In this week's High Flyers spotlight is Dr Scott King, co-founder of Pinnacle Growth Group, a Lisburn-based consultancy offers strategic advice, development guidance and training to businesses seeking to expand.
What was your first job?
While I was still at school, I worked night shift on Friday nights at Menzies, a newspaper wholesaler on Belfast’s Boucher Road, packing newspapers and making up the orders for all the shops in Northern Ireland to receive the next morning.
What qualifications do you have?
I have studied at Queen’s University and Ulster University. I have a diploma in industrial studies, honours degree in mechanical engineering, PhD in advanced composites, chartered engineer and currently undertaking a PG Cert in international business.
What do you attribute your success to?
My success definitely comes from the strong work ethic instilled in me by my parents. Mum is a business secretary and my dad is a welder. I have a personal determination to prove that things can be done if people say they can’t and I want to have a positive impact locally by making a difference.
Learning from others around me and aiming to use that knowledge to shape my actions has definitely assisted in my success together with having good business mentors who have challenged me over the years, driving me to learn and improve. I am also motivated by my very patient wife Laura and to provide for my young family.
How would you describe yourself to someone who’d never met you?
Non-stop, analyst, problem solver, whiskey collector, loves banter, gym lover.
Who do you look up to in business?
People who have not been afraid to try. People who have had the guts to start from scratch and make their business a success. People who have failed but learnt from that, picked themselves up and pushed forward.
How do you get the best out of people who work for you?
Don’t keep people isolated. Let people see the journey you want to go on and the role they can play in shaping the journey and achieving the end goal. Let them see that their input and capabilities are truly impactful. Provide supportive feedback, access to learning to training. Be comfortable with them making mistakes and letting them make them to support learning. Giving them ownership so they can learn. Identifying what each individual’s needs are and helping to find the win win win between them, you and the business.
If you could change one thing about doing business in Northern Ireland, what would it be?
For Northern Ireland businesses to really accept that they are truly world class and to use this confidence to jump into global sales. So many businesses under-value their knowledge and capabilities compared to others, and having been involved with businesses across the globe, I know that we can truly stand out among the best, we just need to have more self belief that we can do it.
What website or app could you not do without?
LinkedIn – it’s a fantastic platform for enabling communication with so many potential clients around the globe.
What was the last book you read?
'Sun Tzu – The Art of War'. A lot of his thoughts and concepts can be readily transferred to business.
What car do you drive?
Ford Mondeo ST – with two kids and a dog, I need the boot space!
Tell us something interesting about yourself?
I hold two black belts in martial arts
What’s your greatest passion outside work and family?
I really like to keep busy and active. I love getting out for walks up mountains. I like the challenge and find it a good way of clearing my mind.
