Bidvest Noonan
A market leading provider of facilities services and solutions
Data analytics is changing how we design, plan, manage and maintain workplaces. Data analytics provides a comprehensive and refined understanding of how workplaces are used, enabling managers and facilities teams to make better decisions.
Our report on how data is reshaping the workplace discusses:
We are fortunate to have some incredible people in our business who are passionate about what we do. Having these people has been the key to our success. We do our utmost to keep our people happy and train them to become future leaders. One of these people is Tony Noonan.
Tony Noonan has been with Bidvest Noonan for 29 years. Tony has worked his way up through the business to become a Soft Services Manager.
Throughout his time here, Tony has not only developed his skills but has become a trailblazer. He has overseen some innovative projects that have benefited the business and our clients. Tony is a role model for those who aspire to forge a long and successful career and a perfect example of someone who lives our credo.
We recently asked Tony why he stayed, what he has learned, and what his experience brings to our business.
What has made you stay?
“The company recognised my potential from early on and gave me plenty of opportunities to progress. This was important to me. As a family man with a wife and three children, Bidvest Noonan offered me the stability and assurance to provide for my family.
Over the years I have built up strong relationships with many people across the business. A lot of these colleagues have become lifelong personal friends of mine and have contributed to my stay here.”
What have you learned along the way?
“I have learned many things since joining the business, but I believe that getting the basics right, having patience in everything you do, and building trust are the most important principles that have stuck with me.
For me, if you want to get any job done, you must first get the basics right, every time. I am a firm believer that something years in the making can fail overnight, so if you don’t get the simple things right, you’ve already lost half the battle.
I understand the importance of maintaining a professional and healthy relationship with clients. I have learned that if I want clients to believe in my way of thinking, I have to build a high level of trust with them. I never compromise on this.”
What qualities do you think you bring to the business?
I believe every person brings a unique ability to a job, but there is no real substitute for experience. It is important to apply what you have learned over time to everything you do. One of the qualities I feel I developed and can bring to any job is patience.
I spent five years overseeing a project that involved the introduction of anti-statics sealers in a client site that covered a floor space of over 280,000 sq2. There were many ups and downs but I kept patient, remained focussed, and believed in what I was doing. That mentality helped the project become a huge success. The client continues to apply these sealers on an ongoing basis.
Tony’s colleagues recently recognised his long-standing commitment to the business by celebrating his 29th work anniversary. Integrated Accounts Life Science Lead, Sarah Scanlon has said:
“I have known Tony since I joined the business over 14 years ago. Tony has always worked well with clients and staff, and he is the go-to guy to get a read of a situation. He is very loyal and extremely hard working. He was very supportive of me when I joined the business and continues to be so. He is like that with many other staff and managers within the business too. He really is an asset to this company.”
Today is World Book and Copyright day! We are celebrating by kicking off a new insight series. We have asked people across our business what books interest, inspire them, or have shaped their thinking.
This month we asked Fintan Connolly, Michael Kennedy, Simon Giles, Una Ni Mhurchu, Janice Knight, and Cornelia Olivier to share a book that has piqued their interest, and why.
Simon Giles, Finance Director – Freakanomics by Stephen Dubner and Steven Lewitt
“What intrigued me about this book was that the authors wanted to focus, in a fun way, on how the study of economics is understanding how incentives, or motivations, work. This book shows how irrational thinking governs our lives. The authors use lots of fun statistics to challenge assumptions around the world. The big takeaway for me that I have tried to remember and use throughout my career is that, as people, we all love to try and find reasons why something happens – to be able to explain it. However, what we must all try to avoid is confusing causation and correlation – one is really helpful, especially in the business world, one isn’t!”
Fintan Connolly, Chief Business Officer – El Diego by Diego Armando Maradona
“I could have picked lots of other titles including ‘Open by Andre Agassi’, ‘Shakespeare by Bill Bryson’, ‘Prisoners of Geography by Tim Marshall’ or ‘Race of a Lifetime by John Heilemann and Mark Halperin’, but decided on my most recent read, the story of the footballer Diego Maradona. Possibly the most gifted footballer ever, but an individual who didn’t have the skills or maturity to deal with the fame and adulation. This book captures it brilliantly. All the more pertinent, with his untimely passing late last year. A flawed genius!”
Una Ni Mhurchu, General Counsel – Waiting for the Barbarians by J.M. Coetzee
“This book is a great piece of fiction that highlights, using vivid imagery, how fear can control people. I read this a couple of years following 911 when the idea of controlling the masses through fear really felt so prevalent and damaging. I was a college student at the time and it really emphasised how independence of mind is so important. I think it would still be a great read for anyone interested in the current debates around populism and culture wars.”
Cornelia Olivier, Client Relationship Director – The Art of Possibility by Benjamin Zander and Rosamund Stone Zander
“The authors of this book bring to life how opening up yourself to ‘possibility’ can encourage creativity, confidence, and great relationships. They take you on a journey of discovery and wonder, inspiring you to constantly challenge the self-limiting beliefs we impose on ourselves and others. There is a lot of fun learning on how to unlock the ‘possibility’ in your life.”
