The Grey Matters Network Podcast

Lorraine Quinn talks to Brendan Fitzpatrick & Frank Kelly about the 'R' word (redundancy) about how the right coaching allows you to rediscover you, reinvent yourself, the power of networking, an innovative approach for a new role/new business and maximising the opportunities.

- an individual approach

- doing something different

- clarity

- entrepreneurial eco-system

- providing solutions

- ideation /lean canvas model

- mentoring

- self-confidence

- define your area

- the power of networking

BRENDAN FITZPATRICK 

Tony talks to one of our experience coaches David McKiernan about Strategic Business Planning.

David explains how a good business plan keeps a business aligned to it's ambitions and objectives.

A business plan helps funding structures, enhances the prospects of successful outcomes and the discipline required in short term decision making to fulfil longer term objectives.

David talks to us how a good strategic plan helps deal with the unexpected and staying loyal and disciplined to the critical elements to the process

- defining objectives

- creating a strategy around these objectives

- actions - the what, who and when and staying consistent to the process.

The Grey Matters Network has a panel of over 600 experienced professionals from many sectors, we also have a panel of experienced coaches, mentors and advisors.

Tony Devine talks to Lisa about why coaching is so important personally and professionally.

Lisa explains anchoring, how to balance priorities, how to take control of the reigns to your life, exploring your potential and your purpose.

Lisa is a massive advocate for a coach for different stages and ages of your life and that coaching is a gift to yourself that gives you awareness of choices.

#MyLife

#journey

#potential

#culture

#reigns

#happiness

#purpose

#managementstructure

#balancingpriorities

#leaders

#explorepossibilities

#pause&reflect

#coaching

#whatcouldIdodifferently

#opportunities

#possibilities

LISA BIRTHISTLE

Highly experienced and resilient Human Resources Consultant specialising in employee engagement and culture. Background at HR Director level with a history of starts-ups, acquisitions, Transfer of Undertakings and change management in addition to a strong case management, ER and IR background. Proven track record in devising and implementing EVP and culture change. Very strong relationship building and influencing abilities. Excellent record of translating legal requirements into practical solutions for the business. Strategic thinking coupled with a commitment to ensuring the values and culture of the business are incorporated into its daily operations.
Qualified executive coach and experienced leader and mentor with a commitment to developing leadership strength in organisations.
I facilitate clients in expanding their thinking and accessing meaningful answers. Taking these insights, I support them in identifying the outcome or goal they wish to achieve and committing to focused actions to accomplish it .

WILLIAM BALDWIN -

William, through his enthusiastic interaction with people/organisations creates an environment that helps people/organisations to "jump over the moon" (create outrageous goals/strategies, use their strengths to achieve greatness) while having fun all the way (creating an environment of collaboration, innovation, barrier breaking, enthusiastic "can do" and fun).

Over than 25 years’ experience in areas such as HR Structures (Organisational Design, Organisational Structure, Organisational Development, Competency Frameworks, Grading Structures and Recruitment Processes) Organisational Culture & System Change, Organisational Efficiency, Document Management, Quality Management, Human Resources, Health & Safety Management, Business Excellence, Operational Excellence, Learning & Development, and Enterprise Risk Management .

Passionate about been a contributor in the area of excellence in every organisation worked with. It is this search for excellence and passion that led to gaining insights provided by neurosciences and its application in the corporate arena.

With an objective to unify the business needs and mind-set with that of human resources, risk, quality, compliance, health & safety and organisational culture, William uses his experience in a number of industrial sectors including Banking, Retail, Manufacturing (window fashion, food products, chemical processing, heavy engineering, and healthcare), Distribution (pharmaceutical, healthcare, and food products), Forestry (saw-milling, processing and construction), Construction and Consultancy Services, in every project he takes on.

William has been an executive trainer, facilitator, coach and mentor with over 15 years providing individual and group interventions leading to personal and organisational growth, development and transformation.

Todays Podcast in about the theme of Growth 

Why – the motivation for the Growth objective

Understand your capacity

The importance of a Driver - the visionary

A 90 Day plan - managing your capabilities 

Key takeaways

• Know where you want to go
• Don’t give it up, keep going
• Don’t do it all yourself.

