THIS week's High Flyer is Caroline McSorley, sales manager for Glandore in Northern Ireland.
What was your first job?
I had my first job stacking shelves at a local supermarket aged 15. Financial independence was important to me even back then.
What qualifications do you have?
I have a degree from Queen's (Major in English Literature and Minor in Cultural and Media studies). My Dad nicknamed me the three degrees as I actually started out doing Geography a few years before but it wasn’t for me. I graduated when I was 26 and went on to participate in the Premier Post Graduate Management Programme.
What do you attribute your success to?
I like to think of myself as hard working and I’ve been lucky to work with extremely smart people that have taught me so much along the way. I’ve also learned that failure doesn’t mean death. As long as you learn lessons from every mistake and can take ownership of where you went wrong.
How would you describe yourself to someone who’d never met you?
Genuine, approachable and enjoy a good laugh.
Who do you look up to in business?
Richard Branson has always had my admiration from the empire he has created and how he takes care of his employees. Simon Sinek also has some great insight into the human condition and how to tap into why people do what they do in a business setting.
How do you get the best out of people who work for you?
I believe in getting to know each individual, their strengths and what motivates them most and linking that back to the common goals we need to achieve together. Also never underestimate the bonding effect of food!
If you could change one thing about doing business in Northern Ireland, what would it be?
I would love to see more indigenous companies going global like First Derivatives in Newry. We have such a wealth of talent and no end to creativity and innovation. It would be wonderful to see more of that translate to thriving businesses here.
What website or app could you not do without?
Spotify - it literally changed my listening life and I could not be without it now! I often go down a rabbit hole of an artist and go into their entire back catalogue for a week.
What was the last book you read?
Absolute Happiness by Michael Domeyko Rowland. I love anything that makes you think about life and how you can positively change your perspective to create more contentment.
What car do you drive?
I’m currently driving a BMW coupé that makes me laugh every time I get into it as it’s just not me at all. I’m waiting on a Vauxhall Mokka later this month, with two little girls to taxi around it’s much more my speed.
Tell us something interesting about yourself?
I’ve lived abroad for ten years in Dubai and then Australia and have done business with clients on every continent through my previous roles in the conference industry.
What’s your greatest passion outside work and family?
Definitely music. I love listening to almost every genre, dancing to it and going out to live gigs and concerts.
