Human nature is such that change is often resisted every step of the way. Sometimes the only way to implement a change is to elicit outside assistance.
That is exactly what Ndawo Consulting specialises in. Founded in November 1996, Ndawo is a consulting practice that specialises in the implementation of change and change management. The company focuses on specialised areas of change and how it is applied to activities such as training and skills development, quality of work life, information technology, management and administration, and human resource management. In addition to change management, the company also focuses on executive coaching, as well as training and development.
WHAT IT MEANS
 10 000 teachers have been trained in how to incorporate values into their curriculum
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A 100% black-owned company, Ndawo's business philosophy is a strategic blend of cultural influences utilising the notion of ubuntu, a Xhosa proverb meaning "I am because we are". According to MD Markus Moses, within this context Ndawo is proudly African, yet global in its operational philosophy.
Moses is passionate about values and believes they should be an integral part of every organisation in order to guard against corruption of power. "Organisations which have the capacity to take a strong values stance are highly respected and do as well - if not better - than their counterparts," he says. "They are respected because by adhering to their values, they have given up a short-term benefit, which can often be considerable. The ability of a leader or an organisation to sustain this level of integrity is a product of their value system."
Ndawo operates within certain core values and Moses is adamant that there must be a match between the consultancy's values and those of any potential clients. The company's highest value is based on a Hindi greeting called namaste, which loosely translates to "the divine in me honours the divine in you". Moses says the value is centred on the belief that "it is important to acknowledge the highest potential that each individual has to offer and to provide them with the opportunity to unleash that potential". This value is also about honouring that which is of the highest value to their clients.
The firm's second value is based on the principle of offering an altruistic service in all aspects and doing the right thing at all times.
"To this end we are involved in a number of social responsibility initiatives, including an active involvement in the Living Values in Education initiative, which has trained about 10 000 teachers on how to incorporate values into their curriculum," he says.
The value also relates to how Ndawo conducts itself. If clients are not satisfied with the service provided by the company, no charge is required. "We don't tie clients in with long-term contracts. If they're not happy with our service, they don't pay," says Moses.
The third value is centred on the concept of enlightened self interest. "This value is about ensuring our clients are vibrant parts of the community. The partnership of Ndawo and its clients must yield measurable value for both parties," he says. "We assure clients that they will always get a truly effective and sustainable solution."
Ndawo has worked with a variety of clients, including the Standard Bank, Parliament SA, Absa, MTN, Oxfam and Sasol. Past clients include African and European royalty and a broad spectrum of people from different cultures and language groups.
Can a black consulting firm work effectively with white executives? Ndawo's clients are a mix of black and white, says Moses, particularly in the coaching field, which tends to accurately reflect its corporate clients' executive demographics.
"We have managed to successfully assist many of our clients to effectively manage diversity challenges by customising social intelligence interventions. With increased personal insight comes better understanding of group dynamics.
"These interventions tend to be more sustainable as they affect the behaviours that are within the ambit of the individual to change."
He says that by working on what people can control, they automatically become more accountable. Diversity then moves away from discussions about politics, culture and discrimination to reflections on how individuals can become better people.
"The journey to personal greatness - and thus the greatness of any organisation - always emerges from the answer to the question: How can I be a better person?" says Moses.
"Change, both personal and organisational, requires courage and determination. Our driving aim at Ndawo is to help people become more effective because effective people create effective teams; effective teams create effective organisations; and effective organisations create effective societies," he says.
