Sewells announces winners of Businessman of the Year awards

Shaun Scholtz of Buffalo Toyota in Mthatha in the Eastern Cape was winner of the Medium Category, Chris Drummond of Suzuki in Pretoria winner in the Small Category, while Craig Gillesen of Eagle Ford in Johannesburg was named the Most Improved Performance Group Member for 2014.

"Reaching a pinnacle of performance in South Africa's intensively competitive motor business and being adjudged the best-of-the-best in today's challenging economy, takes enormous commitment and very special skills," said Dr George Nyabadza, CEO of Sewells Group.

"Each of our 17 nominees has had to master the 'Art and Science' of automotive retailing in our sub-continent, and each of them would be able to equal or better motor dealers across the world. The 'art' side of that equation is in winning the hearts of customers and dealer staff, and the 'science' is exemplified in the eight leadership spheres which produce five distinct models which Sewells Group advocates with its dealer clients in this challenging business sector," Dr Nyabadza said.

These models encompass:

• achievement of impeccable financials;
  
• sustenance of appropriate business practice systems;
  
• developing the capacity to deliver and sustain outstanding customer experiences;
  
• leadership provided by the dealer principals; and
  
• implementation of an overall strategy and vision for the business.