Page 41 - KZN Top Business Portfolio - EBOOK 2019

Founder and CEO, Hirsch’s His leadership style is quite simple. “People are
human, grow them, teach them skills, and more than
LLAN HIRSCH is an outstanding example just selling or servicing, teach them how the business
of someone who came from humble works.” Seeing staff grow, improve their circumstances
beginnings and had to overcome personal and being happy with their lives inspires him. “We like
Achallenges to become successful. He to keep people part of us, but if they leave, they take
illustrates that “where you begin does not determine their skills elsewhere and we wish them well.”
where you can go.” He gets serious when stating, “Honesty, integrity,
Allan left school in standard seven due to dyslexia and loyalty are required; these principles can’t be
and trained as an electrical appliances’ mechanic. compromised and are not negotiable. We are totally
Afterwards, he started working for a company, transparent about the business with our staff.” He
where he and the owner had different views on believes that “having a why” is important for staying
business. The owner wanted to keep increasing passionate and for being a good leader. The book
margins, while Allan wanted reasonable rates and “Start with Why” by Simon Sinek, describes this
to provide great service to keep customers’ happy. view and helped him define the ‘why’ for Hirsch’s.
His employer’s suggestion that Allan should go on his Selecting quality products and suppliers is
own was both exciting and daunting for him. Being important for him. His view is: “Look after your
newly married, having bought his first property, and suppliers and they will look after you”.
the birth of his first child, delayed his decision, but
he eventually opened an electrical appliance repair Trust must be earned and Allan still tries to enhance
store in Durban North in 1979. the good reputation Hirsch’s has built over 40 years.
“Winners always keep going. You need to keep
He recalls being “absolutely flat broke” the day your vision and keep on working hard when things
Hirsch’s Electrical Repairs opened, having spent go wrong.”
all his money on rent, the electricity deposit, and
marketing. He says it was enormously symbolic He acknowledges that being accessible differen-
being able to buy a loaf of bread costing 11 cents on tiates him. His door is always open to customers and
his way home. his contact details are freely available. He answers
calls personally, and if necessary, apologises and sorts
Initially, Allan only repaired goods, but his a customer’s problem. He maintains that “who is right
reputation and knowledge led to him to becoming is less important than the customer being happy.”
a formal dealer as well. He recalls working long
hours when others took weekends off. With the help Allan has received wide recognition for his
of his wife and partner, and the use of innovative contribution to business. Winning the Marketing
marketing, and a big demand was created for Hirsh’s Management Institute’s “Marketer of the Year
products. More branches were opened, initially in Award” in 1994 stands out for him.
KZN, and later Hirsch’s became a national brand Allan and his wife Margaret have been married
and the biggest privately-owned appliance dealer in for 47 years. They have two children, Richard and
southern Africa. Luci, both of whom are part of the business, and he
Allan says hard work with a goal in mind was is the proud grandfather of five boys. Mention should
necessary. Retail requires listening to customers and be made that Allan keenly follows sport, especially
keeping them happy; he believes his success is due cricket.
to serving others. He says, “I realised my purpose in Since he has a “why”, Allan says, he is ready to serve
life is to serve.” for another 40 years, or however long he may have.

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