Written by Sean McGarry, Managing Director
September 2021 marks the 25th year of operation at MGA. This is an achievement of which our organisation can be extremely proud, especially considering 50% of small businesses don’t make it past 5 years.
As its founder and current MD, I would like to take the time to acknowledge those who are largely responsible for our success and perhaps mention one or two principles which, upon reflection, have contributed to our longevity.
Items such as office facilities, systems and procedures, IT platforms and software are all key ingredients of a successful consultancy.
The ingredient, which is however far and away most important, and without which all others are in fact irrelevant, is……our people.
In the world of consultants, people come in two distinct categories, being employees and clients.
Company websites, our own included, identify the names of the organisations with whom they do business, as their valued clients. At MGA we try to remember that the real client (the one that is most important) is the person or persons who represent those companies.
Nurturing business relationships with individuals is crucial in an environment where more than 80% of income is generated from repeat customers. I would like to express MGA’s heart-felt thanks to all those people who support us and have done over the last 25 years.
Equally as important of course are all of MGA’s individual staff members. We promote a family orientated and inclusive culture at MGA and value very highly the considerable contribution made by all our staff in creating a successful business environment.
I have learned from my experience at MGA that most people are well intentioned. It goes without saying that no two of us are the same. It really does “take all sorts” to make this world of ours go around. The more we acknowledge this and understand that each and everyone of us have our faults, the better prepared we are to deal with each-other successfully. Those of us working in management roles are the ones who can most easily recognise other peoples’ shortcomings and provide the support they need to grow and improve.
I cannot thank each person who has worked here individually of course, but you all know who you are. So many nationalities, so many cultures, so many characters, so much talent (and good looks). Thanks to you all for being a part of this modest but successful business in beautiful West Australia and most recently South Australia.
I would like to make special mention of my wife Sheelagh who has whole-heartedly supported me over the years. We started a business and a family at the same time. Many of you will understand the commitment that this requires of the spouse who is at home, especially with little or no family support.
Finally, a special thanks to the other members of MGA’s Senior Management Team, Stuart, Gary, and Paul for all their hard work, experience, and dedication. Thanks to their wives also, Mandy, Tracy, and Lily respectively, for their patience and understanding.
A shout out to all like-minded businesses, keep up the good work and don’t loose sight of the things that really matter.