Meet The BuyMax Team – Bill South
What is the most enjoyable aspect of your job?
Working with great leadership who share the same passions as I do. I thoroughly enjoy the freedom to travel all over the country helping our Franchises become and staying successful.
What is the most challenging detail of your job?
Trying to be in more then one place at a time is very difficult. Often our varied franchises want a service or training at the same time, so juggling webinars and travel to make everyone happy is tough, but my team and I do our best and I believe our franchisees are satisfied.
What past experiences have helped shape you to be successful?
Making mistakes. This is a fact no one wants to talk about, but making mistakes is the best teacher anyone can have. Making a mistake and correcting it timely and honorably has taught me throughout my life personally and professionally the value of doing something the right way.
What makes you happy?
My family, watching my kids grow into adults.
My work life, enjoying the people I work with and being able to do things for work that people pay for to do for pleasure (Travel).
My Hobby of “watch collecting”, I collect, sell, and trade luxury watches.
What is a typical weekend like for you?
My family loves the outdoors, so anything outside we are there. We love theme parks, we have passes for Disney World and Busch Gardens. Going out with friends to sporting events, dinner and pool parties also ranks high. We also attend family outings often.
How would you respond to a dissatisfied, irate customer?
I think empathy is needed. I would listen to everything the customer is upset about and be understanding making sure I don’t say I can’t do anything about what the customer is dissatisfied about. An apology must be made and a clear path defined explaining how the problem will be quickly addressed.
What is your advice to a young graduate entering the workforce?
Surround yourself with people who are positive and learn the way of the trade from those people. Also, self-learning. Do not wait for the company to give you training. I’ve coined my own acronym – ABL (Always Be Learning).
Is there anyone you admire professionally? If so – why?
I admire Hank Williams. When I started 30 years ago he was the first person in my trade to give me an opportunity when others would not. He trained and nurtured me throughout my whole career, even when I was seemingly uninterested or difficult, he never gave up.
When I branched off and made my own successful path, he was like a proud Papa and for many years he would tell others how delighted he was about my accomplishments. Sadly, Hank is no longer with us, but his teachings and passion will stay with me forever!
If you had a chance to be the President of the United States – what would be your first task?
Tax reform. We are being taxed on top of our tax and that’s not right. The rich get richer because the system is set up for them to avoid paying high taxes. The poor get poorer because the salaries they make are taxed so heavily they cannot put food on the table.
How long do you think the “new normal” work routine will last?
Change often happens quickly. We have to learn to adapt quickly also. Paying attention to what your market is changing to is important. The new normal today, could be the old normal tomorrow.
