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That was the message of Raymond Ackerman, founder of the Pick n Pay Group, to 300 local businesspeople on Tuesday morning.
The 82-year-old Ackerman and his daughter, Suzanne Ackerman-Berman, spoke at a business breakfast at the Moederkerk Hall. The main sponsor was Jetline e.com while the George Herald, as media sponsor advertised the event. All 300 tickets sold out within a week.
Telling his amazing story of building a supermarket chain of some 800 stores from three small shops bought in the 60s with borrowed capital, Ackerman stressed that the focus of a business should not be chasing after quick profits, but rather on how people's lives can be enhanced.
He likened a business to a table with the customers on top and the four legs on which it stands being sound administration, the merchandise/service, the employees, and advertising and promotion. "The latter equals social responsibility because if you help society, they will back you. Doing good is good business."
A lack in startup money is a surmountable problem for anyone who wants to start a business. "What you need is 90% guts and 10% capital," he said. When he was given the boot by Checkers in 1966 after growing the business from one to 89 branches, he had only two weeks' salary - and a wife and four children to support. An accountant friend helped him to garner 40 shareholders to invest capital, and the balance of what he needed was borrowed from a bank. That was the start of the Pick n Pay giant.
Ackerman said businesses should focus on the positives of South Africa post '94. "I admit there are problems, but we should not get bogged down by the negatives so much that we don't see all the amazing opportunities out there."
Pick n Pay is currently being remodelled to keep it relevant and in anticipation of Walmart's entrance into the South African market. "One can never stop building one's business. With strong opposition coming, we have decided to remodel our company and improve every aspect of it, from accounting to distribution and buying."
Upright and seemingly fit, a witty Raymond Ackerman came across as the perfect gentleman with a gentle air of nobility. A true le-gend in his own time.
Inspiring examples
Suzanne Ackerman-Berman elaborated on the vital role that business has to play in the transformation of society, giving inspiring examples of people who have blossomed into successful entrepreneurs with the assistance of Pick n Pay's social responsibility programme.
They are trying to make the economy, specifically the retail sector, more accessible to those who have never had opportunities. She runs a business incubator and together with her father they provide mentorship to black business owners. "I encourage you to take a young person under your wing to mentor and assist in succeeding in business. In that way you contribute to transformation and help build a better world."
View more photos here.
Enjoying some early morning networking are (from left) Lianda Fourie (Seda), Annalie van Dolderen (Margot Swiss), and Adele Potgieter and Johan Jordaan, both from the NMMU George Campus.
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The business breakfast sponsors with the Ackermans, from left, Fernando Gomez (Mini Pick n Pay), Jenny Rademan (Click-on-it), Ilse Schoonraad (George Herald editor), Wilma and Johan Rademan (Click-on-it), Raymond Ackerman, Suzanne Ackerman-Berman, Jurgen Weiland (Leading Edge), Ina Swart (PJ Swart Financial Advisors), Greg Fleet (Jetline e.com), Theresa Maher, José Gomez (Mini Pick n Pay) and dr. Hanneli Bendeman who acted as MC.
ARTICLE AND PHOTOS: ALIDA DE BEER, GEORGE HERALD JOURNALIST
