Ireland Leadership Training Expert

Brendan O'Brien
Nenagh, Ireland

Bio Picture: Brendan O'Brien
I started my career with Nenagh Co-Operative Creamery (now Arrabawn Dairies).
After 10 years in operations, I took leave of absence to study Food Science & Business Management.
On my return, I was promoted to Production Manager in the Liquid Milk Department, and studied Supervisory Management at night. My duties included the smooth running of the plant, producing quality products that met legal requirements and met or exceeded customer expectations.
I was also responsible for the motivation and training of staff, hygiene, reducing waste and efficiency.
After 10 years in management, I was introduced to Crestcom International, a leadership development company based in Denver, USA. After my initial training in the US, I set up my own training business, and was awarded a licence to deliver Crestcom's Bullet Proof Manager development programme.
With two other licencees in Ireland, we are now delivering the programme countrywide, andalso in- house for larger companies.
The course consists of 24 leadership modules delivered over 12 months ie 2 x 2 hour modules for 12 consecutive months. Companies can start any month they choose.
The modules are based on 12 fundamental skills:
Communication - Customer Focus - Decision Making - Delegation - Developing Productive Teams - Leading Through Change - Managing Energy & Time - Negotiation - Planning & Prioritizing - Problem Solving - Recruiting & Retention - Strategic Thinking.
Our accountability process includes Crestcom facilitators debriefing action plans in-house between modules.
Clients include Xtratherm in Navan, Procter & Gamble in Nenagh, Core Software in Mitchelstown, Tipperary Co-Operative Creamery, Menarini Pharmaceuticals & Airtel ATN in Dublin, MSL Engineering in Cork, Anglo Irish Refrigeration in Ashbourne, Tobin Consulting Engineers in Galway. For more information, visit www.crestcomleadership.com.
I am also a member of Nenagh Toastmasters, an international organisation dedicated to the development of leadership skills through the medium of public speaking.
I have fulfilled many leadership roles, including President in 2009.
In 2019, I was appointed Area Director for Area 24, serving the interests & needs of five clubs in the area.
I have completed a number of advanced communication & leadership projects, and have also mentored many new members.
In 2009, I won the Area 24 Speech Evaluation contest, and in 2017, I came second in the Division International Speech contest.
I am married to Mary, and have 2 children, David, 16, and Caoimhe, 14.
My interests include doing outdoor activities with my family, cycling, swimming, hill walking, following Tipperary GAA, and coaching our local soccer team, Knigh United Under 14's.
I am also a DLA (Deputy Launch Authority) with Lough Derg RNLI (Royal National Lifeboat Institution) at Dromineer Bay, Co. Tipperary.

Featured Webinar

Don’t Just Manage Emotions at Work– Embrace Them!

Many of us were taught emotions don’t belong at work. However, emotions influence our decision-making, productivity, work quality, creativity and commitment. Leaders who ignore the power of emotion in the workplace can cause increased stress and burnout, lowered productivity, and increased employee turnover. Join host Jenn DeWall for this webinar about the wisdom of embracing emotions at work and how to manage them effectively. She’ll also share tips for leaders to create a supportive work environment to increase employee engagement and productivity!

Featured Ebook

Succession Planning

Succession Planning In the New Normal

Does your organization have a succession plan? If someone in the C-suite were to depart today, do you know who would take their place and how the transition would be managed? If you answered no, you are not alone. A 2021 SHRM Survey of active H.R. professionals found that only 21% of their organizations had a formal succession plan in place. 24% reported having an informal plan, 20% said they didn’t have a plan but intended to create one, and 36% admitted they had no succession plan— and no intention to create one. Explore how to create, manage and sustain an effective succession plan. Learn about the common barriers to creating a succession plan—and how to overcome them by adopting more comprehensive long-term recruitment strategies.

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Featured Resources

Workplace Anxiety is on the Rise — How Leaders Can Help

Workplace Anxiety is on the Rise — How Leaders Can Help

Workplace anxiety and stress are on the rise. A recent Gallup State of the Global Workforce report found that 44% of the world’s workers experienced and 40% experienced worry for “a lot of the previous day”. Gallup also found that 60% of people are emotionally...

""I have been delighted with the Crestcom approach & Brendan's flexibility in best meeting our plant's needs. Doing two on-site training sessions per month eliminates travel costs, which represent about two thirds of our annual training expenses, and provides flexibility. We've been able to train an expanded group of leaders,..." Read More

-Bryce Freeman , Plant Manager
Procter & Gamble, Nenagh.

