Family values still apply to big business
Communication is key was one of the pearls of wisdom (that many of us underestimate the power of) which property magnate Peter Emerson Jones shared at the business breakfast we co-sponsored last week.
The event, hosted by North West Business Insider magazine, was attended largely by property professionals from the region and gave a fascinating insight into Peter’s approach to business. As founder and chairman of the Emerson Group, he is one of the most successful property figures in the north west.
Training as a carpenter at 14, he’s an inspiring character in that he built his phenomenally successful business from nothing and is proud that his skills and knowledge evolved at the University of Life, graduating with a ‘degree in common sense’.
Much of what he said resonated with what my late father, Lister, believed. He emphasised the importance of having the strength to walk away from a deal – reminding us that there will always be opportunities in the future. I liked his approach and my father always told me that in business, you should always leave something for the next person.
In the current climate, he shared how communication in business relationships is more important than ever as is having the ability to listen to what your stakeholders really want. The same is so true for our business; we have to meet our clients’ expectations and if we’re not we need to know about it so we can either put things right or take more time in explaining our recommendations.
It was really refreshing and reassuring to listen to a man who has been very successful in the commercial world yet retained old fashioned values such as treating people fairly – the kind of values my parents instilled in me.
When you’re at the helm of a family run business you can still be true to these values. Xentum is five years old and the Emerson Group is 50 but I hope Xentum continues to thrive and that in 45 years time our family business has evolved and we’re looking after our clients’ next generation.
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