Exclusive: In this special series from nine.com.au, we delve into the lives of some of Australia’s most innovative entrepreneurs, founders, and CEOs to uncover what drives them and the advice they have for aspiring business leaders.
Doug Jones, CEO of the wholesale giant Metcash—responsible for supplying brands like IGA and Mitre 10, along with a host of other independent retailers across Australia—carries a significant weight of responsibility on his shoulders.
Under his leadership, Metcash reached an impressive $17.3 billion in sales revenue in the past financial year. However, Jones shared with 9news.com.au that he doesn’t actually “get to do much work.”
“The teams around me handle all the work,” he explained.
Here are his keys to success.
I enjoy starting my day with a run, a bike ride, or some form of exercise, which helps me dive into the day’s tasks with energy.
I like to go for a run or a ride or do some exercise, and then I get stuck into it.
I’m of South African heritage, so I check my WhatsApp from family and friends because the time difference. And sometimes, if it’s Monday, I catch up on a little bit of sports news.
But I’m not one for cold plunges and meditations. I like to just get into the day.
What are three daily habits you always stick to?
I write down what I need to do, what my priorities are for the day. That’s the first thing I do so I’m very clear about what is it that I want to achieve today.
I make sure that I check in with important people, starting with my wife and kids, and then when I get into the office. It’s just making sure that the connection is there, whether it’s a quick call on the way in or a visit to someone’s office â I prefer face-to-face to email.
And then I make sure that I leave my desk at the end of the day being clear with what I’ve achieved and what’s coming up for the next day. It’ll involve a quick scan of the diary to make sure that I don’t have anything outstanding.
Lots of Aussies are looking for a career change â what small action can help them get ahead of other candidates?
At the end of the day, you need to do a good job.
I tell my children this all the time; having a job is a privilege, not a right. And I think that delivering 10 times the value of your salary is where you should start.
It’s probably boring and old-fashioned advice, but that’s the first thing and frankly, that opens up opportunities. Whether you’re looking for a career change or a promotion, people around you are looking to work with people that get stuff done, and that do it in a way that’s collaborative and pleasant.
So yes, you should do stuff you’re interested in, yes, you should do stuff you’re good at, but at the end of the day, you should do things where you can add genuine value.
Surprise entrant to top 10 most trusted brands in Australia
What financial myth do you wish you never bought into?
I was brought up in a fairly strict environment, and my parents were always very smart about teaching me not to live beyond my means, so I think credit should be used appropriately.
Credit is good at the right time, but only if you can pay back that credit.
What do you wish you could tell your 20-year-old self?
The world is a wonderful place and if you approach it with curiosity, integrity, passion and humility, I think that you can have an amazing career and life.
