Page 177 - KZN Top Business LEADERS-eBook

ESSA EBRAHIM SULEMAN

ssa Ebrahim Suleman serves as the chief Among many achievements, Essa highlights it.” Essa’s approach to overcoming challenges has
executive officer of the Woodford Group, a a significant milestone with pride: “I feel that enabled the Woodford Group to navigate difficult
position that places him at the forefront of becoming a partner of Enterprise (the world’s situations and to grow.
Eone of South Africa’s most prominent vehicle largest car rental company) in southern Africa
rental and mobility solution providers. Leading the was a momentous achievement in our history.” FORWARD THINKING
company he joined at an early age, Essa plays an This partnership with a global industry leader Essa emphasises the importance of resilience and
essential role in shaping the Woodford Group’s represents the Woodford Group’s commitment to optimism when motivating his team, especially in
future and expanding its reach within southern excellence and its reputation within the car rental challenging times. “We are a resilient bunch that
Africa and beyond. industry. However, Essa’s vision of accomplishment appreciates everything we have rather than looking
goes beyond accolades and partnerships. He says,
His journey in both education and career started “What would make me feel the most proud and the back at what we could have had,” he explains. This
with a unique path. “After matriculating, I studied outlook helps his team stay focused and energised,
most accomplished would be when every single
toward and attained my Private Pilot Licence (PPL), even when facing conflicts or obstacles. Essa
customer and employee is completely satisfied
before joining Woodford,” he explains. His journey believes that forward-thinking and positivity are
with our business.”
continued with advanced studies; in 2013, Essa key to keeping morale high. “Everything around us
looks positive, despite the scenario,” he adds.
completed an MBA at Wits Business School. This BE HUMBLE
combination of hands-on industry experience and Essa finds inspiration in results, a driving factor
Reflecting on words of wisdom that have guided
academic pursuit helped equip Essa with the skills that influences his leadership and decision-
to guide and grow the company. him, Essa shares a profound piece of advice from making. “I’m a results-driven person, so I’m very
his late brother, the former CEO of Woodford.
Essa began his career at the first Woodford Car Hire “One of the pieces of advice was, ‘Be humble. Take much inspired by results. Good or bad, exceeded
branch in Woodford Grove in Durban. Recalling his a moment and be grateful for what you have,’” or missed targets, success or failure; the results
first role, he says, “My first job was as a rental agent, he recalls. Essa believes that gratitude is often inspire the efforts and decisions required,” he says.
and I was trained on the front desk by Mr. Zufer Khan overlooked in the fast-paced world of business. He also draws inspiration from nature, describing
– an employee who is still with the company today.” “The further and faster a journey goes, the easier how, “the vastness of it brings things back into
Starting at the grassroots level of Woodford Car Hire it is to forget gratitude,” he notes. “We tend to only perspective and makes it all seem so small. It helps
gave Essa a firsthand understanding of the customer think in terms of what we don’t have and what we me try to do even more and take on more.”
experience and the daily operations of a car hire still need to achieve. Stopping every once in a while As a CEO of a KwaZulu-Natal born company,
business. His foundational experience at the front to be grateful is something that, I hope, grounds Essa is deeply committed to contributing to the
desk has remained a core element of his leadership me and reminds me to be humble,” Essa adds. province’s growth and development over the next
style as CEO, giving him insights into every aspect of five years. He explains Woodford’s goal: “Our vision
the customer experience and operations. In the ever-evolving business world, challenges are at Woodford is to bring mobility solutions to all.”
constant, and Essa’s journey has been no exception. Essa hopes to expand the company’s footprint
Commenting on his purpose Essa says, “My purpose Reflecting on his approach to adversity, Essa says, across KZN, offering mobility solutions to enable
is very much similar to that of the company – I want to “We have new challenges every single day. It’s people to “move, grow, and thrive through our
provide value to every person that I come into contact often the case where every new challenge feels like services and footprint.”
with through our business,” he says. Essa’s philosophy it’s the greatest one we’ve faced up to that point.”
is grounded in creating positive impacts not only For Essa, facing obstacles is about resilience and a Essa lives by the motto: “A winner is a dreamer
for customers but also for his team and business determined mindset. He shares his strategy: “I don’t that never gives up.” This saying encapsulates his
partners. “Whether it’s our people, our customers, or know which was my greatest, but I do know that I’m journey, reflecting the resilience and determination
our suppliers – everything we come across, touch, or not the type to rest until we’ve put the challenge to that have defined his leadership at Woodford.
feel, we’ve got to make this world better than it was bed. We pray, we prepare, and we then face each With a focus gratitude and relentless pursuit of his
before we got here. We have not lived if we have not one head-on. The minute you believe that you can dreams, Essa is poised to lead the Woodford Group
added value,” he shares passionately. do something is the moment you’ve solved half of to new heights.
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