Life lessons of a business achiever
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How do you get from a small South African town to the CEO’s office in a Fortune 500 company? By looking for the good in people.
Stanley Bergman (BCom 1972, CTA 1973) learnt one of his most important life lessons as a boy in Eric’s Stores in South End. This was a diverse community of Port Elizabeth which was destroyed under the Group Areas Act. Accepting an honorary Doctor of Commerce degree from Wits in December for his outstanding achievements in business and philanthropy, he spoke about this life lesson and others – you can listen to his address here.
Though he insists he wasn’t a great student, he certainly got the important stuff right. He is now Chairman and CEO of Henry Schein, the world’s largest provider of health care products and services to dentists, doctors and vets, with sales of over $10-billion. What’s more, it’s highly regarded as an ethical business and good employer.
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