Stairway to Seven

Gareth Hagan, Commercial Director and Deputy CEO of OCO Global.

My seven steps for business success

Gareth Hagan is the Commercial Director and Deputy CEO of OCO Global, an international trade and investment firm, headquartered in Belfast with presence across 10 countries. Having previously led strategy at Ulster Bank and supported business growth and operations in a variety of markets with Boston Consulting Group, Gareth leads strategy, business development and large-scale programme management for public and private sector clients to execute their global expansion plans at OCO.

Gareth is responsible for OCO Global’s office network and partner networks as well as overseeing their global consulting and data product business. OCO Global provide business growth services from advisory and strategy to on the ground delivery to guide their clients to the biggest market opportunities, across the world.

1. INNOVATE OR DIE

Challenge, creativity and collaboration are our three company values at OCO. At the heart of these, is a culture of working together to innovate and push boundaries. We put this at the centre of everything that we do – not just in more obvious areas like developing technology products, but also in continually evolving our more traditional consulting services – watch out SaaS, we are developing KaaS (Knowledge as a Service).

2. EMBRACE DIVERSITY

... in all its forms. We are fortunate at OCO to have a diverse multi-national team and this year have created a fabulous women’s network within the firm. Not only does this make it a more fun and interesting place to work, but it also creates diversity of thought and lots of great ideas for how we build our business.

3. DIGITAL FIRST

If the pandemic has done one thing for our business, it has accelerated our digital transformation. The way we market our own business, communicate with our clients, and work on their behalf in global trade and investment has fundamentally changed and it is not going back.

4. PUT YOURSELF IN OTHER’S SHOES

This is a test I apply to most of the decisions I make. Think ahead of time how the person on the other side of the conversation will feel about it. It won’t (and shouldn’t) change the decision that you are making but will ensure it is understood, lands well and gets to the desired outcome.

5. LISTEN

I have always tried to take on board feedback and listen to others. Whether it’s sage advice from an experienced colleague or mentor, feedback from a client, or (increasingly) a great idea from a more junior member of the team, take the time to listen to and act upon what you hear from others. The biggest mistake you can make is trying to go it alone.

6. PUT YOUR HAND UP

I remember my primary school teacher telling the class that if something is not clear, don’t stew on it but put your hand up. Same thing applies in business: there is nothing worse than muddling through or heading in the wrong direction. It’s always better to have the open conversation, be it with colleagues or clients, and make sure everyone is on the same page.

7. DON’T FORGET THE TROUGHS

A global firm like ours is fast paced and can overtake your life if you let it. A key mentor of mine when I worked at BCG told me early in my career ‘there will always be the peaks, the trick is to make the most of the troughs as well.’ So, if you get some downtime, make the most of it and ensure you recharge the batteries ready to go again.