Conversations with JSE AltX Entrepreneurs
is a book where South African entrepreneurs from various
industries trade their personal ‘war stories’ and lessons
learned in the trenches. Siya Mapoko’s interviews with twelve
CEOs of JSE AltX-listed companies reveal some amazing stories.
One CEO turned a R20 000 personal overdraft
into a company with an annual turnover exceeding R100 million.
Another moved to SA from London to pioneer a business processing
outsourcing industry and within five years his company was
boasting annual turnover of R220 million. One 63 year old CEO,
who was almost bankrupt in his fifties, pulled himself up and
his company now makes over R300m a year. And we all watched that
"crazy" idea of starting yet another no-frills airline in 2003
soar to annual sales of over R700m.
Each CEO has a different story but they all
have a common thread – passion, attitude and principles. They
share their no nonsense guidance on how to grow a business,
raise capital, develop a franchise model, gain market share and
manage rapid growth which can be overwhelming. They drill down
into the harsh realities of retrenchments, how to deal with the
business cycle, wherever it may be positioned, and what it takes
to become a great leader and develop the qualities frequently
seen in successful business people.
For aspiring entrepreneurs, for those who
want to list on a stock exchange or for those who don’t, for
those who feeling disillusioned as results seem out of reach,
for business leaders looking for fresh inspiration and for the
rest of us who look on in wonder, Conversations offers valuable
insights to success. Entrepreneurship provides one of the
greatest frontiers of opportunity in any economy, and especially
so in SA at this.
According to Lauren Czepek, JSE Business
Development manager, “The book is an excellent guide to growing
a business and how listings can support that growth.”
About the Author
Siyabonga Mapoko (Siya) – the founder of
iCaptive – is also the author of Conversations with JSE AltX
Entrepreneurs.
Over the past five years Siya has done a lot
and has had a lot of fun – he has moved from studying science at
UCT and in England; to equity trading at Investec Asset
Management; to radio reporting for SAfm (market updates for the
Vuyo Mbuli Show); to starting businesses in digital media
(iCaptive) and publishing; to writing and publishing a book; to
touring the country speaking to business audiences, thousands of
students and entrepreneurs; to becoming one of the youngest
directors to sit in the board of one of SA’s top Outdoor Media
companies. He was also a finalist for the 2008 KPMG/Cape Times
Business Personality of the Year Award: Editor’s Award.
Speaking
Since the release of his book in May 2008,
Siya has been invited to speak at some of the most innovative
companies, business associations and universities, ranging from
the likes of Deloitte, Build It, to institutions like the University
of Cape Town, Cape Peninsula University of
Technology, UCT Graduate School of Business and Vaal University
of Technology. He has also been invited to speak and keynote at
the annual SME Survey Events in Sandton, Cape Town and Durban.
Siya explains and teaches some of the most
effective and time-tested principles and tools applied by
successful and entrepreneurs and business people. These lessons
can be applied by anyone and they include:
How the most successful people think big and make things
happen;
The importance of goal setting and how to make it work
for you (with practical and simple daily activities);
Deciding and committing to goals, staying focused and
following through;
Never giving up – until the goal is achieved!
Self-discipline and self-mastery as the glue that holds
the plans together
“It was a delight hearing you talking passionately about
your book and your work. It only offers inspiration!” Lungelo
Matiwane, MD: Matiwane GIE Forensic Investigations
“It was magic listening to you my brother.” Rurik McKaiser, Entrepreneur: The Phoenix Group
“I was riveted!” Lance Baum, OH Media
"This book is long overdue. South Africa needs this
if we hope to grow this economy. The lessons too, are real.
Get ready to be blown away." Lerato Molebatsi, Head: Group
Public Affairs, Sanlam
“I am really enjoying the book. You are a true
inspiration.” Chrizelda Walters, Consulting Industrial
Psychologist
“YOU CAN STOP LOOKING RIGHT NOW. You don’t have to
look any further. This is it! Everything you need to know
about what it takes to turn your business and yourself into
a super success story!” Bill Gibson – Chairperson –
Knowledge Brokers International with offices in Vancouver,
Canada, Sandton and Cape Town S.A. and in the Middle East
“If you are an entrepreneur, starting a new business,
or owning a large corporate company … this book has lessons
for all. More importantly, it teaches that business in South
Africa is full of opportunities – but is not for the faint
hearted.” Hilton Vos, Regional Manager (Western Cape):
Nedbank Small Business Services
If you are interested in having Siya speak to your
organization, please contact us.
Featured CEO’s
People who say, "I want to start a business so that I can
make money" have actually put the cart before the horse.
– Ian Lourens, OneLogix
Life is not easy; business is harder and you have to expect
failure and failure, like tears, is just in the nature of
things. All you have to understand is how to overcome that
seeming impossibility.
– Jason Drew, Dialogue Group
I am a firm believer in transformation, which I consider to
be a prerequisite for things to work successfully in this
country.
– Ethan Dube, Vunani Capital
Decide if it’s a viable business, but don’t be scared to take
the chance.
– John Barrow, B&W
Nothing is impossible to a willing mind.
– Bashier Adam, SAB&T
Ubuntu
To me passion means that you know what it is you want to
achieve and that every single day you keep a clear view of it.
– Vhonani Mufamadi, Ideco
Franchising, when it works, can be a powerful business force
on the planet.
– Carlo Gonzaga, Taste Holdings
A brand becomes a brand by keeping the promise it makes.
–
Glenn Orsmond, 1Time Airline
Once you’ve got a track record it becomes easier. It’s just
one of those things that to turn R1 into R1 000 is much more
difficult than to turn R1 000 into R10 000.
– Marius van Tonder,
Afdawn Capital
When starting a business what you really need is dedication.
– Marci Pather, All Joy Foods
So if you have made a bad decision write it off, take the
knock, pay your school fees and move on.
– John Wearne, W G
Wearne
You’ve got to practice what you preach: if you’re preaching
economics to your staff, practice it yourself.
– Bernie Krone,
Esor
Media and Testimonials
‘Conversations’ has received rave reviews from the media.
Siya has been featured in CNBC Africa, e News Channel, Financial
Mail, Good Hope FM, 702 and many other media.
“You will find not just advice, but amazing stories &
CEO’s journeys to the top” - Redi Direko, Radio 702
“…will inspire other entrepreneurs and help them
believe in themselves and in SA” – Financial Mail
“… a must read for the budding entrepreneur”
– The
Blue Chip Journal
“It’s a manual…a great book for everyone trying to
get into business. I quite enjoyed it!” – Sumitra Naidoo,
eNews Channel
Download the order form
here or send an inquiry
here
Siyabonga Mapoko (Siya) – the founder of
iCaptive – is also the author of Conversations with JSE AltX
Entrepreneurs. 
