WLN – What’s the most exciting thing about your job?
Achieving results by a variety of ways in many countries. Paste and copy does not work when dealing with different cultures.
WLN – Who has inspired you most in your career?
A salesman I employed in East Germany just after the wall came down. After working in a controlled environment before 1989, he was grateful to have the opportunity to achieve results through his own actions. I take this thought to work with me every day.
WLN – If you were an item in a warehouse, what would you be?
The coffee machine. I would hear all the news, because this is where the real meetings take place.
WLN – If you had to do it all over again, what would you do different?
I would have continued studying Russian, and not given up Japanese after three months.
WLN – What’s the most embarrassing thing that’s ever happened to you at work?
As a young manager in the UK, I used to bark out orders. I realised the error of my communication when my staff ordered a policewoman kissogram for me at a company party.
WLN – Who or what makes you laugh?
Language faux-pas! A colleague in Italy once wrote to distributors in Europe. He wanted to explain that I was working very hard to resolve a particular issue. He applied Italian logic to make “hard” into an adverb. I am laughing at the language, because it is not always logic. The result was: “Rory is hardly working to resolve this issue.”
WLN – Do you have any hidden talents?
I act in amateur theatre productions, and am now trying my hand at Improvisation on stage.
WLN – Who would be your favourite party guest?
Oscar Wilde and Brian O’Driscoll.
WLN – What is the greatest luxury in your life?
My wife’s gardening skills. I just have to operate the lawn-mower.
WLN – What is your favourite guilty pleasure?
Czech beer in Prague.
WLN – Do you have any secret ambitions?
To be cleverer than my wife, and for my daughters to accept this!
WLN – What’s your dream holiday destination?
Kenya. I was born there but left when I was too young to remember much. I have never gone back.
WLN – What are your three favourite movies of all time?
The Blues Brothers, Casablanca and The Sound of Music.
WLN – What is your favourite book of all time?
That is difficult. I guess I would go for “Gulliver’s Travels.”
WLN – What’s your favourite pastime?
Hiking at the week-ends mostly in the Czech Republic and Belgium, but also in Germany, Poland and Slovakia.
WLN – If you won the Lottery, what would you do?
I would open a bicycle shop and an Indian restaurant in Waterloo, Belgium where my house is. There is neither in this historic town.
WLN – What would be your advice to someone thinking about coming into the industry?
Learn languages. It will give you a better opportunity for business travel, understand different cultures and give you an insight into the industry in different countries.
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