Food for thought in finding success
FIRST JOB — AND WHERE ARE YOU NOW?
I started my apprenticeship in the family bakery in the Rhine Area near Dusseldorf. At the same time, I was studying business at the University of Dusseldorf. After many years running businesses in Germany, Paris and Brussels, I am now founder and director of Herman Brot Pty Ltd, Australia. We make low-carb, high-protein breads, pasta and muesli.
BEST BUSINESS ADVICE YOU’VE RECEIVED?
Quality, quality, quality! In the food industry, it’s all about quality. This advice was given to me by the former CEO of Galleries Lafayette Group in Paris. He was my first customer in France. He had the best reputation and as France was the leader in food and lifestyle, I took on board what he said.
WHAT YOU WISH YOU KNEW WHEN YOU FIRST STARTED OUT?
How important language skills are. It’s all about communication, particularly when doing business in so many countries.
YOUR GOLDEN RULE IN BUSINESS?
Whatever happens keep your team together and push forward. There have been times in my where I could have thrown it all in, but I’m not one to give up. You learn from where you’ve been and work towards what is ahead.
A LONG LUNCH — A WASTE OF TIME OR ESSENTIAL? EXPLAIN
Depends on your plans for dinner! If it’s a business lunch, take your time. If it’s only you, keep it short.
WHO IS ON YOUR BUSINESS MOBILE’S SPEED DIAL?
The bakery shift managers of all of our bakery production sites in Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney and here on the Gold Coast. They are responsible for Herman Brot. Every night their job is to manage quality control and to ensure our service and deliveries are right for the next day.
IF YOU HAD A $1 MILLION SPARE, WHAT INDUSTRY WOULD YOU BE INVESTING IN NOW?
I would never have $1 million spare because all my money goes back into the Herman Brot business. Therefore, I’m investing any money I make back into the health food industry – creating products that are nutritious and good for people to eat. Whatever you do in life, you need food. If you don’t eat you die, so good food comes first.
WHAT SHOULD GOLD COAST PRIMARY STUDENTS STUDY?
Languages and international relationships. In the next 100 years national borders will disappear. Young people need to be prepared for these events and be able to communicate with each other.
BIGGEST FRUSTRATION DOING BUSINESS ON THE GOLD COAST? AND HOW TO FIX IT?
To be honest there is no frustration. I’ve been to more than 40 countries and have run businesses in five of them. The Gold Coast is clean and friendly. The council is helpful and, compared to other cities, the infrastructure is intact. Compared to other first-world countries, the roads, public buildings, stations and airports etc are all in good condition.