People in business: Andrew Akers

Rotorua's Andrew Akers has operated tourist ventures since leaving university and, along the way, he has learned a thing or two about business.

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

Currently owner and operator of the OGO group of companies with two other main partners (my brother and a US-based friend). Before OGO, I was the inventor, developer and CEO of the Zorb Group of companies before selling out of Zorb completely in 1997.

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

Setting up Zorb was pretty much my first proper job after finishing university. Running an international company with a site in New Zealand as well as developing sites all over the world was an incredible experience and I had to learn pretty much everything about developing an international business: how to deal with investors, a board of directors, accountants, insurers. Also how to develop a brand, a market, a new activity as well as dealing with a multitude of international business partners from Japan to Germany to the US.

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

The tourism sector is hugely affected by global economic conditions and it is a challenge for this sector to work out how to market itself and stay afloat in an environment which is incredibly volatile with our traditional markets [out of the UK, Europe and America] rapidly changing to a more Asian focus. At the same time, the opportunities in a volatile time and industry are massive. The economy will recover [eventually] and we need to be in a position to take advantage of that as it happens.

What three skills or qualities are essential in your sector?

An absolute passion for what you do, an understanding that our customers visit us to have [for most of them] a once-in-a-lifetime experience in the furthest place on earth and a desire to never stop having fun doing what we do.

How do you maintain a healthy work/life balance?

By always concentrating on having fun. In my previous company there was a shift towards board meetings and hiring consultants to tell us what to do. This is the antithesis of what I believe in. If the people who own and run the businesses aren't passionate and loving what they do every day, how can they expect their employees to enjoy coming to work or expect their customers to part with their hard-earned cash for a once-in-a-lifetime experience?

Work and life shouldn't be mutually exclusive. At OGO, I work with people I want to hang out with and have fun with - my days off are often much more boring than my days at work.

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

Travel to Mars as part of an exploratory mission. There are no more new frontiers on Earth - the future lies in exploring our solar system and further afield.

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

I have a healthy respect for heights - my palms get sweaty just watching a video of someone base jumping or jumping off a bridge. My theory is; a fear of falling off a massive cliff is healthy. I love that the OGOs stay on the ground the entire time.

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

When I was at school I wanted to some day introduce a new word to the English language - now "zorbing" is listed in the Oxford English Dictionary - I love that.

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

Be careful of the people you accept investment from. People who are concerned about the money will suck the life and soul out of you and your business.

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

John Britten. What an amazing, passionate, hands on sort of guy. His bikes were beautiful works of art and his hand crafted and hand-built house was extraordinary. Truly an inspirational Kiwi who packed so much into his life.