My Business Life: John O’Shanahan, LeanBPI

John O’Shanahan, founder and managing director of LeanBPI, shares his life and his business lessons.

Founded by O’Shanahan in 2014, LeanBPI is a business improvement consultancy dedicated to helping small businesses select, integrate, and adopt the right digital solutions.

With expertise in developing custom solutions as needed, it specialises in the SME and micro-business sectors, partnering with clients to design and implement streamlined digital workflows and processes.

Its team, led by John, delivers cutting-edge, emerging technologies to small businesses, delivering tailored solutions that enhance business performance and reduce operational stress

Tell us about your background, what journey did you take to arrive at where you are?

My journey and interest in technology began in secondary school, studying applied maths and being exposed to the Sinclair computer in the late 70s. After secondary school I studied electronics at Limerick Regional Technical College (now Technological University of the Shannon) preferring digital systems to analog.

In the 1980s, when unemployment was high, I was fortunate to start my career at Verbatim Corporation in Limerick, a leading technology company at the time. When Verbatim embraced offshore manufacturing I was given the opportunity to help partner suppliers in Asia improve their practices, which was a formative experience. The removable media business was fast-paced and constantly changing, and I continued working with Verbatim through several ownerships and locations in Asia, Europe, and North America. Over my 22 years with Verbatim l learned invaluable lessons, in management and technology— lessons I carry with me today. Ironically, the cloud technologies that replaced removable media now power LeanBPI.

I returned to Ireland in 2007, just before the recession. On my return I managed an Irish SME for five years, applying my skills to improve the business while working closely with smaller customers and suppliers. During this time, I attended the University of Limerick to study lean management, earning a master’s degree. This inspired me to start my own consulting business focused on small business improvement. Initially I subcontracted for a larger consultancy, working with businesses of all sizes until the Local Enterprise Office’s Lean for Business Programme gave me the push to go independent. 

About eight years ago, I recognised the growing need for digital solutions in small business operations. We started exploring this space, and when Covid hit, digital adoption accelerated dramatically. Fortunately, our experience meant we were ready to support businesses through this shift. Today, I’m proud to help small businesses harness lean and digital tools to thrive in a competitive world.

Why are you doing what you are doing? What need are you meeting? What’s your USP?

We do what we do because we love solving problems and influencing positive change. It is very rewarding to help business owners improve performance in a short timeframe. We are meeting a critical need—every small business has to constantly work on improving performance to survive, and adopting the right technology is a key part of that.

Our unique strength lies in combining the operational knowledge gained from working with larger companies with nearly a decade of experience supporting small businesses.

This dual perspective allows us to understand each company’s unique challenges and guide them on their digital journey, whether they’re just starting or are well along the way. We tailor our approach to the needs of each individual business.

How did you fund and start the business and what are your growth plans?

I self-funded the business as I wanted to take control of my own path and focus on areas I’m passionate about. Initially, I centered on lean management, with digital not yet on the radar. Over time, as the business grew, we expanded to offer lean, green, and digital support to small businesses, working closely with Local Enterprise Offices across Ireland.

As technology continues to evolve, it’s essential that businesses adopting it can do so successfully. Many small businesses are still in the early stages of digital adoption, and we take a holistic approach to guide them through the journey. Our experience in the sector positions us to support businesses at every stage—whether they’ve tried and failed with technology in the past or are ready to explore new tools and higher-end solutions.

By staying ahead of trends, we’ve added automation and data analytics to our services, which has fueled recent growth. Looking ahead, we see opportunities in helping small businesses leverage AI and advanced tools to improve performance and reduce stress. Our goal is to empower every small business we work with to thrive in a rapidly changing digital landscape.

What are your key skills and qualities that set you apart?

As consultants, we take responsibility for delivering results. Problem-solving is at the heart of what we do, and we tailor actions and pace to meet each client’s unique needs and comfort level. Driving change often requires clients to step out of their comfort zones, so building trust quickly and reinforcing it with positive outcomes is essential.

Our reputation is everything—if someone needs our help, we respond. This commitment, combined with our ability to create solutions that work in real-world business contexts, sets us apart. We pride ourselves on being dependable, results-driven, and responsive to the challenges of small businesses.

What (or whom) has helped you most along the way? Who was your greatest mentor/inspiration?

