In talking with Bob Ansett last week, we found he has a lot to say on business that meshes with our own take.  He stresses the importance in 2009 of looking at the different parts of your business and making sure they all work as well as they possibly can to recession-proof your business.

And he agrees that it can actually be a great year to grow, acquire, expand and claim market share.  He cites Woolworths engaging in expansion activities in their marketing and operations as a prime example.  Be specific about the number of jobs.  Check Woolies website.

Bob was a guest at the Sids and Kids QLD Business Breakfast. We're the organisation's marketing partner.

Bob is Australian-born but he went to school in the United States, hence his well known trans-Pacific accent.  He returned to Australia in 1965 to start the Budget Rent a Car System.

Budget became a well known success story, proving that you could develop an enterprise in which all employees were committed to excellence.  Bob's business philosophies, his ability to inspire his employees and his commitment to customer service propelled Budget into a position of market dominance with a turnover of 400 million dollars a year.

During his 25 years with Budget, Bob introduced Franchising and exported the Budget System to over 20 countries, including Japan and New Zealand. Budget was a trend-setter in employee relations being one of the first companies in Australia to introduce staff health and fitness programmes.

He's also seen his share of recessions, and gotten through them.

Today, Bob is well known as a proponent of customer service excellence, and he recounted for us some stories of how he developed Budget into a company strong in work ethic, customer focus and service delivery.

Strategy and Action are proud to support Sids and Kids and we invite you to the next Business Breakfast, in June, to hear Terry Morris of Sirromet Wines.  Check this page to learn more about coming events.

3 Take Home Points:

1. Look at the different parts of your business and make them work harder.  Get more from what you already have.
2. Don't be shy of prudent investing and expanding.
3. Customer service excellence can be a key to differentiation.