5 MINUTES WITH...
Daniel Kelly
CAREER Q&A
What’s your life philosophy? Do the simple things right and always be the hardest worker in the room. Describe yourself in one sentence. An honest, affable, positive Aussie guy who is laid back but loves winning. What makes you happy? My family and helping those in need. What do you do in your spare time? Spending time with my wife and girls is number one, but I love a game of golf and a quiet fish. Best compliment you’ve ever received? On his retirement from the Australian office products industry, Brad Starr, founder and inaugural Office Choice Director and member, said he was happy to know the Office Choice board was being led by the best Chairman the group has seen in its existence. Favourite books? Shoe Dog by Phil Knight or Open by Andre Agassi. Best way to spend the weekend? A BBQ, a few beers with family and friends, and golf. Early bird or night owl? Night owl. Where would you most like to travel and why? To be able to take my wife Nicole to Lapland and sleep under the Northern Lights would be the ultimate for me. Favourite time of the year? Nothing beats an Australian summer.
www.opi.net
What’s your guilty pleasure? I’m a bit of a beer snob, so probably craft beer. Independent breweries only though. Got to support the locals.
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Daniel Kelly, Stuart and Dun n Office Choice, and Office Choice
Who is your biggest inspiration? Dwayne Johnson. Not for his wrestling ability, but I love his humble nature and his passion to always be a better version of himself, both professionally and as a family man. What is on your bucket list? I’ve been fortunate enough to tick a few things off my list already. What’s still on there though – among other things – include an African safari, trek the Kokoda Trail in Papua New Guinea, cage-dive with a great white shark and achieve a single digit handicap in golf. What song always puts you in a good mood? Don’t stop believin’ by Journey. What skill would you like to master? Definitely putting. What subject should be taught in schools, but isn’t? How to deal with and handle defeat. Kids don’t know how to lose these days.
Describe your current job. I wear many hats, but the three standouts would be: Chairman of Office Choice whereby I lead the board of directors to set the strategic direction of Australia’s greatest buying group; owner – with my brother Benn – of Stuart and Dunn Office Choice as well as Newcastle Computer Wizards; and, best of all, father to my two gorgeous daughters. If you weren’t doing your present job, what would you like to be doing? Professional golfer. Best moment in your career? Earning the honoured role of Office Choice Chairman. Your best piece of advice to someone who has just joined the OP industry? Be diverse, be open-minded. When you think you know everything, you’re not even halfway there. If you could change just one thing about the industry, what would it be? I’d stop the race to the bottom. Our industry baffles me. During our peak seasons, we make products cheaper. Supply and demand should mean we make more money, not less, surely. What is the best way to stay motivated and complete goals? Always have a glass half-full mentality.