Caroline Hughes talks to us in detail about 'Burnout' how to recognise the causes and the signs from her extensive experience in the workplace, as a coach, leader and from personal experience.

1. Can you tell us about the importance of physical, emotional and mental wellbeing for us all.

2. What if any difference is there between being a Workaholic and a person suffering from Burnout.?

3. What are the underlying causes?

4. What is the prevalence of burnout in the workforce currently?

5. What are the implications for the employee and for the employer?

6. How did you deal with your own personal burnout battle?

7. What are your recommendations to our listeners?

#mindsets

#reputation

#culture

#WorldHealthOrganisation

#wellbeingstrategies

#boundaries

#microhabits

Caroline Hughes

Highly experienced global executive who has lead teams across multiple time zones in delivering large scale transformation in global leadership development, inclusion and diversity. Specific expertise in curating well chosen experiences and professional development to enable talent to progress within an organisation.

As Chief Learning Architect she partnered with global thought leaders such as Centre for Creative Leadership, Duke CE, McKinsey Institute to develop a curriculum of development interventions for leaders at all levels; and partnered with YSC on executive assessment and development planning for hipo for C Suite and C suite minus one roles.

Recovering from severe burnout in 2019, Caroline turned her illness into a transformational life event. She went from years of "doing a deal a day" to block out physical pain and convince herself to sustain her own performance, lead teams and deliver highly effective solutions, to being forced to step back completely.

During that time she realised that her drive and passion for her work were partly responsible for her burnout and in her 12 month recuperation, she discovered the importance of physical, emotional and mental wellbeing as ultimately giving her tools to increase her bandwidth and change her life.

Having studied with some of the greats - Deepak Chopra, Brené Brown, Tony Robbins, Michael Neill and others, she brings razor-sharp strategic insights and empathy to coaching relationships with executives and development of corporate strategy for leadership development and wellbeing.

We are running a weekly series of podcasts the many benefits and coaching and mentoring from personal development perspective and for advice on managing teams and leadership teams.

Today Tony Devine talks to an experienced coach and business owner Susan Bourke about the Five workforce priorities are emerging for business leaders,

All five have a people component:

• Protect people • Communicate effectively • Maintain continuity of work • Assess workforce costs • Prepare for recovery •  

In a traditional workplace, priorities like protecting people and communicating effectively were part of everyday leadership. 

When the workplace culture moved into the home, remote working altered the status quo.

Susan talks to us about a critical platform to lead;

#Attention

#Focus

#Trust

Mick furlong talks to Dave Flynn all about Business Process Improvement, Lean Thinking and looking at your organisation's performance.

Dave explains about maximising value and minimising waste to optimise your organisation and teams.

Why the sooner you start the sooner you see the benefits and why these methodologies can be used in all business sizes.

Listen to hear more about the value, the importance of leadership and reducing costs that serves.

Dave Flynn

Tony Devine talks to an industy expert Declan Ryan on Sustainable Business Development.

Declan talks about the UN goals and the 4 key goals many progressive businesses are adopting

1. Equality

2. Clean Energy

3. Climate Action

4. Responsible consumption and production

The principal of the 3 legged stool - People, Profit and Planet.

The benefits to a business;

- long term value

- customers

- profitability

- banking & investors

- taxation

- public opinion  ....

Declan gives some insights into the strategy, measurements and development and some market leaders in this area such as Bord Na Mona, Tesla & Astra Zeneca.

'Show your Green and Act your Green'

Declan Ryan

https://www.linkedin.com/in/declanryanbb48411a/

A highly qualified and accomplished managing director and consultant with substantial recent experience with a proven record of helping organisations build their capability to deliver value.
Has successfully led the development and growth of these organisations, through a combination of organic development activities, mergers and acquisitions, development of appropriate management structures and systems, and fostering a positive, safe, and proactive culture throughout the organisation.


Over 35 years working experience in dynamic markets, including:

- Interim and senior executive management, leading companies and guiding organisations. - -
- Innovated diverse products, services and processes to deliver increased profitability.
- Managed complex projects and programs.
- 30+ years in energy, waste, sustainable energy and sustainability markets.
- Facilitating the delivery of business capability improvement and innovation.
- Designed and delivered capable management teams and lead these teams through various strategic
initiatives and expansion projects.
- Significant Board experience, both as executive and non-executive director.

