Dave Miller

Izimvo has the honour of introducing the CEO of Incredible Connection; Dave Miller.

Part of the JD Group of companies, Incredible Connection is Africa’s leading computer and technology retailer. With stores throughout the continent, Incredible Connection distributes a comprehensive range of technology and related products as well as provide assistance with installations, upgrades and technical repairs.

Website: http://incredible.co.za
Blog: http://www.incredibleblog.co.za
Connect Magazine: http://www.connect.co.za
Location: Johannesburg

Dave was kind enough to answer the following questions:

Personal

Q: The all important personal profile. How would a close friend introduce you at a social event? i.e. Name, age, company, interesting fact etc.

A: Some close friends introduce me as “Jocks Miller” and yes it does have something to do with the underpants …

Q: Tell us something that not many others know about you. This could be anything from a phobia to your favorite movie.

A: I have always had a desire to train as a jet pilot.

Q: What do you enjoy doing when you want to get away from it all?

A: My “get away from it all” would be escaping to the bush.

Q: How would you describe your dream holiday home and where in South Africa would you like it to be?

A: To own a bush lodge situated in the Sabi Sands Reserve, my own little piece of paradise surrounded by peace and tranquility, with friends and or family.

This question was proudly sponsored by Private Property – Looking for the ultimate African getaway? How about this R16.2m Dullstroom countryside farm. The farm boasts a magnificent opulent home where no expense has been spared.

Incredible Connection

Q: Congratulations on achieving your best December sales ever. Which product categories were your biggest sellers and what are your thoughts on why December was so successful – considering the financial pressures we have all been facing?

A: Our biggest sellers were notebooks, netbooks, digital cameras, gaming consoles and games. Our sales were good due to a number of reasons: People appreciate that technology has become very much part of our daily lives. The items that we sell make great gifts and can be used for business as well as pleasure. In difficult times customers tend to stay with companies that have solid reputations and whose brands they can trust.

We have been very aggressive about our variety of stock and with 58 stores around the country we have a tremendous geographic presence which makes it convenient for people to come shop at us.

Q: Your monthly Connect magazine was launched early in 2009 and features reviews of new products as well as a resident tech-expert. The magazine attempts to shine a light on today’s tech-jargon. What was the impetus for launching the magazine and why did you opt for print over online?

A: We have found that one of the greatest barriers to buying technology is the fact that people are intimidated. We are trying to dispel the myths and fears and make our customers aware of how easy it is to use and how much value it adds to all spheres of our lives. Our online site allows one to compare different products and make educated decisions when choosing an item to purchase. Some sections of Connect magazine are available online through our website.

Q: How do you find and retain great talent within your stores?

A: Firstly one must have an understanding of what great talent means to our business which we do believe we know. Retail can be tough. It requires staff who are prepared to work the long hours and weekends that is needed and therefore the ability to find the right kind of people is critical.

In terms of the culture of our organization, we have to find people who can work with us and at the same time, add value. We focus on career development and therefore allow our staff to have autonomy in their business unit. The ability to recognize and reward talent is a great tool which is an important part of our culture. Our staff are acknowledged for good work and love being a part of a vibrant and energetic company.

Q: As South Africa’s largest Apple seller, what are Incredible Connection’s plans regarding the Apple iPad and when do you think we will be able to purchase them here in South Africa?

A: The iPad is causing a huge amount of customer excitement and there is going to be an enormous demand for the product. However, we do need to temper the public’s expectation based on the amount of stock which will be allocated to the authorized distributor in SA (Core). Once the distributor receives their allocation from Apple world-wide, only then will we receive our stock.

Right now we believe, based on apple’s forecast – end of May 2010. Whilst the iPad is available elsewhere we always need to make sure that it is compatible with SA standards and all customer warranty issues have been taken care of which wont be if it is purchased outside of SA – as a reputable retailer we don’t want to prejudice customers by selling products with warranties not supported locally. I also believe that customers would far rather prefer to have the release with 3G than the current model which doesn’t.

Life in South Africa

Q: Have you or any of your immediate family been affected by crime? If yes, has it changed your perception of the country and the way you and your family live your lives?

A: Sadly there are very few South Africans that have not been affected by crime in one way or another. Even if one has been affected indirectly, it is a cost to all of us because it affects our national psyche.

We live in abnormally stressful times, but it hasn’t changed my view and belief that this is an amazing country with amazing people. Working together we will eventually move through these troubling times and come out stronger at the end. South Africans are a resilient nation and have overcome huge obstacles in the past.

There is no doubt in my mind that collectively we can and will work out a solution for the unacceptably high levels of crime that we experience in the country.

