David Cooper
Leeds-based Cooper’s Coffee is one of the leading suppliers of coffee equipment and ingredients in the UK. In this week’s TheBusinessDesk.com interview the family firm’s managing director David Cooper talks about his concerns, wants and wishes for the region.
What aspects of your job/profession do you enjoy the most?
As a managing director I make literally dozens of decisions every day. This is exciting and challenging. In my key business, the coffee trade – I enjoy the whole creative thinking, strategic marketing and continuous exploration of fitting our premium products to the customers’ needs in a competitive market place as much as any aspect of my work. True entrepreneurism.
What key challenges do you anticipate will affect your sector/profession over the next six months?
The economy is our biggest concern. Retail spending on the high street is slowing and house prices are in decline. The cost of living is generally not matched by pay increases for most people so therefore a recession is possible later this year, early 2009 and this will have a serious impact on my prime foodservice sector.
What key skills do you think every entrepreneur should have?
Focus and drive. To be effective each day in business it is vital not to be drawn into the business too much and remain clear on the strategy and vision – the ‘bigger picture’ or the ‘master plan’. This is often referred to as working on the business and not in it. The essential key word for me is flexibility. Without foreseeing change and constantly adjusting what we do and how we do it, is losing the one key advantage that we as SME businesses have against the major players.
Why do you think Yorkshire is a good place to start up/operate a business?
Generally speaking Yorkshire people are very earthy, honest and open. Our capital city Leeds and surrounding regions present an exciting mix of opportunities for a premium small business such as ours. The food service sector in this, the largest UK county, has been very healthy and I believe that our mix of cafés, restaurants, quality boutique hotels and gastro-pubs represent the finest value for money in the whole country. Doing business in Yorkshire is not nearly as difficult as in the South of England.
If you could improve anything in the region what would it be?
I would love to see “able” unemployed people forced into work and training. All youths should be contributing to society in some way for their own state of wellbeing and self esteem, without literally being allowed to live and function off the state. It is far too easy to live a life on benefit in a so-called sub class culture and these are not the types of people the social benefit system was initially designed to serve. It is grossly abused and allowed to continue at great cost to society in terms of crime, violence, mental health, and, of course, the hardworking taxpayer.
Do you think that red tape is hindering business growth in the UK?
Red tape can easily thwart creativity and enterprise in small medium business. Essentially of course, one must remain responsible to the law but not allow bureaucracy to dampen your drive and ambition. It appears impossible at times to keep ahead of legislation, especially in health and safety and ‘employment’ where I believe there is a huge imbalance against the employer in ‘over protection’ of the employee. This sometimes creates unrealistic work force expectations of an SME business, which can lead, to poor worth ethic, low team morale and unproductivity if its not dealt with.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
Learn quickly by your mistakes and don’t waste time worrying about them. Bad decisions in business life are all learning experiences and can often be amazingly rewarding upon honest reflection.
And the worst?
Beware of the words – ‘Take my advice, trust me’ My advice is to be thorough in research and take calculated risks only. Never trust things that your instincts are telling you are too good to be true. It always is.
What barriers have you had to overcome in growing your business/developing your career, and if any, can you explain how you overcame them.
Cashflow is the hardest science to master if you are not accountant trained. After all, spending money is easy and when you are selling more and more and growing your company rapidly, how can this possibly be a road to disaster? Understanding the cashflow of your business is absolutely vital when setting the business plan and growth targets. I nearly lost my business twice because of positive growth coupled with poor financial controls and understanding.
What was your first job and what did you spend you’re first wage packet on?
My first part time job was a barman so most of it went on socialising, however, I used to sell a range of watches to people over the bar which I bought from a Leeds wholesalers to increase my income. I remember spending my whole wage packet once on a guitar, instead of paying my rent and bills, which I still have 25 years later.
If you could choose to start your career over again would you do anything different and if so what?
No, not really because the mistakes are invaluable. However, today I could plan and grow a business much faster than I ever believed I was capable of doing by inspiring and hiring the right people.
