Key insights on entrepreneurial resilience, thinking big, and fostering innovation.

At Buymedia, we believe in the power of stories to shape our journey and inspire innovation.

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Recently, our team had the privilege of attending "The Ergo Story" a talk given by John
Purdy, here in Platform 94. The talk was nothing short of transformative, as John shared the
remarkable narrative of his life, detailing the trials, triumphs, and unwavering determination
that have defined his path to success.
Born in 1962, John founded his company in 1993, growing it into a €200 million business
with an expected turnover of €220 million this year. His talk was profoundly inspiring,
emphasising the need to think and act like a big business from day one.
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Hearing John’s journey—from his humble beginnings to becoming an Entrepreneur of the
Year in 2014 and building Fenergo to it's most recent valuation of €1.2 billion in 2021—reinforced our commitment to excellence and perseverance. His story has ignited new ideas within our team, driving us to push boundaries and strive for greater heights. We are excited to carry this inspiration into our work, fostering creativity and innovation.
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Scaling: An Everyday Process

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"Scaling is something we do every day," John emphasised. Businesses must continuously
adapt and leverage their competitive advantages to thrive. Those that fail to do so often find
themselves outpaced and outmanoeuvred.
John highlighted the importance of diverse thought processes in scaling. Embracing
various perspectives and making informed decisions drive growth and innovation. A
diverse team brings a wealth of ideas and solutions, fostering innovation and driving growth.
Understanding and meeting customer needs is crucial. John posed essential questions:

● What do Customers Need?
● How do We Deliver?

Companies that excel in scaling are those that innovate based on customer feedback and
consistently deliver exceptional value.

Need for an Entrepreneurial Approach

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"Can we create an opportunity out of something that could be a disaster," John challenges
us to embed the entrepreneurial mindset in everything we do. He acknowledged the high
risk of failure but believes the potential rewards are worth it. Calculated risks, when
managed well, can lead to significant breakthroughs. By viewing challenges as
opportunities, we can turn potential setbacks into successes and drive our business
forward with creativity and resilience.
John stressed that true investment is sweat equity and hard work. Sustainable growth is
achieved through consistent effort, day by day, year on year.
Avoiding Ego
Successful leaders remain humble, open to feedback, and focused on the collective good of
the company. John stated that "Ego is the biggest destroyer of a business”.
At Ergo, the business timeline in the canteen reminds employees of their journey and where
they came from. "Everyone needs to play their part correctly," John emphasised. A cohesive
team is vital for scaling a business.

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Leadership: Balancing Long and Short Term

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Good leadership involves balancing long-term vision with short-term execution. Leaders
must "think of the long term, but also the short term to keep the business running smoothly."

John encapsulated his philosophy with the BBB principle: Believe, Be Bold, Be Brave.
These qualities drive innovation, inspire teams, and lead to successful scaling.
With John's invaluable insights guiding our path, Buymedia is more inspired than ever to
think big, act boldly, and innovate relentlessly, ensuring that we can help our clients continue
to scale new heights and make a lasting impact on their customers.
To hear about how Buymedia can help your business advertise effectively, request a free
platform demo here or email us at hello@buymediahq.com.

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