A career that spans accountancy and entertainmentWhen David Orr was a trainee accountant little did he realise that 40 years later he would be touring the world with the iconic Riverdance show.As part of his accountancy training he spent some time in the US and when he returned to Ireland he had as he says ‘itchy feet’. So he set up his own accountancy practice where he was later joined by a colleague Pat Faulkner to form Faulkner Orr. In this chat with Jim and Ellen on Episode 10 of 'Off the Fence with Purpose' he describes the feeling of his first morning on his own in an empty office with no clients and no staff. Faulkner Orr grew over the following years and became part of an international group to become KSi Faulkner Orr.In most recent years David has had an injection of entertainment into his bloodstream as CEO of the company behind Riverdance the Irish entertainment phenomenon which has captured the attention of audiences throughout the world.He has gathered a tremendous library of knowledge about career development both from his accountancy experience and as he says his ‘helicopter’ view of so many careers that are necessary to ensure the success of a touring show with around 100 people involved, from dancers, set designers, IT and marketing professionals, travel specialists and a host of other support staff.The importance of a strong work ethic,work life balance, respect, empathy, ambition, what to look for in succession planning and giving back, are all career issues touched on in this entertaining conversation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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44:18
In conversation with Declan Kelly
In this episode of Off the Fence with Purpose Declan Kelly, managing partner at Digital Impact in Dublin chats about his remarkable career in advertising and digital media and the many lessons learned along the way.He tells Jim and Ellen that he was always drawn to media from a young age and knew early on that this was the world he wanted to be in.He says that the first lesson he learned was to get your foot in the door. Then kick it open. His first break as a Sales Executive in a local radio station, covering for someone on leave, saw his first sales win - finding a sponsor for the for a county final. From there it was on to a number of advertising agencies where in one company he wrote ads for radio, even one which was banned from the national broadcaster, RTE for being too racy..Working in media by day and studying it at night led to him becoming a media manager at 23. He worked on major car brands and learned by osmosis- the best learning experience possible, from a boss who from day one took him to every client meeting. Then came some more switching. "Sometimes you switch jobs for the car. Sometimes for your sanity.” he says.Sanity won out and Declan took a four month sabbatical during which went snowboarding. That helped him gain clarity, perspective, and a reminder of what matters.Back in the real world the entrepreneurial spark ignited and the work-life balance ethos took hold when he joined Core, now Ireland’s largest marketing communications agency. It had 30 people when Declan joined and had grown to 400 when he left 16 years later.Then post Covid the world changed and he knew that he needed to change also. First he joined a digital agency that became part of BDO and then that agency spun out into Digital Impact where he is now Managing Partner.Reflecting on his career and what his variety of roles has taught him he says “Get involved, stay open, your side interests shape your creativity and character.You’re always learning — from the crap jobs to the great ones, from the awkward meetings to the inspirational mentors. In the end, it’s about doing meaningful work and living a fulfilling life outside of it.” Well worth a listen._________________________________ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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44:54
In conversation with Pat Henry
Best known in Ireland as a personal trainer to the stars Pat Henry has also been a movie extra and musician.His early working life was far away from his work as personal trainer in Hollywood and an extra in films like, In the Name of the Father, Michael Collins and Excalibur where he first came into the world of Clint Eastwood, Bruce Springsteen, Mel Gibson and Daniel Day Lewis.He began work as a deck boy with a shipping line before becoming an apprentice with a mechanical engineering company, a sales assistant and general manager in a shoe storea stint as a guitarist with an Irish showband and a yoga teacher. As he says he could never say no to offers of work that interested him.A freak accident then almost left him paralysed but unable to walk for a year.. His sheer determination brought him back walking but left him with a lack of confidence and unsure of himself.A year in California brought back his confidence and he returned to Ireland to open his own gym and put into practice what he had learned in the US.The Pat Henry gym lasted 39 years and was a magnet for superstars who came to perform in Ireland. It closed earlier this year when its lease expired and Pat is now ensconced with personal trainer Paul Byrne at the Body Byrne Studio in Dublin’s Powerscourt Townhouse. In reflection on his varied career Pat talks in this podcast about the influence his wife Marie has had. She was the one who insisted that he should take a year out to “find himself' following his freak accident. The first time he saw her he was was still in his teens and told her that someday he would marry her. They married four years later.He also discovered at age sixty that he was adopted and how that discovery explained why he had a difficult time at school when he was youngIn terms of lessons learned he talks about the challenges and curve balls that impact on someones life and how they learn to deal with them. He also emphasises the importance of doing a job to 100% of your ability and focus your energy into moving onto the next stage of your career either where you are employed or where you want to move to. A must listen. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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49:20
In conversation with Don Harris
In this episode the guest is Don Harris whose career took a dramatic twist following an emergency medical operation. Before leaving school a career guidance teacher told him that as he was very good at talking he would be good at sales. This was a skill that brought him to Switzer Department Store in Dublin where he learned sales from behind the counter. A move into PR with the Royal National Lifeboat Institution followed and then setting up Airtime an advertising sales company for independent radio stations while at the same time working in the advertising department at a business magazine. Then came the medical emergency that almost took his life and hastened his career path from a talker to a listener. Recovering from an 8 hour operation he focused on his company Talkback and his experience as a Life Coach. Don chats with Jim and Ellen about the lessons learned in an amazingly variety roles including Executive coach, Mediator, Tour Guide, Podcaster and Broadcaster. One of his key messages for business leaders is that “People need space to be listened to. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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50:58
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50:58
In conversation with Gavan O'Brien, managing director, gradireland
In this episode of Jim and Ellen chat with Gavan O'Brien who following a difficult start to his business career went on to make a success of various roles in the motor and media sectors and now manages a a leading careers platform for students and graduates in Ireland. His story demonstrates the importance of reliance and finding ways tocircumvent obstacles along the way. Among the topics touched on are relationship development, unusual customer service and battling for a role for which you have a great interest but no experience or family background to build on. Putting a young family before a successful career in media that had him travelling 5 hours each day is another challenge Gavan faced. He resigned that position just as the downturn in the economy hit and he spent 18 months out of work. He used that time to achieve an MBA in Business Administration and Management from Warwick Business School.This is a conversation full of stories about a lived experience and a key message that your early education and business experience does not have to define what you will become or the success that will bring. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
A podcast for those seeking purpose in their work, whether staying in their current job or considering a career change.Hosted by communications expert Jim Walsh and Mettacomms data prophet Ellen Gunning Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ireland