Q: When asked internationally about crime in South Africa, how do you respond?

A: Unfortunately the local and overseas media tend to sensationalise the situation in South Africa. There is no doubt that we have disproportionate levels of violent crime here and obviously that is unacceptable. However, tourists in any country around the world are susceptible targets as they are unaware of the areas to avoid. As in South Africa, there are pickpockets, muggings and stabbings and they would be no more at risk than Columbia, Rio Paris or London in the wrong areas.

Q: With less than 30 days to the first African Soccer World Cup, what advice would you offer to first-time visitors looking for the ultimate South African experience?

A: Be involved and absorb yourself in the culture of South Africans – we are a very hospitable nation and have been looking forward to hosting this event for 4 years now. South Africa has so much to offer … find out where to go and what to see from reputable sources and just enjoy the experience.

So do what South Africans do – drink beer in a shabeen, ride in one of our infamous taxis, and between the Drakensburg mountains, winelands and coast we have the most beautiful countries in the world. Try and see as much about that as you can. Not without standing our hospitality and friendly culture and of course visit our great technology retail stores.

Q: South Africa’s greatest technological export is?

A: Electronic Banking.

Life in Johannesburg

Q: What do you most enjoy about living in Johannesburg?

A: The vibrancy of the city and the number of trees that line the suburban streets – we live in one of the most treed city in the world. No single day is the same. We have the most unbelievable life-style in Johannesburg and whilst we yearn for a more peaceful existence there is a bit of Joburg in all of us that loves the energy of being part of the metropolis. Joburg offers a huge variety of entertainment … except for the sea and Germiston Lake is a poor second.

Q: Favorite restaurant for a business lunch?

A: I don’t do lunch. I use my day fully and constructively and don’t have the time to spend on lunches. The best place for business dinners is the Grillhouse in Rosebank. Their service is excellent as is the consistently good quality of their food. Their menu is extensive and varied enough for most palates. The atmosphere is friendly and conducive to doing business. Their whiskey selection is remarkable.

Q: If, with the flick of your fingers, you could improve one thing about life in Johannesburg, what would it be?

A: The Education system. Our education system should be geared and designed towards providing our future generations with, not only the life skills of a South African environment, but equip them to survive in a global economy. Provide them with the skills necessary to take South Africa into the real realm of the first world and become a true international globally competitive country.

General

Q: If you could invite any three South Africans to a dinner party, who would you invite and what wine would you serve?

A: Julias Malema, Prof Jonathan Jansen, Evita and a lot of wine.

Q: Which book would make required reading for all school-leavers?

A: The Road Less Travelled, by M. Scott Peck.

Q: Where would you like to wake up tomorrow?

A: If I could I would wake up anywhere that Bear Gryls was doing his next challenge as long as I could do it with him. My second choice would be on a ship cruising in the arctic and hopefully getting to see the northern lights.

Q: As the CEO of Incredible Connection, you must get to play with all the latest gadgets. Which gadgets do you personally use on a day-to-day basis and if you had to pick a single gadget you could live without, which would it be?

A: On a day-to-day basis I use my notebook, cell phone and blackberry The single gadget I could live without – notebook.

Q: Who would you most like to read about on Izimvo and what would you ask them?

A: Cyril Ramaposa and the question I would ask – What would it take for him to run as South Africa’s next State President.

We’d like to thank Dave for taking the time to answer our questions and wish him every success for the future.

ZA Tech Show – Episode 103 with Dave Miller

Looking for other ways of enjoying Izimvo. Be sure to try the following:

• Izimvo’s iPhone Application
• The official Izimvo Twitter Account
• Follow our interviewee’s latest updates via the Izimvo Interviewee Twitter list
• Like us over at Izimvo’s Facebook Fan Page
• Subscribe to our Feed in your favorite RSS Reader
• Have the latest interviews read to you over at the Izimvo Listen page
• Subscribe to the Izimvo Podcast
• Install the Izimvo Google Chrome Extension

Michael Jordaan

Today we have the great honour of introducing First National Bank CEO and Bartinney wine farmer: Michael Jordaan.

Becoming Chief Executive of First National Bank before the age of 40, Michael first started his banking career in the early 90′s with Deutsche Bank. Michael’s other passion however is his wine farm, Bartinney, which overlooks the Banghoek Valley in Stellenbosch.

Twitter: http://twitter.com/michaeljordaan
Website: http://www.fnb.co.za
Wine Farm:  http://www.bartinney.co.za/home.htm

Michael was kind enough to answer the following questions:

Personal

Q: The all important personal profile. How would a close friend introduce you at a social event? i.e. Name, age, company, interesting fact etc.

