POPULAR SPEAKER FOR DURBAN ENTREPRENEURS

SHARK TANKS DAWN NATHAN JONES WOWS DURBAN ENTREPRENEURS.
It was a full house at the monthly Durban Entrepreneurs Club that took place at the Durban Country Club recently, with over 120 entrepreneurs in attendance to hear Dawn Nathan Jones, former CEO of Europcar, Entrepreneur, Investor and star of DSTV’s Shark Tank.
Commented Founder of the Club, Grant Gavin, “Dawns authentic and warm style certainly came through in the way she spoke, sharing her story from very humble beginnings as an entrepreneur, to leading a large corporate organisation, and now back to her ‘roots’ of entrepreneurship.”
Dawn believes that mentorship of young entrepreneurs is vital in South Africa and is putting a lot of focus on mentorship going forward. She also pointed out the importance of branding ones business as well as oneself, as people want authenticity and need to know who you are.

Other major pointers:

Navigating turbulence. This is the one common part of running a business. Use this opportunity to reinvent. Disruption is the new normal. Get used to it.
Purpose over profit. Always think of People, and the Planet in your decisions as a business leader. Profit will follow.
Always be aware of changing trends. Business decisions often need to be socially, politically and environmentally correct. Leaders need to be constantly reading and learning.
Collaboration vs competition. Opportunities abound when great minds and great companies work together to solve problems
Business is now softer and less masculine. Old ‘hard style’ of management is being replaced by softer people skills in terms of leading and coaching teams.
Innovation. Reinvent your brand and yourself all the time.
Have a Flexible structure and the ability to change quickly. Surround yourself with excellent people; Find your purpose and build on it; Understand the importance of knowing what your purpose is, and then build everything around you serving your purpose.

Concluded Grant “It was a real treat for our Durban Entrepreneurs to get to listen to such a successful Business women in an intimate setting. Dawn was engaging and authentic and endeared herself to her audience. Durban can be proud that one of their own is leading the way in giving back to aspiring entrepreneurs.