Throughout my career, I’ve relied on authenticity, effort, persistence, and trusting my instincts—these are my guiding principles. I’ve also been fortunate to work with inspiring colleagues and managers who shaped my journey.

During my career, I made several step changes in responsibility. Moving from Ireland to Taiwan aged 26, with responsibility for supplier quality in a large contract manufacturer, was a daunting experience. I was grateful for the excellent support and encouragement from Dan Meek, a senior executive at Verbatim USA at the time. Later, transitioning from middle management to plant management involved relocating from Ireland to the Netherlands. I owe much to Mike Meehan, Site Manager at Verbatim Limerick, whose guidance helped me through that significant increase in responsibility.

Stepping out of my comfort zone in these roles left me vulnerable and facing steep learning curves. These individuals stand out for their belief in me, helping build my confidence and supporting my growth as I navigated those challenges.

What was the greatest piece of business advice you ever received?

The best advice I’ve received with regard to running a small business is to be storm-proof, future-proof, and stay nimble—ensuring you’re ready for big disruptions, ready to capitalise on short-term opportunities that may come up and remain competitive in the long term.

What circumstances/qualities/events can mark the difference between success or failure in life or business?

Having worked in locations like Mexico and China, I’ve seen how factors such as where you’re born, and your family’s economic circumstances can greatly influence your chances of success. Being born in Ireland is a significant advantage, with access to education and opportunities—even during tough times like the 1980s.

We often hear about overnight success stories, but the reality is that most are built on a foundation of persistence, previous failures, and hard-earned lessons. Success requires resilience, the ability to learn from setbacks, and the willingness to take risks and step out of your comfort zone.

In terms of qualities, the right ones depend on your chosen career path and philosophy on life and business. For us, helping clients is at the core, so authenticity, building trust, and a commitment to delivering results are essential. It’s crucial to develop the qualities that align with and support the culture your business needs to succeed.

Events also play a major role—whether they present opportunities or challenges. We’ve all seen the impact of global events like the pandemic, recessions, or niche crises. Some businesses find themselves in the wrong place at the wrong time, while others thrive in the same circumstances. Success or failure often comes down to the risks business owners are willing to take. Diversifying activities and spreading risk can provide a safety net, ensuring that one challenge doesn’t derail the entire business.

What was the most challenging aspect of either starting or growing the business?

The biggest challenge was transitioning from nearly 30 years of working for others to making decisions that directly impacted my future. It was daunting to establish our place in the ecosystem. When we started, we were just another boutique lean consultancy focused on small business.

Over the past decade, we’ve worked hard to upskill, expand our offerings, and build a network of business owners and clients across Ireland. While we exist to help small businesses, we’re privileged to now have a leadership role in supporting Irish businesses with technology adoption.

Growing the team while staying true to our ethos and purpose has also been a challenge. Our commitment to helping small businesses improve remains central to everything we do and is a constant focus. Balancing growth with maintaining the values that define us has been key to our success.

How did you navigate your business through the pandemic and what lessons did you learn?

When the pandemic hit, we focused on supporting our clients, keeping them informed about business supports and legislative changes that could impact them. We were fortunate to quickly adapt to working from home, as we were already well advanced in delivering digital solutions.

Government grants also helped many of our clients during that period, and we’re deeply grateful for the network of business clients who supported us in return. The key lessons we learned were to act quickly, be decisive, and stay focused during a crisis.

How has digital transformation been a factor in your scaling journey and do you believe Irish firms are utilising digital technologies sufficiently?

Supporting small businesses in their digital transformation has been a key factor in our scaling journey. Starting with simple web forms eight years ago, we progressively expanded our services to include cloud solutions, automation, system integrations, and the selection of appropriate SaaS software tailored to each business.

Over the past four years, focusing on digital adoption for small businesses has significantly driven our growth, and we anticipate this trend will continue.

In our experience, Irish small businesses are at varying stages of their digital journey—some are just starting, while others are already well-advanced. For all businesses, crossing the digital divide is essential. We believe that implementing sufficient digital systems to create a positive experience for both management and team members is a crucial first step. From there, it becomes a strategic decision for business owners to continue investing in digital adoption, not only to remain competitive but also to ensure their long-term sustainability.

If you were to do it all over again, what would you do differently?

