Who got that job?

General manager, Southern Crossings

Q: What were you doing before accepting your new position?

A: Most recently general manager for the Auckland franchise of Jaguar and Land Rover and, before that, general manager of Jaguar New Zealand. I've also held a variety of senior positions with Ford New Zealand.

Q: Why did you apply for this job?

A: Southern Crossings has a great reputation as an inbound tour operator. The opportunity to be involved with a company that is proven yet still has such huge growth potential was exciting.

Q: What are the major challenges ahead?

A: The fundamentals are the first step, including a new industry with all the terminology that goes with it and understanding the New Zealand luxury accommodation and adventure market. From there, keeping a tight focus on the value-added personalised service we provide.

Q: What does being general manager mean to you?

A: Helping a small, experienced team, giving them room to grow into the best they can be, while using my skills in strategic planning to create a strong vision for the future. A key responsibility will be to profile the company to overseas clients.

Q: What's the biggest challenge of meeting the needs of visitors with varied and high expectations?

A: Brainstorming, planning, checking, and double-checking all aspects of client experience. Logically, the more we know about our clients' needs, the better the service we can provide, but it's the ability to ask the right questions that reduces the guess work. We always need to be developing a seamless service, with options available to cover all eventualities.

Q: What else might you have done?

A: After university I entered the graduate programme at Ford New Zealand and was swept up with the variety of positions and new challenges. No doubt much of my working career would have been offshore, however new challenges and a passion for New Zealand has kept me here.

Q: What do you do in your spare time?

A: I have a young son to enjoy childhood again though different eyes. Good food and wine and a love for the outdoors are favourites. My wife and I have always enjoyed travelling, salt and fresh water fishing and wineries. Golf is also a passion. Renovating our latest family home will take up much spare time over the foreseeable future.


Pocket CV

Name: Steven Pleciak

Age: 31

* 2002-2004, Jaguar New Zealand, general manager

(dual role)

* 2003-2004, Archibald & Shorter, general manager Jaguar & Land Rover

* 1994-2002, Ford Motor Company of New Zealand - brand manager (Falcon), division finance manager, sales planning supervisor, sales planning analyst, graduate financial analyst.