Experienced in finance, he had the skills to build a successful business, but was hesitant to go out on his own. Today James De Ruiter co-owns Stratton Finance Norwest and is driving a culture centred around customer service, growth and transparency.
Fast facts
Where you were born?
Blacktown Hospital
Time with us at SF?
Lost count – Over 10 years
Roles you’ve held previously?
Electrical fitter previous to learning the finance game.
What you’re driving?
Toyota Landcruiser but my passion is with my HK Holden Monaro in the garage!
The hard hitting part
What is your role today and your objective?
I’m a Franchise co-owner and besides running my business, looking after my valuable client’s finance needs and nurturing my long-term business partnerships. I help the staff I employ to be happy and the best they can be.
What’s an example of a great SF customer experience you’ve been involved with?
There are many great customer experiences so narrowing it down to one is difficult. A lot of my client base have actually grown into great friendships over the years. I love it when a returning client rings me up out of the blue, tells me they have bought a car and they basically say “sort it”. The fact that I have built so much trust makes me very happy. Clients know that I get the job done quickly, efficiently and competitively and simply trust that I will do the right thing by them every time! Word of mouth referrals is a true gauge on how well we are going and there is plenty. To be trusted enough to be referred to someone is the best compliment I can ask for.
How do you feel SF is differentiated in the market and the value we add?
Customer service is 1, 2 and 3 in our office. Without it there is no business. Our efficient internal systems, huge panel of lenders and competitive rates just add to the customer experience.
What are you most excited about for the future?
I am excited to see that customer experience is now a key focus with all the recent changes in the industry. This is the way we have always worked and I am pleased to see some of the cowboys in the industry have been pushed out.
Most importantly, why do you love coming to work every day?
I still get a rush every time I settle a loan for a client. The excitement in the client’s voice when you let them know they are approved still gets me every day. I am passionate about the happiness of all my clients and that rubs off around the office making our working environment fun.
Connect with James on Linkedin, via james.deruiter@stratton.com.au or 0404 058 088.
See all our current opportunities at Stratton Finance here.
