Jim weaves way towards life goals
FIRST JOB – AND WHERE ARE YOU NOW? I started working in my father’s hosiery business during the school holidays when I was 14. I would help to run machines or stir the dye vat. This was a big round bath with gas jets under it and it was manually stirred. Today, I oversee the running of the mill as well as ordering raw martials and spare parts.
BEST BUSINESS ADVICE YOU’VE RECEIVED?
It’s cheaper to keep a customer than buy a new customer. Once you have a loyal customer, you are no longer paying for the advertising to get that customer through your door or website, so keep customers happy.
WHAT YOU WISH YOU KNEW WHEN YOU FIRST STARTED OUT?
How to communicate with people! Whether you’re talking to customers, staff or suppliers, knowing how to talk to them is a critical skill. It’s better to learn from a mentor or a book before you start rather than learning from your mistakes along the way.
YOUR GOLDEN RULE IN BUSINESS?
You don’t know what you don’t know. If you only know one way to do something you’ll always do it that way, but if you ask others how it should be done they may save you time. Ask advice from those more experienced than you. You don’t have to take it, but you can’t make a judgment on something you don’t know about.
A LONG LUNCH – A WASTE OF TIME OR ESSENTIAL? EXPLAIN
This depends on who you are having lunch with. A $300 lunch with a client that gets you a $1000 sale or lunch with a supplier that saves you over $500 on your next purchase is money well spent.
WHO IS ON YOUR BUSINESS MOBILE’S SPEED DIAL?
My wife. She is what matters to me so if I have the time I try to communicate with her as much as possible. She also thinks differently to me so talking to her gives me a different view point. We don’t always agree but even when we don’t I value her view.
IF YOU HAD A SPARE $1 MILLION, WHAT INDUSTRY WOULD YOU INVEST IN NOW?
Training. I think people will always need training regardless of economics. When times are good, they need training to keep up with technological advancements.
WHAT SHOULD GOLD COAST PRIMARY STUDENTS STUDY?
Love and respect for themselves. I believe if you learn to love and respect yourself, loving and respecting others becomes easier. Bullies are usually people who do not like their lives or themselves.
BIGGEST FRUSTRATION DOING BUSINESS ON THE GOLD COAST? AND HOW TO FIX IT?
Gold Coast youth with a “first job must be my dream job” attitude. They are not prepared to start at the bottom and work their way up. Long-term unemployment seems to correct this over time, but I believe the problem starts at school.