Marketing guru loves the brand
FIRST JOB — AND WHERE ARE YOU NOW?
My first position was with IBM as Mainframe Computer Operator. Now, general manager for international sales and marketing with Mulpha Sanctuary Cove. I oversee sales and marketing for Sanctuary Cove as well as several other properties among Mulpha’s impressive stable of real estate across Australia and the Asia-Pacific, including Hayman Island in the Whitsundays and Leisure Farm in Malaysia.
The highlight for me is being associated with such an iconic brand that I am able to showcase internationally, as well as being involved in all facets of Sanctuary Cove, from The Marine Village to the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show, and guiding the development of the land and the sales and marketing of it.
BEST BUSINESS ADVICE YOU’VE RECEIVED?
Sell when you don’t have to, you will get a higher price.
WHAT YOU WISH YOU KNEW WHEN YOU FIRST STARTED OUT?
Stay in the one job. Don’t jump around from position to position.
YOUR GOLDEN RULE IN BUSINESS?
Be honest.
A LONG LUNCH — A WASTE OF TIME OR ESSENTIAL? EXPLAIN
Essential — It makes up for all the lunches you missed and worked through on busy days, and is often a source of generating business and new business relationships.
WHO IS ON YOUR BUSINESS MOBILE’S SPEED DIAL?
No one. I’m unsure how to set it up. If I did, it would be my wife.
WHAT SHOULD GOLD COAST PRIMARY STUDENTS BE STUDYING?
Mandarin.
BIGGEST FRUSTRATION DOING BUSINESS ON THE GOLD COAST? AND HOW TO FIX IT?
Travel — air, sea, and road transportation.
The Gold Coast Airport could do better to meet the demands of the number of domestic and international visitors travelling to and from the airport.
Upgrades to the international section of the airport to meet the growing demand of international visitors — such as security scanning, staffing and immigration is much-needed to bring us in line with international standards.
The addition of the Cruise Ship Terminal to the Gold Coast would not only be beneficial to generating thousands of jobs, but injecting millions into the local economy through the influx of tourists.
Despite recent upgrades, the M1 is still struggling to meet the growing demands of both commuters and interstate travellers, which causes unnecessary congestion and accidents.
Our city is growing larger and larger every day as new residents wish to call the Gold Coast home.
This will continue into the future as Brisbane and the Gold Coast’s growth corridors extend further to the south and north. Our road networks need a more modernised and efficient infrastructure system to avoid lengthy delays.
IF YOU HAD A $1 MILLION SPARE, WHAT INDUSTRY WOULD YOU BE INVESTING IN NOW? Chinese tourism in Australia.