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COLETTE TANNER

olette Tanner is the chief operations “navigating a very challenging space and ensuring contentment and acceptance. “You don’t overcome
officer at DRG Outsourcing. Her story that the client has an experience that they can it, you just cope,” she says, reflecting on the profound
began in Boksburg, where she was raised take away.” impact Camryn has had on her life. “Throughout my
Cin a stable and disciplined household. life, I thought I’d have to make sure that I prepared
One of four children and a twin, she describes her Colette’s vision for KwaZulu-Natal over the next for every single eventuality to ensure that Camryn
upbringing as strict but typical of family life at five years is closely tied to DRG’s social impact. “We had a life of joy. But in fact, that’s actually what
the time. After matriculating, the family moved to are involved in so many local projects,” she says, Camryn brought me.”
Durban, where Colette’s educational journey truly emphasising the importance of supporting and
assisting people in managing their businesses and AUTHENTIC SELF
began. She completed a BTech in consumer sciences,
their employees. For Colette, the next five years are
followed by a BCom in human resources with For Colette, inspiration comes from traits rather than
about contributing to the growth and success of
honours, and an MBA. Currently, she is undertaking small businesses in the region. individuals. “Humility inspires me tremendously,”
a BCom in law. she says. She admires those who show up as their
A PROUD MOMENT authentic selves, without posturing or relying on titles,
Colette’s very first job came when she was just 16 years
qualifications, or material possessions. “Humility is
old. She began working at Edgars on the weekends, Professionally, the accomplishment that makes enormously impressive,” she concludes, highlighting
starting in grade ten and continuing through to her Colette the proudest is completing her MBA disser- its impact on her personal and professional life.
matric year. “It was a casual job, and in the 80s, it was tation. “I worked very hard for that dissertation,” she
very much about being a shop assistant,” she explains. says, noting that many MBA students tend to drop The best advice Colette has ever received came
the ball at this stage, it’s a long degree, but for her, it from her boss in her early 20s. She was grappling
A SEAMLESS EXPERIENCE with a difficult disciplinary decision at work, and her
was the culmination of everything she had learned
For those unfamiliar with DRG Outsourcing, Colette and a wonderful opportunity to apply learnings. Her boss told her, “When you lose your heart in human
describes it as a fit-for-purpose business that navigates dedication paid off when she achieved the highest resources and dealing with people, stop dealing with
people.” This advice has stayed with her, reminding
a myriad of disciplines. In her words, she says, DRG is award in the country for her dissertation, the highest her to always keep her heart in check when making
“an incredible engine of activity.” award the institution had ever granted. “It was a
proud moment for me because I was able to navigate tough decisions. “We need to consider that just
The company operates in the Employer of Record that space successfully,” Colette adds, highlighting because we can’t see the struggle, it does not mean
space, managing employment relationships on behalf her ability to balance full-time work and home life. that someone is not struggling,” Colette reflects,
of international clients who employ local employees. emphasising the importance of empathy in her work.
DRG handles everything from onboarding to payroll, The biggest challenge Colette has faced in her life Colette believes that trust is the key to keeping
ensuring that both the employer and employee has also become her greatest personal achieve- her team motivated, both at home and at work.
have a seamless experience. DRG’s primary goal is ment – raising her son, Camryn, who was born “You have to trust your people,” she asserts. Trust
to ensure that the client has an optimal experience differently abled. Faced with a dismal diagnosis and empowers people, giving them the confidence to
the suggestion to place Camryn in a home, Colette
while also highlighting the capabilities of South make decisions and contribute positively. “That
resolutely refused. “I was determined to get Camryn
African employees. “We are really showcasing South brings about enormous creativity and innovation
to live a normal life as we know it,” she recounts. Today,
Africa and South African employees and skills,” and excitement,” she adds, noting that her team
Colette proudly states. Camryn is thriving, and Colette attributes much delivers because they know they are trusted. Open
of her own life’s joy to him. However, she acknow-
Colette’s purpose in her role is closely tied to the client ledges that “disability is largely misunderstood,” communication and feedback are also crucial
components of her management style.
experience and operational efficiency. “It’s about bringing a complex mix of grief and joy. Colette
navigating a penetrable space for an international explained that she constantly balances the grief Colette lives by a simple but powerful motto: “Just
client in a highly regulated and complicated local of unrealised potential with the contentment and do it.” Although it echoes the famous Nike slogan,
environment,” she explains. The challenge lies in absolute bliss of living a life with someone who is for her, it means not overthinking and simply getting
helping clients understand the complexities of the completely different from everyone else. Rather things done. “There’s no point in wrestling with fear,
local market and ensuring that their expectations are than overcoming such challenges, Colette believes just get it done,” she advises, advocating for action
met, if not exceeded. “That’s the purpose,” she says, in coping with them, stressing the importance of over hesitation.
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