The Business After 5 event in Tauranga is this Wednesday and we’re really looking forward to attending the event.
Rob Price, our other business finance specialist in the Bay of Plenty region will also be attending and shared a bit of his background with us in a recent interview.
Tell us a bit about your background
Rob: I’m a family man with six children and four grandchildren. I’ve been self-employed for 35 years and have worked in a variety of industries, from retail to transport and everything in between. Because of that background I have a good handle on the different challenges faced by small to medium businesses.
How long have you been at Driveline for?
Rob: 3 ½ years.
What part of New Zealand do you operate in?
Rob: I service all of the Bay of Plenty and current live in sunny Tauranga.
What are a few things you enjoy about the job?
Rob: I’m a bit of a problem solver, so I love working with clients to overcome their vehicle challenges. I look at what the right vehicles are for them, cost out some competitive packages and advise them in areas they may not be aware of. I try to understand what they are looking to achieve with their fleet and often it’s just about making them aware of other options that may be available. A vehicle is essentially a business tool and I love helping business owners find the most suitable and cost effective option.
What are business owners often unaware of when it comes to business leasing?
Rob: A lot of the time businesses owners don’t fully understand the difference between leasing and straight finance from an accounting perspective. One is a fully depreciated item on the books, while the other isn’t. Each has their own pros and cons and being able to explain that to a client is an essential part of the job.
What parts of the job do you find challenging?
Rob: Leasing a vehicle is a big decision for most small business owners, so sometimes it can take a while for people to come to a decision. It’s all part of the turf though, and I’m here to help businesses owners with questions so that the decision is easier for them.
What are some of your predictions about what’s going to happen in the industry?
Rob: From a business perspective, I’m a firm believer in the leasing that offers options you can step out of and I think that’s where the industry is going. The old school type option where you simply hand the vehicle back at the end doesn’t necessarily work for small businesses. And let’s face it, New Zealand is built on small businesses. In my opinion, Driveline leads the way with how vehicle leasing works and I feel proud to be able to offer businesses flexible leasing solutions.
