*Motivating staff – what’s the secret?

The secret is being truly interested in your people and understanding what their passions are.  People look for 3 things in their work.  Something to believe in which is the vision. Someone to believe in, which is the leader.  And for someone to believe in them which is their self-worth and passions.

*In challenging times, what keeps people going?

That their business leader is truly interested in working on the challenge together and they have support no matter what. That they are working on something that matters. Also the person needs to have an open heart and open mind (called Shoshin) so that they can solve that challenge.

*Is being happy at work about money?

Money is not the key reason people leave a business. The #1 reason is their direct relationship with their manager.  This is why it is key to have managers trained in how to manage people. However due to the increasing cost of living, money has jumped up from the #4 reason #2 reason people.

*A highly commodified world gets in the way?

At times business leaders and owners may need to cut the costs down and this can impact a person and their pay and performance. Businesses need to embrace technology and couple it with their people’s development in a highly commodified world.

*Did you fall out of love with electrical engineering?

I loved being an engineer.  It was black and white.  However I loved the leadership side of business.  I also wanted to climb the corporate ladder and had a mentor guide me to do and MBA and apply for leadership roles which is exactly what I did and it worked to move into leadership roles.

*Favourite book?

This is the hardest question.  I read between 30-40 books a year.  If I had to get it down to one, it would be e-myth as it was the first business book I read when I started my business.  He coined working ‘on the business’. Genius is Michael Gerber.

*Favourite quote? 

‘Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life – Steve Jobs’

*What inspires you?

I am inspired by so many people and things.  People that have humble beginnings doing great things.  People that make the world a better place for others. My family. Nature. Other people.