As the Chair of Volkswagen South Africa, Martina tells us that she is constantly reminded that leadership is more than just managing day-to-day operations. The decisions we make as leaders have a ripple effect that extends beyond direct reports and impacts the families of employees and suppliers. In a multicultural environment, understanding and navigating cultural [...]
Sascha Sauer, the esteemed CEO of Audi South Africa, is widely recognized for his exceptional achievements and leadership skills in the business world. However, beyond his role at Audi, Sascha possesses a fascinating and diverse personality that extends far beyond the corporate sphere. In this blog, we will delve deeper into the multifaceted persona of [...]
Andrew Kirby's successful career in the automotive industry was shaped by a good foundation in academics and sports which he excelled at throughout his childhood. This balance prepared him for his future roles in leadership, where he had to be strategic and competitive. Andrew’s story highlights the influence of family on career choices and aspirations. [...]
Having strong leadership is crucial for achieving success in any type of organisation. Leaders who display the traits of effective communication, leading through actions, efficient delegation, flexibility, and continuous learning and development have the ability to motivate their teams and facilitate progress and creativity. Effective Communication Being able to communicate effectively is a key trait [...]
Leadership can be challenging because of the different personalities, groups, and cultures within a team. Adapting your leadership style to each person is essential for success. In my recent conversation with Neale Hill, President of Ford Motor Company Africa, describes leadership as a 'Dark Art'. Leadership as a 'Dark Art' In Neale’s eyes, leadership can [...]
Martina Biene's story of success is an inspiring one. Her journey from being a Theology graduate to the Head of Volkswagen's Passenger Car Brand in South Africa is an example of how perseverance and a commitment to learning can take one to great heights. Martina started her career at Volkswagen as a management trainee in [...]
Neale Hill, President of Ford Africa, has a story that will inspire anyone wanting to become a leader. He started as an Intern at Ford more than 20 years ago and has worked his way up to become the President of Ford Africa. In the latest episode of The AutoBiography, Neale shares his leadership journey, [...]
The pandemic has caused widespread disruption and has forced many organisations to change the way they operate. In this blog post, we will explore the impact of the pandemic on work culture. Including the loss of in-person collaboration, a shift in priorities, and positive changes to remote work and employee well-being. The Loss of In-Person [...]
The Mecedes-Benz brand identifies itself as a blend of luxury, sportiness and performance. As Co-CEO, Mark Raine firmly believes that being a luxury brand consists of 4 things: the brand element, the product substance, quality and lastly, customer service. It's these elements that have fueled the growth and success of the Mercedes-Benz offering in any [...]
In life, we have many dreams and aspirations of what we would like to become when we are older. These dreams guide our paths and give us some direction to what it is that we want to do with the rest of our lives. These aspirations will either push us to become better and be [...]
