Phil has more than 24 years’ experience in the fast-moving consumer goods industry in various senior positions. Phil has previously served as COO – Africa for Coca Cola SABCO and as an Executive Director at Tiger Brands.
My Definition Of Success | Success is two-fold. My job is extremely important to me. That said, as I have matured more, my family and caring for others in a meaningful way is reaching heightened focus.
I Am Driven By | I hate losing. I am highly disciplined and somewhat of a perfectionist. High performance outcomes are an imperative.
My Highlights | Meeting my career aspirations, my marriage of 18 years, and my wider family.
The Difference Between Good And Great | Discipline and never accepting mediocrity.
A Key Talent | Being both strategic and operational. Be prepared to take risks, and pursue a non-traditional career. Learn – learn – learn!
Principles I Live By | I believe in hard work, being forthright, and authentic.
How I Use My Mind | You need mental and physical fitness. To the former you need to continuously be expansive in your thinking. Being an avid reader assists this. You literally need to train yourself on this type of integrative thinking ability. To the latter I stay very fit physically. Train at 5 am and cycle on road over weekends.
Lessons I Have Learnt | Judge less. Manage impetuousness. EQ counts a lot! Never compromise on standards. Hiring the best talent is critical. Never compromise integrity.
Dealing With Doubt | I am continuously fearful and anxious. It comes with high performance. I work harder to compensate which may seem counterintuitive. Plan and manage the detail relentlessly. Lean on my family for support.
Performing At My Peak | Keeping my mind and body ‘fit’ and never becoming over confident –hubris.
Resources I Use To Stay Inspired | Business literature, ex CEO’s and mentors.
My Future Dreams And Ambitions | I want to leave Pioneer in much better shape and organizational health that I found it. I may retire early and take on a different career or go on to lead an even bigger corporate.
The Meaning Of Life | We all need purpose. Work defines a lot of who I am. I love my family dearly and want to see them prosper and support them to the hilt. I also support many others financially which is rewarding.
The Best Advice I’ve Received | Don’t be so hard on yourself. Difficult to apply.
On Inspiring Others | I try to inspire them. I create a visualization of the future. I work them really hard and don’t tolerate sub-standard performance. Those that count respond to it well. I try to care about the whole person.
I Am Inspired By | My deceased father. I don’t emulate anyone in particular. There have been many business greats. I am my own man.
The Legacy I Would Like To Leave | Having added value to lives.
Prof Saurabh Sinha cannot but leave an impression on those who encounter him. As one of South Africa’s great electronic engineers he has obtained his B. Eng, M. Eng and Ph.D. degrees in Electronic Engineering from the University of Pretoria (UP) having achieved both his B. Eng and M. Eng with distinction. As a published […]
Guy Ailion is one of South Africa’s brightest young architects. The winner of SA’s 2010 National Architectural Student of the Year award for his M.A.Thesis Everywhere is Here: Architecture and a Developing Information Society, his design is informed by a dual fascination with moving images and the urban environment. Not only is he revolutionizing the […]
Nolan Watson is a Canadian businessman, humanitarian, and philanthropist. He is known for his contribution to finance innovation in the mining industry. Watson began working in mine finance with Silver Wheaton Corp., where he was named the Chief Financial Officer in 2006 and was the youngest CFO (age 26) of a New York Stock Exchange […]
Patrick is a social entrepreneur. Believing in the principle of ‘doing good is good business’ he has invested in and is part of a number of successful social enterprises in South Africa including The Indalo Project; Streetwires Artist Collective; Kwalapa Organic Wholefoods Centre; Billboard Information Services & African Manga. He talks & consults regularly on […]
Piers Fawkes is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of PSFK.com, a go-to source for new ideas and inspiration for creative professionals. Each month, 1 million creative professionals turn to the site to unearth new ideas that enable product, service and marketing innovation. Piers also hosts conferences and salons around the world, during which he and his […]
Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu is the Founder and CEO of iconic footwear brand soleRebels, the planets fastest growing footwear brand from Africa, and the founder & creator of Republic of Leather a super cool new company that is changing the way people around the world buy & love luxury leather goods. From the humblest of beginnings, […]
Stuart Turner is hoping he’ll soon be able to see the more of the world from his bedroom. The quadriplegic computer expert is helping to develop technology that will open up new vistas for those unable to travel by projecting what he calls “the extensible self”. Flying a camera mounted drone using just his head […]
Every month I select someone out there who is still a bit too young to be concerned about building and leaving a legacy, but who is nevertheless absolutely ‘crushing’ it and Banele Christopher is my pick for this month’s RISING STAR. With a background in strategic communications, he is a Jozi-based entrepreneur and social media […]
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