Donna Ahern talks to Conor Moules, country manager of Irish food ordering app Bamboo.
How would you describe your role?
I work with our amazing team to bring the best products and service to our customers.
Our hospitality partners are at the heart of our decision making process, along with our users.
My job is to link that all together and bring it to market.
A simplified description of my job would be to help enable my team to do their jobs across our different business functions.
What was your first job and what did you learn from it?
My first job was with CK Signs and Display in Wexford.
I’ve known the owners, Gavin and Colm, since I was a kid and they are now a supplier for Bamboo.
This job taught me the importance of fostering a relationship with the customers that you do business with.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
We are currently making some exciting changes at Bamboo and growing our amazing team.
This, along with our recent partnership with payments giant Square, are just a few things that keep me on my toes and motivate me every day, so the fact that no two days are the same is what I enjoy most about my job.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
Still loving what I do and being just as motivated and continuing to grow the business and our team.
What is your advice to people starting out in the industry?
Spend twice the amount of time learning about your customers and market than you do on anything else.
This is a bank of knowledge that, as you develop, will pay dividends.
I meet way more people than I should who know their product or service inside out, but are low on the market knowledge. Avoid this at all costs.
What was your worst job and what was so bad about it?
Handing out newspapers for the Sydney Morning Herald in Australia. It was short term gig work that I had picked up in my spare time. The heat was a killer.
What do you think the government could do to help businesses in the current climate?
Raise the minimum wage to a living wage.
It will hurt in the short term, but has huge advantages going forward.
What three business people do you most admire, and why?
Michael O Leary: Ryanair is a brand that gets nowhere near the level of respect that it deserves.
Steve Jobs: The ability to bring a product to market that is several levels above what is in the market, time and time again.
Barry Hearn: From a snooker hall in Romford to being the biggest sports content player in the world. Matchroom is a brand that I respect greatly.
If you could bring back one product that is no longer available in Ireland, what would it be?
Fat Frog ice pops.
What was your favourite grocery brand when you were growing up and why?
Brennans Bread. It is just a staple of most of our childhoods and it holds a huge nostalgia. And, let’s face it, it’s beautiful.
Who would come to your ideal dinner party (living or dead)?
Steve Jobs, Warren Buffet and Eddie Jordan.
What is the best piece of advice that you’ve received?
I read a book called ‘The Hard Thing about Hard Things’ by Ben Horowitz.’ It was a life- changing read!
What do you like to do in your spare time?
I love watching my son Lenny playing football for the U8s with Sheriff YC in Dublin. It is a brilliant community club and I’m enjoying it as much as he does!
How much time do you spend on social media in an average week?
15 hours per week.
Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn?
Twitter.
With which fictional character do you most identify?
Batman.
Most likely to say?
Let's figure it out.
Least likely to say?
We can't figure it out.
© 2021 Checkout – your source for the latest Irish retail news. Article by Donna Ahern. For more Technology news click here. Click sign up to subscribe to Checkout.
