Page 93 - KZN Top Business Portfolio - EBOOK 2019

Founder of the Edison Power Group that we had over 40 years ago, too many people
fail because they don’t value clients. I started off my
IVIAN REDDY, founder of the Edison business, Reddy Electrical, in the apartheid regime
Power Group, is an astute businessman and changed the name to Edison Power to hide my
with the drive to achieve perfection in all identity. We were outstanding in our work such that I
Vthat he does. became recognised by the quality of my work; not by
Reddy said, “My core strength is my focus in the colour of my skin.”
everything that I do.” He said that he has always dreamt The Edison Power Group has grown into the largest
big, has had a vision for what he aims to achieve and is and the most diversified electrical business in Africa.
passionate about the projects he embarks on. Reddy added that one needs to diversify in order to
ensure constant growth.
One example is the R4,2 billion Oceans Umhlanga,
a mixed-use development, in which he was involved For South African businesses to grow, he believes
in the design. The just rewards for this personal that they should be bolder. He said, “South African
involvement panned out in the shape of the business need to invest more and create more
International Award for the Best Architecture for a employment opportunities to succeed. When people
Mixed-Use Development in Africa. are marginalised and are hungry, it is to the detriment
Another example is the Newcastle Mall, which of the business environment.”
won the South African Council of Shopping Centre’s Reddy is the youngest of nine children. He said that
(SACSC) Retail Development and Design Awards the values of integrity and trustworthiness that he
(RDDA), Spectrum Award for the best overall learnt from his schoolteacher father have got him to
development in 2013. where he is today. From an early age, he would spend
Reddy says that as a leader you must decide what weekends pushing bricks in a wheelbarrow to assist
you want and do everything that it takes to achieve in building classrooms. My dad always taught me that
this. He added, “You need to think about the small service to humanity is the best work of life.
things in your business and put in the extra effort.” The Edison Power Group has now adopted schools
However, he said that you are only as good as the with a zero-pass rate and assists with tutoring,
people you employ, and he expected his employees monitoring progress and provides incentives
to perform at their best. Edison Corporation has a for learners to achieve better results. He further
philosophy of CANEI - Constant and Never Ending commented that social investment projects are an
Improvement. “You can always do things better than important aspect of business. Companies need
yesterday,” said Reddy. to question how they can use their assets more
But, he added that you need to look after your productivity.
employees as valuable gold assets and reward Reddy has a big family with five children and five
their performance. “You can’t buy staff and they grandchildren. He emphasized that the life that you
need to know that they are not just numbers in an have at home is the most important thing that you
organisation,” said Reddy. have in providing peace and serenity. He added
Over the years, the Edison Corporation has that you are in control of your time and you need to
continually provided service excellence and put in make time for family and do the things that matter.
the extra effort to achieve results. Reddy commented He concluded, “You have to make family count and
that building relationships in business is essential. communicate and talk with each other, in my life
He said, “We still have relationships with clients family is No 1.”

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