By Business & Finance 
A career spanning technology, cyber security, legal, financial services, recruitment, sales, marketing and creative saw Mary Carroll consolidate her broad skillset in the launch of iDetermine, a management consultancy and executive coaching business.
Focused on business and people development, iDetermine delivers impartial analysis and advice to shape leadership, operations and organisational culture, essentially transforming business performance and success.
What are your main priorities and goals in your role?
Currently my main priority is to ensure that the company has the right portfolio of clients to support growth over the coming year. After that, I’m completely focused on my clients’ experience and strive for excellence in this area.
What are your biggest challenges as CEO?
My biggest challenge right now is finding enough hours in the day to get everything that I want to achieve done.
How do you keep your team/staff motivated?
I work mostly with associates and partners and I’m very lucky because we understand and support each other and this creates motivation. Also I’d have to say that quite a lot of people working within this industry are motivated by the work itself and get great satisfaction in doing it.
What are the challenges facing the industry going forward?
One of the biggest challenges facing the industry right now is the fact that it is currently unregulated. This means that many individuals who are working in the space have very little formal qualifications or training, and this can undermine the credibility of the industry.
What new trends are emerging in your industry?
Generally speaking, there are constantly many emerging trends but I’m focused on emotional intelligence and the new ways that it can positively impact performance. It is becoming clearer that we have only touched the surface with EQi and what it can offer.
“I’m having a lot of conversations with companies that are creating a people preparation plan for Brexit so they see the value in investing in their people when Brexit is happening.”
Are there any major changes you would like to see in your sector?
I think mainly I’d like to see a regulated industry with formal training.
How will Brexit affect you, or have you started to feel the effects already?
I have not seen any effects of Brexit so far, so I am remaining cautiously optimistic. The main way that I think Brexit could affect my business and indeed many other businesses is the creation of the ‘not knowing’ state where companies are afraid to spend or use budgets out of fear of the unknown. That said I’m having a lot of conversations with companies that are creating a people preparation plan for Brexit so they see the value in investing in their people when Brexit is happening.
How do you define success and what drives you to succeed?
Success for me is getting to live the life that I want to. So many people are working in jobs that they don’t like or care about. I love what I do and I don’t take that for granted. I think the thing that drives me the most is simply seeing my business grow. I’m also passionate about EQi and want to discover what else this type of development work can contribute to.
What’s the best advice you’ve been given, or would give, in business?
It’s not going to be easy but it will be worth it.
What have been your highlights in business over the past year?
I think the highlight was perhaps being part of a succession plan for a new MD and seeing it through to the end. It was a really rewarding experience because I got to work with fantastic people but it also gave me a lot of personal satisfaction because my work contributed to many key decisions within the business.
What’s next for your company?
I’d like to develop a type of software that supports this type of work. My background is in tech so I think it’s time to combine my past with my future to make a new offering for my business. This is something new and exciting that I hope will open new doors.
Where do you want your business/brand to be this time next year?
I’d like the business to be still in high growth mode and the software development to be completed with a list of secured contracts.
Mary Carroll, CEO of iDetermine, wants to examine the benefits EQi can offer
