The world is suddenly less certain than it might have appeared to be five years ago. Global uncertainties abound. Economies everywhere are under pressure as central banks scramble to contain the most serious inflationary pressures in decades. Geopolitical tensions have risen since the Russian invasion of Ukraine and new power blocs are being formed that challenge America’s superpower status.
Businesses need more than ever to be attuned to an increasingly volatile and uncertain future. You cannot predict the future, but you can become more resilient in the face of mounting uncertainty.
In Bruce Whitfield’s podcast series “ Genius: How to Thrive at the Edge of Chaos” he sits down with the incredible founders of some of the biggest brands to come out of South Africa. The podcasts tell stories of resilience, courage, and how to navigate one of the more hostile business environments on earth and achieve global success.
Find the full series on Spotify, Apple, Google or wherever you find your podcasts, or jump directly into one of the episodes from the links below:
The Genius behind the rise of Nando’s
The compelling story of how two best friends took a grubby little take-away joint global. This is a story of vision, ambition, relentlessness and the critical importance of trust when building a business for
The Genius that built Investec & Ninety One
This is the story of never letting an opportunity pass you by. How to grow from a downtown money-lender to one of the most influential money managers in the most powerful financial centre on earth. A story of courage, resilience and opportunism.
The Genius behind Discovery’s global success
It all begins with a plan and a deep focus on changing the way health insurance can work. It’s the story of data-driven decision making and why the team you build, right from the very start is the most critical decision you will ever make.
The Geniuses behind Yoco, an underdog story
This is a story that illustrates the old adage: “If you want to travel fast, travel alone. If you want to travel far, travel together.” Great teams are built around values and a shared vision of the future. How four telecoms industry professionals created a financial sector disruptor with its customer at its core.
The Genius that grew Tasha’s from local café to world-class dining experience
This is the story of how what started as a side hustle is succeeding in markets which have devoured some of the biggest names in the global restaurant industry. It’s about a relentless attention to detail, the importance of partnerships and why you need to be obsessed with every aspect of your business.
Sweep South: A Genius app revolutionising the cleaning industry
This is the story of how to adapt a disruptive business model for social good, and how to use commercial principles to fix structural inequality.
The Genius that grew SAOTA into a global luxury design brand
This is a story about exceptionalism, identifying your unique strengths, and delivering a niche service to an elite customer base anywhere in the world. How to run a global empire from the southern tip of Africa and never have to leave home to do it.
How to get your product listed at Harrods. Or Costco. Or Wholefoods. Even Amazon.
This is about how to turn small ideas into exceptional opportunities. How to add value to raw commodities from an indigenous shrub, to desert salt and excess fruit. Inspiring tales from smaller businesses taking the world by storm.
