What's your dream job? That's the question the Business Herald asked some top business executives. Today, Business Herald editor Jim Eagles launches the series by revealing his own dream job.
I know what my dream job used to be because some years ago, when I decided to leave the dying Auckland Star, my wife and I spent some time thinking about it.
It is to own and operate either a bookstore or a wineshop.
But, let's be clear. What we're talking about is not a bookstore that makes most of its money selling toys, stationery and women's magazines. It's a real bookstore that sells only real books.
And it's not a liquor store that makes its money selling alcopops, beer and gin. It's a small wineshop that focuses on an outstanding range of wines plus maybe a few good ports and single malt whiskies.
The object of the exercise is to be able to spend much of the day reading books or tasting wines so as to discuss them with customers and offer useful advice on what might suit their tastes.
I wouldn't expect to make a lot of money out of either dream - so I would want to go into the business debt-free and with a reasonable amount of spare capital - though it's possible that the superb individual customer service might over time attract a regular clientele. But then who would expect to be paid huge amounts for reading good books and tasting fine wines?
At the time I realised this was my dream job I did go so far as to look through the businesses for sale to see if there were any suitable bookstores or wineshops available.
As it happens, I was sidetracked by an advertisement for a local newspaper and, because that is the sort of business my wife and I both know a lot about, we bought the paper instead.
It's probably just as well. It's better to keep your dreams remote and unsullied. If we had bought a bookstore or a wineshop it might well have turned into a nightmare.
Anyway, I've got a new dream job - to edit the Herald's Travel section.
Golden sands, limpid waters, stunning scenery, fascinating people, marvellous wildlife, glorious culture, sunshine, superb food and wine, comfortable hotels ... aaaaaaaaaaah!
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