CLEAR GOALS: Develop your people, says David Kneale

'You have to balance the needs of the business with those of the individual'

Rather than selecting only one manager, Clicks has a winning team made up of Clicks Group chief executive David Kneale, Clicks Managing Director Michael Harvey, chief financial officer Keith Warburton and group human resources director Bertina Engelbrecht.

Accenture's CEO William Mzimba was second and Pat Goldrick, CEO of Cashbuild, third.

For Kneale, management and leadership are about people. "Good leadership is about developing clear strategies and goals, investing in 'people development' and influencing people towards achieving those goals."

He says he learnt the importance of focus during the past year when times have been tough. His advice includes: "Have a clear goal and pursue it relentlessly. Get the basics right and be disciplined. Be in tune with your customers and staff.

"Recruit the right people for the right roles, invest in employee development, have a rewards strategy and philosophy that integrates all the elements that attract, motivate and retain the people required to achieve the desired business results."

He says his most difficult decisions have involved people. "Decisions about people are always the most difficult when you have to balance the needs of the business with those of the individual."

Kneale joined New Clicks in January 2006 and became CEO that month. He has a BA (Hons) in history from the University of Nottingham. In 1976 he joined the Boots Group in the UK where he held positions in finance, buying and marketing before becoming the general manager of Boots The Chemists Personal Care division in 1989 and the Beauty and Personal Care division in 1992. He became merchandise and marketing director for Boots the Chemists in 1995 and MD of Boots International Retail Development in 1997.

He joined the HMV Group as a director and MD of Waterstone's Booksellers in 1999. He rejoined Boots in 2002 as director of trading and in 2003 was appointed chief commercial officer.

Clicks Group includes retail Clicks, Musica and The Body Shop. The group has 540 stores across Southern Africa.

Accenture's Mzimba was appointed CEO for Southern Africa after seven years with the firm. He has a diploma in datametrics or computer science from the University of South Africa, a BA (Hons) in business studies from De Montfort University, a master's degree in business administration from Bond University and a management advancement certificate from Wits Business School as well as various other technical qualifications.

He believes a good leader must set the tone and get people moving. "Good leadership is about creating positive movement. This becomes meaningful and valuable once the tone is set from the top. It is about being someone who 'serves'. I also believe in leading from within, ubuntu and collaborative philosophies."

Cashbuild's Goldrick was born in the UK. He left school when he was 13 to start work and spent most of his working life in the retail industry. He moved to South Africa 13 years ago after being head-hunted for the post of CEO of Cashbuild.

Unlike many of the other winning managers, he had little formal schooling as a child. However, he says he has never stopped learning. "I am familiar with my market and my product. I listen to people and work with people. You should never stop learning and you don't have to sit in the university to learn."

He says the key to good leadership is about being able to adapt to changing circumstances.