Nancy Austin

NANCY Austin, the marketing manager at Circuit Breaker Industries Limited (CBI-electric low voltage) for the past two years, has many friends in the industry. Her outgoing personality and infectious laugh are only a part of her popularity... her integrity is above reproach and her commitment to her employer is laudable.
Sparks: Where were you educated?
NA: In Swaziland, South Africa, New York and London.

Sparks: How long have you been involved in the electrical industry?
NA: Two years.
Sparks: When and where did you start your career?
NA: I started my marketing career in 2000 at Sky News and CNN Media Television Network as a news anchor - focusing on marketing for various business sectors and government.
Sparks: What major projects have you worked on and what is your greatest accomplishment?
NA: There are two major projects: The AMEU Convention, which takes place annually, and Customer Focus Initiatives. Relationships and communication strength within the market place has won the company an A Gold Award.

Sparks: Have you won any awards?
NA: Yes, I got the New York Times ‘Movers and Shakers' award - for people who have made it in the corporate world - in 1989.
Sparks: Who has been your inspiration or have you had a mentor who has influenced your career?
NA: Joseph Christopher, my eldest brother, is a great source of inspiration to me and, as my mentor, he made two things clear to me: Firstly, the world is a very small place and a tarnished reputation cannot be polished. The sacred aspect of self is integrity. Never let that slip. And secondly, nothing comes without working hard and working smart; approach everything you do in life with absolute discipline and determination. Attitude and delivery mean everything.
Sparks: What, to your mind, are the biggest challenges facing the industry at this time?
NA: I believe the challenges facing the industry are the exodus of skilled people leaving South Africa - the brain drain - and the influx of inferior products into the country.

Sparks: What do you enjoy most about your job?
NA: The challenges energise me, and this is what makes me get out of bed in the morning; balancing my daily routine is at the cornerstone of my existence. I believe that as a fulfilled individual you need to love what you do.
Sparks: How do you motivate your staff?
NA: I let them know how great they are on a daily basis and remind them to strive for success in whatever they do. I interpret success differently - S.U.C.C.E.S.S. is ‘Self-Understanding Can Conquer Endless Stress Stay - focused'! The art of leadership is the ability to inspire your staff to be competent and committed, have work ethics, integrity, and humility and to perform to their maximum potential. This is my ‘Doctor Feel Good' prescription, which motivates the determination to succeed for my team. As a member of management, I need to be an active team player, as well. I believe in rolling up my sleeves and getting the job done, which sets the tone for my team. Lastly, I do not compromise when it comes to performance and results.

Sparks: If you could ‘do it all again', would you change anything? If so, what would that be?
NA: Change is a constant - you need to think out of the box to make a difference. There is nothing that I would do differently because I do not look back on anything... instead I look forward to new ventures and challenges into the future.
Sparks: Would you advise a person leaving school to enter the electrical industry? And why?
NA: There is a great need in our country for educated minds. Engineering skills are vital and it is one of the many sectors nationally, where the need for relevant skills is sorely required.
Sparks: What is your advice to electrical contractors and/or electrical engineers?
NA: Always use quality products. Do not risk people's lives with inferior products.

Sparks: What is your favourite quote?
NA: This might sound weird but I always live by this: Lives of great men all remind us, we can make our lives sublime, and, departing, leave behind us, footprints on the sands of time...." - Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.
Sparks: Name three things on your ‘bucket list' (things you want to do before you ‘kick the bucket').
NA: It's too early to think about that at the moment...