On 28 October 2017, the Australian Lottery and Newsagents Association’s Queensland Awards for Excellence took place in Brisbane and awarded OBT client Gatton Plaza News with the prestigious title of QLD Retail Newsagency of the Year.
The award marked owners David and Jenny Keys’ twelfth year in Gatton.
“We were invited to attend the annual conference in Brisbane which was not an easy decision as we normally work over any given weekend,” says David. “And then we were pleasantly surprised.”
According to David, newsagencies were anonymously nominated by reps and suppliers all over Queensland in order to be considered for this award, with as many as 27 newsagencies in Queensland nominated this year.
It was not by accident that Gatton Plaza News came up trumps.
“The main thing has been diversifying and changing – you’ve got to open yourself up and make changes and go with what’s happening at the time.”
The survivors are the ones continually moving along and the Keys are not unaccustomed to doing that. Originally from Kingaroy en route via Gladstone, they first owned the motel in Gatton when they moved to the Lockyer Valley in 2003.
“We decided that we didn’t want to leave Gatton and had to a look for a job or buy another business,” says David.
They only started working with OBT Financial Group two years ago when they knew they needed to have local accountants on hand, “We knew Rodney Turner through Carmel so the connection was made and we bought everything across.”
“We rely on OBT for MYOB and BAS support,” says David. “If we have any problems Rachel is very good and always prompt in what she does. We can ask her anything – she’s always happy to help and she knows what she’s doing.”
The same approach to service can be found at Gatton Plaza News who supports locals and builds rapport with everyone they deal with.
“Without our customers, we don’t have a business,” says David. “Our customers are our business and we try to look after them as best as possible.”
“And without good staff we haven’t got a good business,” he added. “They create our business and get to know our customers personally by name.”
In the wake of receiving the state-based award, David and Jenny look forward to increasing their gift lines in time for Christmas and working with new companies and their products in order to create the right mix. Soon after they’ll be upgrading their shop and introducing more gift lines in 2018.
We wholeheartedly congratulate David and Jenny on their wonderful achievement and for shining a light on Lockyer Valley enterprise.
Read more about Gatton Plaza News on their website or visit their Facebook Page.
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