POD Management CEO provides company insight
POD Management is proud to different. Here we find out more about David Goldberg, founder and CEO, as he gives a unique insight in to why he launched the company and what motivates him.
Q: What inspired you to start POD Management
DG: The realisation that our industry had forgotten to look after what was important. There was one really memorable event that hit home for me.
I was helping staff cover the phones at Christmas in a previous role and a difficult situation arose for a resident on site. It was what happened after that that really made me sit up and think. Someone else had observed the conversation and spoke to me to say he was really surprised by the caring way I dealt with it, as he had watched the staff over a period of months and noticed their general attitude had always been one of rigidity and I’m sad to say, a lack of wanting to help.
That was the lightbulb moment for me. I realised that as an industry we had forgotten about who our customers were, and I felt the only way to change that was to start from scratch as it’s more than just a training thing – it’s about the whole mentality and culture of a business and I could only achieve that if I did so from the ground up.
Q: What's the most important thing you're working on right now and how are you making it happen?
DG: Right now I’m focusing all my attention on attracting talent to the business. I only want the best to work for me so I have forged great relationships with recruiters and other well connected people in the industry to help find that talent. You can’t under estimate the value of good recruiter. If they know what they are doing they will get under the skin of you and your company and find out what makes you/it tick. That way, they will understand what sort of person will succeed. We don’t make expensive mistakes, both financially for POD Management but also career wise for the employee. Your staff are the most precious asset you have so we want them to enjoy working for us so its important to get the right fit.
Q: How do you develop talent and how do you help people grow to the next level and be their best.
DG: I love watching staff develop – it’s one of my favourite things. I remember the first trainee I took under my wing while working at a well-known competitor. By mentoring him, nurturing his skills and giving him room to grow – which incidentally is the secret to developing talent – he was able to exceed even his own expectations. He went on to manage a small team and when I left the company he took over my role as head of department. It made me feel really proud.
Q: What kind of person will succeed here?
DG: Those that want to make a difference and are always asking themselves ‘why’? Why do we do it this way – is that what the customer wants or needs, is that the best way of doing it, is the process the simplest or most efficient, is this in the best interests of the business – it’s all important. Just doing it because that is what they know or that is how they were taught doesn’t mean it is right.
We are a challenger brand and I welcome people that challenge convention and are prepared to take stock and ask questions. That’s how we will grow.
Q: What gets you out of bed in the morning?
DG: POD Management. Simple as that. I love what I do and making the company succeed. Of course, it helps when it is your own company but I love the challenge of making a difference be that to our customers, staff or the industry.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
DG: Personally, I want to be enjoying life. That’s all you can ask for and I’ll do whatever it takes to ensure I am happy. On a work level, we will be knocking on the doors of the other bigger agents and taking away their business – I’m confident of that!