Business Perspective on God by Francois van Niekerk

Sat Feb 14, 08:00 - Sat Feb 14, 12:30

NH The Lord Charles Hotel

ABOUT

Francois van Niekerk recently retired after a successful career as entrepreneur and business executive (see next tab for CV).  His business developed over 35 years from a challenging start without capital to an international group with interests spread over 10 diverse industry sectors active throughout Africa and four EU countries.  When Francois stepped down as CEO of Mertech Group/Mergon Foundation in 2008, the business had posted a compound average annual growth of 49% per year for the preceding  20 year period. 

This workshop will present specific detail of his lifelong business approach, experience and practises (see programme tab).  After confirmation of attendance, a 10 page set of notes will be forwarded to assist preparation and augment the workshop value. 

This workshop is done in association with Halftime an organization aiming to inspire and equip business and professional leaders to look for a deeper significance in life.  It includes personal stories, workshops/seminars, key note speakers, Halftime Coaching and Forums.


 

FRANCOIS VAN NIEKERK CV

Francois van Niekerk  CV

Francois was educated at Paarl Boys High, the SA Naval Gymnasium, universities of Stellenbosch & Unisa SBL and worked for Mobil Oil, Anglo American, Rembrandt and Armscor before venturing into private enterprise in 1980.  He is the founder of the Mertech Group and the Mergon Foundation.

Francois is a co-founder of the Atterbury Group and was Chairman of Atterbury Investment Holdings from  inception to 2012.  He founded or co-founded a number of operating companies still active in various industry sectors, serves on several boards, was a Council member of Unisa until 2012 and a member of the Unisa Council Fincom until 2014. He received a number of  academic-, business- and philanthropy awards.

His testimony:  the current Mertech Group started in 1980 from practically zero.  Continued survival and eventual success were clearly by God’s grace and mercy alone.  It is an almost incomprehensible privilege to see how God keeps shaping Mertech and Mergon Foundation into a vehicle through which  the credo Regni Negotia Extendimus or ‘Expanding His Kingdom through Business’ is increasingly being fulfilled.  May obedience to God as our controlling Shareholder, keep the Mertech Group, Mergon Foundation and all our associates in His will.

PROGRAMME

Workshop Programme

Recap of Mergon testimony
How God as the incoming Shareholder moved us from imminent insolvency to an international conglomerate and  -  more importantly  -   a life of significance.

Mertech management structure
The basic criteria & methodology historically used to ensure organisational performance  -  with special emphasis on the customer orientation of all staff. 

Mertech outperformance ‘secret’
a)  Shared ownership/profit/power with staff, with partners and with the Shareholder.
b)  Benefit (and risk) of counter cyclical  & diversified strategy                                               
c)  ‘Fanatical’ application of management basics & relentless training
d)  Developing stewardship and a relationship with God as the controlling Shareholder.

Business principles and success requirements
The principles we upheld & success differentials that worked for us

Looking back
Business examples we could learn from

Mergon Foundation; composition & functioning
Discussing the Mertech structure and Mergon Foundation trust deed

The road ahead
 Our plans in shaping up for the road ahead.

DIRECTIONS

Business Perspective on God by Francois van Niekerk
NH The Lord Charles Hotel
M9, Heldervue, Cape Town, 7130, South Africa
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