School of hard knocks taught Tim to have fun at work

Tim Harris

Position: Manager, engineering, building and construction.

Company: Trade New Zealand, based in Auckland

What makes your day at work?

Playing a partnering role rather than just being a straight service provider. It's exciting bringing companies together and developing strategies to access markets.

Also having fun at work. The office is open plan, so there is always people around to bounce things off and it can turn quite comical which is a good stress reliever.

How did you get where you are today?

Lots of luck! But in reality, sheer hard work. I left New Zealand for Australia as a real green Kiwi after completing an electrical apprenticeship and rose to become project manager in a large engineering company.

When the company was bought-out, we took the business to Asia and I spent six years working out of Indonesia and Singapore before deciding to come home and be a Kiwi again. I got the job here just over two years ago.

What's the most important lesson you learnt on your way up?

To believe in yourself. In my early days confidence was an issue, but with coming back to New Zealand I've realised my experiences are actually very valuable and that has made me trust myself a lot more.

What pitfalls have you come across in your career? How have you dealt with them?

A lack of formal tertiary education. My learning came from the school of hard knocks - it's not a bad thing, because nothing beats experience, but instead of learning from mistakes, I could have plugged the knowledge gaps and saved a lot of pain. Recently I completed diplomas in marketing and management, which have given me great new tools and theory.

What advice would you give to a young person starting out on a business career?

To go after what you want and obtain the skills you need. You have to realise a company relies on your input from day one and that requires commitment and attitude - you won't get anywhere without these. Also, to take advantage of overseas work, especially in places like Asia. It's a fantastic experience.

What is the biggest challenge for your company? For the economy today?

Trade NZ must add strategic value, otherwise our clients just look at us like a bureaucracy. We've got to know where the hot markets are matched to New Zealand's capability and get companies connected to those opportunities. In some areas we're doing very well, but in others we need to improve.

Economically, we have wonderful people but not much money. We must make sure the taxpayer dollar is used effectively and strategically. We're on the right path, but we've still got a long way to go.

There has to be stronger partnerships between Government, the private sector and the in-betweens, like ourselves.

If there is one thing you could have done differently, what would it have been?

Put more effort into planning both in my overall career path and my day-to-day work.

What ambitions do you have?

To achieve a more balanced life with time for family, friends and the good things in New Zealand.

Also, I'd love to go to the World Cup rugby, see a cricket game at Lords, attend the US Masters Golf and go to a Van Morrison concert.

How do you relax?

I'm not a relaxed person. I don't sit and read books. But I started surfing again and found getting out of Auckland and going up the coast with friends is just incredible.

My ultimate cruising time is listening to Van Morrison - his new album is a classic!

* Tim Harris spoke to Lesley Springall.