‘An old pro’ with skills at the ready

NEWMARKET-on-Fergus man, Chris Meehan has been retired for over a year now but still felt he had time on his hands despite attending all the chores he never got around to in his working days.

Chris had the idea of offering his expertise in marketing to small businesses on a voluntary basis, particularly those in need of these services but who may not be able to afford them.
“In recent years, there has been an increasing trend towards voluntary early retirement and redundancies among people with business skills. These people are a hidden treasure to be discovered and mobilised for the good of the business community. This pool of professionals and experienced business people could be of immense benefit to both manufacturing and service industries, in providing professional advice and assistance in the management functions of such companies, firms that cannot afford to have such professionals on their payroll,” Chris believes.
He describes himself as one such retired person and is offering his expertise to companies that need promotional help. His forte is in applied marketing which he practised worldwide for nearly 40 years with Shannon Development selling industrial, food and tourism products.
“I’m a graduate of Ireland’s industrial revolution which took root primarily in Shannon Industrial Free Zone in the early ’60s. At that time, Shannon was a tax-free haven offering tax concession on corporate profits to multinational companies that set up subsidiaries there. I was one of the youthful lads that was employed by the multinationals, trained as a toolmaker. I became qualified in production engineering and later in international marketing. For 11 years, I traversed global markets setting up representation and distribution networks in 26 major markets for high-precision tooling; a daunting challenge for a country boy,” Chris outlined.
In 1979, he joined Shannon Development establishing a marketing services function that provided marketing support for small firms whose entrepreneurs were motivated to set up business primarily because of their manufacturing skills. He later went on to manage the evolution of Ireland’s first all-inclusive food processing complex – the Limerick Food Centre and to managing Ireland’s first workspace.
“For the past 22 years, I served in the role of promoting tourism from worldwide markets into the Shannon Region using access through Shannon Airport, spearheading promotional initiatives in the UK, mainland Europe, Eastern Europe and long haul markets,” he said.
In his last six months with Shannon Development, Chris worked to re-energise a programme selling its 50 years of expertise in economic development to countries wishing to improve their economic performance.
Now at 65, he feels he still has lots of energy in the tank and wide-ranging practical wisdom, promotional thinking that could be useful to small and medium-sized businesses to help them get valuable exposure in target markets and leading to increased business.
“I retired in December 2009, soon after to be diagnosed with prostate cancer. I had a year-long series of treatments but I’m back to full health and raring to get back into doing something with my enthusiasm, energies and well-honed skills. I have time on my hands now and I’d rather keep alert and keep the brain active. I thought I might as well be productive and as there are a number of small businesses out there that need marketing advice, I thought I could offer my skills. I am on a pension so I don’t want to be paid. There’s got to be some small businesses who would welcome helpful intervention in getting increased business and making their operations more viable. These are tough times for small businesses and if I can help then my motto is to have a look at it and see if I can give them a valuable source of help,” Chris explained.
The Newmarket-on-Fergus man describes himself as “an old pro” and his great marketing philosophy for small businesses is grounded on having a plan, which he says is “a crucial basic”.
He believes there is an opportunity to exploit every possible promotional opportunity at a minimal cost.
“There are lots of avenues to market to explore if only one exercises imaginative and creative thinking. For instance, I would advise only spending money on promotional activities where a return on investment can be clearly measured,” he explains.
Chris outlined that there are a number of businesses out there that don’t have a marketing plan he said there are many ways to market a business that doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg, for instance printing promotional material yourself. He said he would be willing to help smaller businesses who are not in a position to avail of marketing services professionally to prepare a marketing plan as well as providing cost-saving tips and relevant marketing information.
He believes having taken this approach that there are a number of other retirees who are also interested in offering skills in this way.
“I’m hopeful that there are many other retirees with business skills, with time on their hands and fire in their bellies to lend a helping hand to small businesses. These are difficult economic times for our small business community and I’m sure that such help would be welcomed. I’m giving it my best shot,” he concluded.
Chris Meehan can be contacted by email to meehanchr@eircom.net or by calling 086 9883198.