Leadership key to business success

FNB Namibia last week hosted a business breakfast at which Brand Pretorius, retired Chief Executive Officer of McCarthy Motor Holdings, shared some guidelines with guests for sustainable business success in a changing environment.
The tables at the event were sold to business units within the FNB group which in turn invited customers while outside companies such as the Pupkewitz Group also bought tables and a great variety of people and company heads attended.
Dixon Norval, Head of Corporate Communications and Marketing at FNB Namibia said that Brand Pretorius was a commendable business leader with a proven track record of turning companies around.
“We can all learn from him and thus avoid the many pitfalls associated with business success as his teaching is based on hands-on experience. It was a privilege to listen to him as he shared his wisdom with corporate Namibia,” Norval added.
Brand Pretorius said that although Namibia was a special country with good leaders, meaningful economic growth and a high level of stability, it was still part of the global world and could not be insulated.
“Today nothing is certain anymore and in the business world things change quickly. The future is no longer an extension of the past and business people face the challenge of transformation and performance to be on world class level,” Pretorius said.
In order for companies to be able to weather the storm Pretorius revealed ten guidelines which were of utmost importance. These included the following: 1. Remain positive – believe in yourself and make plans to adopt.

Think on your feet. 2. Embrace change and see it as a friend and move quickly. 3. The right principles and values are of utmost importance at all times and they should be applicable for internal and external use. 4. A business needs to be socially responsible and cannot ignore poverty, inequality and challenges such as health, education and crime. Doing good is good business. 5. Innovate and be creative. Always have a fresh eye when doing business. 6. A healthy balance sheet and cash flow is of utmost importance and this should be looked at on a weekly, if not daily basis. 7. Any business should strive to be the best at developing its Human Capital and should at all times be obsessed with unleashing the potential of its staff and unlock the magic within the people. 8. Be the best in terms of marketing. Differentiate, offer the best products and services, build brands and communicate effectively and clear with all stakeholders. 9. Customer satisfaction and retention will always remain key. We have to exist for our customers and always act as if you were on the verge of losing your last customer. 10. Last and definitely most importantly be the best leader. One that inspires, is soft on people but bold in business, firm but fair, humble but not timid and kind but not weak. Everything rises and falls with a great leader.