A: This is Michael Jordaan. He is 42 years old and is a wine farmer, which is such an expensive hobby that it requires a day job in finance.

Q: Tell us something that not many others know about you. This could be anything from a phobia to your favourite movie.

A: At work some people listen to me some of the time. At home, where I have a wife and three daughters, no one listens to me ever. It’s one reason why I love my job!

Q: What do you enjoy doing when you want to get away from it all?

A: We have a fisherman’s cottage on the West Coast in an idyllic village called Churchhaven. Our cottage only has solar power and rain water. When we are there, we read, debate, walk, fish and consume a lot of red wine.

Q: How would you describe your dream holiday home and where in South African would you like it to be?

A: Same as above. Aren’t we fortunate to live our dream?!

This question was proudly sponsored by Private Property. - Looking for the perfect guest house on the West Coast? How about this Boutique Guest House situated on the beach in Paternoster. Professionally decorated by Interior decorators and sold with furniture and fittings. 6 bedrooms en suite.

First National Bank

Q: Tell us a little about your history with First National Bank, how you got started in banking and what the average day of a CEO is like?

A: I started my banking career in Hamburg, Germany with Deutsche Bank. For the first three months I was a teller but as part of their management trainee programme I eventually graduated to corporate banking. I returned to South Africa to do my doctorate in Economics but after a few months I noticed a riddle in the newspaper that advertised a job at Rand Merchant Bank. I applied, got the job, and later went over to FNB after RMB and Momentum had merged with FNB and Southern Life.

Q: Congratulations on a flawless PayPal launch here in South Africa. How will the average South African benefit from having a PayPal account and can you tell us what was the greatest hurdle FNB had to overcome in bringing the service to South Africa?

A: PayPal allows South Africans to shop across the border without disclosing their personal or financial details. However I do not think that this is the major benefit that our association with PayPal brings. Far rather I think the major benefits will flow to entrepreneurs that will now be able to sell their products and services to 190 countries and leverage off 81 million active consumers. Up until now international payments have seriously held back what is otherwise a very innovative culture of ecommerce in South Africa.

Q: First National Bank is known for being a leader in banking innovation here in South Africa. Which recent innovations are you most proud of and what is the bank doing to encourage and nurture innovation from within?

A: We recently launched a product called, Send Someone Money, which allows anyone with an FNB bank account to send money to a cellphone number. The recipient doesn’t need a bank account, they can go and withdraw the money from an ATM or on-send the money to someone else with a cellphone number. We take innovation very seriously in FNB. None of these innovations simply happen by chance. As an incentive, we offer a million rand every year to any person who comes up with a great idea and then implements it. In the last year, there were so many good implementations, that we eventually awarded four prizes of one million rand each. This goes a long way towards creating the right type of culture within a large corporate which could otherwise be very bureaucratic.

Q: What advice would you offer the average South African family wanting to better manage their monthly finances?

A: My belief is that very few SA families actually sit down and discuss finance on a regular basis. That would be my basic advice. Make time for an hour’s discussion involving the entire family and discuss the actual figures, i.e. the income and expenses for the past month. In business there’s the cliché that goes: “What gets measured, gets done”. I think exactly the same applies to our personal lives.

Q: Any exciting new products or services that FNB customers can look forward to in the near future?

A: I am particularly excited about all the abilities to perform banking transactions without having a bank account. While this is somewhat scary for a bank I believe we must embrace the new opportunities and if necessary, cannibalise our existing business as it is in the interest of the customer to become more and more convenient.

Life in South Africa

Q: Have you or any of your immediate family been affected by crime? If yes, has it changed your perception of the country and the way you and your family live your lives?

A: Some time ago my mother was viciously attacked while sleeping in a Plettenberg Bay holiday home. It was very traumatic for all of us. At the same time, one must remember that becoming one of the statistics shouldn’t change one’s entire view of a country. We try and play a proactive and supportive role. You may remember that some time ago FNB nearly launched a nationwide anti-crime campaign. We still believe that the fight against crime should be one of the top priorities in the country.

Q: When asked internationally about crime in South Africa, how do you respond?

A: We do believe that the level of crime is unacceptably high but fortunately the statistics also show that it has been reducing for a number of years. As bankers we know that one should give credit where credit is due and my sense is that the authorities are taking crime far more seriously than a few years ago.

Q: With less than 100 days to the first African Soccer World Cup, what advice would you offer to first-time visitors looking for the ultimate South African experience?

A: When traveling in another country the experience can be very sterile. Best you have friends in that country and you venture into places that the locals frequent. I would therefore advise anyone to make friends and to explore our beautiful country. Their visit should at least include a trip to a game farm and a roasting on one of our beaches. And of course, to drink lots of our wine, the wine farmers need it.

