High Achiever: Mark Simms

Mark Simms' move from consultant to business owner could not have been a smoother transition. In his first year he was in the top 10 New Zealand Home Loans offices in the country.
He studied business in Palmerston North, also gaining qualifications to enter the real estate industry, a career move he says has been hugely helpful in his current position.
"I enjoy the real estate industry. It's exciting and I want our clients to have a fun and enjoyable experience when they go through a real estate transaction - after all, it is one of the biggest investments they will make."
He started with Elders in Levin, which later changed to Century 21. At 22, he was the company's youngest employee and was named runner up one year in national residential sales person of the year.
Mark says working with buyers and sellers as an agent has given him a good appreciation of the range of emotions and the potential stress involved in property transactions and he believes this helps him provide better service to his current customers. "My time in real estate taught me communication and service are paramount and this flows through to my current position. My clients know, if they need my help during any stage of the real estate process, I am only a phone call away.
"If I can answer a question that will help my client sleep easier at night, it makes it all worthwhile."
He and his wife Claire, who works with him at New Zealand Home Loans Rotorua, decided to relocate in 1995 and he was offered the position of mobile mortgage manager with BNZ in Rotorua, before being headhunted by New Zealand Home Loans in 2001. At first he worked as a consultant for the national group, winning numerous top 10 awards and the top North Island consultant title.
In 2008, he was invited to open his own Rotorua branch.
"The opportunity was too good to turn down. Fortunately, the timing corresponded well with Claire completing her degree in psychology and education, which meant she could also join me in the business."
Mark's new business made it into the top 10 New Zealand Home Loans' offices in its first year.
"It was actually quite emotional for me - there are more than 50 offices, all hoping to make the top 10. The most rewarding component is that the measure is always how many families we have helped."
The office was in the top 10 again last year and was a finalist in the Westpac Rotorua Business Excellence Awards. Earlier this year he was ranked fourth of the group's business owners. Mark puts this success down to having a clear plan and surrounding himself with successful people.
"We have a lot of support from our head office and have a professional business coach who also keeps us on our toes. Our accountant has also been a huge help, guiding us in our business."
He says the best thing about his job is being able to make a big difference in people's lives - particularly in financially challenging times.
"I get a huge sense of achievement knowing that I've helped move a family forward."
But for Mark, the greatest challenge is apathy. "For the outcome to change, people actually have to do things a little differently."
His desire to make a difference extends into the wider Rotorua community, supporting local and national charities - including raising $1000 by shaving his head for the Leukemia and Blood Foundation.