Wise words from Bay business trailblazers

THREE award-winning businesswomen shared valuable lessons learnt from years of experience carrying the torch in Zululand’s business sphere.

Vimba Security Doors owner Melanie Stewart, Saryx Information Systems Director Ingrid Osborne and Citroën Richards Bay Co-owner Tracy Coetzer spoke candidly about prominent challenges they faced to stay ahead of the game at the annual Businesswomen’s Association’s (BWA) Women’s Day Breakfast in Richards Bay on Friday.

Having made her way from Gauteng, working with the likes of business mogul Cyril Ramaphosa, to owning her successful Empangeni security company, Melanie Stewart tackled issues with corruption and strikes currently stifling many local enterprises.

‘Bribes by companies and government officials pose problems – it’s amazing how ingenious dishonest people can be,’ said Stewart.

‘And the recent metal industry strike left ourselves and other businesses without stock, which was very challenging.

‘But fortunately, I have a wonderful team and you simply have to stay positive and proactive despite it all!’

Osborne emphasised the sad reality of women often downplaying their full potential in the workplace.

‘Women continuously underestimate themselves while men tend to overestimate themselves – with men, the belief is there.

‘We need to start believing, too, and stop hesitating every time more confident men push to the front.’

Referring to the Heidi-versus-Howard study, Osborne also said it is disappointing that successful women are considered less agreeable than successful men in a world that significantly lacks female leaders.

The study, conducted in 2003, entailed a story of a successful entrepreneur presented to half a class of business students as Heidi and the other half as Howard.

‘When asked what their impressions were of Heidi and Howard, Howard came across as a likable colleague while Heidi was seen as selfish and not ‘the type of person you would want to work for.

‘This was the reaction from both female and male students,’ noted Osborne.

Concluding the breakfast meeting, Coetzer added women in business should be divas – an acronym for having distinction, integrity, values, appreciation and spirit.

‘If you’re offered a seat on a rocket ship, don’t ask ‘what seat’, just get on!’