Business Leaders interview: Meghann Madine

Tell us a little about yourself and your business.

My name is Meghann, and I am head of sales and events for Market Taverns. I have been in hospitality for 10 years and started as a pot washer within Galvin at Windows. Market Taverns is made up of 14 beautiful and individual pubs.

What motivates you in your work and what do you find most fulfilling about being a business leader?

Seeing a company grow from something you have built motivates me to push those sales. I find it fulfilling when I see the venues thrive which means more opportunities for the staff. 

How did you develop your leadership skills and how would you define your leadership style?

I developed my leadership skills through learning from many previous managers who have very different ways of leading and finding what works for me. I have had the privilege of learning from several strong women in the industry. 

Innovating is crucial in our very diverse industry. How do you stay ahead of trends and incorporate them into your global strategy?

I believe keeping on top of competitor analysis is crucial to staying on trends and keeping an eye on customers in the venues and what they’re looking for. 

What do you consider to be the key component(s) of effective business operational development?

I believe a few key components are structure, rewarding people were due and not giving up! 

How do you approach identifying areas for improvement within a company's operations?

We have been conducting a few group meetings within the venues to brainstorm and bounce ideas off of each other. 

Where do you think the most promising investments should be focusing on and/or made on?

Investing in people is key, you can have amazing venues and a vision however if this cannot be executed by the right people it won’t succeed. 

What is or are your biggest career achievement(s)?

Winning an award at the casual dining group company awards, or growing Market Taverns from 6 venues to 14 venues on the pre-booked system within 3 years. 

Do you have examples where your leadership made a difference? If so, what were they? 

Taking someone from a restaurant position to a sales position, who is now a successful sales manager. 

What’s the most important leadership lesson you’ve learned?

Not to act on emotions. 

How did you identify and seize opportunities for advancement in your career?

I took risks moving companies when I did and having the courage to ask for what I believe I am owed. 

Have you achieved everything you wanted in your career so far? 

I would love to receive another award In the wider industry. 

How important is personal development to your success, and how do you approach it?

Very important, as you grow as a person naturally your management skills will grow and evolve. 

How do you prioritise tasks when everything feels like a priority?

I am a big list writer; I will write on paper my list for the week to prioritise everything and visualise my week.

What steps do you take to measure your own performance?

My performance is measured by sales targets, but I also set myself KPI’s

What does success mean for you as a business leader?

Succeeding target and a happy team! 😊