Dr Jim O’Malley is a Dunedin City Councillor. We spoke to him about his career as a scientist and entrepreneur, local government, and a crowd funding campaign to buy a chocolate factory (https://ownthefactory.co.nz/).
Talking points.
Things that make a difference
If you feel strongly about something then do something about it
If you say things often enough, it starts to get legs
Rationalisation of money is capitalism at its worst
Large multinationals…are not immoral, they have no moral sense at all, but they are staffed by good people
Sustainability: Sustainability means that the venture lasts way beyond you, there are many economic models out there which are profitable but quickly begin to eat away at the company, what I focus on is finding the balance between a long lasting company and a profitable one.
Success: Getting on the Dunedin City Council.
Superpower: The ability to think before I act and make educated decisions.
Activist: Sometimes, the definition of bravery is knowing what you are facing and still going forward and doing it again, and sometimes I’m a bit too aware so I don’t go forward.
Motivation: Interaction with people, having a varied interaction with people. Sometimes as small as coaching a girls football team, other times as large as getting a factory off the ground!
Miracle: That everybody was quite insightful and we had societies that ran harmoniously and smoothly.
Advice: Do whatever makes you feel right and do the right thing.