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Interview with Jim Treliving – By Lorrie Clark, Partner, PSG

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Jim Treliving traded in his RCMP uniform approximately 45 years ago to become an entrepreneur. Today he is one the most visible and highly respected people in the Canadian business landscape. Jim is chairman and owner of Boston Pizza International Inc., operating in 3 countries. Boston Pizza has been repeatedly recognized by Deloitte as one of Canada’s “50 Best Managed Private Companies”. In addition to being a successful businessman, on-going investor and active philanthropist, Jim has also earned celebrity status through the CBC hit reality show “Dragon’s Den” and is involved with two other shows currently in the making. Tagged the “Loving Dragon” or the “Nice Dragon”, Jim has earned these titles earnestly. He is kind, respectful and generous. He puts you at ease the moment you meet him. He has a pretty wicked sense of humour too!

Lorrie:    When it comes to hiring numerous people over the years, what are key characteristics you look for when hiring someone?

Jim:    To start with, the biggest thing is whether they fit into the organization by the interview. That’s a huge thing. There are a lot of people with the same qualifications and for me it is seeing how they as a personality fit in with the personalities that we already have; because if that doesn’t work then they won’t work out.

Lorrie:    You have people that have been with your organization for many years. What do you find is the key to retention?

Jim:    There are three things:

1. Enjoying coming to work and being in a work place where you are happy. Work is tough in these times and especially in the U.S. Many U.S. companies are doing a lot more with less people. We are seeing that more and more. The fortune 500 and 1000 companies are doing great profits but doing them with a lot less people. I think that is something that has changed in US and the reason why it will be a longer time getting people back to work there.

2. It is also social when you come to work and you often develop friends there, as an employer you need to create a good social place too. Create the awareness that you are there to work hard, that it is a good place to work and that it is a fun environment.

3. Compensation is probably 2nd or 3rd in the line, but this is based on the fact that you are already a happy camper. With our executive style and with all the organizations in our Income Trust Fund everyone is eligible to earn a bonus. We have decent salaries and health benefits and in addition everyone gets a bonus from the receptionist and up, but it is based on one’s performance. Lorrie:     What do you think it will take to navigate through the economy and changes ahead in US and Canada? Is it going to be different for the 2 countries?

Jim:     Yes I think it will be different for the 2 countries. Canada is not in a recession and it’s not even close to being in a recession. The economy is actually growing. Our GNP is growing, our housing is strong, our banking is strong. This is not the way it is in the U.S. though. Having said that, I think unemployment in the U.S. is at higher levels than 9 or 10%. I think it’s more like 16% because there are people who have fallen off the benefits package so they are not even looking for work. There is a whole group that is not working. When you look at the overall package of unemployment and what is going on down there, I think the number is definitely closer to 15% or 16%. Keep in mind 5% are never going to be employed ever, which is normal when you have a good economy. So you want to hold on to a job and you have to work smarter and harder to do so.

Lorrie:     Who influenced you the most in your career and how?

Jim:    Both my father and my mother. My mother was a really strong person. She would have been a great, smart business woman but she never had the opportunity to get involved with a business. Dad was a “steady Eddy” I called him – very astute in business. He was a strong cash flow guy. We never had a mortgage on our house and we never had a mortgage on the business that he ran. He paid cash for everything and instilled if you couldn’t afford it, you didn’t buy it!

Lorrie:     Is there anything that stands out as far as mistakes that have been made in the past when hiring someone? And why it didn’t work out?

Jim:     They didn’t fit in. That is basically what it was and when you do hire someone, it can often be a reflection of you or the person that is doing the hiring. I have made mistakes in this regard. They had all the criteria but they just didn’t fit in. That’s why people leave. Some people are good at the interview but they ultimately just don’t live up to the interview.

Lorrie:     What does it take to get noticed by you?

Jim:      Probably the first 30 seconds in the room. Do I feel they are being open and honest? Do you look me in the eye when I am talking to you? What are you projecting around me? Are you nervous, upset, or are you relaxed?

Lorrie:      Do you think people could be nervous of your accomplishments and celebrity status?

Jim:     Yes they may feel a little bit of that but if they are meeting me for a position that I want them to be in, they have to have the self-confidence to be able to work with me everyday.

Lorrie:      You have a number of organizations in your empire. Is Pizza still your number one passion?

Jim:      Yes, absolutely. Pizza is still number one, it’s my baby.

Lorrie:      Why Pizza? What got you into that?

Jim:     I walked into it. I met the owner Gus and we became friends and he felt that I would do well in it. He suggested that I get into the business – so I did. I was in the RCMP at the time.

Lorrie:     If you could have the opportunity to meet anybody – who would it be and why?

Jim:      Well, I’ve met some pretty neat people so that is a hard one. I met Warren Buffet 3 or 4 times and he is a very impressive guy and he is a guy that says he isn’t retiring any time soon. He says everyday is retirement as he so enjoys life. I met Bill Clinton and spent some time with him. I also met a couple of other Presidents. One guy to spend time with would be Steve Jobs. He is a very bright and articulate guy. I would like to also meet Bill Gates. They are in a completely different line of work and I would like to understand how they got where they are today.

Lorrie:      Somebody who is as involved with so many businesses in the Canadian and US landscape as you are how do you manage it all and are you planning to retire any day soon?

Jim:     No retirement in sight! I don’t know what I would do if I retired. I feel like I’m kind of retired because I get to do a lot of business by phone, computer, Skype, BlackBerry and laptop so I can go anywhere in the world and work from there. Technology gives you more time in the sense that you can be in a recreational area, have a great time and enjoy work/life balance. I have the opportunity to hold business and board meetings on Skype and by phone and be plugged in and tapped into my computer. I have 3 computers going and my BlackBerry as we talk…life is good!

by Lorrie Clark, Partner, Permanent Search Group/PSG

29 August, 2011 | Posted in Interviews | No Comments