Deven Govender
Head Of Private Sales at Trader Media Group South Africa - Auto Trader
Born
in Johannesburg
Head Of Private Sales: The Car Trader (Pty) Ltd T/A Auto Trader, a division of Trader Media Group International. Specialties: Change management from product focus to market focus and Develop strategies and transform them into tactics and manage operational implementation.
Business Address
Deven Govender's Professional details
Current Position(s)
Previous Position(s)
Portfolio
Involved in overseeing new smart box project, whereby customers we able to automate bulk cash deposits using the smart box solution. First accurate balancing system deployed to ensure that all transactions balance.
Administrator (Icon@World Online)
1999
One of the biggest ISP projects from Icon (Internet Solution) to Vodacom Worldonline. Managed the debtors books to ensure move did not carry any outstanding debt across to Worldonline.
The launch of the new Flysaa.com website involved providing excellent customer service and encourage customers to use online booking engine as self serve vs traditional booking methods. Ensuring that all SAA passengers have a smooth and hassle free journey outbound and onwards and to promote the Voyager frequent flyer programme.
• Programme managed a complete transition of the South Africa business to reposition the brand as the market leader. A complex programme that included introducing traditional media into Namibia and delivering a brand new automotive classified Website and mobile offering.
• Implemented singular programme / project management methodology throughout the whole organisation aligned to Ireland and the UK.
Responsible for reporting back to the corporate Programme Office on 3 key area’s:
• Cost Leadership
Managing all initiatives that offer cost efficiencies or operational cost reduction
• Strategic Planning
Assisting the Executive and Senior Stakeholders in shaping the long term vision for the organisation
• Business Transformation
Managing all change programmes throughout the business to ensure objective and benefit realization
• Strategic Planning and Market Insights though vision and planning, utilizing business strengths to make strong consumer and commercial decisions
• Innovative product development by understanding consumer needs and market anticipation through idea generation, selection and fulfillment
• Sales and marketing performance covering consumer segmentation, product management, channel selection, sales execution, promotion and advertising
• People planing-. Plan capacities according to yearly sales projections
To increase the shareholder value and maximize profit by improving the operational efficiencies and maximum utilization for the available resources.
Keys for success:
• Integrity
• Ethics
• Leadership
• Teamwork
• Training
• Recognition
• Communication
• Continuous Improvement
Educational history
Secondary
Lenasia South Secondary, Lenasia South, South Africa (1995)
Tertiary
Gauteng | 2006 - 2006
Management Development Programme - Personal Leadership & Interpersonal Skills, Effective Speaking, Buisness Writting Skills,Team Leadership, Management Principles
Airways Park, South Africa | 2002 - 2002
South African Airways - Voyager Theory and Systems
South Africa | 2000 - 2000
South African Airways - Saafari - Intertnational Fares and Ticketing
Sandton | 2000 - 2000
Siebel End-User Training - Call Centre Query Logging Systems For South African Airways - www.Flysaa.com Project
Airways Park, South Africa | 1996 - 1996
South African Airways - Ticketing and Fares 1
Bramley, South Africa | 1996 - 1996
Certificate in Travel And Tourism - Ticketing and Fares, Travel Law, Travel Finnance, Basic Bookkepping, Front Office Management
Gauteng
MAP - Ecconomics, Human Resources, Finance, Strategy, Operations, Marketing
Wits Business School
Achievements
Awards
Call Centre Agent of The Year | 2011
Won the best call centre agent of the year award. Merchants - Dimention Data.
Shortlist and nomination
Call Centre Supervisor of The Year (Short List) | 2008
Outstanding Performanceand Team Leadership
Call Centre Agent of The Year (Nomination) | 2001
Outstanding Performance across all projects with the highest CSI scores.
media exposure
MAKE THE CUSTOMER THE CENTRE OF YOUR UNIVERSE SALES GURU 2010
Article published in the September 2010 Issue of SALES GURU Magazine on page 25. This article relates to Customer Relationships
Competitive Accomplishments
Lenasia | Ghandi Walk | 1996
Academic Achievements
Group Dynamics
Principles of Human Resources
Principles of Economics
Principles of Accounting and Finance
Principles of Marketing
Principles of Operations
Principles of Strategic Management
Management Development Programme - Personal Leadership & Interpersonal Skills, Effective Speaking, Buisness Writting Skills,Team Leadership, Management Principles
South African Airways - Ticketing and Fares 1 (Silver) | 1996
Recieved a Silver Certificate, Airways Park, South Africa 1996 - 1996
South African Airways - Saafari - Intertnational Fares and Ticketing (Gold) | 2000
Recieved a Gold Certificate, Airways Park, South Africa 2000-2000
South African Airways - Voyager Theory and Systems (Gold) | 2002
Recieved a Gold Certificate, Airways Park, South Africa 2002-2002
Certificate in Travel And Tourism | 1996
Ticketing and Fares, Travel Law, Travel Finnance, Basic Bookkepping, Front Office Management
Other Achievements
MAKE THE CUSTOMER THE CENTRE OF YOUR UNIVERSE | SALES GURU | 2010
Article published in the September 2010 Issue of SALES GURU Magazine on page 25. This article relates to Customer Relationships.
