Topic: Innovation

Orchestrating Success

Armed only with a baton, enlivened by energy and humour, he conducts orchestras like none other. Leading thousands of novices and creating music that competes with the pros in its surpassing beauty.

They may not have rehearsed; and for some, it may be the very first time he or she has wielded a musical instrument. The Silent Conductor encourages his audience to sculpt a symphony that is uniquely theirs. He knits teams together and builds unity. He never says a word, but his music speaks volumes.

About Steve Barnett

Steve Barnett is The Silent Conductor. Born and raised in South Africa he has infused with the country’s unique rhythm. Steve has been a ‘Non-Speaker’ on the Professional Speakers circuit for the past 21 years in over 50 countries across six continents at venues such as Wembley Stadium and the Royal Albert Hall in London, to bush lodges in Africa. He has shared the podium with the likes of Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu, and Bill Clinton.

The Presentation

Using only simple percussion instruments, humour, and positive energy, he conducts his orchestra with ease. His performance is the perfect illustration of what is possible through good teamwork. Cultural, social and language barriers are forgotten as the audience becomes part of an experience that transcends words, and music is the metaphor.

Through his orchestrating, Steve subtly and quietly teaches the principles of effective leadership, effortless innovation, team-work and change management. Using facial expressions and body language as the tools of communication,

Steve guides his audience to discover the power of collaboration with these Basic Rules of Engagement:

Actions speak louder than words

Make work serious fun

Use the power of one to one

Smile, make eye contact, listen

Encourage the good stuff

Demonstrate belief in people

Visionary. Leader. Trailblazer. Miles Kubheka, aka Vuyo, is a game-changing entrepreneur who empowers others to find success. The IT graduate turned successful gastronomist is the founder, owner, and believer behind the renowned Vuyo’s brand, as well as being a sought-after public speaker.

Visionary

Miles has always had the desire to make a meaningful mark on the world and in 2012 he became the first person in the entire world to create a business based on a TV advert. The advert was about a character named “Vuyo” who starts off selling wors rolls from a food cart and then makes it “beeeg”. Miles innovatively trademarked the Vuyo’s brand and opened the first Vuyo’s restaurant in Braamfontein, serving fast-casual food, including gourmet-style South African staples, such as wors, potjiekos and pap. Miles expanded his enterprise to include food carts and then expanded it even further with the introduction of food trucks. He now has a restaurant on the famous Vilakazi Street, in Soweto, four food trucks, and more plans to expand and inspire.

Leader

Miles teaches would-be entrepreneurs that all that’s required to start a business is vision and a hunger to succeed. He believes Africa needs leaders committed to creating wealth for their communities and that doing good is good business.

Public Speaker

Miles connects with and inspires audiences of all ages and backgrounds and he’s proven this repeatedly during motivational talks at various events and companies, including at Sage Pastel, Discovery, and Wits Business School, among others. Miles is considered to be “one of South Africa’s best”, “an exceptional individual”, “a natural speaker”, and “truly excellent”. Miles has appeared on various talk shows and TV programs and in several publications. For a motivational talk with a difference, book Miles as a speaker at your next event.

Trailblazer for purely traditional South African food

Miles’ passion is to set in motion a South African food revolution – he wants South Africans to feel proud of their food and to be able to go out and eat “what they grew up eating”.

Miles lives in Johannesburg, where he cooks and eats good food, spends time with his adorable seven-year-old son, and stays up late plotting how best to change the world

Rethinking Innovation Culture, Practices and Structure.

Paul helps start up’s as well as complex organisations modernise by instilling a culture at all
levels, so people embrace creativity, take risks and are encouraged to experiment!

Over the last decade, running the innovation programmes, as well as sponsoring st up’s, including SnapScan, Edge Banking and feenix.org.

Creative Leadership Collective (CLC) a consortium of executives and senior managers tasked by their CEOs to excite and empower innovation within their organisations. CLC is a learning and support platform for these creative leaders who aim to produce better innovation results for their company, country and continent.

• Paul also serves on the National Advisory Council on Innovation and is a jury member for the
  BAI Global Banking Innovation Awards and the African Fintech Awards.

Paul’s Project Achievements

• FNB Minivations

Created and launched the concept of Minivations within FNB.
All employees are now encouraged and recognised for implementing small, ‘Lo No’ budget innovations. Minivations helped quadruple the net monetary contribution of innovation and helped FNB win the Most Innovative Bank in the World.

Role:   Head: FNB Innovators & Employer Branding

Goal:   Todemocratise innovation across all 35 000 employees.

• Internal Digital Ventures

Empowering employees to drive growth via the formation of numerous internal start-up’s within Standard Bank, including but not limited to Edge and Shyft.

Role: Innovation Capability Build Executive

Goal: To leverage a customer-centric and evidence led approach to drive growth.

• National Advisory Council on Innovation

I am serving my second term, having first been appointed to serve by South Africa’s top performing Minister, Naledi Pandor.

Role: : NACI Council Member

Goal   To advise Cabinet on the purpose and contribution of innovation, in promoting and