Logged In with… Jez Willard, managing director of Business and Enterprise Coaching and The Japanese Shop

Describe yourself in a Tweet

At 6’3” and over 16 stone I am big, I think big and I have big dreams to build a big company with a big heart and which makes big profits.

Career highlights:

Winning the chairman of DHL Japan’s Award for Greatest Contribution to Culture Change in Japan in 1996.  And winning Small Business of the Year, Retailer of the Year and Overall Business of the Year in the York Press Business Awards in 2004.

What’s on your iPod?

Everything from Nessun Dorma to Neil Diamond and Steve Harley to the Black Eyed Peas.

What has been your favourite/worst job?

Worst, easy.  Whilst I was travelling around Australia I worked in a pork processing factory in Sydney, it was good money but I could only survive the smell for three days!
Best? Running The Japanese Shop.

Who is your ideal dinner guest or which public figure do you admire most and why?

Dinner guest, Angelina Jolie.  Public figure, Nelson Mandela.

Are you worth what you’re paid? Why?

No, I’m not paid very much!

What has been your biggest business mistake/achievement?

Biggest mistake?  Getting fired from a previous job many years ago in which I behaved badly and subsequently regretted but learnt my lesson!

Biggest achievement?  Growing The Japanese Shop to over £1m in sales from zero.

What is your pet peeve both in and out of work?

Bad manners, particularly being late.

Who has had the biggest influence on your career?

My dad, and some of my very close friends.

What do you enjoy most and least about your role?

Least?  Paying tax.  Most?  I love doing business with our suppliers in Japan, there is something special and exciting about trading internationally.

What’s the key to managing people?

Vision, leadership and an ability to say “thank you” / “I’m sorry, I …. up”.

What are the biggest barriers to your organisation’s success?

Consumer confidence in the economy.

What would make Yorkshire an even better place to live and work?

Hot weather!

If you weren’t doing what you’re doing now, what alternative career would you choose and why?

I’d be James Bond so I could drive an Aston Martin and maybe even get to meet Angelina!

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