Malta Business Review
CELEBRATING MALTA’S BEST ENTREPRENEURS
CELEBRATING MALTA’S BEST ENTREPRENEURS
Oliver Lalani from Design Hub presenting Bernard Mangion with Malta’s Best Real Estate & Property Entrepreneur of the year Award
MBR: What do you think are the most important factors that have contributed to this success?
Defining Positive Strategy by George Carol
Bernard Mangion, Managing Director of Ben Estates, has devoted his career to developing real estate properties that anchor communities, promote further development and spread economic prosperity. MBR Publications Ltd was delighted to interview him following his award as Malta’s Best Real Estate Entrepreneur of the Year Award 2015.
MBR: You have been awarded by a panel of judges this year’s prestigious Malta’s Best Real Estate Entrepreneur of the Year Award – how does it feel and what has been the feedback so far? BM: The feeling is unexplainable! It is very hard to determine what I was feeling during those seconds walking up to receive the award. My mind and body were flooded with positive thoughts and feelings. I must say that it felt so good and rewarding. Finally after six years of hard work I feel that my business is recognised and that it is growing in the right direction. On the night I won the award i experienced flashbacks of the past six years, the ups and downs, together with thoughts of how I can keep the company progressing well. So far the feedback was great, since that night, I came across many people and friends, and the first thing they tell me is
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congratulations for the award. This feels great and must say it has boosted my ego. I am already working on new ways and ideas of how I can keep Ben Estates Ltd growing.
Since that night, I came across many people and friends, and the first thing they tell me is congratulations for the award MBR: How did you decide to participate in Malta’s Best Entrepreneur of the Year Awards? BM: Well, I received a phone call saying that I got nominated to participate in this event, I could not believe this, and delightfully I accepted the nominations.
BM: Success does not come easy. However, in order to be successful one must be disciplined, a risk taker, a salesperson, an assertive leader, possess inspiration and be persistent. Last but not least, being honest and genuine moulds you into a successfully reliable person. MBR: What words of advice would you give to other budding and young entrepreneurs? BM: Never give up! I kicked off the business in the worst possible times of global recession (December 2008), when the property market in Malta was really slow and at a halt, and with little capital to inject in the company I managed to build the company to what it is today. One must take up challenges with a pinch of salt, face your fears, and most importantly, think big! MBR: Do you think diversity is the key to your company going forward? BM: Yes, diversity is a key of having the company growing larger. I feel I must focus on the property business, however diversify into other sectors, and finding better ways of giving an excellent service. Successful companies are not the ones that
build a business. Thriving and innovative companies are the ones that build diverse teams. Diversity is a mentality and not just a strategic one.
A business is successful when the whole team is pulling the same rope in the same direction MBR: How do you motivate people to build and create something, and to share in the success? BM: I always use my own example as someone who started off with small financial help. When there is will there is a way. One of my favourite motivational speeches is taken from the film Rocky Balboa ‘believe in yourself,’- it’s not how hard you can hit, but it’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. Success is more fun when you have positive people surrounding you and sharing it with. MBR: Edmond Harty states, “Innovation to me is like baking a cake: you have a lot of ingredients and it’s how you combine those ingredients together that makes something your customer likes. It’s not
Malta Business Review
splitting the atom.” What significant is innovation to you and Ben estates? BM: Ben Estates Ltd is a team and not just myself. A business is successful when the whole team is pulling the same rope in the same direction. Now that we have a wonderful team we are performing well. I always preach that altogether we will be successful, but on your own it is impossible to be close to success. MBR: What range of leadership skills do successful entrepreneurs need to have? BM: Honesty, communication, ability to delegate, sense of humour, confidence, creativity, most importantly a positive attitude. MBR: Do you consider this award a recognition of your business model? BM: Yes I definitely recognise the award as being a recognition of my business model. Being awarded some time or another is important, as it makes you understand what you are capable of doing and in which direction you are heading. Since the first year in business, I never failed to present a variety of awards to the team. I am planning to increase these by giving a monthly award to the best performer of the month. MBR All Rights Reserved | Copyright 2015 www.maltabusinessreview.net
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