Learning from ideas that don’t work makes people more innovative.
CORPORATE entrepreneurship sound like a contradiction in terms. Big businesses have been perceived as rigid entities that followed proven procedures, and employees were encouraged to follow the rules and to not “rock the boat”. That’s the view of Jonathan Fisher, regional director of PSG Konsult. But he says economists are now recognizing that entrepreneurship can play a significant role in social and economic development. Entrepreneurs, through their innovative mindset and willingness to take risks, contribute greatly to creating new and competitive markets that boost job creation and stimulate the broader economy.
“Today’s corporate are far more entrepreneurial,” he says. “They see the benefits of exploiting individual talent. “As an emerging market, our re-entry into the international community, together with social, economic and political changes, has created challenges for business”. Globalisation is making the South African business environment ever more competitive, Fisher points out. “Companies are finding that agility, flexibility and continuous self-renewal are essential to maintain their positions.
The economy is becoming increasingly service based, with information and knowledge playing important roles in competitiveness.” Entrepreneurial trailblazers that have become household names are Rand Merchant Bank, Nando’s Blue Label Telecoms, Telesure Investments Holdings, Boston City Campus and Business College and SABMiller.
According to Fisher, these organisations all instill innovation into their culture and that is driven by top management and the chief executive. “These companies do things differently. In the past, divisions have tended to work in isolation with minimal interaction between them.
Today, all departments are brought into the creative process and are encouraged to think laterally. “And they are allowed to make mistakes: management knows that not every idea will be successful. Learning from ideas that don’t work makes people more productive and innovative. “By unleashing a company’s best talent and bringing out the potential of its people, extraordinary business results can be delivered.” Fisher recalls being made aware of this when he was studying for his Bcom through Boston City Campus and Business College.
His lecturer (and CEO of Boston) Ari Katz, who he refers to as a classic entrepreneur. “He is charismatic and full of energy. He even got me excited about accounting, which at the best of times can be pretty boring. His staff’s dedication and constant encouragement was inspiring, which made a big difference to my academic journey.” Katz is committed to using technology in a fst moving world. Some students are more oral, some more aural, while others need repetition or prefer learning at their own pace.
“To achieve the best possible learning environment for everyone, we have introduced modern technology in the most effective way. It’s now available at all the 46 campuses dotted around the country,” he says. Furthermore, Katz also believes strongly in international value to qualifications. “We live and operate in a global economy and that is why internationally accredited qualifications are essential. Students need to be able to compete and perform efficiently both here and abroad.”
In recognition of this dedication to finding the best teaching methodology for all students, the Services sector education and training authority recently made two awards to Boston. The first was for the “provider that has evidenced the most consistent approach to integrating modern technology into its operations”.
The second was for the “most innovative social responsibility project to improve the ability of the Gauteng police services to focus on its core duties.” Fisher says employing the right people is the recipe for the culture of corporate entrepreneurship. “Having on board passionate, self- qualified people who believe in themselves, ultimately leads to improved financial performance. Boston is testament to this.”
Boston City Campus offers more than 80 dynamic career qualifications at 46 branches nationwide. Call 011 455 6992/5/7 or visit www.boston.co.za
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