Stairway to Seven

Stairway to Seven My seven steps for business success

Marion Murphy is the Managing Director at Mallon Technology Ltd based in Cookstown, Co. Tyrone. She joined the company in 1995, progressing to the position of Senior Project Manager responsible for central Government contract delivery and subsequently commencing her current appointment as Managing Director in August 2018. Marion has been instrumental in growing the company from a small business to one of the largest Geospatial systems and service providers in Ireland. 1. FIND A MENTOR

A mentor will provide guidance and feedback while acting as a sounding board for new ideas or challenges. I have had several mentors over the years; their assistance and knowledge gave me the confidence and support I needed to overcome issues and meet challenges headon. I also enjoy mentoring staff – it is very rewarding, and by no means a one-way street – I learn plenty from it too.

2. BUILD YOUR NETWORK

Start building your network from the outset; key contacts can help open doors to new opportunities. There are plenty of networking events, industry groups, and online networking platforms to help widen your circle and make new connections. Although, I believe that the most valuable contacts are created and maintained through building lasting relationships with colleagues, customers, and suppliers.

3. BUILD RESILIENCE

It is no secret that the workplace can be stressful at times. Everyone will make mistakes or face challenges, and it can be tough to bounce back unscathed. It is possible to build resilience by maintaining a positive view of yourself and your problem-solving skills. Issues will happen, but it’s about how you respond that determines the outcome. I believe that a good start is being accountable for errors and turning a problem into a positive learning experience.

4. ACTIVE LISTENING

Good communication is an essential tool in maintaining strong working relationships, and it is a life skill that I continually strive to improve. It is necessary to take time to understand what type of communicators you are around and adapt your style to minimise misunderstanding or conflict. Active listening is one of the critical skills that a leader should practice. Listening well allows you to accurately gauge a situation from the other party’s perspective, understand their exact needs, and respond appropriately.

5. EMPOWERING OTHERS

Throughout my career, I have been given the opportunity to change, challenge, and champion projects and people. Empowering others to do their best is not only rewarding

as a leader, but it is essential to keeping staff motivated to deliver the best for the business and our customers. It is also important to take time to celebrate individual and team achievements; it is a milestone of how far we have come.

6. LIFELONG LEARNING

I believe in the importance of lifelong learning for personal and professional development. Career aspirations will evolve, don’t be afraid to change direction.

7. HONESTY AND TRUST

Holding a management and customer-facing role for most of my career has taught me the value of open, honest conversation. It has been the cornerstone of building trusting relationships with staff and customers.