""As we're coming to the end of the course, I'd like to share some of the benefits we've taken from the programme. The interactive nature of the course, and working with leaders from different companies, was a very enjoyable experience. What was most effective was the monthly follow up debriefing..." Read More

-Brian McGrath , Managing Director
MSL Engineering, Cork.

""In 2012 we invested in Crestcom training with Brendan O'Brien as facilitator. The first attendees were senior managers and during the 12 month course significant benefit was gained from adopting many of the 24 training modules. As a company we felt that the course would benefit the next level of..." Read More

-Joe Walsh , Managing Director
Core Software, Mitchelstown.

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""I have been delighted with the Crestcom approach & Brendan's flexibility in best meeting our plant's needs. Doing two on-site training sessions per month eliminates travel costs, which represent about two thirds of our annual training expenses, and provides flexibility. We've been able to train an expanded group of leaders, and we've seen benefits already, particularly in the areas of recognition & time management, areas our leaders were specifically requesting for skill building. I have found Brendan to be an outstanding partner in our training journey. He prepares in advance with our leadership team to select the most meaningful learning exercises, or to adopt one to more perfectly fit our manufacturing work. He is consistently responsive and strives to ensure we get the most benefit possible from the material.""

-Bryce Freeman , Plant Manager
Procter & Gamble, Nenagh.

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""As we're coming to the end of the course, I'd like to share some of the benefits we've taken from the programme. The interactive nature of the course, and working with leaders from different companies, was a very enjoyable experience. What was most effective was the monthly follow up debriefing of action plans; this ensured implementation and the following are just some of the results that followed: From the module "Hiring, Training & Rewarding Employees", we have already saved at least €20k by identifying the right candidates, therefore eliminating agency & advertising costs. By hiring the right attitude, and having a recognition programme in place, we envisage further savings of more than €50k in the next year, with little or no turnover of staff. From the customer service & communication modules, we have enhanced our reputation with our customers and suppliers by negotiating better terms, based on the win/win concept. Communication has improved, leading to less follow up, less friction, and time spent more productively. Estimated savings from action plans to date in these areas amount to at least €40k, with further significant savings envisaged. From the module "Better Performance Through Better Teamwork", action plans included upskilling staff, therefore giving options to cover holidays & busy periods, Identified savings to date are at least €20k, with more envisaged. Techniques from the "Negotiating To Win" module have resulted in savings to date of over €40k. The continued use of the 1/3 + 1 Rule in problem solving and getting group concensus has been very effective, especially around meetings. Meetings are more productive, concluded much earlier, with concensus and action plans following each meeting. Savings to date amount to over €50k. The benefits & savings mentioned are ongoing, giving us a huge return on our investment. Brendan has been very professional in facilitating the sessions, and we are grateful for the time & effort he has invested in our company, ensuring we get the maximum benefits from the course. I would highly recommend the Bullet Proof Manager programme to any company that wants to invest in their leadership teams, and improve the overall performance of their companies"."

-Brian McGrath , Managing Director
MSL Engineering, Cork.

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""In 2012 we invested in Crestcom training with Brendan O'Brien as facilitator. The first attendees were senior managers and during the 12 month course significant benefit was gained from adopting many of the 24 training modules. As a company we felt that the course would benefit the next level of management and these too underwent the programme. An example of an applied module with measurable benefit was "How To Deal With Difficult Customers". The strategy in this module was applied in a situation where the relationship with a customer had soured. This situation was not only reversed but the improved working relationship resulted in extra business of €10k being done with this customer. Throughout our company we continue to benefit from Crestcom training"."

-Joe Walsh , Managing Director
Core Software, Mitchelstown.

Contact Brendan O'Brien

Contact Info

  • Ballycommon, Nenagh, Co. Tipperary E45 Y 183, Ireland
  • +353 (67) 31628
  • +353 87 915 5705

Webinar Registration

×

Don’t Just Manage Emotions at Work– Embrace Them!

Many of us were taught emotions don’t belong at work. However, emotions influence our decision-making, productivity, work quality, creativity and commitment. Leaders who ignore the power of emotion in the workplace can cause increased stress and burnout, lowered productivity, and increased employee turnover. Join host Jenn DeWall for this webinar about the wisdom of embracing emotions at work and how to manage them effectively. She’ll also share tips for leaders to create a supportive work environment to increase employee engagement and productivity!

March 30th, 2023 at 10:00AM ET

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