Q: What advice would you offer the president if given the opportunity of sitting down with him?

A: I believe that the priorities of our government are broadly correct in focusing on jobs, education and health. What is lacking is a culture of ruthless execution. In business we support such a culture by combining carrots and sticks.

Life in Johannesburg

Q: What do you most enjoy about living in Johannesburg?

A: I love Joburg’s energy. For me it’s the New York of Africa.

Q: Favourite restaurant for a business lunch?

A: Ciro’s in Parktown North (they stock our Bartinney wine).

Q: If you were tasked with commissioning a postal stamp depicting the beauty of Johannesburg and it’s people, which image would you select?

A: I would choose the FNB-decorated Soweto cooling towers, of course.

General

Q: If you could invite any three South African CEO’s to a dinner party, who would you invite and what would you serve?

A: I would prefer dinner with my family and friends (I work far too many hours and my dinner party should bring some balance). I would serve a braai. Nothing like South Africa venison on the ‘wingerdstompies’.

Q: Which book would make required reading for all school-leavers and which book would you say has influenced you the most?

A: All school leavers should read “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee, but the book that has influenced me the most is a long forgotten classic by Axel Munthe called “The story of San Michel”.

Q: Given a free hour at home, which would you rather do, put your feet up and relax or look for something productive to do?

A: Is reading a good book productive?

Q: Where to from here?

A: I’m very bullish about the growth prospects of South Africa in the next few years. We have the opportunity to enter into a growth super cycle as we expand into Africa and connect with the East, supported by further innovation in information technology. After banking, my dream would be to start my own (small) asset management company.

Q: Who would you most like to read about on Izimvo and what would you ask them?

A: I would prefer to read about entrepreneurs (not dull corporate types like myself) and people who have the vision to spot the opportunities that will be presenting themselves in South Africa and beyond.

We’d like to thank Michael for finding the time to answer our questions and wish him every success for the future.

Reminder to follow @izimvo on twitter for regular updates and our Facebook page to submit question and interviewee suggestions. You can also follow all our previous interviewees on Twitter at http//twitter.com/izimvo/interviewees

Oresti Patricios

Izimvo has the great pleasure of introducing the founder and C.E.O. of Ornico, Oresti Patricios.

Ornico, founded by Oresti and his brother Spero in 1984, are the leaders in providing clients with a fast, accurate and comprehensive advertising tracking service for TV, Radio, Print and Billboard. They also provide editorial tracking services to some of South Africans largest companies.

Website: http://www.ornicogroup.co.za
Blog: http://oresti-patricios.blogspot.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/Orestaki
Location: Johannesburg

Oresti was kind enough to answer the following questions for us:

Personal

Q: The all important personal profile. How would a close friend introduce you at a social event? i.e. Name, age, company, interesting fact etc.

A: Oresti Patricios, Founder of Ornico, 49 going on to 25, A cancer survivor, entrepreneur and risk taker, Passionate about his business, and family. Creates a balance between the two.

Q: Tell us something that not many others know about you. This could be anything from a phobia to your favorite movie.

A: I am such an open person that most people know everything about me. No secrets as I don’t hide anything. I am happy to share my fears with anyone. Love the bush (but everyone knows that), Love taking risks (but everyone knows that too). I had testicular cancer in 2007 and I knew that I would beat it. I have been happily married for 21 years, although it seems like only 2. Aha, I knew there was something. Not many people know my wife Christina. They say behind every successful man there is a woman. Well she is it!

Q: What do you enjoy doing when you want to get away from it all?

A: Bush and any overseas holiday, but I don’t chill out much. I will always keep busy.

Media in South Africa

Q: Can you tell us about the impetus for starting Ornico in 1984 and did you ever envisage the company growing as large as it has?

A: In fact Ornico stated in 1979 but it became full-time business in 1984. I started the business with my best friend Nick and his cousin Costa. Hence the name ORNICO (Oresti, Nick and Costa). While we were at Varsity we needed to make extra cash as I was on a student loan because my dad had gone insolvent. My brother Spero then joined me and we saw a gap to provide competitive information to advertising agencies. This was thanks to JWT, Oglivy Lintas (Lowe Bull now), Lindsay Smithers (DraftFCB) and many more. We knew we had a winning formula very quickly.

Q: A recent Ornico study shows that television stations are bungling as much as 15% of all advertising. The SABC had to pay R71 million in compensation from April 2008 to March 2009 due to mistakes such as commercials not being run, being run at the wrong times or being placed in the incorrect programming. What are the fundamental reasons for these errors and how does South Africa compare to international standards?

