בס"ד
Amos is a business consultant who came to me to update his profile pictures. In this interesting interview he tells us about himself. It is fascinating how a small interview can show a picture of the confidence and life satisfaction Amos has.
What problem does your business solve?
I meet businesses in two lifecycle stages:
1. Start-ups (not necessarily technological) - many people start business with a lot of passion in what they do but very little knowledge about how to run a business. It's OK at the beginning but gets a bit more challenging when the business grows. I complement the owners/managers business acumen with whatever they need - finance, marketing, HR, legal, etc. I don't necessarily have all the answers myself (although my 35 years in the corporate world has given me a lot of knowledge) but if there is anything I can't answer I know whom to refer them to.
2. More established businesses - many businesses grow a bit and then get stuck. My GROWTH process helps them create and execute a plan that takes them to the next stage of the business.
What was your mission at the start of your company?
To enjoy what I do. I spent too many years in the corporate world and wanted to focus on what makes me happy, not on what makes money for others.
Who is your hero?
My wife. She managed to raise a great family (in spite of my repeated disruptions...) and build a brilliant career.
What is your biggest fear?
Disappointing a customer.
What motivates you to work hard?
Knowing there will be a positive outcome if I try hard enough.
What is your favourite thing about your career?
I really like it when my clients become my friends.
If money was no object, what would you do all day?
I love woodworking and spend most of my free time in my shed. I'd do more if I could. Photography used to be my hobby and I would love to get back to it, only this time in black and white.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Happily, retired, working part time in what I do now.
What is one thing you will never do again?
Go back to being an employee.
How has being an entrepreneur affected your family life?
I am lucky enough that my business allows me a lot of control of my time so going from being a top executive in a big company to working for myself actually allowed me more free time to be with the family.
How do you define success?
Doing what you love, not working more than you wish to, and making a decent living out of it.
If you had the chance to start your career over again, what would you do differently?
Not go into executive management. I’m not sure what it would have been - at the time I thought about architecture but I am not certain anymore. Not that it matters because we don't get another chance to live our lives all over again so my advice to my children was - do what you love.
What would you say are the top three skills needed to be a successful entrepreneur?
Other than the subject-matter there is just one - know what you do best and outsource the rest.
Who has been your greatest inspiration?
My first boss. He started a business at 21 and has never been an employee since. His first business went bust but it didn't discourage him and he started another one, which over the years has evolved into a global company.
If you had a magic stick, which are the three things you would change in the world? Killing animals for food, burning fuel for energy, and use of plastic. My generation (baby boomers) had the best life ever - no global wars, almost uninterrupted economic growth, the emergence of technologies that kept making lives easier - but the world we are leaving for our children is tottering on the brink of extinction.
Which part of your life experience you would alter if you had the chance to?
Nothing. I learned from everything and it was all good for the time.
If you were to write a book about yourself, how would you name it?
Lessons from a life well-lived.
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