Activities
Memberships
Member, 2012 - present
The Institute of Directors was founded in London in 1903 and granted a Royal Charter by King Edward VII three years later.
The southern Africa chapter of the Institute was established in Johannesburg in 1960. In 1985, it formed a Section 21 company and registered as an Association Not For Gain (Registration No. 1985/002734/08).
The first president of the IoDSA was Harry F Oppenheimer (1960 – 1986), followed by Basil E Hersov (1986 – 2001). Hersov remains the Life Honorary Patron of the Institute. Reuel J Khoza, only the third president in 50 years, was elected in 2001.
The IoDSAs first vice-president is Mervyn E. King SC. The remaining vice-presidents are all eminent business professionals elected from the membership.
In 2009 the IoDSA became independent from its London counterpart. Over the years, the Institute has become increasingly autonomous of the IoD in the United Kingdom, but has maintained close links with it and still enjoys a working relationship and reciprocity.
community
Govender-Gounden-Naidoo Feeding Scheme
Volunteer, 2009 - present
Our feeding scheme takes place once a month to provided to children and the elderly with a hot meal in Lenasia South for the Hospital Hills Informal Settlement. Kids are also given a pack consisting of juice, chips and sweets.
Sri Devi Karumari Amman Seva Sungam
Devotee, 2010 - present
Sri Devi Karumari Amman Seva Sungam. Lenasia South.
Sathya Sai Centre
Devotee, 2000 - present
Sathya Sai Centre, Lenasia South.
Other Activities
Indoor Soccer
Defender, 2009 - present
Indoor soccer takes place once a week on a Saturday with six-a-side football match.
Testimonials
"“Deven is a highly motivated sales manager, who gets the best from his team, through effective team building skills and professional management. i have no hesitation in recommending Deven for a senior sales role and would employ him quite happily” September 9, 2010
Ron McEwan, Managing Director International, Trader Media SA
managed Deven indirectly at Trader Media Group
" - 2010
"“Deven is a thoughtful and purpose driven student. He challenges assumptions, thinks critically and actively seeks ways to immediately apply new skills and concepts.” July 27, 2010
Erik Vermeulen, Leading Global expert and professional Speaker on Behaviour and Motivation., Leader Motivation Systems,
advised Deven at LEADER MOTIVATION
" - 2010
"“I met Deven Govender for the first time when he came to study on the Wits Business School’s Management Advancement Programme. I lectured his class on Group Dynamics and Principles of Human Resource Management. Deven is extremely committed to learning and his goal – to strengthen his knowledge in management and leadership. He did well in my modules and his marks prove that. Deven is now planning to grow in his management/leadership position and I strongly support his decision. Indeed, he is definitely an asset for any organisation.” January 10, 2011
Rasoava Rijamampianina, Prof., Wits University,
taught Deven at University of the Witwatersrand
" - 2011
"“Deven is a hardworking, intelligent, go-getter. He easily grasps new ideas and changes. He uses his own initiative to implement processes and procedures to optimise operations and assist people through the change process. It was a pleasure working with Deven” August 4, 2010
Annalene Robertson, Consultant, Dimention Data
managed Deven at Merchants (Dimension Data)
" - 2010
"“He is extremely professional and very client focussed, always ensuring the best outcome for the client.
I was also very impressed with his extensive experience of the industry and the insight this provides.” July 2, 2010
Mel Camilleri, Director, Africa Consulting, Merchants SA a Dimension Data Company
" - 2010
"“Deven is hard working, commited and ambitious. He has excellent attention to detail and never backs away from hard work. He will be an asset for any company that employs him.” July 5, 2010
Avesh Singh, Head of Operations, Merchants, Dimension Data
managed Deven at Merchants (Dimension Data)
" - 2010
"“I have had the pleasure of working with Deven Govender for over seven years and watching him grow has been outstounding.
I have closely watched Deven develop into a fine leader and he currently manages our company’s National Call Centre (NCC). Additionally, Deven’s desire to stay at the top of his game is clear as he consistently offers a fresh perspective and creative approach to projects.
Deven also approaches his projects by calculating risks and making solid determinations. He is also constantly looking for new challenges, skill building and developing a resourceful network of colleagues that respect and admire him.
I will always hold Deven in the highest esteem” November 7, 2010
Ronelle James, Head of Human Resources, Auto Trader
worked directly with Deven at Trader Media Group
" - 2010
"“When I first met Deven he was Private Advertising Manager at South Africa Auto Trader. The business was about to embark on a major transformation program that included operational restructure of Sales, Service and business model. The program also included the development and implementation of a new automotive website.
Deven’s pragmatic approach and keen attention to detail made him the ideal candidate to take up the role of Project Manager ensuring the effective day-to-day management of all activity across 11 workstreams.
This was Deven’s first Project Management role, however his natural skills and approach to his objectives impressed me and I am sure that he will continue to develop and become very successful within this discipline.
Deven is also a very approachable individual able to appropriately manage stakeholders and encourages engagement across the project teams at all levels within the organisation.
A pleasure to work with!” September 28, 2011" - 2011
