Page 125 - KZN Top Business Women 2019 eBook

I believe it’s a level playing field,

but we have to play our part too. The right mindset is vital.

consulting and scoping customer requirements. You can plan ahead as much as you like, but we
Director,
of IDU KZN “We’re experts in what we do and we understand our support our clients through critical reporting
solutions very well,” says Margie, “but we also need to timelines and our work is often driven by factors
ARGIE WHITTEN, even as a child was really understand our clients’ business needs too, so out of our control.” Margie admits that she doesn’t
interested in business, perhaps from force we can marry the two knowledge pools together to have a work-life balance. “I’m not even sure it’s a
Mof circumstance. Her parents placed a high implement the right solutions to each client’s needs.” real thing,” she laughs. “I’ve tried, but when your
value on education, and chose to make real sacrifices Women don’t face the same challenges as they customers need you, they tend to come first – that’s
to send her to a private boarding school. But it was a did years ago what makes our business.”
financial stretch, and Margie didn’t have many of the On the bright side, Margie points out, when she
“necessities” the other girls took for granted. Undaunted Over the years, Margie has had many role models, stopped stressing about work-life balance, somehow
by this, she realised she didn’t have to go without. “I’ve but right now she singles out Michelle Obama as things fell into place. “It works for us. Though recently,
always been very determined,” she says, “and I was an an inspiration. “She’s a strong, competent woman, my son does seem to love piling on the guilt about
entrepreneur before I was 16.” Margie set up several with a transparent commitment to her husband, her me being a working mom.”
small businesses while she was at school, her favourites marriage, her family and she does incredible work
being an after-hours tuckshop and her second-hand for the community. She’s such a real person and she Planning ahead
clothing business. hasn’t been swallowed up by her husband’s power If Margie had the chance to do it all again, she
and success.”
A lucky break started Margie on her path to director wouldn’t change much, but she says she would take
of IDU KZN. She was invited to an interview by an IT Margie is adamant that there’s an even playing a longer term approach to her goals. “I’ve always
company, and got the job – and this launched her field in the IT world today. “Things have definitely had short and medium term goals, but I’d plan
career. Here too she connected with the developers changed. We don’t face challenges that men don’t better for the life I wanted at the end, and set out
of the IDU software that powers her business. But it have to deal with, at least in our industry, and I see to achieve that. I was a late starter when it came to
takes more than a lucky break to make a career. “It this similarity in my clients’ companies too,” says motherhood, with a miracle baby when I was 40,
was more of a natural progression,” she says, pointing Margie. “I believe it’s a level playing field, but we and having a child made me realise I needed to have
out that a huge amount of hard work was required to have to play our part too. The right mindset is vital. long-term plans in place. So I changed by mindset
build her career. We have equal opportunities in business and we and it’s working for me.”
need to make the most of them.”
IDU KZN helps medium to larger corporates in KZN “I’m happy with what I’ve accomplished,” says Margie,
and into Africa with budgeting and financial reporting She does acknowledge, however, that women “but I’m not happy that I’m heading to the end of my
systems that simplify financial management. As probably take on more responsibilities than men, career. There’s still so much I want to achieve – and
Margie puts it, “We make it easier for our clients to when it comes to domestic duties, and that can add it’s not just about me.” Margie points out that she
make sound business decisions based on accurate stress and present time challenges. “But we do have certainly didn’t achieve her success on her own, and
financial information, without having to spend hours more resources to support us in being wives and her team has been invaluable in growing the business
crunching numbers.” mothers as well as business people.” and delivering value to their clients. “One of my core

With a strong focus on growth, her prime role is business “I’m lucky to have the support of an incredible goals right now is to help my team create a secure
development, but she is also involved with business husband who’s happy to share the load at home. financial future for themselves.”

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