‘The primary criteria for a special place is a great beach’
Summer is here, a time to celebrate, switch off, eat fish and chips, chomp ice cream and wear Crocs or jandals. But can a boss do all that, or is work always looming? In a weekly series, Kevin Norquay has asked CEOs and business leaders about all things s
Nick Lissette, founder and CEO, Blackpearl Group
Based in Wellington, Blackpeal builds, acquires and markets data-driven cloud services for small and medium-sized businesses.
How long do you take off over the summer?
Not too long, but that’s OK. I prefer to get away mid-year to break up the winter.
Is it a total break, or do you answer emails, and if so when?
There are always a few hours of work each day. Typically I get this done in the morning and switch off for the rest of the day (our primary market is the USA, so NZ a.m. is when the action happens).
Is there a special place you go to?
The primary criteria for a special place is a great beach. I couldn’t pick just one; we vary it up as we get bored quickly!
What was the best summer holiday you ever had? And the worst?
Both my best and worst summer holiday took place in Whangamatā in 1999. I’d love to tell you why, but I’ll leave that to your imagination; however, for the record, all letterboxes and road signs were fully restored, but the dog bite marks remain.
What's your favourite fish and chip shop?
I’m seeking a new favourite, great F&C shops seem to have short dynasties. Find me on LinkedIn and DM me with suggestions!
And your favourite summer treat?
A sea swim after work. To be fair, I do that in winter too, but it’s much less enjoyable.
Do you own a pair of Crocs?
Absolutely not! I’m a full-grown adult. It’s bare feet for me in the summer.
Have you ever taken a summer holiday, only to return to mayhem?
I haven’t. I keep a soft hand on things, so I don’t get any surprises when I rock back into the office.
Ben Rose, general manager, Binance Australia, NZ and Pacific
Binance is a worldwide crypto business that offers financial services, such as spot trading, NFTs and staking.
How long do you take off over summer?
I've always struggled with the concept of there being binary states of 'on' and 'off', but I try to take a solid few weeks over summer - enough to be able to wind down, clear my head and be really present with my family, take advantage of school holidays and for them to do the same. This is relative though, as I check in with what's happening at work every now and then to make sure things are ticking over.
Is it a total break, or do you answer emails, and if so when?
As regional GM, I can't be completely disconnected from what's happening especially in an industry like crypto which is 24/7 and so, so fast moving. I tend to switch off notifications on all my work apps so I'm not constantly noticing them, but check in to identify anything that needs urgent attention. Everything else, I leave until I return. I'm not amazing at switching off as I've found the clear space of 'time off' is a great time to really think around the bigger strategic challenges my business faces. I quite enjoy that.
Is there a special place you go?
I'm a massive fan of Northland, memorable family holidays have been spent there.
What was the best summer holiday you ever had?
My wife and I took our three girls up to an amazing bach on gorgeous Parua Bay, on the northern side of Whangārei Harbour up past Whangārei Heads. It was idyllic - we'd spend the days swimming at the beach, hanging out playing board games on the deck or exploring the area. Food was always cooked on the BBQ. We timed it to spend Christmas Day up there and had a classic British feed (I am a Pom after all) of turkey, roast potatoes and Christmas pudding. We even managed to watch the Queen's Speech - I never miss it or the King’s Speech now, nor fail to tear up!
And the worst?
It would have been an over-ambitious trip we took to the Gold Coast when our daughters were two, two and four. One burned a hand and needed dressings (so couldn't swim), two got serious rashes needing urgent medical care, we accidentally sprayed water on other passengers on the plane, got no sleep and were generally miserable. Nightmare!
What's your favourite fish and chip shop?
Sea Breeze in Woodford Green, London. Amazing soggy British chips served with plaice or cod. They always knew my grandfather's order by heart, so they hold a special plaice in my heart.
And your favourite summer treat?
Christmas Day lunch with all the trimmings. And I mean all of them.
Do you own a pair of Crocs?
I own two pairs. Between the five of us at home we're into double digits. And if you don't, you're missing out!
Have you ever taken a summer holiday, only to return to mayhem?
I've always worked in busy jobs so this is pretty much the way all holidays work, isn't it?!
Strahan Wallis, CEO, Clemenger Group NZ Clemenger Group Limited is a holding company for companies involved in advertising and marketing communications in Australia and New Zealand.
How long do you take off over summer?
Typically several weeks but it often depends on whether I am needed or not – certainly things are quiet during January so that’s always welcome so sometimes you can take a little longer.
Is it a total break, or do you answer emails, and if so, when?
Only in a crisis and that would normally start with a “help” call – there have been all kinds. Usually it’s quiet, so I do love that.
Is there a special place you go?
Okete in Whāingaroa (Raglan), my spiritual and birth home where I whakapapa back to.
What was your best summer holiday?
Nine months of endless summer from July 2008 to April 2009 with my wife Rach, starting in the UK and Europe, travelling home via Southeast Asia, a month in Indonesia and finally Raglan – it was heaven! And because we’d saved, we didn’t have to backpack, we stayed in nice hotels and ate and drank and surfed our way home. We made the most of every minute of it, from seeing my grandfather’s childhood home in Edinburgh, getting caught up (unexpectedly) in the armed breakup of a protest in Bangkok to jumping off the waterfall at Okete and surfing every spare moment!
And the worst?
Our first proper summer home when it rained and rained and we were longing for the endlessly sunny South Bay in LA where we’d returned from.
What's your favourite fish and chip shop?
Raglan Wharf, sometimes they sell fresh whitebait so if you’re not catching any that’s the next best thing, plus you can check out Tony Sly’s amazing handmade pottery next door and beautifully crafted handmade leather goods from Soul.
And your favourite summer treat?
My mouth waters just thinking about fresh flounder from the Raglan harbour, although the commercial guys have cleaned them out a bit lately.
Do you own a pair of Crocs?
Yes, my kids insisted on bringing me back a pair from a recent trip from LA – they feel like halfway between jandals and a pair of redbands - my goal is to wear them for so long that it embarrasses them.
Have you ever taken a summer holiday, only to return to mayhem?
Many times! A large part of my career has been hands-on crisis communication management and crises don’t have any regard that you might be on holiday!