Our featured entrepreneur of the week Israel Noko shares why every entrepreneur needs to build a network of strong business contacts
Company ProfileName of the company: NPI Governance Consulting (Pty) LtdYears in existence: 2 and a half years
Position: CEO and Managing Consultant
- Can you tell us a little bit about your background – personal, educational and professional? I was born in KwaZulu-Natal. I spent a good part of my youth living in Europe and Canada before returning to South Africa in 1997. I went on to study Law and Social Sciences Diploma at the University of Warwick, UK and pursued and completed my LL.B in Business Law at Coventry University, UK. l serve on the few Boards in a Non-Executive capacity. I regularly present at conferences on topics around transformation, Broad-Based BEE and sustainable development.
I have extensive working experience in France, Switzerland, the UK and South Africa in both private and public sectors. I did extensive work at the United Nations Environmental Program, the Canadian High Commission Trade Office (as Trade Commissioner) in South Africa, Enablis (as Head of Partnerships) and in the financial services industry. I guided several Canadian companies to understand BEE as a policy and how it may impact their business growth. I also presented Canada’s Clean Development Mechanism programs and private sector expertise to over 50 companies in South Africa during the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) in 2002.
In April 2012, I was elected as the Chairman of the National Association of BEE Consultants (NABC), a professional body that represents the interests of over 120 consulting professions and practitioners. Furthermore, I sit on the Department of Trade & Industry’s BEE Joint Technical Committee and I engage with other industry stakeholders in addressing the implementation of BEE.
- Can you tell us a little bit about your company and what you do? NPI Governance Consulting is a niche BEE Advisory and Project Management practice that is quickly positioning itself as an advocate for sustainable economic growth, and strategic transformation intelligence and a trusted BEE Advisor to local and multinational companies investing in South Africa. NPI Governance Consulting’s end-to-end BEE Services are offered to all market sectors through our dedicated business functions of advisory, consulting and project management.
I’m passionate about the intentions behind Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (“BEE”), including the economic transformation of South Africa. My experience has focused on developing and executing strategies that will enable companies to better position themselves in the market, and develop partnerships with companies and organizations that want to implement “business-sense” enterprise development, socio-economic development and BEE strategies.
I understood that “success breeds success” and that it was important for me to associate myself with successful people
I have advised on BEE joint venture structure and business models, worked with several multinational clients advised on the implementation of Equity Equivalents, and BEE compliance and forged strong relations with the Department of Trade and Industry, the verification industry and various transformation stakeholders.
I have also been able to pursue an interest in the property and facilitates management sector, tourism and interested in pursuing opportunities outside of the South African borders.
- How did your journey begin and how have you achieved success thus far?
I started as a one-man show from my living room with the equivalent of four month’s salary in my bank account. I had no intentions of failing and I was acutely aware of the competitive nature of my industry. What I had to my advantage was a network of strong business contacts developed over 14 years and a strong determination to succeed.
During my journey, I understood that “success breeds success” and that it was important for me to associate myself with successful people. One can certainly learn a thing or two from people that have not been successful but it doesn’t make sense to spend too much time with people that have no proven track record. Successful people with integrity are willing to share their experience and expertise with people who are serious about their business.
To date, we have been able to work with over 65 private sector clients since our inception and lectured to over 200 NGOs and universities across the country. For the majority of our clients, we have been able to ensure that they transform in a meaningful way and at the same time become BEE competitive.
- Has it been difficult? What were some of the obstacles you faced and how did you overcome them?
The big challenge is cash flow. It is very exciting to have more clients and to create jobs but it does come with financial responsibilities. Ultimately, our business has had to fund its growth with no funding from any of the banks.
- How many people does your company employ?
10 people for now, to grow our business over the next 3 years. We are also keen to bring in young passionate learners.
Don’t take it personally when someone doesn’t want to do business with you
- What is your overall vision for your business?
We have big dreams and intend to increase our market share. Ultimately, our vision is to be able to provide ongoing value-adding solutions to clients that enable them to realize a return on investment and attract and retain talented people who are passionate about economic development and transformation.
- What do you think it takes to establish and run a successful business in South Africa? Skills, a strong base of business contact and integrity and a good reputation (which includes being accountable).
- How did you finance your business, how difficult or easy was the process?
In the early days, I was very fortunate to have two multinationals provide me with an Enterprise Development grant. To this day, I have never received any financing from any bank or government funding institution but instead, continue to fund the business through client acquisition and reinvesting the profits back into the business.
- What are the three things you attribute your business success to?
- Business contacts nurtured over 14 years.
- The ability to sell and understanding how the sales cycle works. Most people give up after hearing “no” about 3 to 4 times, the secret is not to take things personally.
- My university degree.
- When did you know that you were an entrepreneur?
Probably around the age of 12 years but the environment I grew up in encouraged people to study hard and get a job.
- How would you describe your leadership style?
I don’t lead by micro-management as I also hate it being done to me. I prefer to give people the parameters which which they operate and I also expect people to be accountable for their actions and performance. Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other.
- What are some of your favourite motivational books and motivational gurus that have inspired you to grow your business? Currently, I am reading two books called ‘Julius Caesar CEO’ and ‘The Bridge – The Life & Rise of Barak Obama’. But my all-time favourite, which I read at University, was the ‘Autobiography of Malcom X’. It took me three days to read and inspired in several ways.
What pieces of advice would you offer young entrepreneurs starting today?
- Be willing to learn from experienced people and don’t take it personally when someone doesn’t want to do business with you.
- Raise enough financial capital to carry you for at least six months, it will allow you to build a client base.
- What’s the worst and best business advice you have ever received? Best: The secret to successful hiring is this: look for the people who want to change the world and share your passion.
Worst: You have to be cheaper than the other guys.
- And finally, do you believe in luck, hard work or both? Both. But I also believe in reading your market correctly being able to see any dynamic changes when they come and being able to adapt to those changes. Change can be a very hard thing to do.
