What I did next: from tech consulting to growing digital consumer brands
Alumna Lina Gallagher on how she scales digital businesses for global brands, and what she learned from her time at Deloitte.
1. Tell us about your career path and your motivations for founding Emerce Consulting
The Deloitte graduate scheme gave me a solid foundation in consulting, technology and business acumen. I learned a huge amount about analytical problem solving and progressive thinking, and was fortunate to work with a wide variety of stakeholders advising on digital transformation in the retail sector. I’ve always been very driven and motivated, so when the opportunity came up to move to the Middle East and start Emerce Consulting, I jumped at it. I used my experience from Deloitte to build my business advising retailers and brands in building successful online businesses.
2. What have you found most rewarding about building and scaling a business?
I find it immensely satisfying witnessing client transformations, and helping businesses overcome their fear of digital change. I also cherish the opportunity to mentor and develop my team, taking risks on individuals and fostering their growth within my company. There’s no playbook with entrepreneurship. It’s a constant challenge of unknowns and risk taking which can result in huge gains. That’s what motivates me and fuels my passions.
Lina with her mentor from Deloitte, Ian Geddes, Chief Growth Officer for Deloitte NSE
3. How are you integrating AI into the businesses you work with, and how is the technology changing the way they operate?
In my business, AI is streamlining our operations and significantly improving team deliverables. For my clients, AI is transforming marketing, operations and data analytics and this is a big area of my consulting work. AI allows for a personalised customer experience, optimised store layouts, and a more efficient workforce management.
4. How have you stayed connected to Deloitte and with former colleagues?
I’m still very close to everyone from my graduate intake in 2010. Some of my cohort have gone on to achieve incredible things! And of course, I’m still in touch with my Deloitte mentors who challenged me, guided me, inspired me and kept me grounded when I started my entrepreneurial journey. My mentors taught me all the skills I use today in my business from structured problem solving to digital innovation and large-scale change.
5. Is there a particular nugget or learning from Deloitte that you’d like to share which has impacted on your career?
The most significant skill I learned from Deloitte was the power of structured thinking. This has enabled me to confidently manage the complexities of running multiple businesses effectively. The belief that any problem is solvable with the right structure has been critical to my success as an entrepreneur.
Read more Deloitte alumni profiles:
Jamie Gill, Fashion and Luxury CEO, on increasing diversity in the industry
Nneka Orji, Senior Director in Asset and Weath Management, on the power of career sponsorship
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