Ronan O'Connor

Founded and led Be Interactive Inc., a sales and marketing company specializing in customer acquisition and fundraising campaigns throughout the United States. Responsible for the strategic direction, growth, and day-to-day operations of the business, including recruitment, leadership development, client management, financial performance, and operational planning.

Since establishing the business in 2021, I have grown the organization from a team of 5 to more than 50 employees and independent contractors, generating approximately $3 million in annual turnover.

Achievements

• Founded and scaled Be Interactive Inc. during the COVID-19 pandemic, establishing operations in a new country and building the business from the ground up. Developed client relationships, operational processes, onboarding systems, and the infrastructure required to support long-term growth;
• Grew the organization from 5 team members to more than 50 employees and 20 independent contractors, generating approximately $3 million in annual turnover while expanding operations into multiple markets throughout the United States;
• Created and implemented the systems, structures, performance frameworks, and leadership development programs that supported sustainable growth, promoted managers into leadership positions, and created ongoing employment opportunities across the organisation.

Hired within the group to manage business-franchisee-customer relationships following an acquisition and period of company growth. Lead the growth strategy to expand the subcontractor (franchisee) network and maximise profitability. Hold general management responsibility for ensuring the company is operationally robust and each department is performing at optimal levels. Accountable for P&L $15M and OPEX $10M, leading a team of 100 - 300 subcontractors at any one time. Key decision maker across the business, reporting into the Managing Director and maintaining positive relationships with all subcontractors, suppliers and end customers.

Achievements

• Grew annual revenue by 25%, transforming operations with digitized processes, setting clear performance targets per department and galvanizing franchisee network;
• Established a transparent, trustworthy relationship between the business and franchisees, leading a series of stakeholder engagement initiatives to determine needs, communication plans and ensuring franchisees had adequate business support;
• Transformed workflow efficiency through a well-defined best practice sales process, ensuring all customer budgets were consistently met and providing visibility on all sales activities;
• Maintained business continuity throughout Covid-19 pandemic, moving the business 100% online with minimal disruption to BAU whilst sustaining ongoing revenue growth;
• Coached over 20 franchisee businesses, uplifting capability through training and mentoring, developing business plans and helping to implement infrastructure to enhance service delivery.

With experience in the Irish market, launched my own company in 2013 when I arrived in Australia. Devised and led the strategy to provide appropriate support to sub-contractors and employees to improve business performance and maximise growth. Accountable for revenue budgets of >$2M and leading the team to success. Overseeing a team of ~30 sales agents and a subcontractor team of ~10 per franchise, delivering training to uplift capability. Balanced complex relationships between team members, suppliers and third-party contractors.

Achievements

• Developed a transparent and robust relationship between team members, clarifying expectations and improving communications to drive market share;
• Grew revenue by $1M within the first 18 months;
• Transformed operations, introducing digitized processes and rolling out marketing campaigns to accelerate growth;
• Improved end customer experience, providing training and development to help deliver customer objectives, driving new channel growth for multiple clients.

Recruited to establish and grow the energy division of the business operating out of Cork, Ireland. Devised and led the business growth, sales and marketing and customer relationship strategy to bring brand awareness and develop an extensive network of suppliers, franchisees and B2B subcontractors. Responsible for doubling business and maximizing profit, ensuring subcontractors were operationally robust to deliver to customers. Managed the internal training, development and mentoring of team to ensure delivery was on brand and to customer expectations.

Achievements

• Grew the business and revenue ground up in 12 months, consulting with subcontractors to develop operationally robust teams and maximise profit;
• Increased subcontractor recruitment and headcount, maximizing the capability of the business to ensure a win-win solution for all parties.

• References available on request