First National Neilson Partners managing director ROSS NEILSON is a familiar figure in the Casey-Cardinia Region. His business roots date back to September 1981 when he and his father Neil bought out the Noel Gould Holden dealership in Berwick. They sold that in 1987 to Barry Bourke and Ross entered the real estate industry, first working with Andrew Facey in Dandenong. After a five-year sabbatical in the city working and studying, Ross rejoined Facey’s in 1996 and over time bought the business with four other partners. Ross now runs the Narre Warren, Berwick and Pakenham operations. He and wife Jenny live in Glen Waverley and they have two sons, Grant and Scott, and three grandchildren.
Describe a typical working day?
All days are a bit different, but they have the same elements – helping staff, talking to clients, approving accounts and, without fail, solving problems. The boss’s job is to be at everyone’s beck and call. With 50 staff, they only have to have one problem a year and you have one a week to sort out. And if it is only one a year, then you can’t complain. Fortunately, the people here are pretty good and they solve a lot of issues themselves. They say a leader is the servant to all the followers and it works out like that, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
What are your impressions of the Casey Cardinia Region from a business perspective?
I think one word sums it up – opportunity. It is a busy, growing area and a good demographic from a business point of view.
What has been your biggest career success to date?
I would have to say it is growing a successful business partnership. Having five different personalities as partners in a business that runs with no disharmony and genuine co-operation is rare indeed. We have achieved that and have maintained it over an extended period.
What has been your biggest career failure to date?
It would have to be making the decision to close our new homes department. We spent over two decades representing builders in display homes and I really enjoyed the interaction. We have some great builders, but the larger companies have taken display homes to a level that is hard to match in terms of presentation. In hindsight, we hung on too long and it became an expensive lesson.
What did you learn from that experience?
I learnt there is a time to let go. Your first loss is often your best loss.
If you had to invite five people to a business luncheon, who would they be and why?
Economist Alan Oster is very insightful and the knowledge he brings would be useful; the sharp wit of Bob Hope to lighten it up a bit; entrepreneur and adventurer Dick Smith would have some great stories; the insightful and powerful Winston Churchill is a must, explaining how he managed things so well under duress in wartime and Audrey Hepburn would round it out nicely – a beautiful lady in looks and spirit who did a lot of charity work later in life and was never sucked in by own importance and glamour.
How do you relax away from work?
I love spending time with the grandkids – Joshua, Ivy and the newest addition Evelyn, who came into the world on 10 June, the day of my father Neil’s funeral, adding a bit of happiness to a sad occasion. I also love camping, exploring Australia and riding motorbikes – in the bush or on the road.
Tell us something most people would not know about you?
I love reading comics – particularly The Phantom.
What is your business mantra?
Always try to look at it from the other person’s perspective and keep it fair for all.
