Performance
In addition to corporate
office functions to support
Bidvest strategy, Corporate
comprises Bid Property
Holdings, Bidvest Namibia
and Ontime Automotive.
Three continuing focus
areas designed to ensure
the long-term success of
Bidvest are new business
opportunities and their
commercialisation, brand
building and sustainability
leadership.
Bidvest is an acquisitive
company and we remained
alert for new growth opportunities.
However, no major new transactions
were concluded following
the implementation of the
Viamax acquisition.
BID CORPORATE SERVICES
2010 commercialisation
The 2010 committee set
up by the board completed
a comprehensive review
of commercial and tendering
opportunities. Relationships
have been formed with numerous
“players” in the organisational
process – FIFA, MATCH event
services, contractors,
the local organising committee,
the South African Football
Association, national,
regional and local government
and the host cities.
The chief executive and
all divisional chief executives
are represented on the
committee, which reports
directly to the board.
They have the responsibility
of identifying specific
commercial opportunities
and suggesting methods
of adding value to the
event while building South
Africa’s reputation as
a reliable and efficient
national host of major
sporting events (even when
no business opportunities
accrue).
The first tender successes
have been achieved, with
early emphasis on direct
contracts; for example,
electrical components and
supplies at stadiums from
Voltex (Bidvest Industrial
and Commercial Products)
and pitch laying and associated
services from TopTurf (Bidserv).
Increasingly, the focus
will fall on secondary
contracts as our companies
supply other contributors
to 2010. Many state agencies
and parastatals have World
Cup budgets and Bidvest
service-providers are well
positioned to meet their
needs.
Bidvest companies will
also be service providers
to MATCH Hospitality and
MATCH event services during
the 2009 Confederation
Cup, Africa’s premier soccer
tournament and “curtainraiser”
for 2010.
Bidvest Academy
The Bidvest Academy, the
Group’s talent incubator,
has established itself
as a proven mechanism for
transferring practical
leadership and business
skills. The seventh academy
programme was completed
and the first graduate
programme was finalised
in September. It prepares
previous academy graduates,
all of whom have progressed
in their divisions since
graduation, for a more
senior role by introducing
them to key strategic issues
and the challenges of business
sustainability.
The academy can point
to measurable success.
Ninety-seven percent of
students improved in at
least one important leadership
behaviour by a minimum
of 20% during their time
at the academy.
So far, nearly 450 leaders
have passed through the
academy, creating a new
generation of high-energy
executives committed to
innovative thinking and
the task of developing
the potential of all employees.
They have special focus
on client relationships
and the need for BEE innovation.
Increasingly, global economic
shifts are perceived as
opportunities.
Over the past four years,
the academy has built a
unique picture of the Group’s
knowledgebase and is positioned
to make an enduring contribution
to the business.
