For Paul Sanford, being named Harcourt's top commercial sales person in New Zealand is a goal achieved and a new challenge.
"Awards form part of my goals for the year and there is nothing better than being compared with your peers.
"Having achieved second nationally in 2009 and 2010, the No1 position
was an influence in my year's goals."
But he says achieving the top national spot, as well as winning the regional commercial title for three consecutive years, has set him a new challenge.
"When the benchmark is set to continue at No1 nationally, it immediately presents new challenges within the real estate industry.
"But challenges are important to keep me focused."
Paul says it is important to stay ahead of the game, whether owning your own business or working in real estate.
His current role with Harcourts Rotorua involves business broking, commercial leasing and property sales and development, but he also has 27 years of extensive experience as a business owner.
Starting out studying tech accountancy in Hamilton with Beattie Wickham Miram and Co, Paul familiarised himself with accounting, reading and understanding financials and the audit process.
A three-and-a-half year OE landed him in England, where he completed his National School of Salesmanship qualifications.
With this grounding in sales, Paul returned to New Zealand and joined Wrightson Appliances in Hamilton.
He came to Rotorua in 1981 when he bought Star Appliances with Ian Johnson, where he gained a valuable connection to the Rotorua community.
"Building client relationships, their trust and customer service was high on our priority list.
"At some stage we have dealt with most families in the Rotorua area."
Paul says this experience as a business owner and the relationships he developed with Star Appliances have contributed to his success in the commercial property sector.
"Understanding business and marketing and having built the trust element has contributed in a large way to success in commercial."
