brianoconn – The Bitter Business

Brian O'Connell

Sales and Marketing Enabler in Ireland

Sales and Marketing Service with a twist. The Bitter Business is a business enabler, working with and investing in Irish start-ups and growing companies to implement the sales strategy and bring paying customers in.

Based in Ireland, I am a hands on senior manager with experience in digital media, software (SaaS mainly) and online technology who has operated both within large organisations and start-ups. I have sales and marketing skills (still love selling) plus strategic, operational and management experience in multiple channels (online sales, inside sales, field sales and channel) across software, digital media and solutions markets.

brianoconn – The Bitter Business

Hi,

My name is Brian O’Connell. Based in Dublin, Ireland, I am a hands on senior sales and marketing manager from the digital media, software and on-line technology sectors who has operated both within large organisations and start-ups. Focused as a business enabler or growth hacker I have sales and marketing skills plus strategic, operational and management experience in multiple channels (on-line sales, inside sales, field sales and channel) across software, digital media and solutions markets. I have demonstrated a track record of achievement in both top and bottom-line growth. I have a deep understanding of sales models, on-line marketing, sales channels, product offer development, KPI management and sales processes to meet business goals.

My experience covers senior and board positions with both start-ups and large organisations including developing on-line strategy and sales channels, entering new markets, product strategy, managing multi-lingual sales teams, sales team development, customer acquisition strategies, channel marketing plus implementing “Go to Market” programs/tactics

Find me on              Twitter                  Google+                 LinkedIn

Business Mentor

To make a business mentoring partnership work, both parties relish in leaving the ego outside the door. They are there to chat, explore, discuss, educate and enjoy the time away to think. One big mistake many new or growing businesses make is to “cocoon” themselves where they forgot to reach out when things are not working.

To help find a business mentor, maybe the guide below might help.

• What do you need mentoring on?  Decide what aspects of the business or skillset a business mentor can help with?  A retired CEO of a large company probably isn’t a good mentor for growth hacking a business on a small budget. So have an objective whether it is for sales, marketing, management, finance etc.

• Listen and Learn. A business mentor will always seek to understand before being understood. So if a business mentors listens is the business willing to learn?. Business mentors are passionate about helping a businessperson or company who loves to learn and grow. It also means that a good business mentor understands that on-one in business takes every bit of advice blindly, so build the relationship by being honest and open if advice is not practicably.

• Time – quality over quantity. Both sides need to invest quality time with focused sessions where the real business issues are aired and discussed in confidence. Ensure the time you need and the time the business mentor can give matches each other’s expectations.
• Driving the discussion. The businessperson or owner drives the discussion and agenda, the business mentor is there to listen, respond and offer up feedback. Business mentoring is at its most effective when the entrepreneur sets the agenda and requests specific insights while also getting broader or deeper insights from the mentor.

• Business mentor or business coach. The value of a business mentor is to tell it as it is not what a business might want to hear. A business coach or consultant is paid to focus on helping the business or person with specific actions or skills like selling, marketing, business development or presentation skills. Business mentoring is to advise on specific situations or business strategy issues. So sometimes a business needs a mentor, sometimes they need a business coach.

Do take the time to seek out a business mentor, someone who will genuinely care about the business and the person. A business mentor whose motivation is to see business success, business growth and the person flourish. A business mentor who brings passion, emotional involvement and real concern for the business are the keys to real business mentoring success.

Lastly, business mentoring is not a flippant decision for either the business person or mentor. The experience has to be a learning path for both sides. However, the fundamental reason for business mentoring is everyone needs a helping hand, no matter who the person or business. Business mentoring is about building relationships, they can’t clear all the obstacles a business or start-up faces, but a good mentor can certainly show a better route to get to where the person or business needs to get to.

Author Note:  If you would like to chat about business mentoring or have a business idea or plan, I am always interested in meeting. Feel free to contact me. Brian.

Business Mentoring – The Bitter Business