Terry Volkwyn, CEO of Primedia Broadcasting, has been named the 2006 Boss of the Year. The award, which is organised by Career Success (published by Dictum Publishers) and celebrates its 17th anniversary this year, recognises bosses’ attention to the needs of their workforce and their leadership skills.
According to her colleagues, Volkwyn deserved to snatch the award from the 291 other nominees.
‘She has steadfastly worked her way up through the ranks of her company to reach the top, where she instinctively balances the interests of the business with those of the staff,” says Radio 702 news and talk programming head Yusuf Abramjee.
In the competitive broadcasting environment, Volkwyn has made her mark as an astute businesswoman. She successfully integrated the company’s four radio stations — Radio 702 and 94.7 Highveld Stereo in Gauteng and 567 Cape Talk and Kfm in the Cape — a move that greatly improved financial results.
After matriculating in Carletonville in North West, Welkom-born Volkwyn moved to Durban where she studied dress design before embarking on a media career in Johannesburg. She initially worked as a sales representative on the Rand Daily Mail and the Sunday Express. She joined 702 as a direct account executive in 1986 and excelled in this position. The rest is history.
Her business mantra is: ‘Keep it simple. No excuses. Don’t make the same mistake twice. It’s a process —”
Her interests centre on her family, movies, gardening, art, music, interior decorating and architecture. She loves reading biographies, self-help books, management and business books, and interesting articles.
the Teacher asked Volkwyn about her schooling.
Where did you go to school?
First, I attended an all-girls convent — St Agnes in Welkom [it has since changed its name]. This was from grade one to standard seven. Then I went to a co-ed government school called Carlton Jones High School in Carletonville.
Did you have a favourite teacher/s?There were several favourite teachers over the years and each contributed in different ways to my growth and development.
Why were these teachers your favourites?
For various reasons — they were all special in their own way. One such teacher, a sweet, old nun who taught needlework, was gentle and nurturing … I liked that about her. Other teachers were tougher, like an art teacher I had who was loud and harsh … everybody was so scared of her. But I wasn’t — I even took extra art classes!
Each teacher had their own qualities that contributed in one way or another to my development.
What do you think of the role of teachers in South African society?
I think they have a huge, important role to play. It’s at school level that one must instil good values and morals in children and nurture a passion for learning. But I also think parents have a role to play here — that it shouldn’t just be up to the teachers. Parents need to be involved in order for teachers to be successful.
What are the qualities you look for in a good teacher?
- Stability — that the teacher has the ability to be fair and treat all children the same.
- An element of control, where the teacher isn’t too domineering and vicious, but not wishy-washy either, with no control over the class.
- A good outlook. Teachers should be positive people. I know this can be difficult sometimes, but just as I, in business, need to be a leader, and when things are crashing I need to be firm, so they also need to be positive and happy … and not bring their baggage to school and dump it on unsuspecting children.
- I think teachers today could be more involved. So, for example, if they pick up a potential problem with a child, they should get involved and speak to the family, instead of shying away from getting involved in the problem.
— Cornia Pretorius