The business benefits of putting people first

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The uncertainties of local economies and the logistics of moving materials and people across difficult terrain can exacerbate these challenges, keeping managers awake at night - especially if operations are concentrated in Africa.

Staffing business operations with expatriates (expats) who have to liaise with local employees creates additional stresses and risks - a scenario that is fairly standard for companies like Bolloré Logistics Africa, a subsidiary of the French, family-owned Bolloré Group, operating in 55 countries worldwide, 45 of which are in Africa.

Although Africa is open for investments, there is no doubt that it still poses significant challenges for business. Companies specialising in logistics have to meet demanding deadlines and the service delivery expectations of a wide range of customers, said Ethel Nyembe, Head of Small Enterprise of Standard Bank. The only solution, she said, is to ensure that effective partnerships are established to mitigate these risks.

The Growth Engines

"One partnership that is increasingly common on the continent comprises agreements between companies like Bolloré, which copes with the macro issues of doing business across multiple geographies and those that deal with the specialised, but equally demanding, task of recruiting and relocating expatriate staff for these organisations. The scale of the challenge may seem smaller, but it is vital if the business is to succeed," said Nyembe, when discussing a recent episode of The Growth Engines, supported by Standard Bank and airing on Business Day TV.

Bolloré Logistics Africa, which moves about 6.5 million tons of various cargoes across Africa every year, saw the opportunities in Africa. Operations began in West Africa many years ago.

"We are known for moving heavy equipment and plant for our customers across Africa and also for our investment in ports all around the African Continent. We also create dedicated solutions for our customers," said Meryl Bengtsson, Regional Director: Human Resources of Bolloré Africa Logistics.

"We focus heavily on the oil and gas sectors and the mining and energy industries, meeting the natural demand for the full cycle of logistical services required. To deliver, you have to understand what routes are available and when they can be used, as well as points of entry into countries. Management of points of transition is also required if deliveries are to take place. This can involve colleagues collaborating simultaneously across three or four countries.

"You have to be very flexible and adaptable, a company that understands the diversity of thought, values, business practices and cultures existing in Africa. You can't be arrogant. You have to adapt your style to your location. It is one of our fundamental values."

Assimilation means reducing risk through building relationships and understanding. To achieve this, resources need to be used optimally to ensure that qualified expatriates have the skills to cope when working out fixed-term contracts in foreign climes.

Bolloré's partner in this process of smoothing through regulatory requirements and giving expats support is Marussia van der Merwe, Director: Expats On the Globe, who said that having expats prepared for the complexities of Africa means an integrated approach to immigration support, relocation assistance and inter-cultural education.

"Peace of mind and integration are the ultimate aims - both are necessary if people are to adapt and be successful in their new homes," said Connie Peter, also a director of Expats On The Globe.

Immigration increasing

"Immigration into South Africa is increasing as a result of the number of multinational organisations that have offices here and operate across the continent. They need specialised staff to assist on projects. Expats are required in several African markets; local people cannot often supply unique skills for many of the infrastructure projects underway on the continent.

"Education about the socio-economic environment in South Africa means also preparing expats culturally. Immigration without integration simply cannot succeed."

"The message is clear. Moving a business into Africa means a myriad challenges at a macro level. Forgetting that the vital link in the value delivery chain is happy people, means running the risk of making very expensive mistakes," said Nyembe.

For more in-depth articles on the key themes explored in the programme, go to bizconnect.standardbank.co.za or bdlive.co.za/indepth/growthengines.