BUSINESS
I
WELCOME TO IMBO
t was a wet Wednesday in the middle of
Spring. Motivated business minds, from
various industries, swerved through peakhour traffic to gather in a cozy bar at the
famous Jupiter House. Now anyone who
knows anything about advertising will tell
you – this is a venue known for producing
excellence. And that’s exactly what was on
the IMBO Business Briefing menu.
Although the attendees didn’t take up all the
seats, the spacious room was packed full of
excitement, curiosity and character. As the
invitation had offered, it was a fertile platform
for critical conversations over nutritious
snacks, wine and smooth Black Bottle whisky
for some rain-escaping warmth. But of course,
the mingling wouldn’t have been fruitful
without the thought-provoking presentations
delivered by our three well-versed speakers.
Haydn Townsend laid a profound foundation
which captivated the audience, keeping
them enticed for the rest of the evening. After
providing a quick, intricate analysis of South
Africa’s economic state, the strategic genius
within him couldn’t help but complement it
with an indubitably viable solution. So with all
the experience money can’t buy, he reminded
the young – some only as young as their
optimism allows them to be – businessmen
and women of the power they have to build
the successful nation their grandchildren will
be proud to live in.
What I took home from his talk was the fact
that our 20 years of democracy have barely
brought any change to the general standard of
living. The rich are getting richer, while those
who occupy the bottom of the food chain are
still finding it difficult to climb the ladder.
IMBO/ ISSUE 31/ '14
However, he stressed, as skilled professionals
and entrepreneurs we can improve the value
of the rand by collaborating effectively.
IMBO’s very own innovative publisher (and
founder), Gugu Madlala, took this theory
into practice almost immediately. He first
introduced the guests to the magazine,
showing them the progress we’ve made on our
journey – since conception. Those who had
never heard him talk were quick to realize that
he doesn’t need to wear his clothes inside-out
to get attention. His intelligence and passion
give purpose to his superfluous energy. And
as he chauffeured the crowd through IMBO’s
values he didn’t hesitate to touch on the
business benefits that come with liaising with
us.
To wrap up the briefing, the final speaker,
Ross Drakes, had the responsibility to shed
some light about the boundless reality
that determination can create for you. In
substantiating this he shared a few pieces
from Nice Work’s (his out-of-the-box agency)
imaginative portfolio and invited everyone
to the Creative Mornings that he hosts once
every month. Although he has enough wit
and charisma to steal the spotlight from
anyone, it was his presentation that inspired
the motivated members of our audience to at
least think about taking a leap to the future
they seek.
Of course it will be different the next time
around. It can only get better. So come along
if you’re looking to add value to your career.
By Ray Ray
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