The Daily Post speaks to Westpac Rotorua bank manager Tracey Mold.
Briefly outline your position/s and career to date (including current role).
I have been working for Westpac for nearly nine years and as a bank manager for the past eight. Before that I worked at the Rotorua District Council as operations manager of the International Stadium and Sportsdrome for two years. Before that I worked for Force Corporation for 10 years in their property, theatre and cinema divisions.
What was your first job and what did you learn from it?
I started from humble beginnings as a relief milker on a neighbouring Northland dairy farm. This taught me the value of a being a hard worker and developed a strong work ethic in me. I began to understand the importance of doing even the most basic jobs right the first time, as getting the basics right makes everything work so much better later on.
What do you see as the greatest opportunity and greatest challenge in your sector in the year ahead?
The banking world is changing rapidly which presents both the greatest opportunities and different challenges along the way - the opportunity to make things far simpler, easier and faster for everyone but also the challenge of getting over 20,000 of your customers thinking the same way and changing old habits.
What three skills or qualities are essential in your role?
Honesty, integrity and respect - when you're leading a large and diverse team and dealing with many customers that come in to the branch on a daily basis, you need your team to respect and trust you so things get done quickly and right the first time.
How do you maintain a healthy work/life balance?
It can be hard at times with the different challenges I'm faced with at work on a daily basis, but the key is to make sure you've got a support crew of people around you and specifically making time outside of work to spend time with friends and family.
If you could do any other job for a day, what would it be and why?
To be honest, I wouldn't want to do anything other than what I am doing right now. Each day is diverse and has lots of variety. I enjoy helping people and looking at ways to achieve their dreams.
What is one thing most people don't know about you?
I love being able to go out for a dive when I am home in Northland.
What achievement to date are you most proud of and why?
Professionally would have to be opening the new seven-day site here in Rotorua to show the commitment Westpac has to the provinces.
What one piece of advice do you wish somebody had given you when you were starting out?
Be honest and stick to your values and what you're good at - that's what people employ you for so stick to the basics.
If you could choose anybody to be your business mentor, who would it be and why?
John Key - he has good business acumen, strong leadership skills, and has been successful in his own right.