Business Connexion's Isaac Mophatlane on how CEOs catch up on family matters at The Sun International CEO SleepOut™
Group CEO of JSE-listed ICT company Business Connexion Group, Isaac Mophatlane is keen to return to The Sun International CEO SleepOut™ this year as it's an incredible platform that not only raises awareness on major social issues but also provides a space for business leaders to reflect on matters outside of money: family and the value of life.
Think ICT and you more than likely think speed, the backbone of a lot of businesses and just one big 'rush' of an industry.
It is for this reason that Business Connexion's Group CEO Isaac Mophatlane looks forward to opportunities such as The Sun International CEO SleepOut™: "I think the great part is that with some of the CEOs, you tend to bump into each other at airports or Gautrain and you always never have time just to have coffee and what was quite fun last year was that people were not really talking about business. It was more of a catch up on one’s life and family, how are you doing - there was not a lot of business discussion. So it wasn’t like you were taking someone for golf and talking through deals!”
Isaac walks through additional motivations for participating in #4Leaders4Change challenge: "To raise awareness and I think most importantly as well, as CEOs, we never have enough time just to get away and do some stuff. It’s something unusual, not like a usual charity thing that everyone gets to do, but I think it brings home the plight of homeless people we have in this country and the inequality that we have to deal with. I think in a small way, we can raise some money for charities and also raise awareness about some of the challenges we have as a country.”
In 1996, Isaac co-founded the former Business Connection, a computer reseller focused on Government and parastatals with his twin brother, Benjamin, which subsequently merged with Seattle Solutions in 2001.
In 2004, the company merged with Comparex Africa and he was appointed as Group Executive: Client Engagement - Public Sector. His strong leadership quality saw Isaac heading up the Innovation division which consisted of Business Connexion’s own software and packaged intellectual property. In 2013 Isaac was appointed Group Executive for Canoa SA which Business Connexion acquired in 2011. This acquisition helped the group to fulfil its strategy on establishing it as a convergence player with capabilities in the previously distinct areas of content, printing, telecommunications and information technology.
In his current position as Group Chief Executive Officer, Isaac’s extensive knowledge of Business Connexion and his successful track record in increasing revenue’s will provide key direction to the Groups overall strategic vision.
Isaac has called on Dion Shango, CEO of PwC Southern Africa to Rise Up To The Challenge #4Leaders4Change