Tony talks to 2 experts in the Digital Transformation space - Conor O'Brien & John Brophy.

Why DT?  How you go about it and What you need to consider?

Some great advice and insights to ask of our business and to ensure you are not only looking for 'operational efficiency'.

Also to consider all the channels, and it's not all about the technology.

The importance of the customer experience and the CALM methodology.

The importance of including all of your teams in your digital strategy.

To learn more about our speakers today, see bio's below.

To listen to the first podcast on DT  check out 

Donal Courtney, a leading expert in Corporate Governance at regulated entity and PLC’s both at executive and non-executive levels gives us invaluable advice on the fundamentals of managing Governance in organisations which are very relevant today -

• Regulation
• Cybersecurity
• Outsourcing
• Remote Working

Donal explains the 5 keys areas in making good Governance a success in your organisation

- Strategy & Risks 

- Strong financial & internal controls 

- Availability of quality data

- Customer focus

- People

Donal Courtney BBS FCA LIB

· Fellow of Chartered Accountants Ireland and Certified Bank Director with Institute of Bankers

· Experienced CFO having worked with Arthur Andersen, Orix, Airbus and GMAC across a number of industries-corporate and retail banking, asset financing, commercial property and aircraft financing and leasing

· Experienced Independent Non-Executive Director with PTSB plc, Dell Financial Services, IPUT and Unicredit Bank Ireland chairing audit and risk committees

· Advisor to small and medium-size enterprises on finance and strategy

· Keys skill sets:

o Finance function setups in terms of people, systems, policies, and procedures

o Technical accounting

o Corporate treasury

o Corporate Governance at regulated entity and plc’s both at executive and non-executive levels

o Strategic planning and analysis

o Recruitment at C suite and board levels

o Leadership training

MIck Furlong talks to the IT Projects Director of Sisk, Michael Ryan; 

1. What drives you to decide to use contract rather than permanent resource solutions?

2. What is your view on the value you have enjoyed using contractor resources?

3. Is there particular areas that contract resources are more appropriate?

4. What advice would you give to others?

Mick Furlong talks to an experienced leader in management, risk management and crisis management. The significance of having a Business Continuity Plan - how you respond and managing all the stakeholders, a great insight from one of our experts Ed Flanagan.

Ed is an experienced leader working in many sectors, his passions 

1. Helping entrepreneurs work on their business rather that in their business
2. Pattern matching and mapping, applying my experience to help       others
3. Bring clarity to Business Models, USP, UVP, and areas to drive and       areas to drop
4. Reducing costs, avoiding waste and increasing market share -       driving profit growth
5. Adding testimonials to proof point my commitment to helping others

Qualifications

• BA (hon),1st Class in Statistics
• Finance, ACCA (L2)
• Prince2, Practitioner
• Lean Six Sigma, Black Belt (pending)

Experience Corporate World Class Leader IBM

• 1st, 2nd, 3level management and Executive
• Finance
• Operations
• Outsourcing
• Real Estate,
• Communication
• Pricing and Special Bids,
• Sales and Marketing
• Audit, Process improvement, Lean Six sigma
• Change management , Business Continuity, ISC

Experience SMEs

• Founder of small business Photography
• Mentor with several LEOs, 100s of SME, with numerous exceptional       testimonials confirming knowledge sharing/confidence building and       simplification.
• Finance
• Cashflow forecasting
• Pricing
• Business Model/ Business Case development
• Funding and MFI preparation, VC and Angle funds
• Pitching Business / Pitching both business and self branding
• Business Continuity - and pivoting
• Bookkeeping/Tax/Vat/Tax returns
• Ideation
• Brexit preparation/execution
• Lean for small businesses
• Trading Online Voucher ( assessor)
• Scaling
• PLATO speaker

Notable memberships/affiliations

• Mentor with several LEOs in Dublin and around the country
• PLATO speaker
• Associate with GMn
• Consultant with Etec
• Chairman of Innovate Dublin Board