Leadership Magazine: Success is not enough

Read the article on page 86 and 87 in the November 2017 edition of Leadership Magazine.

There are a magnitude of seminars, conferences, workshops and information sessions that take place almost daily focussing on a plethora of different management issues. I do sometimes wonder when you would have time to implement all the lessons learnt if you were to attend them all.

Lord Alan Sugar, British business magnate has a pretty dim view when it comes to these types of engagements claiming that the only people really benefitting from these sessions are the organisers. I agree with him to some extent. Although, I must admit if you are selective about which conferences you do want to attend and you know what you want to get out of them, attending can be to your advantage.

What struck me, on reflection of the most recent conferences that I decided to attend, was the delegates’ hunger for knowledge and an eagerness to learn. What is important is the ‘so what’ afterwards, once the conference has ended. It’s about taking the lessons learnt and actually doing something with it, otherwise there is a lot of talking with very little to show for it in the long run.

Gina Din-Kariuki, Executive Chair and Founder of The Gina Din Group based in Kenya, is the most awarded management consultancy in Africa focussing specifically on communication. She said very poignantly, during a recent conference, “It’s not about being successful; success is temporary, it’s about being significant, this can’t be taken away from you.”

Two very diverse local business people, often found on the speakers line-up at conferences, who demonstrate significance in their own unique way, with incredible stories to share are Margaret Hirsch and Sihle Tshabalala.

South African business leader, Margaret Hirsch is the Chief Operating Executive of Hirsch’s Homestore. Not only has Margaret and her husband Allan, built one of the most successful and innovative home appliance stores nationally, they also make a significant impact in the communities in which they operate. One of Margaret’s favourite quotes is that of Pablo Picasso, “The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away.” She shares her knowledge in abundance, helping fledging entrepreneurs (and established ones!) to recognise the value in themselves. As Margaret says, “As your self-esteem improves, so your bank balance improves.”

Margaret is also very passionate and involved in the “Girls with Dignity” project that provides reusable sanitary towels for girls from impoverished communities, with the hopes that they need not miss school days while menstruating. She has even taken time to give cooking lessons! There is a magnificent story that Margaret shares of teaching unemployed mothers in KwaZulu Natal how to make ‘vetkoek.’ This is then sold to commuters on their way to work. Once the early morning sales are done, they return home to get their own children dressed and fed and make sure that they arrive at school safely. After that a trip to the grocery store, with the day’s profits, ensures they have sufficient supplies for the next day’s sales. In the afternoon young children are collected from school and the mothers are at home to help them with homework. This simple business model which Margaret taught means there is no more worrying about getting food on the table or if their children are safe. Margaret is truly living her purpose, and in a truly significant way!  

The other business person who is significant in his own right, is Sihle Tshabalala, Co-Founder and CEO of Quircky 30 NPC and Quircky Innovations (Pty) Ltd. I got to hear him speak at the most recent SMME Road Show in Cape Town. He absolutely enthralled the delegates who were hanging on his lips with his quick wit as he shared his incredible entrepreneurship story.

Sihle is a convicted felon who served eleven years in prison for business robberies and heists.  As an incredibly intelligent youngster, having started school at four and matriculated at the age of 16, he had no ambition to further his studies. He got involved in the wrong crowd and so was drawn into the life of crime. His entrepreneurial journey started when he was in prison, where he sold marijuana! He had quite a sophisticated supply chain. He explained with tongue in cheek, that our prisons are full of entrepreneurs: “Criminals have a natural talent for hustling, courage to take risks and they know how to network. They have just chosen crime, which is the wrong product!” When he was released he needed to pursue a different course in life, so he taught himself three different computer languages in six weeks. Today Sihle trains school dropouts, single moms and others who have no means to further their education how to code. He is now a thriving businessman on the right side of the law.

There are two key lessons from these significant business owners. One is having a purpose or vision, and the other is investing in those around you. Don’t be shy with sharing your knowledge so that others can learn from you, then they may learn how to grow and become significant people too.

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