Yahoo Finance 9 Aussie CEOs, founders and directors on what they want for Christmas
Struggling with what to get your loved ones for Christmas? We spoke to some Australian business leaders and CEOs to get the low-down on just what these high-powered Aussies want in their Santa sacks on Wednesday morning.
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Tim MacKinnon, managing director of eBay Australia and New Zealand
Christmas is about time with family. But I have still bought lots of things on eBay for my three kids – that I will also enjoy – to bring us together. For Charlie, my nine year old, I bought vintage games like Axis and Allies and chess so I can relive my childhood.
Florence, my seven year old will receive a Nintendo Switch with Just Dance so we can all try out some new moves. For Margot, my three year old, Pie Face is likely to be a big hit.
And since we are doing a driving holiday up the NSW coast, we also got the family a beach cabana and of course, a personalised fly swatter.
Angela Clark, CEO at Beem It
Winding down for me is mainly about reconnecting with nature, going off the grid with the kids in our camper trailer, late summer swims in the ocean and rockpool exploring, sand between toes and salt on the skin, and getting dirty in the garden.
And of course, time with family and lots of lazy days in the backyard having barbeques, trying to solve the problems of the world in long evening conversations and not doing an awful lot of much else.
Mat Colbron, CEO at Tell Me Baby
A new family car for a road trip holiday to rest and recharge.
After a big year of capital raising, growth at Tell Me Baby and adding to our family, Christmas in 2019 is all about rest and recharging. In a start-up, the pressure is on and taking the time out over the Christmas with our young family is important. We are planning to get away up and down the coast this Christmas to visit family and friends with lots of time at the beach.
To fit all of the stuff that comes along with the kids we need a bigger car and we are in the market for a Hyundai Tuscon to fit in all the car seats, prams, bags and beach gear.
Julia and I are also wishing for lots of rain and cooler weather this summer to relieve all the firefighters, families and wildlife impacted by the fires burning in NSW.
Rudy Crous, CEO at Shortlyster
This Christmas, I’m hoping for some much needed quality time with my family. It's been an incredibly busy year with constant travel away from home, so some down time with loved ones will be really special.
I’m also looking forward to some quiet time to reflect on the successes we’ve had at Shortlyster this year and get prepared for a busy year in 2020.
Stephen Hiscock, managing director, SG Hiscock & Co.
Apart from wanting to improve my golf handicap which has sadly deteriorated over time, I would like to see a more stable and predictable environment for the financial advice industry.
There have been so many changes in the past few years, and these have had the effect of driving many advisers out of business, and forcing those remaining to significantly increase their costs... [meaning] it is now rapidly becoming unaffordable for many investors.
Damien McIntyre, CEO, fund management firm GSFM
For the country, I'd like Australians to be more definitive about who we are and who we want to be. Generally speaking, I don't think our society does enough to debate, determine and implement standards that are acceptable of a civilised country.
For the financial services industry, I'd like much the same thing. For investors I wish for prosperity so as their retirement savings can thrive.
For my family, I wish simply for their good health and their happiness.
And for me, an even contest in the Boxing Day Test.
Jacob Galea, founder at executive coaching firm GCORP Advisory
The Christmas break is all about rejuvenation, wellness, happiness, and family for me. It’s a good time to recharge, take stock of the last 12 months and plan for 2020. Peace of mind is also on my wish list. This is a massive thing for me as we spend so much time throughout the year on the go, so having some downtime with myself and spending time with amazing people and my family is at the top of the list.
Georgina Drury, CEO of technology solutions firm Springday
I’m hoping Santa can bring me a new swimsuit just in time for my Sydney family staycation. Christmas for me is about spending quality time with my family, and it just so happens my sister will be in town from France with my new niece and nephew, so we will be spending the break swimming in the pool, sailing on the boat at Pittwater and paddle boarding on Sydney Harbour.
A copy of my mate’s very first published book is also on my wishlist: Natalie Conyer’s Present Tense! And I’m late to the party, but hoping to find time to read Sapiens, A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari.
I’ll also be asking Santa for more rain. The wildlife and farmers are suffering and they need it more than ever, for the whole of Australia.
Nir Gabay, founder and CEO at listed data transmission firm Elsight
While other Australian tech companies are winding down during Christmas, it’s business as usual over in Israel and Elsight are working hard on building on some of the great traction we’ve gotten over the last few months.
The end of year gives us a great opportunity to reflect and plan for the year ahead as we look to expand into new markets like the US and build out our presence there. Equally, it’s important for our team to keep being inspired so one of the key things on my wishlist this year will be to encourage everyone to read more and get ready to hit some exciting milestones in 2020.
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