Negotiating pocket money as a child and taking up martial arts as a teenager helped shape a business approach

When Michael O’Donohoe now Country Director for Ireland and UK with Wavin, the iconic supplier of above and below ground plastic pipe systems. was a child he had to negotiate for his pocket money every year with his father who worked with a trade union.

Then he took up martial arts and excelled at Taekwondo.. At the age of 17 he achieved a 2nd Dan Black belt and went on to represent Ireland at an international level.

In chatting with Jim and Ellen in this episode of Off the Fence with Purpose Michael explains how both of the these influences shaped his business and management approach.

The learnings from the annual negotiations with his father stood to him as he progressed his career and as he says the attributes needed for Taekwondo; confidence, discipline, respect and communication added to his structured and disciplined approach to management.

His wide ranging career has seen him progress as a sales and marketing professional with national and international experience in diverse industries including Pharma/Biotech, Food & Beverage and Building/Construction. His specialties have included management in general business, sales & marketing, key accounts, project sales and distribution.

Michael graduated with a BS.c Applied Science-Chemistry and Maths from TU Dublin and holds an Advanced Diploma in Management Practice and an M.Sc. in Executive Leaderships from Ulster University.

In addition he has been President and Executive Committee member of the Irish Hardware Association.

This conversation with Michael covers  not only his career and interests but also the state of the building/construction industry in Ireland and the impact of AI on the sector.

While Taekwondo may have shaped his early life Michael has now turned his attention to Ironman and Triathlon events. His description of recently completing the Alcatraz Triathlon is gripping.

Michael describes his style as that of a hands-off manager. He gets the right people onto the bus and then figures out the right seat for them.

His lessons for career development is: be true to yourself, understand your own ability, get out of your comfort zone, challenge yourself and whatever you do pursue it with passion.

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