What are Glandore Dublin Members looking forward to in 2018?
As we settle back into our working routine now is the perfect opportunity to reflect on the highs and lows of the year gone by and refocus ourselves for 2018.
We sat down with three of our Glandore Dublin members to find out what lessons they learned in 2017 and what they are most looking forward to in this new year.
Francesco Tirelli
Italian Chamber of Commerce and Industry for Ireland
What was your professional highlight in 2017?
My professional highlight this year was to start the new branch of the Italian Chamber of Commerce and Industry here in Dublin and discover the amazing energy of Irish people and their very strong business culture.
What was the greatest lesson you learned in 2017?
The greatest lesson I learned this year was the importance of flexibility inside an organization. Both Large Companies and SMEs are finally starting to understand the impact of innovation. Digital solutions and Social Media are revolutionizing our economies and we must be ready to adapt and change.
Would you change anything you did in 2017?
I would probably worry less about delays and obstacles and focus more on strategic vision and targets. It is important to focus on solutions and not on problems, but it is not always easy.
What is one of your personal goals for 2018?
My personal goal for 2018 is to start hiking in Ireland! I would love to discover more of your beautiful country and also take some time to relax and enjoy some fresh air.
Do you have any professional New Year’s resolutions?
My professional target for 2018 is to be able to develop a series of events to help Irish and Italian companies to connect and increase their business. There are many links between our countries and new technologies can help us strengthen them.
What’s the one piece of advice you would give for 2018?
Networking, networking, networking. All the major opportunities I had this year came from meetings, events and Social Media connections. Expanding your network both online and offline always gives you the possibility to be constantly up-to-date with your industry and it often leads to new collaborations.
Sinead Nic Eoin
What was your professional highlight in 2017?
The most exciting highlight of 2017 was when Asana launched in Europe and to our French and German speaking customers. We saw extreme growth in demand for Asana in Europe in 2017 and this led to increased growth of our EMEA Headquarters in Glandore. Being a part of this journey from a small office to a strong, dedicated and bustling HQ has been the greatest adventure of 2017.
What was the greatest lesson you learned in 2017?
I learned that the best way to feel comfortable and successful in your career is to be your authentic self and bring 100% of yourself to everything that you do. Being respectful, open and honest with your colleagues and peers will not only deepen your relationships with them but lead to a happier workplace.
Would you change anything you did in 2017?
I wouldn’t change a thing. Each and every challenge or opportunity that arose provided a learning experience that I used to educate myself to do more, do less, and continue on doing what works. Being able to see changes as ways to grow is a perspective I will take with me into 2018.
What is one of your personal goals for 2018?
I am going to conquer a 5k run. This was a goal I had last year but never got to it. This year I am being specific and using a training program (perhaps I’ll be the Glandore running club’s newest member?), and a time setting goal. With all my personal goals I ask myself how committed I am to achieving the goal. If I commit to a 9, I gotta do it!
Do you have any professional New Year’s resolutions?
Read more. I do enjoy the many works of Stephen King, but I’ve been neglecting reading for my career. I was recently given a list of books from a colleague and advisor. With books like ‘The Tao of Leadership’ by Ben Horowitz and ‘Nonviolent Communication’ by Marshall B. Rosenberg, I’ll be starting with that!
What’s the one piece of advice you would give for 2018?
With both your personal and professional goals, take it slowly and be kind to yourself. Try breaking your major goals into mini-goals and celebrate yourself each time you complete one!
Robert McHugh
What was your professional highlight in 2017?
Acquiring my own business and making the move into a co-working environment rather than a traditional office.
What was the greatest lesson you learned in 2017?
Always be willing to adapt to your environment and never be afraid of change. This is particularly relevant if you work in the Digital Media Sector.
Would you change anything you did in 2017?
I would try to worry less about things outside of my control. As Mark Twain once said, “Some of the worst things in my life never even happened.”
What is one of your personal goals for 2018?
To become more adventurous with travelling and to see a bit more of the world.
Do you have any professional New Year’s resolutions?
I would like Business World to reach a more diverse and wider audience.
What’s the one piece of advice you would give for 2018?
Always trust your own intuition. If you do this and make a mistake, you can forgive yourself because you acted in good faith. If you doubt yourself and make a decision based on fear or insecurity, you will always regret it. Be true to yourself because if you try and please everyone, you will please no one.