Ten minutes with Louise Lahiff, director of strategy, planning and people at Version 1

How did you get started in Version 1?

I was working for RBS in Edinburgh and saw a role advertised for Version 1. I hadn’t heard of the company at the time but, being Irish myself, was interested in an Irish company’s success and really liked the sound of the job so I decided to go for it. I’m delighted I did as it’s been a brilliant eight years since.

What are you working on at present?

In my role as director of strategy, planning and people, a large part of my job is focused on growing and developing our team. Version 1 is growing fast and we need to make sure we expand the workforce in tandem to ensure we meet the demands of our customers. That means recruitment, as well as upskilling our current team to ensure they have the right skills and experience to do their job. Also, Partners Group recently acquired the majority investment in Version 1 so I am also working with them on Version 1′s wider strategy and planning.

What is the best part of your job?

I love seeing progression and growth in the team members we have brought in at relatively early stages of their careers. The culture at Version 1 rewards ambition, so we nurture anyone who shows drive and make sure they progress quickly.

Is there a career moment you are really proud of?

I took over the People Team during the Covid-19 pandemic. Because we were all working from home for a prolonged period, it wasn’t until March this year that I got to meet many of them at a team meeting in Dublin. It was great to meet a bunch of super people who are now all thriving and doing some really impactful work for our growing client base. That was a really proud moment to see the whole team together for the first time.

Where do you see the IT industry five years from now?

I don’t necessarily see IT as a separate industry; it will be in everything, and in fact it already is. In retail, manufacturing, financial services and many other sectors, enabling technology sits at the heart of their business – from supply chains to online purchasing to public services. That means there are huge opportunities for people to get work in technology, including those who don’t have a tech background. It is a really exciting time to be working for a company like Version 1, which is at the heart of that transition.

What’s the best piece of professional advice you’ve received?

“If you can’t fix it, feature it”. Sometimes putting a problem front and centre can help you overcome it. For instance, an HR director in the hospitality sector told me of a struggle with recruitment because of a perceived desire for home working when most of the industry’s roles can’t be done at home. That can’t be fixed; serving customers a drink or meal needs staff on site. So, instead she targeted the people with growing desire to be in a role where you get to meet people and enjoy social interaction every day. She didn’t try to fix it, but instead featured it.

If you could go back in time and give yourself a piece of advice at the start of your career, what would that be?

Don’t underestimate the value of key transferable core values. Because regardless of the industry you work in or the job you do, someone who will take ownership in their role is invaluable – we call that Personal Commitment. Someone who will always do things to the best of their ability and go above and beyond for customers – we all that Excellence – is always a massive contributor to their team.

It is easy to get hung up on the right certifications, but once you get your foot in the door and demonstrate those values you will always do well. We all love working with people who deliver on their promises, and that should never be underestimated.

What advice would you give someone thinking about interviewing for a role at Version 1?

A firm grasp of our core values is really, really important. Also, be prepared to be pushed outside your comfort zone. No two days are the same in Version 1, and the people here are so driven and focused on beating their personal best, regardless of how big or small the challenge is. We have 500-plus customers across multiple geographic locations with some really big problems to solve, so there’s no comfort zone or status quo to settle into.

For driven people who want to work with extremely talented, ambitious colleagues, you’re empowered to get stuck in right away and learn something new every day. It’s important at the interview stage for us to see energy, drive, ambition – all the traits that reassure us that you’ll be happy and will thrive in our fast-paced varied working environment.

What would you say are the key skills and capabilities necessary to be good at what you do?

Listening. When it comes to strategy and planning, I need to understand what our people want and what our customers want, both of which have changed a lot in a short space of time over the last few years. For instance, prior to the pandemic, many customers wanted our people on site with them but are now happy to have them work digitally. Big changes like that come from listening to our customers and our teams to make sure we all adapt to new ways of working.

What is the best career lesson you have learned so far?

If you want to progress quickly, you have to get used to feeling uncomfortable. If you’re pushing yourself, a lot of the time you won’t necessarily be sure about what to do next or what happens next, but that generally means you are gaining new experience and new skills that will stand you in good stead for the future.

Which industry professionals should people be following on Twitter/LinkedIn?

When it comes to careers and advice, Helen Tupper and Sarah Ellis are always on point on their podcast Squiggly Careers.

Is there a particular book or resource you’d recommend to someone early in their career?

Again, Helen Tupper and Sarah Ellis have great bite-size useful advice in their new book, You Coach You.