds. Many of these are driven not only by a wish to control their own destinies, but also in taking on the challenge of solving problems they perceive in the way things are done at present. There are, of course, exceptions to the rule. Apple has succeeded with several products we never knew we needed. You don’t always recognise a problem until a better solution to the current situation is revealed.

Recession is a time of unwanted change. Many firms and employees find themselves facing an uncertain future in 2012. They may be struggling to stand still, drowning in the depths of seemingly insurmountable debt. Yet this unwanted change gives us a wake-up call to review everything we took for granted up to this time, to challenge our preconceived norms and procedures.

The changes may be regarded by some as yet more sacrifice, but they may also mean survival. In the current environment, the status quo simply cannot continue and change will be instigated from inside – or forced on us from outside, as with our current national economic situation.

In the midst of this change and a problem-solving approach may come the next great innovations – and there’s no reason why they shouldn’t originate in Ireland.