June 2021

Place yourself in the shoes of Ramasela Ganda. The CEO at Avis in South Africa started in her new role just four days after President Ramaphosa announced a national lockdown. International tourism was effectively cancelled and people told to stay home. How does a car rental business begin to plan for something like this? She wasn’t even able to set foot in her own office to meet people and begin strategizing the fightback.

But, very quickly, a new leadership team was installed and an emergency contingency plan was put in place. While the competition was reeling, Avis was out there, working with manufacturers, and improving its fleet – spending big. This gamble paid off and the market leader maintained its position, growing share by rolling out an integrated mobility strategy.

For Defy Appliances, the multinational manufacturer of innovative appliances, there was a similar story. Instead of sitting back and waiting for the pandemic to pass, the company was out there investing in facilities and searching for opportunities to make a difference. Defy was involved with the development of a locally-made ventilator that literally helped people to breath if they were admitted to hospital with the coronavirus.

It’s a similar story in Namibia for Old Mutual Investment Group Namibia where CEO Tyrone van Wyk helped push through the launch of various new funds that assist in economic development on the ground – much needed in Namibia.

Look around at businesses that have failed during the tough times that have arisen thanks to the pandemic. Did they do everything possible to survive? Or did they not make the most of the opportunities available? Turning challenges into opportunities is the key to success, now and always.

Let us know how your company is searching out the opportunities that are undoubtedly there. We’re online @LinkedIn.