Henk Olivier is the Managing Director of Ozone Information Technology. He is passionate about technology and the impact it can have on the business and the individual, and he is always looking to how to implement technology in such a way as to boost the potential of the small to medium business.
Describe your leadership style.
My leadership style is to lead by example and to be an inspiration to people so they can see where you want to go. I believe this empowers people as they always know the direction you plan to go. The other thing is to always understand and make sure you know the strength of a person and use their strengths to bring out the best in them.
Your top tip to beat procrastination?
That is sometimes difficult as a business owner as there comes many things during a day you need to deal with. Then you start by postponing things which can easily cause procrastination if it looks like there are just too many things to do or to manage. The key for me is to always complete tasks and handle matters as they arrive. If there are things that are of higher priority than other tasks, then I don’t just postpone the task, I postpone the tasks with a due date or set date. Never leave to-dos without a due date or action date.
Favourite getaway destination?
Thailand or the Seychelles – I love the peacefulness of nature and islands.
Who or what inspires you?
There are two people who will always be an inspiration to me. Steve Jobs, with the tremendous vision, determination and drive he had for Apple. The Dalai Lama – his words of wisdom on life and humanity.
Your one wish for South Africa?
My wish for South Africa is that the next generation takes the opportunity to embrace the fact that South Africa has a future. Most young people have the mindset that South Africa does not have a future, or that they won’t be able to have a future in South Africa.
If you could have any 3 people over for dinner, who would they be and what would you serve?
Unfortunately the people that really made a difference in life have already passed on, but people I should like to have dinner with are Warren Buffet, Bill Gates and Elon Musk – all of them have great stories to tell. My dinner will include some meat (I hope they’re not vegetarian) paired with great South African wine.
What five pieces of advice would you give to aspiring young business starters?
1. If you have a business idea, do research to see if it is a niche market. If it is a niche market, there is a good chance for success.
2. Be patient.
3. Don’t give up after the first or second failure.
4. Try not to start a business with taking out large loans.
5. Never create a product and think the market will want it. Create a product or service in accordance with what the market wants.
What is the one thing most people don’t know about you?
I like extreme sports like skydiving and power paragliding.
Thank you to Top 500 for feauturing me in your Q&A
