Toughen Up

Lessons from New Zealand's top entrepreneur on surviving tough times. Michael Hill believes it's possible to succeed in a downturn - in fact, it is the perfect situation in which to perfect a business. International jewellery store-chain owner Michael Hill believes the struggling economy can be a good thing for businesses and entrepreneurs. Instead of fearing the side-effects of recession, wallowing in gloom and convincing ourselves the only safe haven is at home under the blankets, entrepreneurs can use this period to their advantage. With the right attitude, you can not only survive, but also emerge from the crunch with a new feeling of prosperity and strength. Over the years, Michael Hill has had just about every possible experience in business: from lie-awake-at-night nerves to the joy of unexpected success. He's reshaped the landscape under his feet and he has ventured into new territory. And at every moment, he has relished the excitement of it all. Once, he was an outsider in his industry; the cheeky startup whom nobody expected to succeed. The established players had no reason to view him as a threat. Now, his business is the establishment. It dominates the markets in which it operates. Michael Hill Jeweller is a respected part of the business culture in a large part of the world - and they are continuing to expand in both size and ambition. This book encapsulates the ingredients of Michael's philosophy. There are no secret herbs and spices. It is not a magic recipe - it is just a collection of solid ideas, firmly grounded in reality. All these concepts are remarkable only because they make common-sense - but you'd be amazed how rarely they are fully understood and embraced in the business world.

Sir Michael Hill is the award-winning entrepreneur and author of the very successful books Toughen Up: What I've learned about surviving tough times and Think Bigger, which shared his secrets to achieving success and fulfilling one's dreams, no matter what they are.Michael Hill Jeweller has more than 240 outlets across New Zealand, Australia, Canada and the United States of America, and the company is known as a world leader in efficient and innovative business practice. He developed the world-renowned The Hills golf course at Arrowtown, in the South Island of New Zealand, which also serves as an open-air art gallery for his sculpture collection. Although Hill's early ambition to become a professional violinist were thwarted, his love and support of music remains strong, as evidenced by the biennial Michael Hill International Violin Competition for 'emerging young violinists', established in 2001. An active philanthropist, he is involved with many charities, such as Cure Kids. In 2001 he was made a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to business and the arts, and he was made Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the 31 December 2010 New Year Honours list. He was Ernst & Young's Entrepreneur of the Year in New Zealand in 2008.