In the High Flyers spotlight this week is Adam Cree, chief revenue officer at 3EN, one of the world’s leading Oracle NetSuite Enterprise Resource Planning Solutions partners. Based in Holywood, it has operations across Europe and the US. To take part in the High Flyers Q&A, get in touch via business@irishnews.com
What was your first job?
I signed to the Belfast Giants when I was just 16, becoming the youngest elite professional hockey player in the UK and the only local Giant at the time. Being thrust into a world of pro sports at a young age was challenging but incredibly rewarding.
What qualifications do you have?
Despite spending my school days focusing on becoming a pro hockey player, I did get six GCSEs in the usual subjects like history, English and science. During and after my hockey career, I taught myself graphic design and web development in my spare time, which has taken me to where I am today.
What do you attribute your success to?
I’ve always pursued my interests with great passion. From a young age, I was keen on design and that appreciation of visual art has always been a major part of my life. When turning my passion for design into a career, I created freelance design projects for businesses in my spare time to build up a portfolio and expand my knowledge.
How would you describe yourself to someone who’d never met you?
Engaging, energetic and enthusiastic. At 3EN we believe in the three Es - engage, enable and enhance - and I think I align with those values quite closely too.
Who do you look up to in business?
I’m a huge Simon Sinek fan. I enjoy his books and think his sales and marketing expertise is unparalleled. I like how he humanises marketing with a focus on interpersonal connection. His wisdom, control and delivery is incredible. I aspire to communicate more like him.
How do you get the best out of people who work for you?
At 3EN, we hire based on character and culture. Sure, everyone needs the base skills for the job at hand, but for us, if you’re aligned with our culture and how we like to do work, we’ll invest in you. We’ll help you develop personally and professionally to be the best you can be. I constantly check in with my team and see what I can do to lift them and help them grow.
If you could change one thing about doing business in Northern Ireland, what would it be?
As a society, sometimes we’re guilty of getting stuck in the past. This can dominate important issues that should be addressed; issues that would help us progress. We are an incredibly talented population, and I worry about the impact on our young people of not moving forward in a positive direction.
What website could you not do without?
During lockdown, I found myself using LinkedIn and CMO.com a lot. I enjoy the sense of community LinkedIn offers and CMO.com’s marketing content is great. In a personal capacity, Amazon is the site I visit most. I don’t have a shopping addiction, but I love reading and using my Kindle, and without Amazon, I wouldn’t enjoy such easy access to millions of books!
Tell us something interesting about yourself?
I’m dyslexic, but despite the challenges that brings, it hasn’t held me back. If that’s not interesting enough, when I was younger, I had a slide that I loved at our family home. We moved house, but the slide was left behind by mistake. I cried so much that my dad climbed the fence at our old house, took the slide, and put in up in our back garden as a surprise for me! Greatest dad ever.
What’s your greatest passion outside work and family?
My faith and seeing people realise their full potential. I like to help people realise that they matter and that they can make a difference in this world. As corny as it sounds, I believe that by lifting and supporting others, it encourages a positive and uplifting energy around me.
What advice would you give to someone starting out in their career?
Pursue your passions and follow your dreams. It’s incredibly cheesy, but I truly believe it. Challenge yourself, surround yourself with people that will challenge you and lift you higher, and never stop learning and taking on new skills. If you’re a passionate, motivated and enthusiastic learner, my best advice would be to get in touch with us at 3EN, because we want people just like you.
