The Monaco final of EY’s World Entrepreneur of the Year event is once more upon us. Incredibly, it’s a decade since the late Bill Lynch won the title back for Imperial Holdings. This year there are two South Africans closely involved – Clover’s CEO Johann Vorster is the contender; Ivan Epstein, SA winner in 2000, is a judge.
Got some entrepreneurial insights of my own yesterday from two South Africans who, if entered in the EY competition, would be worth a small bet to follow Lynch’s example.
Markus Jooste provided an update on the incredible Steinhoff story including the inside track of his two recent contested takeover bids that shook up Europe’s retail sector. Then Belron CEO Gary Lubner explained how the one-time foreign offshoot of PG Glass has become the world’s biggest repairer and installer of damaged windscreens, a R50bn a year, 26 000 employee giant.
Transcripts of those interviews will be shared on Biznews later today. You may be surprised to see how these very different personalities have such a similar approach. Both believe their success stems primarily on the way they’ve built and maintained relationships; both prefer having a small slice of a massive pie rather than all of a smaller one; and both still tap dance to work every day after decades serving their companies. Uplifting and inspirational. Perfect for a Friday.
