Brian Adams
Strategist, Development Facilitator, Desticorp
Born
in South Africa
Brian Adams has more than 20 years experience in enterprise development and has served in senior management positions in various organisations since 1988. He is a dynamic speaker and facilitator who get his participants to think, apply their minds and develop and act in new ways that promote forward movement by design.
Business Address
Brian Adams's Professional details
Current Position(s)
Chief Executive | DestiCorp
Cape Town, South Africa | 2011 - present
Consulting and Project Management
Strategist, Development Facilitator, Business Builder, Process Consulting, Executive Advisor, Training, Strategic Partnerships, Enterprise Development Specialist
Previous Position(s)
Strategist, Founding Fellow | Afriversity
Cape Town, South Africa | 2008 - 2010
Other
Established Afriversity in South Africa
Social Development and Community Services
Brian managed and led the Business Information Department of the Chamber (with nine staff members reporting to him). The Dept served members and the wider business community (national and international) with business intelligence and relevant information for business growth and development. The Dept also managed communications and publications (electronic and print) from the Chamber and served as secretariat for business representation fora which included BEE, Transport, Port Liaison, HR. etc.
Brian's efforts in bidding for a R1.8m USAID grant resulted in the Chamber being awarded the contract to train and develop 100 business owners over a 18 month period. Brian developed and managed the Integrated Small Business Owner Development Programme (iSBDP) which resulted in local business owners improving their own strategic management skills and growing their businesses.
Portfolio
Brian has consulted with a range of national companies and organisations in the field of SME Research, Programme Development, Organisational Development and various people and process interventions. Clients he has worked with include: GTZ, DFID, City of Cape Town, Social Housing Foundation, Department of Health, Disabled People South Africa, Table Mountain National Park, Ukuvuka Operation Firestop, SEDA, Cape Craft Design Institute, Eskom, Cape Chamber of Commerce, SAIBL, SASDC, SCAT, NDA and PGWC.
Achievements
Awards
Brian was awarded with the US Department of State's International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) in 2008. The IVLP brings participants to the United States from all over the world each year to meet and confer with their professional counterparts and to experience the U.S. firsthand. Those chosen are deemed current or potential leaders in government, politics, the media, education, and other fields. As part of the programme Brian visited and confered with various business leaders and eminent persons in New York, Washington DC and Atlanta
media exposure
A memorandum was collected by Zingile Dingani, secretary to parliament, Eskom regional human resources manager Lionel Henn and Cape Chamber of Commerce business information manager Brian Adams.
Brian conducting a strategy workshop with business owners...
Other Achievements
Tutor at Business School Netherlands (BSN) on Management Development Programme
The competition focuses on technology and innovation in the fields of biotechnology, telecommunications and media, information and communication technology (ICT), clean technology, healthcare and social entrepreneurship.
Entrepreneurship and innovation are vehicles for change. The Young Entrepreneur program is based on models of entrepreneurial leadership and change management where a leader is one who has both an attitude and aptitude to recognize opportunities for positive change and who has the skills to implement such change.
Served as Judge for Western Cape SMME Business Launch Pad 2009 | 2009
Facilitated the first participation of a South African awardee (Anni Bodington) for the International Women's Entrepreneurial Challenge IWEC in 2008 (awards were held in Manhattan, New York).
Testimonials
"“Brian has spent a lifetime in promoting entrepreneurship development and motivating entrepreneurs (and supplying the means) to take a strategic view of their businesss and developing the expertise to work on (and not in) their businesses.
Brian is a deeply principled person who strives to add value to the lives of other people and as someone with practical business experience, offers more than just academic theory or corporate management experience to entrepreneurs.
Brian is an excellent networker and champion for SME Enterprise Development.”
Carel Venter, Business Mentor & Strategy Consultant, Centre for Synergy Development" - 2009
"“I am privileged to write in support of Brian Adams whom I worked with for a period of two years. Brian joined the organisation in 2006 and was my direct line manager.
As my manager he focused on my personal development through mentoring and presenting me with challenges on a regular basis. As a result I progressed and became a manager in the organisation.
Brian was highly dedicated to the organisation and is a reliable person with good interpersonal skills. He also has an independent mind and a strong social commitment.”
Narieman Solomon " - 2008
"“In our orientation phase to start up new activities in South Africa we also arrived at the Cape Chamber and met Brian. We really appreciated his knowledge and enthusiasm to support us in finding our ways in SA. We can recommend to get in contact with Brian and get him involved in your plans.”
Rob van Maanen, CEO, Global Work Support
Chairman at Job Realisation South Africa
Director at FlexPay BV, Marktentree
" - 2010
"“My company had the pleasure of placing Brian in his post at The Chamber of Commerce. He was a breath of fresh air as he energised the work place. His business acumen is sound and well developed. He introduced innovative ideas and concepts that still live on today. Brian was respected by the Chamber Board, staff and Council. I highly recommend Brian as a person and business professional.”
Nadia Mason, Founder: Nadia Mason & Associates " - 2006
Mignon Hattingh
"“Brian has very good knowledge of his subject. He is a great listener, he has the ability to look at a situation and always come up with creative solutions. He has been my lecturer, we have been students together and he is an awesome friend.
I highly recommend Brian as a consultant and business trainer. He truly gets the best out of his participants.”
Mignon Hattingh, Owner at Mignonnettes " - 2005
"“Brian gives his all to meet project objectives and add value to the end-user.”
Christoff Oosthuysen, Flow Coach at Flow Finders International, Business Improver at BusinessOwner&Co
" - 2010
"“Brian Adams is a highly motivated entrepreneur. He has keen insight to many aspects of business and always seeks opportunities to share those insights. He lives for empowerment of individuals and finds great pleasure at setting plans and programmes in motion to see said individuals achieve and perform at their maximum. He loves sharing knowledge and strives always to create platforms for collaboration and learning”
Eugene J Kruser, Owner, Jacqui-K Business Solutions and Trading, worked for Brian at Triple Trust Organisation
" - 2008
"“Brian is a trustworthy person and a real team player. He is well respected by people. He is excellent in handling people and you can learn a lot from him because of his knowledge. He is always committed in what he is doing and always complete what he has started. He is good in planning and implementing what he has planned for. I will recommend Brian for any contract or business assignment.”
Gerald Hartnick, Field Worker, Social Change Assistance Trust, Reported to Brian at Triple Trust Organisation" - 2008
"“I worked with Brian for seven years (1991-1998), and experienced him to be passionate about development, and about making a positive difference in the lives of individuals in the communities where Triple Trust worked. He is a man of integrity, honesty and sincerity, and displayed a dedication to his work that I found to be inspiring.”
Ruth Martin, Head of Public Relations, Triple Trust Organisation - worked with Brian at Triple Trust Organisation" - 1998
