Having the right philosophy for business success

If you can keep your head while all those around you are losing theirs, says the wise old saying, then you have all the attributes for a successful life. One man who epitomises this spirit is the Ennis-based regional manager of Plato Midwest Network, Eoin Tynan-O’Mahony.

By John Rainsford

“The vast majority of companies in the Plato Network are experiencing steady growth currently,” he explained. “They have used the network to get advice and training, use their groups as a sounding board and to consult their peers in a confidential manner on the challenges faced and how best to tackle them,” he said.
The global Plato model that exists today emerged from the framework established following the closure of two multinational corporations in the Turnhout region of Belgium, during the late 1980s. Up to 15,000 people were then affected and the chief executive officers of the two companies were organised a meeting for 200-plus companies and their suppliers to attend.
The idea was to use peer-to-peer learning, group work and collaborative wisdom to identify new employment opportunities, develop business plans and management skills.
The backers hoped to attract 150 people but more than 1,000 turned up.
“A whole new plan was called for and lengthy discussions ensued, which resulted in a facilitating and mentoring model that fundamentally acts as the basis for the Plato Network,” said Mr Tynan-O’Mahony.
In the Mid-West, groups of companies (between 10 and 12) currently meet once a month under the facilitation of two group leaders who are seconded from multinationals to act as parent companies to the group.
The group leaders act as chairpersons/facilitators/mentors/coaches but in general lead the groups in a confidential forum within which the various participants’ plans, opportunities and challenges are discussed.
“Today, Plato Ireland is dedicated to the successful development of small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs).
“The Plato Network has run in Ireland since 1993 and has more than 1,500 member companies. Plato Ireland is part of a Europe-wide network of more than 10,000 SMEs and 500 parent companies.
“To date in Ireland, over 4,000 business owners have participated in the network and Plato is ­Ireland’s premier business development and support forum network for the self-employed,” Mr Tynan-O’Mahony explained.
Plato Ireland is an initiative of the employers’ body, IBEC, the Chambers of Commerce of Ireland and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment via the city and county enterprise boards.
The Plato Network in the Mid-West is funded by Clare County, Limerick County and Limerick City Enterprise Boards and these have been the main promoters and sponsors of the Plato programmes in close association with Limerick Chamber, IBEC and FÁS.
Parent companies have also played a significant role in its success. In the Mid-West over the last three years, those involved have included the likes of Avocent, AIB, ACC, BOI, Essilor, Filtertek, Loyalty Build, Lynch Hotels, Microsoft, Phardiag, Reagecon, Roche and Rusal.
Mr Tynan-O’Mahony was contracted as the Plato Mid-West regional manager two-and-a-half years ago as part of the Enterprise Board’s drive to further support SMEs in the region.
He also works with other companies involved in business development projects. He loves his current role and feels that despite the current recession, this is the most interesting phase of his career to date.
“Plato currently has four groups meeting in the Mid-West Region once a month.
“We arrange training for members and provide a forum to share ideas and to draw up a shopping list of needs for the SMEs at each meeting.
“One of the needs identified was for a larger forum, to which all the companies in the Mid-West could be invited to network, learn from each other and discuss the potential transformation of their own companies to provide new ways of increasing business,” he said.
Plato Midwest was one of the organising collaborators of the first Midwest Showcase held last October.
Planning for the Midwest ­Showcase 2011 is at an advanced stage and The Enterprise ­Acceleration Centre, Leap programme, LIT, Limerick County and City Enterprise Boards, Supply Network Shannon, Shannon Development, Enterprise Ireland, chambers of the Mid-West and Plato are again all closely involved.
Outside of work, Mr Tynan-O’Mahony helps train an underage rugby team and co-ordinates a junior youth group. He is married and lives in Ennis with his wife and five children. He takes as his business mantra the Plato philosophy that “everyone is a teacher”.
“You do not need experience. All you need is belief in yourself and a plan to work by which will prove that the business idea is valid.
“There are a huge range of supports available but you do need to be focused and prepared to work hard at it. We need to find gaps in the market and to fill them with new business ideas.
“That is part of what Plato is trying to do by working with existing companies to develop their businesses,” he said.
Plato Mid-West is extending its programme as new members come on board.
Each group participates in a programme of development, which features facilitated peer-group learning, specialist expertise and advice, unique partnerships with large parent companies, networking skills, opportunities and management training in core business skills.
The Plato CORE Programme consists of practical management training sessions. Each session covers those key management indicators required for a successful company.
Plato seeks to promote contact between owner managers of small/medium-sized businesses and management executives from large companies, recognised management experts and parent company specialists.
By discussing, exploring and analysing issues of specific ­relevance to managers, participants are given an opportunity to grow in knowledge and insight.
“People just need to look at what they want to do with their lives.
“They should follow their dreams, first and foremost. The world is their oyster, if they could only look at it that way,” said Mr Tynan-O’Mahony.
Plato Midwest has two programmes currently running in the region, with a third one about to start next month.
For further information, contact Eoin Tynan-O’Mahony at eoin@platomidwest.ie.