Learning from the ground up

This week we talk to Brett Wilson of Rotorua-based Watchdog Security Group, which provides security services, investigations and training throughout New Zealand.

Briefly outline your current position/s and career to date.

Currently managing director of Watchdog Security Group which we started almost 10 years ago. I've been in security for 20 years, started at the bottom and learned the industry from the ground up with some of the multi-national security companies, sometimes the hard way by making mistakes but those are the best lessons. Also had a lot of fun along the way and worked with some great people (and the occasional dipstick).

What was your first job and what did you learn from it?

Mowing lawns and gardening for my Dad for 50c an hour. I learned even boring low-paid jobs have rewards if you do them properly with the right attitude. In this case the reward was Dad taking us fishing once the work was done. My brothers and I became the fastest lawn mowing and gardening crew in the suburb.

What do you see as the greatest opportunity and greatest challenge in your industry in the year ahead?

The tough economic climate obviously affects all business but that can present opportunities to expand in new ways. Our industry's biggest challenge is to move from a cheaply priced commodity industry to one that invests in training high-quality staff and delivering high quality service with technological innovation. Choosing which technology has true benefits and which is all hype is critical as there are some aspects of new technology in this game whose benefits are way oversold.

What three skills or qualities are essential in your your industry?

A thick skin, a sense of humour and truckloads of common sense. It also helps if you're not scared of the dark.

How do you maintain a healthy work/life balance?

My kids will read this and say I don't and sometimes that is the case. Mostly it's down to my wife, Suzy, who is wonderfully supportive both in the business and outside. She knows how to bring me into line if I'm becoming grumpy, will tell me when I need to take a break and can generally do it without nagging. Most guys won't believe that last bit but it's true, she's worth her weight in gold.

If you could do any other job for a day, what would it be and why?

I'd replace the Edge as guitarist for U2 for one of their concerts (my lack of singing ability and poor guitar skills may be problematic though). Being able to crank out great music and create a party atmosphere for thousands of people would be huge fun.

What is one thing most people don't know about you?

Nothing that's not either too personal or else boring.

What achievement to date are you most proud of and why?

Obviously helping build this business from scratch to what it is today from a career perspective. On a personal level, still being happily married after nearly 25 years with three beautiful daughters and a grandson whom I'm immensely proud of. Marrying one or two of the daughters off would certainly ease the burden on the wallet though, maybe I should put out an RFP?

What one piece of advice do you wish somebody had given you when you were starting out?

Expect the best result, learn to suck it up if it's not the best result, and don't lose sight of the dream.

If you could choose anybody to be your business mentor, who would it be and why?

That's a toughie. I read a lot of books by successful people but all have their foibles so I don't think one person has all the answers. If you took the innovation of Steve Jobs and combined it with the smart decision-making of Bill Gates and mixed it with the social conscience of Mother Teresa you would have the ultimate mentor. I've been lucky to have some great input much closer to home from my business partners, especially my brother Mark who played a massive part in turning the vision into reality.