In the High Flyers spotlight this week is Emma McCrory, a senior business consultant at Fujitsu (https://www.fujitsu.com) and a mentor for the young female leadership programme SistersIN
What was your first job?
I was a shop assistant in a chemist as a student. I loved it because it was a great chance to meet people from all walks of life. I remember once having to help staple an older customer’s trousers to make them into a pair of shorts during a spell of hot summer weather.
What qualifications do you have?
I have a joint honours degree in economics and accounting and I am a Fellow of Chartered Certified Accountants (FCCA). I always had an interest in maths and science at school however my particular interest was understanding how organisations worked and I knew I wanted to work in business as my career.
What do you attribute your success to?
First of all work hard. However, over the years my own definition of what is important to me has changed and with it, what success looks like. For me success is having my own career and maintaining it while I have a family, therefore managing a healthy work/life balance is key. I take pride in being able to excel at work while balancing family commitments. I have two teenagers and I feel that achieving autonomy to make your own life choices, career and financial decisions is a sign of success.
How would you describe yourself to someone who’d never met you?
Greying, middle aged, feminist cat-lady and proud of it!
Who do you look up to in business?
In my 20s I read lots of business books such as the McKinsey Way advice guides on how to run businesses and the attributes of successful leaders. Nowadays I tend to access webinars and articles from people like Simon Sinek or entrepreneurs and leaders. I’m interested in people who talk about purpose not just about making profit and finding opportunities on a global stage.
How do you get the best out of people who work for you?
It’s very much a collaborative approach based on openness and honesty with a willingness to listen and ask questions and above all being supportive of others. I like to share my knowledge and experience and see others grow and develop their skills which is why I particularly enjoy opportunities such as SistersIN, where I’m mentor for one of the students at Ashfield Girls’ High School.
If you could change one thing about doing business in Northern Ireland, what would it be?
I believe working with organisations internationally is a key business objective to adopt. Being aware that skills are internationally transferrable is an excellent way to make greater changes worldwide. Fujitsu Northern Ireland has worked with global centres of excellence for many years by reaching out and asking, ‘how can we work together?’
What website or app could you not do without?
Google. How did we ever manage without it?
What was the last book you read?
I’m not an avid book reader anymore so I’m glad to say that I am currently reading a signed copy of the book ‘Living with Ghosts’ by Northern Ireland journalist Brian Rowan. It’s from the best book shop in Dromore, Bridge Books. It’s based on his journalist notes when he was a correspondent during The Troubles, so it’s a fascinating insight into the backdrop to my childhood.
What car do you drive?
I’m all about practicality when it comes to my cars and now that I share it with a newly qualified driver - it’s a Skoda Fabia.
Tell us something interesting about yourself?
Before I had a family and had much more time on my hands, I completed a reflexology diploma. It was intriguing to learn about the subject as I enjoyed having reflexology treatments myself - it’s great for relaxation and wellbeing.
What’s your greatest passion outside work and family?
Yarn. I’m a keen crafter and always have some knitting and crochet projects on the go. I love anything to do with wool. Give me a ball of yarn and I’ll be your friend for life. I make twiddle muffs for people with dementia and children with neurodivergent behaviours. I love meeting like-minded yarn lovers and each year I create a Christmas themed ‘yarn-bomb’ display on a local lamppost it has become something of a local landmark.
