Rory Duncan, General Manager of Autolyse
On selling good products, listening and keeping employees happy.
QSR Media: What makes you excited about your position?
Rory Duncan: Selling such great products! Surpassing guests expectations everyday is very satisfying. Autolyse has an uncompromising attitude to producing only the best products. The passion and energy of the owners of the business is both refreshing and motivating, which filters down to the rest of the team.
QSR Media: What 3 goals are you focused on?
Duncan: Establishing Autolyse in Central Park as a destination venue. The local community is extremely important to us and we are lucky to have already established a fantastic local following, but we would like to grow and introduce our products to a much wider audience across Sydney. Central Park is an exciting, new, cutting edge shopping centre which has excellent public transport access.
To grow the Autolyse brand and continue to expand our range of services. We have launched a new website which has an easy to use catering service, plus our wholesale, cold pressed juices and fruit+veg businesses continue to grow.
Thirdly, we are introducing a new dessert and pissaladiere (similar to a pizza) menu for the evenings in our Sydney shop. We can offer a spacious, relaxed environment and demand was high to open later, so we are delighted to extend our opening hours for the later part of the week.
QSR Media: What long term changes are you planning on?
Duncan: We have plans to continue the success of our Canberra Juice bar and open in Sydney. Expansion is very much a long term goal, but for now we are totally committed to Central Park.
QSR Media: What are your key business philosophies?
Duncan:
Key business philosophies;
Happy employees equal happy customers.
Listening is the key to understanding. If something isn’t right, don’t make excuses, make improvements!
And finally, you have to love what you do. I learn something new everyday from our chefs, bakers, baristas and customers so it is a pleasure to come to work everyday.
QSR Media: What previous positions prepared you for this one and how?
Duncan: Since graduating from University I have been managing different types of businesses for 15 years. I always surround myself with the best people and try and create an atmosphere where the staff feel valued and treat their work as more than just a job. Hopefully our customers can feel the difference in their experience.