Michael Kennedy, Chief Financial Officer – Unstoppable by Adrian Gilpin
“I saw Adrian speak at a conference years ago and it was one of those eureka moments about having the right attitude to life and casting away negativity. Some months later I read Unstoppable which charts Adrian’s personal journey to living an inspired life. His storytelling really hooked me and changed my outlook. He explains how sometimes we are our own worst enemies and let our negative thoughts get in the way of our ambitions and ability to enjoy life.”
Janice Knight, Director of HR, Workplace Solutions – Coaching for performance: Growing human potential and purpose by John Whitmore
“This book shaped the early start of my coaching career and the book I still refer to. It is one I highly recommend. What I really like about this book is how coaching is expressed as an enabler and that a coaching culture creates conditions for high performance. Whitmore sees emotional intelligence as a life skill that can be taught and claims it to be an essential skill of leaders. It also details how change comes via self-awareness and self-potential. I am a fan of the GROW model and use this frequently, it is a simple yet effective tool that helps shape a conversation but also gives structure and advancement to many situations. He says successful leaders of the future will lead in a coaching style rather than command and control.”
Eve Rushmer is a valued and important member of our operations support team. Eve lives with a rare chromosomal disorder in which all or part of the short arm (p) of chromosome 18 is deleted. People living without this part of their Chromosome 18 have disabilities that make the world more difficult to navigate. Despite this, Eve has been very successful and has even found ways to help others.
She recently appeared on the C18 Podcast where she discussed both life and work whilst living with the disorder. She tells a remarkable story of resilience and determination to succeed at school, learn to drive, and get a good job. On top of that, Eve has completed a number of daring and demanding activities to raise money for Chromosome 18 Europe.
Eve very much lives her life by pushing herself to do the things she loves the most. Her condition doesn’t stop her from dancing, exercising, and even learning how to drive! Her story of overcoming these challenges throughout life are an inspiration to anyone facing difficulties.
“I would like to say to any parent out there (with a child that has C18 disorder) that it is okay to give your child the support they need to thrive in life. I know it is going to be hard, but you will get there. Look at me now. I drive a car, I have passed my driving test. I’ve even got a job in London and it is the best feeling”
Listen to the podcast below:
Pat Byrne is an Area Supervisor at Bidvest Noonan, and an experienced one too! Pat took the long route to get where he is today and is something he is very much proud of. We want to share his unique perspective on life and how it helped forge his career.
“A colleague recently approached me who was struggling with his self-worth and questioned whether he had the ability to progress his career. He felt since he left secondary school, he was constantly being overlooked because did not have a college degree. I was able to empathise with him as I experienced a similar situation too. I wasn’t fortunate enough to attend college, but it never stopped my appetite to forge a career and get to where I am today.
I told him he wasn’t alone with his worries, and there are many others who often struggle to see a clear career path. I shared with him how my outlook changed when I changed my mindset. I firmly agree with the great Arthur Ashe. He says you should “start where you are, use what you have, and do what you can”. I focussed on my strengths, my abilities, and making people see the type of person I am. I believe that as long as you are putting in the graft, you will be noticed. “What’s for you won’t pass you by“.
I have seen first-hand how someone can go all the way to the top in a company by going down the long road. I believe inspiration is all around us, so do not let one person or job define you. Work hard enough and one day you will reap the rewards. Think positive, stay motivated, and above all else, back yourself.”
Editor’s Note:
Subsequent to writing this piece for us, Pat was invited to attend a Train the Trainer course helping him to take the next step on his journey.
What are some traits you think great leaders possess?
For me, I admire a person that is decisive and works with great integrity, a leader that has humility. Someone that can inspire others to make a difference and has unwavering resilience.
Which woman has inspired you the most and why?
My Sister Patricia, older by 4 years. I always looked up to and adored my sister, she was my biggest supporter and my toughest critic, always there to guide and mentor me. She most certainly kept my feet on the ground and was brilliant at helping me tease out any difficult decision. She was in banking for most of her life and had such a unique way of connecting with people. Later in her life, she took a risk, which paid off, and swapped banking for a life in the music industry, unsurprisingly she excelled there too. She had a can-do attitude that was infectious and had the unique ability to make people feel that they were capable of everything, she passed away from Ovarian Cancer in June 2017 at the age of 45.
How have you developed your confidence as a leader?
My passion is people, supporting and ensuring people feel connected to purpose, that they are enabled to do their job successfully and bring their best every day.
I have always felt this and believed this is what makes a difference. From my first role as a team leader to my role now as a Director, these values remain for me and I am dedicated to enhancing my team so that they feel that connection.
Confidence grows over time and with experiencing disappointments and failures. I have these experiences on occasion and I have grown from them. It’s tough, and its stings but it’s key to your own development.
What advice do you have for women aiming for leadership positions?
Do not feel you need to be everything to everyone, understand your strengths and play to them. If you are a natural ideas person, be that. Equally, if you are better at analysing the idea once presented, then do that. There is space for everyone at the table, once you have that realisation your confidence grows as does your contribution.