Alec Hogg, Ross Malcolm and Filly Hayward - stalwart contributers at the conference

Our gathering this year was exceptional for the fact that we were honoured with the presence of three outstanding “guest” appearances.

Alec HoggAlec Hogg is already a celebrated radio and Television personality in the business environment in his own right, so we were fortunate that he was able to share his international insights into his recent attendance at the World Economic Forum in Davos and Warren Buffet’s Berkshire Hathaway AGM in Omaha. This is a rare world, and Alec is a rare guy, (if only as a graduate of Newcastle High!) and having him provide such direction on a sort of Quo Vadis (where to?) South Africa, was especially inspiring for our guys.

Ross MalcolmRoss Malcolm an ex Di Data man now ensconced at the head of affairs with SA’s 2^nd biggest veterinary wholesalers, provided us with a business case study on the two battles of Isandlwana and Rorke’s Drift, covering all the bases including strategy, organization and execution. Fascinating, and especially relevant at Fugitives Drift, where Rob Caskie is doing an admirable job of filling the void left by the legend, David Rattray.

Filly HaywardAs for Filly Hayward, she was everything we’ve come to expect; highly organized, ruthlessly efficient and appropriately humorous. She provided us with a comparative survey of where our tactile and virtual marketing is right now, taking us back in history to our earliest publications and concluded that at both the electronic and printed levels, we could unashamedly claim “World Class” status. Well done, Filly!! For what its worth, we agree, and yet we’re going to plumb even greater depths later this year.