Page 87 - KZN Leaders Portfolio E-BOOK 2107

Chief Executive Officer at DRG Outsourcing
stands for ‘Programma Uitzending Managers’, which is
Dutch for ‘Manager Deployment Programme).
AVID WHITE’s professional career has been
driven by a passion for the development of This growth resulted in White being named as one
people and especially creating employment of the leading entrepreneurs in South Africa in 2006.
D through helping people build their own The early success of the company also saw DRG
enterprises. White says his greatest strength is in his Outsourcing listing and then 18 months later, due to
single-minded approach to life, which has assisted in the dot.com collapse as well as some other factors,
his company, DRG Outsourcing, reaching its 20 year having to delist. White reports that this situation was a
milestone in 2016. major setback and that starting again from scratch was
Although he has always been “involved in the very challenging and a hugely stressful time in his life.
trenches”, White said that his company’s success The regrowth of the company saw DRG Outsourcing
would not be possible without the support of his team winning a KZN Top Business Award in the Business
of employees. He said, “Everyone has very similar and Finances Sector in 2010. White said, “Being
values, genuinely like people, and they focus on our 21 years old in 2017 is great. We have a competent
clients’ needs. Having skilled people who are trusted and confident team with well designed systems and
and caring has helped us build a company culture processes in place.” Under the DRGSiyaya brand
that has geared us to arriving where we are today. In label, the company is looking to grow further through
addition, they are all empowered to lead rather than the establishment of a country wide system of
follow. If they perceive themselves as leaders and franchise outlets.
have confidence in their own abilities, they can pass
on these traits to our clients. For me it is important to White said, “In addition, through BusinessFit, an
respect and look after my team, so they will in turn enterprise development entity, my goal is to create
look after and respect our clients.” employment and help people to access the many
opportunities that exist in South Africa. I believe
A major goal of DRG Outsourcing’s service offerings South Africa could be the entrepreneurial capital of
has always been to help companies to do things better. the world.”
This goal includes developing innovative responses
to helping small and medium sized companies meet “We need more entrepreneurs and the BusinessFit
their operational objectives, as well as reporting methodology is magnificent in assisting them to move
requirements and compliance with the relevant from start-up to a successful, established business.
legislation. We also need to encourage experienced people with
business skills to spend time with these entrepreneurs
“In its early years DRG Outsourcing grew very
quickly, which was very exciting,” said White. “Initially to guide and support their development,” he said.
our ideas were ahead of their time. We had to wait White concluded that South Africa is in real need of
for the market to catch up and also had to educate an economic leadership team. He said, “I am positive
our clients to the advantages of using our services. about South Africa and the people of South Africa but
In addition, there was no support for our industry. we don’t always hear from our leaders about avenues
We greatly benefitted from the Netherlands PUM already created and how we should access them.”
Programme that provides a fantastic mentorship
service,” he said. Through PUM, Loet Schledon, a When not working White and his wife, Daisy can
73 year old gentleman and seasoned outsourced service be found enjoying the outdoors either walking their
provider, visited DRG four times over a four year period greyhounds, on the beach or in a wilderness area,
to help create its “outsource” service model. (PUM where he says he feels most alive.

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