40UNDER40 TIPS

Some past winners share their business tips in the lead-up to the close of nominations on December 10 for next year’s 40under40 Awards.

• Russell Tierney (2004) – Tierney Contracting, Tierney Coating Services: “Always remember the basics.”
• Nathan Buzza (2003) – Commtech Wireless: “In the words of Andrew Grove, only the paranoid survive. Treat your business as if you are constantly under attack.”
• Mark da Silva (2003) – Clientforce: “Set up systems from day one. A business that is operated on the best practice systems will not fail. You have to be able to plan in advance for contingencies as well as train new staff in the correct practices to employ. System manuals for all aspects of your business will make working life easier.”
• Chris Shenton (2004) – CoPharmacy Joondalup: “Expanding the business to a second site does not automatically equal profit growth.”
• Sean Gavin (2003) – Gavin Constructions: “Be passionate about your business and maintain high ethical standards.”
• Rohan Hardie (2002) – Hugall & Hoile Limited: “Be persistent, have the commitment and be passionate about your work. Lead by example and ask for others to demonstrate their commitment in return.”
• Rachel Cook (2004) – Ineedhits.com: “Believe in the power of believing in yourself.”
• Peter Brown (2004) – WestNet Internet Services: “Mine is a pretty simple philosophy of being really passionate about what you do and strongly believing in your product and staff.”
• Russell Barnett (2003) – Australian Venture Consultants Pty Ltd: “Approach every business decision with a high degree of analytical rigor, remembering that we often ‘don’t know what we don’t know’.”
• Bethany James (2004) – Bethany Cosmetics: “Don’t give up. Small business is a roller coaster of highs and lows and takes a lot of persistence.”
• Paul Farrell  (2002) – NGIS: “Set goals, work hard to achieve and move on to the next challenge being cognisant that nothing is more important in life than you and your family.”