Talking Heads: Instincts and energy rate ahead of higher education

Sarah Trotman

Chief executive, Business in the Community

Age: 32

BIC is a charitable trust. It offers free business mentoring to small businesses.

What makes your day at work?

Two things. Gaining a new patron for Business in the Community, meaning another of New Zealand's big businesses has recognised the contribution we make to the economy as a whole.

A letter of thanks from a small business that we provided a mentor to is great as well.

How did you get to where you are today?

I left school after obtaining school certificate and have no regrets about that. I went to work for College Credit Management, New Zealand's longest-established debt collection and credit management company.

I progressed my way through the company and was given a significant shareholding when I took on the general manager's position nine years ago. It was agreed that the company would be sold when I decided it was time for a change for me.

I love the job I do now. I have been a mentor for Business in the Community for some years now and really believe it is making a big difference for small businesses.

What was the most important lesson you learned on your way up?

Don't always listen to people who say your ideas are not possible. Go with your instinct.

At College Credit Management we won a major Government contract and performed very well despite my competitors not believing a Government agency would use a smaller market player.

How have you dealt with any pitfalls in your career?

I'm pleased to say there have not been any significant pitfalls. I'm someone who never gives up, so perhaps the pitfalls have been there but I just haven't noticed them.

When I do have a bad day or something goes wrong I talk to someone who believes in me and my ability, like my father. When other people believe in you it really picks you up.

What advice would you give young people starting out in business?

They must have a career coach, someone who has been there, done that. I would recommend work experience in both large corporates and small business because the dynamics of both are very different.

Don't stay in one job for too long and keep moving up.

Always have a passion for what you do, or you won't do it well and, finally, keep business in perspective. I've always had something other than work to focus on. I was in the territorials for many years and now we are running a guest house, which gives me a focus outside work.

What's the biggest challenge for your organisation in the present economy?

The Government has made a commitment to partnering well established, private sector initiatives to assist small and medium-sized enterprises. With this in mind we are seeking its help to partner New Zealand's large businesses in providing the free mentor programme to many more every year.

I would like to be mentoring 10,000 businesses a year within a few years. Small-business owners are desperate for a mentor and someone to talk their business issues over with.

We have more than 1000 mentors but there is a direct correlation between the funds we raise and how many businesses Business in the Community can mentor.

What one thing would you have done differently?


I'm always very committed and focused on the most important task at hand and therefore I seem to gather an enormous amount of paper that needs action but never seems to have high priority. I need to learn to spend even just an hour a day on the mundane paperwork.

What ambitions do you have?

People often raise their eyes when I tell them of my latest ambition. I have just started writing a book profiling successful business people who have left school without going on to get tertiary education.

How do you relax?

With two children under three and a fulltime job there is very little chance to relax. My right-hand woman at College Credit Management, Joslyn Tierney, always said that even if I had the time to relax I wouldn't be very good at it.

My family have a bach at Matapouri, which is a wonderful place to escape to when there is time. I recently decided that duck shooting will be my winter hobby.

* Sarah Trotman spoke to Libby Middlebrook.