Personal File: Ray Schofield

Full name: Ray Schofield

Born: Gisborne, aged 51

Occupation: Chief executive of Business in the Community

Residence: Takapuna, Auckland

Qualifications: University Entrance

Family situation: Widower; two children, Megan and Bevan.

What excites you most about your job? The opportunity to provide a service to the small- and medium-business sector that can make a significant difference to the growth of SMEs.

What is the biggest challenge facing your organisation? Maintaining private-sector funding support from the business community. BITC is a vehicle for a concept; we need our enlightened patrons and their sponsorship who are helping our country by putting something back into the business community.

How did you get to where you are today? Hard work and commitment.

How do you describe your personality? Outgoing.

What is the single most important lesson you have learned in business? Don't make assumptions. You have to ask the right questions and analyse things effectively to make sure you have got all the relevant information.

Do you have a business hero? If I was to name one it would be Sir James Fletcher. I particularly admire him for his lifelong support and advocacy of the small business sector's importance to New Zealand's economic development.

If you could change one aspect of NZ business, what would it be? The Resource Management Act - it's restricting sensible and balanced growth.

How have you dealt with pitfalls in your career? Learned from them and moved on.

What was the first lesson you learned in business? Make a commitment and keep it. When I started on the corporate ladder as a sales representative for Griffins & Sons, I learned about the importance of making a commitment, keeping your word with your customers and going that extra mile.

What's the best piece of advice anyone ever gave you? A sales manager at Griffins once told me, "Ray, the cheapest money you can borrow is someone else's money."

What's the best investment you ever made - and the worst? Best: commercial property. Worst: retail shoe store.

What would you change about your industry, if you could? I would like greater recognition of what a privilege it is to be chosen as a mentor for BITC. It is an acknowledgment of a person's business experience and skills, and also of a person's commitment to New Zealand's future. By applying these skills, along with guidance and the benefit of his or her experience, a mentor helps businesses to grow effectively and profitably and to create employment.

What's the key to managing stroppy staff? It is a case of listening and understanding what their real issues are. It's often about asking the right questions. In management you've got to give reasons why a decision is taken. This makes your staff feel as if they are part of the process.

If you could live in another country, which would it be? Australia. I like the way Australians know where they are going and are just getting on with it. And they are doing it with pride in their country and are not obsessed with being politically correct.

Had you not become a chief executive, what would you have liked to be? I have always been driven by wanting to have a reasonable amount of say in what I want to do and influence what is going on. So I have always strived for senior positions in organisations.

What's your greatest personal indulgence? I have always appreciated fine cars. I have also been fortunate enough to have owned both yachts and launches and enjoy the sea and boating when I can find the time to indulge in this love.

I actually like the simple things in life now: good company and good robust discussions. I enjoy talking to people with the conviction of their views.

What's the most reckless thing you have done in business? I opened a shoe shop 15 years ago with two business partners.

The experience taught me that even if we have a lot of skills and expertise we can all make mistakes. If you look at most people who have achieved in life, they have done things that did not work out. It is not about success or failure, it is about trying, giving it your best shot.

Do you have a business philosophy? I have a strong belief in the value of maintaining business ethics - about what is right and wrong, and what is fair.

How do you relax? I enjoy my morning walks with my german shepherd/huntaway cross dog - she is like the dog in the Toyota "bugger" ads. When I get home I like to sit back, relax and enjoy the harbour views with a glass of wine.

I love the sea and can never live far from it.

What is your biggest fear? I am an optimistic person but if I was to have a fear, and this is a personal view, it is that New Zealand is not reaching its full potential.

I sometimes wonder what would happen if New Zealand was run like a business with a business model and a business plan and used its resources to ensure long-term benefits to everyone in the community.

What are your top five values? Networking, ethics, friendship, responsibility and accountability.