Francois Marais, sales and marketing director at Pilot Crushtec
Full Name: Francois Marais
Position: Sales and marketing director at Pilot Crushtec
Main Activity of the Company: Pilot Crushtec is involved in the manufacture, import and distribution of crushing, screening and materials handling solutions
Date and Place of Birth: May 10, 1982, Johannesburg
Education: BCom (Hons)
First Job: Bicycle mechanic at the local bike store
Career History Prior to Current Position: I worked at Hyundai Automotive South Africa for 13 years in various sales and marketing roles
Size of First Pay Packet: R8 000 a month
First Job with Present Group: Sales and marketing director
Value of Assets under Your Control: R250-million
Number of People under Your Leadership: 25
Management Style: Behavioural management style
Personal Best Achievement: Becoming a father
Professional Best Achievement: My current position and the numerous awards I have received over the years (Hyundai Global Best Marketing Campaign, 2012; Metso Global Sales Growth Award, 2019)
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My father and grandfather
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: My previous and current CEOs (Alan Ross at Hyundai and Sandro Scherf at Pilot Crushtec)
Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Sir Alex Ferguson
Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Steve Jobs, Peter Drucker and Charlie Munger
Philosophy of Life: Everything in life is fine, in moderation – even moderation
Biggest Ever Opportunity: I can’t disclose that, as I am busy working on it
Biggest Ever Disappointment: Learning that because you trust someone, invest in them and do your best to lift them up – you cannot transfer those same intentions to others
Hope for the Future: That the work we put in has value and goes on to create something lasting, with meaning, and adds value to others
Favourite Reading: Fantasy fiction and autobiographies
Favourite TV Programme: How I Met Your Mother
Favourite Food/Drink: Thai food and an Old Fashioned
Favourite Music: 50s classic soul
Favourite Sport: Cycling, football and boxing
Favourite Website: www.youtube.com
Hobbies: I am an avid cyclist and enjoy running; I also enjoy basic carpentry and handywork
Car: Mini Countryman Cooper
Pets: Two Rhodesian Ridgebacks
Miscellaneous Dislikes: Bad service culture
Favourite Other South African Company: Naspers and Imperial
Favourite Foreign Company: Google, Nike and Audi
Married: To Taryn Marais, since July 4, 2018
Children: Jack, 2
Clubs: Team View Cycling club