By Héloïse Chaudot 
Stephen Shannon is the Chief Commercial Officer for Storm Technology, part of the Littelfish Group. Shannon leads Storm Technology’s commercial strategy, guiding the sales organisation and supporting business growth.
What was your first job? I got my first job at the age of 16, working the petrol pump at the local Texaco station. I then moved on to another somewhat unexpected summer job where I helped pack Christmas trees onto an assembly line in June. I loved those jobs and the fun we had – it was also my first taste of having my own money in my wallet. What are your main priorities and goals in your current role? My main focus is to ensure that the true value of our business is always evident to our clients. What drives me is delivering genuine, measurable impact for those we work with. Ultimately, I’m committed to scaling Storm Technology, establishing our reputation as innovators in the market, and ensuring we deliver meaningful results for every client we support. What pushed you to pursue a career in this field? In 2005, I started my own business, which honed my skills in learning how to sell. When you work for yourself, you have to focus to ensure you deliver for clients and close deals. I thrive when working with clients in varying fields to solve problems, and I approach sales in that way – offering a resolution to clients that ultimately benefits their business. How do you motivate yourself and your team? Keep eyes on the bigger picture, the why, without getting bogged down in the day-to-day challenges. I encourage my team to go further, build self-belief, and support them in succeeding in their own careers. In one sentence, how would you define success? I define success as continuous progress: getting better over time, learning from experience, and consistently moving closer to your goals. If I can look back and see I’ve improved, delivered, and adapted, that to me is success. How do you relax? At the age of four, I remember seeing two people fishing off High Rock in Malahide – then and there a lifelong passion for the outdoors and fishing was born. We don’t realise how lucky we are in Ireland to have such stunning countryside. Getting outdoors with friends is one of the best ways to relax. What is your favourite (non-business) book? The Speed of Trust by Stephen Covey. My key takeaway is that high‑trust environments create momentum; people move faster and spend less time protecting themselves. Low trust does the reverse, adding cost, delay and unnecessary complexity. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given? When I started my first business, I spent too long perfecting the offering and not enough time engaging with my customers. One day my business partner simply pointed at the phone and said, That’s not going to ring itself. That was one of the most effective reminders to get out there and talk to clients. How do you handle adversity? I’ve learned that adversity itself isn’t a failure; it’s an inevitable part of life. However, we do have a degree of choice in how we choose to respond. For me, that’s focusing on what’s within my control: taking a first step, however small, rather than being overwhelmed by the whole problem. What are the aspirations for the future of the business? We’re experiencing strong growth at the moment, and the acquisition by Littlefish has been a significant catalyst in accelerating that momentum. As we continue to grow our offering across Ireland and the UK, my focus is on ensuring the business remains resilient, trusted, and relevant to our clients, laying the foundations for long‑term, sustainable success.
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