60 Second Interview with Paul Marry, Intact Software

60-Second Interview with Paul Marry, Chief Executive, Intact Software (Article published in the ‘Business First’ magazine, February 2009).

Paul Marry is CEO of Intact Software, an entirely Irish-owned business based in Dundalk, Co. Louth.  Intact is currently attempting to buck the business trend and is in the midst of significant expansion plans, which involve relocating to brand new state-of-the-art premises, expansion into further foreign markets and increasing its workforce.

What was your first job and what were you paid? 

“As a teenager my first experience of employment was summer work on a farm in Knockbridge, Co. Louth.  At the time I was paid £2 a day (which wasn’t too bad).  It was hard work but also enjoyable”.

What motivates you?

“Working alongside other people, both staff and clients.  It offers a nice range of diversity, which I love.  Also, I love problem solving and whenever there’s a problem at Intact that needs to be sorted out, I’m the first one on the case!”

What would you regard as your most memorable achievement to date?

“That would be growing Intact Software into the international company that it is today and it is nice to know that our growth is not finished yet and that there is definitely a lot more that can be achieved with Intact”

Who do you admire most in the world of business and why?

“Virgin’s Richard Branson because he has proven over the years that ‘making it’ in business is all about believing in yourself and nothing should hold you back”

What is your business philosophy?

“If you are going to take on with a job, ensure that you complete it to the best of your ability and really give 100%.  If you do this, no one can ever ask any more of you or question your effort. I learned this from working with a guy named John McDonnell on his farm in Knockbridge many years ago. Ever since then, I have applied this philosophy to my own work and I always ask our staff to do the same”.

What would be your advice to Irish firms with a global vision?

“It’s all about meeting the right people. If you want to expand in to markets such as the UK or even other countries, it is all about having the right people on the ground to represent your company. Business today is no different than it was years ago, it is still about people. You can have a great product but if you do not have the right people to develop, sell and support your product, you ultimately you will not progress”.

What was the best investment you ever made?

“Purchasing our current offices in Dundalk in 1995.  This gave us a fantastic base from which we could grow the company. We will be moving to new offices by the end of 2009 though, simply because we have outgrown the old ones and need more space to facilitate major elements of the company expansion”.

Why has Intact Software chosen 2009 for expansion?

“We expanded in the UK over the last four years without a major plan and we hope to double what we have achieved there in half the time simply because now we have a structured plan.  Also, at present, new markets are opening up to us (especially abroad) and we are actively pursuing them.  When people see the Intact product they look in amazement at what we have to offer small & medium sized business and we aim to let everyone know about it”.

What do you know now that you wish you'd known when you were starting out in business?

“People used to say to me about ‘marketing your product’ and stress its importance but I never really listened to them properly and was never 100% sure what they really meant by it.  Now I know how important it is for any business starting out to get its message across to their target market about what they have to offer”.

“We use a variety of methods now to support this idea including targeted PR campaigns and of course as you know, we are investing significant amounts in marketing and re-branding”

Intact Software provides tailored software for smart business and if you would like to find out more about what we can do for you please feel free to browse our website.  To truly evaluate if Intact will work for your company, we strongly recommend you arrange a meeting with one of our Software Sales Professionals to give you an in-dept commitment free demonstration.  Request a demo here.