A: There are a number of reasons. The most important issue is that there needs to be acknowledgment that there are errors, something that is said behind closed doors, but not openly. A forum between advertisers (the most important component here as they are the losers), media agencies and the media owners, needs to happen in order to evaluate the errors and find a solution to the problem.

Mistakes happen due to changes in the schedule that has not been fed to the station or to other stakeholders, finger problems, lack of inventory or just plain incompetence.

Q: Ornico Media Information maintains a comprehensive database of TV, radio print, internet and outdoor advertising. Can you give us an insight into the requirements and difficulties of storing such a vast amount of data?

A: We have Terabytes, upon Terabytes upon Terabytes of data and this excludes the commercials that are still on tape (betacam or u-matic). All this should be transferred to digital by mid 2010. The storage is not the problem the backup is the real issue and you have to double you storage capacity just to back up the data.

Q: Are you seeing an increase in companies requiring editorial monitoring in the online space especially for non traditional media such as blogs and podcasts?

A: Absolutely. I believe that companies are no longer the custodian of their brands, the consumer now has more and more power and control of the brand. Collaboration within social media sites, blogs, Podcasts and mobile is getting bigger and bigger and some of our clients are forward thinking enough to realize that this needs careful monitoring, analysis and evaluation.

Q: Can you tell us a little about any new projects your company is working on?

A: Our move into Africa is a new and old project. Since South African companies are moving abroad we should be providing them with our services in other African countries along the same methodologies and the same taxonomy we use locally. In this way when doing comparisons and competitor evaluations our clients can compare like for like across categories, countries or products.

Life in South Africa

Q: Have you or any of your immediate family been affected by crime? If yes, has it changed your perception of the country and the way you and your family live your lives?

A: Yes my mom and dad were attacked in their home and my bother in law was hi-jacked. No, it has not changed my perceptions of the country, I am South African and I will do whatever to lower crime. Getting small business going with ease of finance will increase the labour market and less people will be dependent on crime. Also trying not to retrench during difficult times and looking at the greater good.

Q: Have you ever considered emigration? If yes, where do you think you would emigrate to?

A: Never. I am South African and there is no better place than here.

Q: If you were given the opportunity of sitting down with the president, what advice would you give him?

A: I would talk to him about making it easier for small and medium-sized businesses to flourish in this country. These entrepreneurial businesses are always the highest employers. The BEE codes should be changed in order for businesses to invest in more SME that are black owned. The BEE scorecard must have the highest points for enterprise development and not equity. A percentage of profits should become available for these SME and therefore would free capital. Raising capital is often the most difficult for SME. Business would also own a share in these SMEs and therefore have a vested interest. This would oblige the investors to transfer knowledge to the SME owner.

Q: To which three attractions would you first take an international visitor?

A: 1. Kruger National Park, 2. Table Mountain and 3. Apartheid Museum.

Life in Johannesburg

Q: Which is your favorite restaurant in or around Johannesburg for a quite Sunday afternoon lunch with family and friends?

A: Mezepoli in Melrose Arch.

Q: What is your favorite destination in or near Johannesburg for a long weekend getaway?

A: Dinokeng reserve. It is 15 min from Pretoria. Does not have the big 5 yet but will soon.

Q: What are the greatest benefits of living in Johannesburg?

A: I love Jozi, The vibe, the nightlife, the people, the energy. It is also business minded.

General

by Roy Blumenthal

Q: What is your proudest achievement as an entrepreneur?

A: I have many proud achievements. Many of them are that there are so many people who have come from Ornico, have been mentored by us and done really well in the media and marketing industry. Building people is really important for me, but it is also up to the person to want to learn. They must not have the attitude of “What’s in it for me” but “how can I help.”

The other is that I stand up to issues that I believe in even if it is to the detriment of my business. Ensuring our industry is world-class is important to me.

Meeting and working with some of the most amazing people. I would take up pages and pages if I had to name them but most are in the advertising and marketing industry. I love this industry and I love the people in it.

Q: If you were able to pick anyone as your mentor, who would it be and why?

A: WOW, Here I need a few – so bugger this question and I will answer it differently:

- Madiba for his empathy and wisdom
- Johan Rupert for his business sense and vision
- Deepak Chopra for his spirituality

Q: One book that you would make required reading for all matric pupils?

A: “Rich Dad Poor Dad“

Q: Where would you like to wake up tomorrow?

Q: Where I have been waking up for the last 21 years. Next to my wife.

Q: What question would you like us to ask our next interviewee?

A: How should we get small businesses going in this country so that we can increase employment?

A massive thank you to Oresti for taking the time to answer our questions.