In the High Flyers spotlight this week is Paul Murnaghan, Northern Ireland director for BT
What was your first job?
I was a trainee management development consultant, working for one of the founding fathers of the tech sector in Northern Ireland, Paul McWilliams, in his company Beecom. Prior to this I had paid my way through university working for a couple of great friends as a bookie’s runner. I made some fantastic memories and gained some valuable life lessons at an early age!
What do you attribute your success to?
I'm a very honest, grounded and straightforward individual who embraces hard work and the diverse challenges that every day brings. I have a real drive to win and to be successful in both my working and personal life. My success is due to having a great team as well as hard work and the fact that I am passionate about what I do.
How would you describe yourself to someone who’d never met you?
Approachable, honest, professional and competitive in my role in leading BT’s public and private sector business locally.
Who do you look up to in business?
I’ve been fortunate to work for many great leaders and I can honestly say that each has developed me in their own way. If I was to call out one person it would be Graham Sutherland, a former BT colleague - he is a class act, and great person to-boot.
How do you get the best out of people who work for you?
I call it “51 per cent”. I provide the team the platform to shine . . . my job is to deliver the environment, support and tools to enable them to do what they do best. I empower them to take 51 per cent responsibility to do their job, to enable them to lead, and of course, I try to remember to get out of their way!
What do you see as current challenges for businesses in Northern Ireland?
Bouncing back from the Covid pandemic economically is going to be critical for Northern Ireland – and our SME economy. We need to ensure that we provide the appropriate subvention to support these businesses more than ever over the coming months. At BT we are doing our bit. We understand that for many SMEs working from home for the first time may be very daunting but it is essential that they adapt new skills in order to survive and stay connected. We’ve launched the BT Skills for Tomorrow programme, which offers free training sessions needed to flourish for the digital future. www.bt.com/skillsfortomorrow
How can larger businesses help support others during this time?
As a critical enabler and investor locally, BT is working hard to do our bit to help keep Northern Ireland up and running. For example, we’re providing free secure audio and video conferencing services to public sector bodies to help them support staff working from home and co-ordinate activity across government departments. We have also been working with the finance arm of the civil service, using our technology to get crucial payments disbursed to small businesses totalling in excess of £152 million so far.
What’s your greatest passion outside work and family?
Water polo! Primarily coaching now as I’m a long retired international, with occasional masters appearances today. It's been a massive part of my life and a fantastic team sport and I’ve have taken many of these transferable skills into my life in business.
