Association CEO Index 2024 - Flipbook - Page 12
Association CEO Index 2024
In recent years, several smaller associations such
as the Hair and Beauty Industry Association, the National
Footwear Association, the Australian Association for
Floral Designers have all come under the ARA’s wing.
Another joining-forces moment looms with the National
Retail Association.
“The merger with the NRA will be the legacy for me,
getting that one voice. It'll bolster our bench strength,
there'll be extra benefits for both staff and our retail
members and there will be lots of opportunities that I
think will be good for all,” he says.
“In the world of associations, there can be some that are
too small that would be stronger united. So, when you
go to government, you've got a strong, single voice.
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“Retail is the great equaliser. It’s transformational. You
can be the person you want to be; it doesn’t matter
where you come from. You are in charge of your future.
It comes down to making the right choices.”
While at the exciting intersection of the closure of a
momentous professional chapter and at the beginning
of a new blank page, Paul reflects on memorable
learnings.
“Leave your ego at the door, have a members-first
mindset and know when it’s the right time to leave,” Paul
says.
“Make sure your organisation is sustainable by applying
a commercial lens to everything you do.
“If you can't answer that question, ‘Are we sustainable?’
then it's time to say, well, how do we join forces? An
amalgamation is a good way to go where you get two
entities to come together and form a new entity and
bring the best of both worlds.”
“Diversify your income streams and your membership
profile and look for ways to reduce complexity in your
membership model.
Paul was raised in Sunshine, Victoria and comes from a
working-class family. He considered becoming a school
teacher because of the positive impact he had seen the
profession have on others, but a job as a casual shop
assistant at Target when he was 15 made him see things
differently.
As for what’s next, Paul says taking a break, enjoying
Christmas with his partner and trying new things are the
priorities.
By 17, he was supervising teams and by 22, he was
managing Target Hoppers Crossing.
“When I started in retail, I realised I could have a bigger
impact on a larger group of people in a leadership role,”
he says.
“In retail, you’re constantly coaching, mentoring, cajoling,
inspiring.
“That’s what drives me…I didn’t go to university; I learnt
from others and through lived experience.
“I didn’t come from privilege. I was disadvantaged
financially, and I wasn’t heterosexual, and that made me
different. So, I have suffered from such exclusion and
injustice, and that’s why I am so passionate about
diversity, equity and inclusion today.
“And always maintain your values and integrity.”
“I encourage anyone if they get an opportunity in their
career to spend time in associations. The learnings are
great, it leveraged all of my skills and grew new skills,”
he says.
“I’m excited about being open to other opportunities,
doing lots more travel.
“We’re not on this planet forever. People say you only
live once – but in fact you only die once, you live every
day. And that’s the whole point for me.”
* Paul recently joined the Board of Sydney’s Wayside
Chapel, a community services provider famous for
serving Christmas lunch to people experiencing
homelessness. So, he may end up ‘working’ on
December 25 after all…albeit in a very different
capacity.
All I ever wanted was to be ‘best in show’ – to be really
good at whatever I was doing. I never looked sideways,
and I was always laser-focused on being the best I could
possibly be. But you’ve got to do it with purpose and love.
Paul Zahra, Former CEO, Australian Retailers Association
