Tony Falkenstein currently runs Just Water Intl. for $40+Million in annual revenue.
People are at the heart of any thriving business, and in this episode, we sit down with Tony Falkenstein, the visionary leader behind Just Water Intl., to discuss the power of people. Join us as we explore Tony’s strategies for building strong teams, and nurturing talent to drive significant growth and success.
Tony Falkenstein ONZM is the Founder and Executive Chairman of Just Water International Ltd. He played an instrumental role in launching New Zealand’s first Business High School at Onehunga High, which resulted in the addition of ‘business’ into the New Zealand curriculum.
Tony was inducted into the New Zealand Business Hall of Fame in 2008. The New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM) appointed Tony as an Officer in 2010. In 2012, Tony received the Award for New Thinking in the World Class New Zealand Awards. In 2013, the University of Auckland appointed him a Distinguished Alumni, and he received the Alpha, Beta, Gamma distinction in 2014.
Nurturing talent for business growth
Nurturing talent is essential for building a thriving business. It starts with valuing unique abilities, offering chances for skill development, and giving employees the freedom to realize their full potential.
In addition, fostering a culture of continuous learning, mentoring, and collaboration encourages creativity and motivates employees to give their best. Regular performance reviews, constructive criticism, and effective communication all help to highlight areas for development and provide the support. Investing in leadership development, training programs, and encouraging a growth mentality within the organization are also important. By nurturing talent, businesses can unlock innovation, develop motivated employees and lay a solid basis for long-term growth.
In this episode, Steve, Mary, Richard, and Tony discuss:
- The start of Tony’s entrepreneurial journey.
- Keep your eyes open – that’s when things happen.
- The start of Just Water and the life cycle of Tony’s side companies.
- The power of people.
Key Takeaways:
- “Slay the dragon”, meaning face up immediately to any challenge; don’t dwell on it. Better to make a mistake than doing nothing at all.
- Always look ahead. The numbers of history are behind you. Look at what’s happening in the next month, the next quarter, the next year, and beyond.
- Creating a brand has power.
- Post-acquisition is so important.
Best Advice I Ever Received: “Slay the dragon”, meaning face up immediately to any challenge; don’t dwell on it. Better to make a mistake than doing nothing at all.
Best Advice I’d Give To Someone Who Wants To Build A $10m+ Business: Focus – there are opportunities every day, but stay on track with the one that is going to be the core of the business.
“Focus – there are opportunities every day, but stay on track with the one that is going to be the core of the business.“ — Tony Falkenstein
Connect with Tony Falkenstein:
- Website: JustLifeGroup.co.nz & justwater.co.nz & HomeTech.co.nz
- Email: tf@jwi.co.nz
Follow Beyond 8 Figures:
- Website: Beyond8Figures.com
- Twitter: @beyond8figures
- Facebook: Beyond 8 Figures
- Instagram:@b8fpodcast
- Email: feedback@beyond8figures.com