sparks
ELECTRICAL NEWS
april
2013
3
contractors’ corner
Personality of the Month
SHAWN Roets, Voltex regional manager for theWestern Cape enjoys
problem solving.
His analytical mind – forged in both the financial and commercial
trading fires – recognises how these crucial elements complement
each other in a successful business. This, coupledwith Shawn’s astute
pragmatismand inherent leadership qualities, all point to amotivat-
ed and inspired team leader who doesn’t settle for second best.
Sparks:
Where were you educated?
SR:
I grew up in Nigel on the East Rand, where I matriculated. After
school, I studied BCompt at UNISAwhile doingmy articles at a small
firmof chartered accountants.
Sparks:
How long have you been involved in the electrical industry?
SR:
I’ve been in this industry for 16 years.
Sparks:
When andwhere did you start your career?
SR:
I originally joinedVoltex on the audit and financial side of the
business and later moved to commercial and trading.
Sparks:
What are the greatest changes you’ve seen over the years?
SR:
I think the Industry has gone through a number of cycles and
changes, especially since the early 2000s when we went through a
period of sustained high growth; then there was the global financial
dip in 2007/8. As far as the South African energy landscape is con-
cerned, we have becomemuchmore conscious of our low reserve
Success is born while others sleep
capacity, thus the focus on Demand SideManagement
(DSM) projects andmore energy efficient technologies to
manage demand.
Sparks:
What major projects have you worked on and
what is your greatest accomplishment?
SR:
We were involved in a number of landmark projects
in theWestern Cape, particularly leading up to the 2010
SoccerWorld Cup. On a personal level, I must say it has
been to see the ENGAGE campaign grow froma small
pilot project in theWestern Cape to a full national cam-
paign, with events and interaction taking place on a truly
national scale, both with our customers and the industry
in general.
Sparks:
Have you won any awards?
SR:
I won an Outstanding Achievement Award in 2012
and have twice been nominated as a finalist for the Chair-
man’s Award.
Sparks:
Who has been your inspiration, or has amentor
influenced your career?
SR:
Inmy early days in the industry, mymentor was Colin
Eddles, who hadmany years of experience. He assisted
me inmaking the transition fromfinance to commerce.
Over the years, I have hadmany colleagues who have
had an influence on who I am today. However, I must ad-
mit to having an inquisitivemind and I always challenge
myself to learnmore.
Sparks:
What, to your mind, is one of the biggest chal-
lenges facing the industry at this time?
SR:
If I had to pick just one, I would say the rapid advance-
ment of new technology, especially if we take lighting as
an example. Just look at how fast the landscape is chang-
ing andmoving across tomore energy efficient lighting
sources such as LEDs. This was born out of semi-conduc-
tor technology, and not lighting in the traditional sense.
I believe that the pace of technology-driven change will intensify in
the years ahead.
Sparks:
What do you enjoymost about your job?
SR:
I enjoy the challenge of problem solving. I like to be challenged
and to challengemyself.With the role I currently play withinVoltex,
which often transcends the strict definition of my position, I amal-
lowed the freedom to pursue this fully. I value the fact that I amoften
invited to assist with solving problems in other areas of the business.
Sparks:
Howdo youmotivate your staff?
SR:
I believe we have to value our colleagues, both as business as-
sociates and, perhaps more importantly, for whom they are. I believe
strongly in creating opportunities for people to grow, and to attempt
to equip themwith the necessary skills and knowledge to do so. At
the same time, I ama strong believer in the strength of the team. I
thus look at my role as both a leader and a facilitator. It is important to
me to leave a legacy and I believe themost effective way to accom-
plish this is by empowering the team.
Sparks:
If you could‘do it all again’, would you change anything? If so,
what would that be?
SR:
As I have really enjoyed the journey so far, I would not change
anything.
Sparks:
Would you advise a school-leaver to enter the electrical
industry? And, if so, why?
SR:
Yes, I believe that there are numerous opportunities for young
people in our industry. There aremany new technologies converging
with our traditional electrical ones. Look, for instance, at telecom-
munications and computerisation in the industry. Smart metering
solutions and supplymanagement are just two exciting areas to be
in, giving the opportunity to grow as new technology grows.
Sparks:
What is your advice to electrical contractors and/or electrical
engineers?
SR:
Stay abreast of the changing landscape and technological
advances. In the short term, I would focus on the energy-efficiency
sector.
Sparks:
What is your favourite quote?
SR:
“Success is born while others sleep.”
Sparks:
Name three things on your‘bucket list’(things you want to
do before you‘kick the bucket’).
SR:
I would like to climbMount Kilimanjaro; run at least onemore
Comrades Marathon; and takemy wife and daughters on a skiing
holiday.
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