Louise O'Conor, Strategic & Innovative Leader, International Digital Transforming and Scaling Businesses
Louise is a strategic and innovative leader with circa 20 years of international experience digitally transforming and scaling businesses across global markets and multiple industries - from startups to multinationals.
Born in Ireland, Louise has lived and worked in 10 countries, travelled to over 60, speaks six languages, sits on the board of Irish International Business Network (IIBN) and is a mentor for Enterprise Ireland helping companies look for investment and to scale.
Passionate about technology, education, diversity, people, and making a difference, Louise loves turning ideas into business reality to disrupt and transform industries and societies.
Who do you most admire in business?
I admire certain traits of many business leaders rather than specific individuals — those who operate with integrity; Think big picture, and challenge the status quo; Are not afraid to surround themselves with others smarter than them; Embrace technology and change; Know-how to bring others on the journey; Believe in making a difference. These for me are true leadership qualities and traits.
If I had to name one business leader who encompasses the majority of these traits, it would be Warren Buffet. From what I've read and heard, he's an inspiring individual.
What companies or brands do you like or do you think are getting it right?
Companies and brands I admire are those that challenge the status quo - such as Airbnb, Netflix, Spotify, Uber, Amazon, Google, Microsoft and Apple.
While I may not agree with some of their founders' methods, tactics or values, I have to admire the fact that they have disrupted their industries and transformed how millions of people purchase goods, communicate, research, work, travel and live.
I also admire and respect entrepreneurs, particularly social entrepreneurs. They are the future and understand that while revenue and business success are important, both can be achieved whilst making a difference to society, people's lives and the world in which we live.
What is the best advice you have ever received?
Listen to understand rather than to respond. What people don't say is equally important to understand what they actually mean.
Many companies I've worked with didn't know they needed to change. They just wanted to grow and scale. In my experience, if a company isn't growing, then there's a reason. This needs to be identified and solved in order to move forward, so listening and asking questions is vital to ensuring success.
The second piece of advice is to bring people on the journey. Many people don't like embracing change. If you don't have buy-in across an organisation or business, change (especially in digital transformation) simply won't work. It's one of the key reasons why over 70% of digital transformation initiatives fail. Listening and communication are vital ingredients for any business strategy to succeed and even more so during times of change and transformation.
What drives or motivates you each day?
Being challenged, driving change, being happy, making a difference and helping others.
Do you have a mentor or do you mentor anyone?
I've been fortunate to have had many mentors - foremost, my mother. Professionally the most influential mentor in my career was an inspiring CIO that I worked with in London. He believed in me and recognised my potential; listening and challenging me. Always had my back, forced me to think outside the box and instilled in me that it was my duty always to help others. I still consider it a privilege to have worked with and know him.
I mentor both officially (for Enterprise Ireland, Girls in Tech, Female High Flyers and others), and unofficially with people and companies. I encounter with whom I connect, share similar values, and who want or need support.
How do you network?
I read a tweet recently that resonated. It described networking as "every human interaction... every small daily actions, are all opportunities to make a stronger connection". This is so true!
Networking is about building human connections. I love going to talks and seminars, you learn so much from other people's experiences, and it's an excellent opportunity to connect with and meet others.
I also use LinkedIn and Twitter as ways of connecting with people online globally, and on many occasions, online connections have become offline friends.
I've been involved in many networks, but it's essential to find the right one for you. I joined the board of the Irish International Business Network (IIBN) because from day one, I felt included and that I'd found a group of people who shared similar values as my own, and who believe in "paying it forward". They're also internationally diverse (both in mindset and physical locations) which is important to me.
How did you get into this line of work and What advice would you have for someone looking to get into the same line of work?
I believe what brought me to this line of work was a combination of timing, experiences, decisions, encounters, people, grit, resilience, curiosity, determination and a lot of serendipity - for which I'm so grateful!
Digital didn't exist when I was making decisions about my career. I was training to be a pianist, got accepted to Trinity, but an error on a form led me to take a different offer. I mention this only because one tiny detail can change the course of your life. In my case, that detail led me to the world of digital transformation and scaling companies.
When I started in my professional career, digital technologies were only emerging, and the onset of disruption commencing. I was fortunate to have witnessed, and to have been part of the changes; these technologies would have on industries and businesses globally. Also, what was required to adapt.
Despite now living in a digital era, there are still tens of thousands of companies struggling to understand and implement the necessary changes and technologies. However, technology on its own is not the disruptor. In my opinion,
"Digital technologies simply provide possibilities for transformation and growth... it takes the right reason, strategy, people and leadership to make it happen.
Digital Transformation is simply a business strategy, to drive growth, innovation, value creation and cost reduction, through the use of digital means and technology."
What valuable lessons have you learned so far that you could share with our audience?
I've learned the importance of knowing your own values and not compromising them for anyone - especially not for a job or company. To stay curious and challenge how things could be done differently.
Never stop reading and learning. Grab opportunities and worry about how to do them later. Have confidence and belief in yourself. When things are tough, don't give up, just find a different way or path.
Be kind, help others, build your network of human connections and surround yourself with positive people - you'll lift each other during tough times and laugh the rest of the time.
What do you wish you had known when you started out?
It’s ok not to know precisely what you want to do or be in life. That you can start anywhere, find your passion, build your own unique skillset and then find people who appreciate you.
What's the most common reason for people failing or giving up?
This is quite personal to each individual, but some common reasons I've observed would be not believing in themselves, not having the right people and support network around them, not reaching out and asking for help.
What are you most proud of in your life?
Being able to help others.
How do you define success?
Being happy.
What do you think your unique skill(s) is that has helped you become successful?
I would consider it to be a combination of resilience, perseverance, empathy, integrity, ambition, curiosity, helping others and trying to make a difference.
Where’s your favourite place?
Rome. I visited as a teenager and then spent a few years there while working for the United Nations. It's my city. When I need headspace or a time-out, I book a flight and Airbnb in my favourite piazza (Piazza Navona) and spend hours and days roaming the city and soaking up its energy and beauty.
What is your hobby?
I love reading, travelling and walking. The more I travel, learn and experience the more free and creative my mind becomes, which drives different ways of applying knowledge and ideas to everything.
What are you not very good at?
Functioning, when I'm cold!
Which words do you overuse?
"I'm cold" - I blame the fact that I spent the first two years of my life in Africa and have never been warm since [laughing].
Your social media platform of choice?
LinkedIn and Twitter - I spend hours reading, learning and connecting with people, both personally and professionally.
When are you happiest?
Surrounded by family and friends - in the sun - by water - travelling.
Your favourite quote?
"People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." ~ Maya Angelou. I adore this quote and reference it all the time.
A positive phrase you like to share with people.
"Everything happens for a reason". I truly believe this.
As Steve Jobs said: "You can't connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking back. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future." I do, however, believe that we can help shape the path by staying true to ourselves and our values.