Morris on the money

SERIAL entrepreneur Terry Morris is a straight talker when it comes to business and the same goes for his views on leadership.

At a recent AICD luncheon, the founder of Morris International which includes the Sirromet Wines brand and Holden Performance Driving Centre, told the audience that he was inspired by luminaries such as Conrad Hilton (Hilton Hotel chain) and former head of General Motors Charles Schwab.

But what he deems more important than any other in an organisation are its people.

“Human capital is your greatest asset, far in excess of any other assets,” he says.

When asked his views on the future of the Gold Coast, Morris replied in typical off-the-cuff style.

“The Gold Coast will just become bigger and better but the council could do with a rev up, so could the State Government. As for Australia, after looking at Rudd’s health reforms, I don’t know why Western Australia doesn’t become its own country, it’s doing a good enough job without the Federal Government.”

Despite mothballing one of its vineyards at Mt Cotton, Morris says the group had escaped the GFC relatively unscathed.