“Life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans,” perfectly describes my journey. I didn’t set out to start a consultancy business, and when I did, digital adoption wasn’t even on the radar. Instead of focusing on a rigid long-term plan, I’ve found that reserving headspace and flexibility to capitalise on opportunities has been invaluable.

No one could have predicted the impact of events like Covid or how quickly ChatGPT and AI would transform the workplace. The future is uncertain, especially with the growing influence of AI, but being adaptable prepares you to navigate it.

 Who inspires you in business today?

In my current role, I draw inspiration from Stephen Hartnett, Managing Director at Profix Maintenance, an SME based in Cork. Over the nine years we’ve worked together, it’s been a privilege to play a small part in their success. Stephen’s self-taught, common-sense approach to management and his dedication to delivering exceptional value for both staff and clients have created a strong foundation for sustainable growth.

What inspires me most is Stephen’s innovative ideas on how to utilise digital systems within the business. His ability to embrace and integrate digital solutions has been transformative and a pleasure to be involved in. Watching how Profix has evolved while staying grounded in its core values serves as a practical reminder of what truly drives success in business.

What advice/guidance do you give new hires and how do you nurture talent in your organisation?

We train new hires on our approach and actively share knowledge and tools within the company. We encourage the team to embrace new technologies, learn fresh approaches, and contribute ideas to improve how we work. By fostering a culture of continuous learning and collaboration, we ensure our team stays adaptable, innovative, and ready to deliver the best results for our clients.

What business books do you read or would recommend?

I admit, I buy more business books than I manage to read! However, I tend to focus on books about change, technology adoption, and more recently, AI. I highly recommend ‘Who Moved My Cheese?’ by Dr Spencer Johnson. It’s one of the shortest business books I’ve read, but it delivers powerful messages about embracing change in life and business.

Another favourite is ‘Who Not How’ by Dan Sullivan, which highlights the importance of collaboration and focusing on who can help you achieve your goals rather than trying to do everything yourself—a concept that’s incredibly relevant in today’s business landscape. I’m also enjoying ‘Co-Intelligence: Loving and Working with AI’ by Professor Ethan Mollick, which explores how to effectively integrate AI into work and life. It’s a fascinating and timely read as AI continues to reshape the business world.

What technologies/tools do you use personally to keep you on track?

I operate in a paperless environment, relying on a range of digital tools to stay productive and organised. Loom is my go-to for screen recording, Snagit for design markups, Evernote and OneNote for note-taking, and Dragon Professional for dictation.

I use Zoom AI Companion for meeting minutes and Adobe Pro for managing PDFs. ChatGPT acts as my personal assistant, and Power BI is essential for data analytics. Standard tools from Microsoft and Google round out my workflow for collaboration and communication. My office hardware setup creates a clean, always-ready-to-work environment.

I use a 27-inch all-in-one PC, an HD camera, and a Jabra headset, ensuring a streamlined workspace. This is complemented by a laptop and a Samsung tablet with stylus for site visits. My Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, effectively a mobile office, keeps all my systems synced across devices, enabling seamless transitions between workspaces. Its built-in stylus is a key part of my paperless workflow, allowing me to stay productive wherever I am.

What social media platforms do you prefer and why?

I am active only on LinkedIn, as I find it the most useful platform for sharing what we’re working on and staying connected with others in my business network.

My focus is purely on social media for business purposes, and LinkedIn provides the right environment for professional engagement and collaboration.

What are your thoughts on where technology overall is heading and how it will apply to business generally and your business particularly?

Having worked in technology all my life, I have mixed feelings about its direction. The benefits are undeniable, but I have concerns about work displacement and whether government policies can adapt quickly enough to address the expected disruption in the employment landscape.

For businesses, the rapid pace of technological change represents both challenges and opportunities.

The key lies in the practical application of these technologies—ensuring businesses make informed decisions about which tools to adopt and how to maximise their value. This is where our expertise comes in. We specialise in helping small businesses navigate these decisions, focusing on technologies that align with their goals and deliver real, measurable benefits.

Finally, if you had advice for your 21-year-old self – knowing what you know now – what would it be?

Get as much life experience as you can—it will shape your perspective and decision-making. When the time comes to make important choices, trust your gut instinct.

And remember, when you take one fork in the road over another, commit to your path and make the most of your choice.

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