KwaZulu-Natal’s corporate elite filled out Durban’s ICC this morning to hear four of the country’s dynamic influencers at the East Coast Radio GIBS Business Breakfast.
Presented by Trade & Investment KwaZulu-Natal, more than 600 guests tapped into the innovative minds of Nicola Tyler (CEO of Business Results Group, Nicola Tyler), entrepreneur Vusi Thembekwyo (of Dragons’ Den SA fame), author and tech whizz, Alan Knott-Craig Jr, and Mi Casa frontman, J’Something.
Plugging into the theme, Feed Your Brain, each speaker inspired as they shared strategic insights and key lessons learnt in their personal journeys to success. A sold out success, the event was hosted by East Coast Breakfast presenter, Darren Maule.
Vusi Thembekwyo amped up the adrenalin as he kicked off the morning of shared learnings. Full of fire and passion, it was easy to see why he has been rated among the top keynote speakers in the world. Vusi asked thought-provoking questions, challenging guests to ask themselves: What business are you really in? “The product you make is not the business you’re in!” Vusi left with sage advice: Aim to be the best not the biggest; find your truth; create an exciting vision; and lead by business case.
Guests were just beginning to get their creative fill when Mi Casa frontman, J’Something, took the stage with his high energy.” I don’t have a presentation but I do have the most played song on South African radio!” The musician is an astute businessman and entrepreneur. He shared details of how grit, determination and a never-say-die attitude helped him build his empire based on dreams, zest and good, old-fashioned gut-feel. “There’s a reason why we’ve got a heart inside of us that’s filled with all these dreams and I think that’s what we have to pursue in life. Otherwise you’re stuck in a rut trying to do things you weren’t really meant to do. So do what you love. Nothing can beat the passion that comes from within.”
It was a theme that entrepreneur and bestselling author, Alan Knott-Craig Jr, carried through in his address. The Executive Chairman of HeroTel, a wireless broadband provider in SA, described how perseverance, calculated risk-taking and refusing to take no for an answer can be the differentiating factor between a successful business and one that simply dreams of making it big.
Nicola Tyler, one of SA’s leaders in lateral thinking, tapped into her more than two decades of experience in strategy, coaching and leadership development. Using her trademark combination of humour and insight, Nicola used anecdotes and crowd-interaction to illustrate the importance of entrepreneurship and thinking differently in scoring sure-fire business solutions.
“Over the years, the GIBS East Coast Radio Business Breakfast, made possible by Trade & Investment KwaZulu-Natal, has become a key feature on the KZN corporate calendar,” says East Coast Radio General Manager, Boni Mchunu. “It provides a platform for us to share key strategic learnings and insights from some of the brightest, progressive and innovative minds in business. However, the breakfast is more than an opportunity to engage with significant thought-leaders and trendsetters. It is a forum to network with KZN’s business elite. East Coast Radio is proud at being able to facilitate this merging of corporate intellect.”
Guests left the East Coast Radio GIBS Business Breakfast with tools, solutions and ideas on how to enhance their own business or how to achieve their personal goals.
