MARTIN BLACK

If your people prove themselves, give them as much autonomy as possible, the co-owner of The Margaret River Chocolate Company tells Sean Smith.

Biggest career break?

I got a journalism cadetship on the Geraldton Guardian as a 17-year-old, seven weeks into starting a journalism degree at WAIT (now Curtin University). Journalism is an amazing foundation for building a career and it taught me skills I still use every day. I was also very lucky to meet my best friend and business partner Patrick Coward as a six-year-old when we moved into the same street. Everything I’ve done in the last 16 years of business has been in tandem with him.

Describe your leadership style.

I like to think I give people the opportunity to prove themselves and then if they do well, give them as much autonomy as possible. I refer to it as the 85 per cent rule. If someone can do the job at 85 per cent of the way I’d do it myself, then I’m happy to sacrifice control for freedom. Of course, the added benefit is that often that 15 per cent variance means they can do it better than me.

First or most unusual job?

I used to wash neighbours’ cars as a kid and I also had a paper round in the Kewdale industrial area when I was 10, but I started mid-summer in plus-40 degree temperatures and only lasted two days. As a young journalist I also used to cover the live music and nightclub scene, so I was effectively paid to go to gigs. A dream job.

What was the biggest challenge in setting up a WA chocolate business?

When we started The Margaret River Chocolate Company in 1999 we had spent 12 months learning as much as we could about tourism, manufacturing, retail and the science of chocolate, but we had grossly underestimated the level of public interest in the project. When we opened our doors we were literally overrun by visitors and they bought what we thought would be a month’s worth of stock. It took us many months to get on top of manufacturing and we took a few costly shortcuts.

Best way to improve productivity?

In our particular industry we were stuck in no-man’s land for a long time, where there was either basic, very small-scale chocolate-making equipment available, or massive, multimillion-dollar production lines and we were neither. Fortunately, over the last few years we have grown our output and the choice of mid-range equipment has increased, so we have been able to increase productivity through mechanisation. We have also increased our number of outlets to give greater economies of scale, which also benefits productivity. You just have to ensure your people are valued, motivated and well-rewarded.

Most influential mentors?

I’ve had many great mentors over my life, starting, of course, with my parents and older sister Elaine, through teachers and sports coaches as a kid. Brian Abbott, the editor of the Geraldton Guardian, was a great mentor in my early journalism days and I’ve also benefited over the years from friendships with a range of businesspeople like Maurice Rousset, Garry Rutherford, Kevin Strapp, Gary Ryan and David Winter. These days I have several close mates and bike buddies in a range of industries and professional services, and they are always great for objective feedback.

Do you use social media?

I use social media from a business perspective but not much from a personal perspective. I do find Facebook is helpful for keeping touch with friends and family interstate and overseas.

How do you spend your spare time?

Apart from cycling three mornings a week with mates I spend most of my time with my wife and kids. Our boys are eight and 10 and they are just so much fun to hang out with. We play sport, go to the beach, go for bike rides and generally enjoy each other’s company. They are funny and delightful. I also like to catch up with friends for a long lunch or dinner on weekends.

Last book you read?

Runaway Comrade by Bob de la Motte. Bob is a cycling friend of mine who moved to Australia in the late 1980s from South Africa. As well as being a great guy and former accountant/banker, he was and remains an amazing athlete. This autobiography focuses heavily on the world’s toughest ultra marathon, the Comrades in South Africa, which he contested several times. He draws heavily on the political mood of the times and how running was one of the few level playing fields for blacks and whites. It’s a great read.

Favourite holiday destination?

Last school holidays we took our two young boys to the south island of New Zealand which was fantastic, however our favourite destination remains the Villa Pantai on Nusa Lembongan off Bali.

Your worst investment?

A good quality guitar. I am a huge music fan and I’ve tried several times to learn how to play but I just never seem to get there. It sits in my lounge as a reminder of my failure and lack of commitment. I’ll get there one day.