Tell us about B2B Group 8. How did it come about?

B2B Staffing Solutions has been in existence for 13 years now and, in the last two years, I realised that I had reached the height of what I can do in the staffing space and started another company, B2B Group 8. Under B2B Group 8 I have eight different companies.

I would like to be one of South Africa’s success stories, such as Bidvest. Bidvest is owned by Brian Joffe. They go out and buy companies, put in the right infrastructure, the right leadership, and turn them into multi-million rand companies. Black people in South Africa have not seen that kind of success.

Traditionally, black people only go into one industry and largely rely on government business, not going out of their way to build brand equity. I felt that the name B2B Group 8 has a twist to it.

I can do multiple things, like Bidvest. I go into different industries, bringing my passion, my understanding of business, and experts to provide change management turnaround strategies and turn clients into successful businesses.

Becoming the next Bidvest for the black entrepreneur might be quite difficult. What other strategies are you employing in order to position yourself to get an advantage over your competitors?

First of all, I am not trying to reinvent the wheel. I got into staffing because I had staffing skills. Then I followed Brian Joffe, understanding what Bidvest was. I understood that any successful strategy can be duplicated, and I am duplicating the Bidvest strategy.

I am, however, duplicating it in an environment where there is opportunity for black people. Companies are forced to acquire services from small to medium black enterprises, and as a result there are fertile opportunities for me. I also believe that many businesses in the country’s success comes from understanding the market and its sales opportunities.

If you are going to go out and sell a product or a service, it is how well-priced it is compared to your competitor and how well-positioned you are with regards to delivering that service, and uniqueness in delivering that service.

We have to bear in mind that the Internet has revolutionized how we live now. People are banking online, people are shopping online, and my current format in business is largely around the utilisation of the Internet and of social media. We are going to have drones very soon flying around and delivering parcels. We all know that, we are not sure if we are going to like it, but it’s going to happen.

I believe that instant gratification is what human beings are addicted to and I want to meet that demand. That is how I plan to be different – by meeting every single need that can be instantly gratified.

Retailing, when it comes to instant gratification, is the first avenue.

Where are you looking at the moment in terms of offering your services? What type of sector? Are there any specific targets that you might have?

Organic growth is how most of the businesses I have created have happened. I start small but I go big on branding and advertising.

Where do you see yourself and your company in the next three to five years?

As a listed company, I would like to be on the South African Stock Market. I would like to put out an IPO and get people to invest in the dream. I have found myself in a very informative space. If you’re paying attention, life educates you.

I would also like to move into more African countries. I’m thinking of SADC countries at the moment and in the next five years to be on the broader continent. Social media has allowed us to think beyond South Africa and even Africa. Brazilians should be able to buy South African products. If I can satisfy their needs and desires, I am certainly going to try to do so.