Robert Maguire

Robert Maguire is currently on a mission to build the most dynamic collective intelligence platform at Altruistic.

Specialising in strategic direction and thought leadership in the field of technological Innovation, Robert has pursued his career in line with the evolving innovation landscape and open talent methodologies.

With extensive knowledge in leadership, digital transformation and customer experience he started his professional life in direct and digital marketing, specialising in global technology brands. Holding senior positions in consultancies he began his investment and entrepreneurial career by developing companies aligned with the tech explosion.

With extensive international experience he has founded & developed start/scale up companies in Europe and the US that focus on data science based innovation and digital platforms. He currently holds several algorithmic patents and is the founder of ground breaking technologies. As the core founder of Altruistic, Robert is on a mission to bring data science and digital transformation to all corners of the globe.

Robert has a MSc in Marketing with Honours from Dublin Business School. He is a leading voice of open innovation in Europe and is a board member of two non profit organisations.

Robert currently lives in Milan, Italy with his wife, daughter & dog. He is passionate about travel, food/wine, art and all things digital.

Where did the idea for Altruistic come from?

The idea for Altruistic is very simple. We build great data, digital and AI products for oganisations and enterprise globally whilst also giving access to data and information for all, globally.

What does your typical day look like and how do you make it productive?

A typical day at Altruistic is getting together with the team, set out daily key deliverables to move at speed. Working with clients to build innovative world class tech solutions, and having some fun along the way.

How do you bring ideas to life?

We have a flat organisational structure, everyone at the company is encouraged to establish something from what we call our “Dream Board” and from there we think, create and move towards our “Reality Board”, meaning having any idea, concept or creation you can take to market, and then we review, refine and attack it all as a collective team effort.

What’s one trend that excites you?

At the moment, it fascinates me how people are going from the “Age of Digital Transformation” to the “Age of AI” which Altruistic are at the forefront of.Do ‘humans’ understand what that transition is?

Well, thats the fun part – its exciting! It’s helping people and companies understand true AI and how that improves overall performance and processes within SME and large global corporates.

What is one habit of yours that makes you more productive as an entrepreneur?

I never stop creating ideas! To harvest openness and freedom to think outside the box. I personally foster ideas on an hourly basis.

What advice would you give your younger self?

Be patient – dont be afraid to think about ideas, think with a critical outlook, at all times!

Tell us something that’s true that almost nobody agrees with you on.

Anyone can be an entrepreneur. Anything can come from an idea – developing a process, a product, from an idea. Sometimes they can fail, due to many different factors. You just got to be relentless in your act of trying.

As an entrepreneur, what is the one thing you do over and over and recommend everyone else do?

I concentrate on making money, not raising money.

What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business?

Collaborative thinking – its employing individuals for their talents and how that can drive the growth of the company forward, and NOT for what I think they can do for the company. Altruistic is a company and platform where people come together to love what they do, and they do it well.

What is one failure you had as an entrepreneur, and how did you overcome it?

Firstly, I’ve had thousands of failures as an entrepreneur, as all entrepreneurs do. Thats the only reason you are an entrepreneur. I overcome situations such as this to seek out talented individuals who know a lot more than I ever will about their subject matter. I’m the ideas guy!

What is one business idea that you’re willing to give away to our readers?

This is more business advice than an idea, but, when you build any sort of platform ensure it can be monetized from both sides. What I mean is, platforms of the future will need to have supply and demand revenue streams. So for instance if you’re looking to create a platform that brings together dog walkers and dog owners, both types of users should be paying to be on the platform.

What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why?

Any money I spend is always with my family – my wife, my daughter and my fox terrier Teddy Bear – because nothing can beat family time, thats very important when building a company out.

What is one piece of software or a web service that helps you be productive?

Slack because communication is everything in any business! If you dont have effective communication, you don’t have success!

What is the one book that you recommend our community should read and why?

‘Competing in the Age of AI’ by Karim Lakhani- its a great way to get your organisation ready for digital transformation and digital AI.

What is your favorite quote?

My favourite quote is my own quote – don’t concentrate on raising money, concentrate on making money!

Key Learnings:

• As an entrepreneur, it’s easy to focus on raising money. Instead, you should be focusing on making money.
• Ideas, both good and bad, are the basis for success
• Surround yourself with creative people and allow them to use their value in meaningful ways.