Mike Pero is one of New Zealand's most accomplished keynote business speakers. Today he is still the public face of the nation's largest and most renowned Mortgage Broking firm, Mike Pero Mortgages. The franchised organisation has arranged more than $8 billion worth of loans to New Zealanders. Since Mike started the business in 1991 it has grown to become New Zealand's single largest brand in mortgage broking.
Mike attributes his business success to a strong branding message – this strategy has held Mike Pero Mortgages up front as a clear market leader in New Zealand. Prompted brand awareness in New Zealand is 94% (Colmar Brunton 2007) and is an indication of how effective marketing and public relations has driven this brand to an almost iconic level within the finance industry.
It hasn't been all plain sailing though. Brought up in the poorer parts of Christchurch, Mike left school at 16, with only basic School Certificate subjects. It was only after he left school that Mike realised he had an inbuilt desire to succeed. From then on he was able to set and achieve goals by using some very basic principles.
Mike is six times a New Zealand Motorcycle Road Racing Champion. He still holds the New Zealand land speed record for a 350cc Motorcycle. He is a qualified Motorcycle Mechanic and by direct contrast he qualified and worked as airline pilot. In 2001 he decided to lead by example in New Zealand Motorsport and went about developing a new and commercial level in the V8 Touring Cars with a successful Holden Racing Team. To add to the colour Mike took to driving one of the team’s V8 Commodores and won the Liquor King Drivesafe 500 (with co-driver Steve Rae).
His marketing is somewhat unique, and his concepts and philosophies can apply to any business or organisation. Mike Pero and Mike Pero Mortgages have won three Pacific Business Awards (1999; 2003; 2007) and earned the company "Supreme Franchise Award" at the annual Franchise Association of New Zealand awards in 2003.
In 2005 Mike bought into a small hobby styled business. Mike added funding, structure and his marketing expertise, and as the CEO was able to drive the business to open a new commercial opportunity not yet seen anywhere else in the world. Today known as Flight Experience™ the company has grown from one small workshop to a multi-million dollar export earner. It replicates the Boeing 737- 800 cockpit and closely simulates the real aircraft in flight where members of the public get to have a go. The company has retail stores in Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong, London, and California.
Not all Mike’s ventures have been successful and he admits to having lost a few bucks along the way but his message is to never give up trying – as he says “I get knocked down but then I get up again…”
Mike is popular at all levels and prides himself in the simplicity of getting the basics right. He’s always happy to share his knowledge and relate (or tailor) his experience to the audience at hand. His presentation style is simple, positive and upbeat and his use of AV reinforces his message.
Today Mike is still very much in the front line of business marketing – as a board member and still the face of Mike Pero Mortgages, and he is continually working on new business initiatives.
Mike is an in demand business speaker – specifically experienced in addressing:
Branding / Marketing
Business success
Franchising
Sales
Motivation
Mike will tailor each keynote presentation to specifically meet the needs of each audience and industry he is addressing.
