Full Name: Malcolm Anthony Rabson
Position: MD of Dariel Solutions
Main Activity of the Company: Enterprise software development
Date and Place of Birth: September 14, 1963, Johannesburg
Education: Master’s degree in electrical engineering from the University of the Witwatersrand
First Job: Software developer on the Rooivalk helicopter project
Career History Prior to Current Position: I spent six years at the Altech group, doing military software development, three years at SPL as a business development manager, two years listing a software development company within the Accord group and then 12 years at Dariel Solutions
Size of First Pay Packet: R2 500 a month
First Job with Present Group: MD
Value of Assets under Your Control: R60-million
Number of People under Your Leadership: 100 and growing
Management Style: Open-door and empowering people to take responsibility
Personal Best Achievement: Finishing a 32 km race before Fordyce!
Professional Best Achievement: Starting Dariel Solutions
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: David Lapin, head of strategic business ethics
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: My father
Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Larry Page
Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Steve Jobs
Philosophy of Life: Being a doer, as opposed to wanting to do
Biggest Ever Opportunity: Building the online trading system for Global Trader 12 years ago – I only had a five-member staff
Biggest Ever Disappointment: Being let down by poor software salespeople
Hope for the Future: That software salespeople are banned
Favourite Reading: Who has time?
Favourite TV Programme: Discovery Channel
Favourite Food/Drink: Ice-cold beer
Favourite Music: Pavarotti
Favourite Sport: Cricket, when SA is beating the Aussies
Favourite Website: Runnersguide and Bushbreaks
Hobbies: Running and the Kruger!!
Car: Jaguar S-Type
Pets: King Charles spaniel
Miscellaneous Dislikes: Waiting in queues, trying to sleep on an overseas flight
Favourite Other South African Company: None really stands out
Favourite Foreign Company: Not stated
Married: To Jacqueline for 22 years
Children: Ariella, 18; Daniel, 16; Shira, 11
Clubs: Rockies Road Runners