Thabo Gwebu is the MD of Traffic Barricade, a company that helps to manage traffic around roadworks and for sporting events. He tells that his frustration with the low levels of skills displayed when it came to traffic management ahead of the 2010 Soccer World Cup motivated him to set up his company What do you do at work each day?I brief and advise staff on the company's strategic goals and appropriate policies. I also establish and maintain links with major clients, relevant government departments and state agencies, local authorities/municipalities, key decision-makers and other stakeholders.story_article_left1What are some of the challenges you face when closing roads for maintenance or for events?Each roadwork project or sporting event comes with its own risk profile - but we always operate in a high-risk environment.Even though flaggers and temporary road traffic signs are installed, marked and posted in advance to warn motorists and pedestrians to slow down, drive or walk with extra caution, many drivers maintain inappropriate speeds and go through the barricaded areas, construction areas or roadworks zones.How did you end up doing this kind of work?During the build-up to the 2010 Soccer World Cup, I was frustrated that so few South Africans had the skills to inform motorists and the public about road closures, where stop/go operations were taking place and how long these delays might last.This led me to co-found a company specialising in temporary traffic management and traffic-control services in early 2013. I wanted to introduce some innovative measures and solutions to improve road and traffic safety.What was your first paying job, and what was the most important lesson you learnt there?Being a salesman. One of the key lessons I learnt was how to establish an effective client engagement process, an efficient sales fulfilment process and customer-retention strategies to ensure sales and repeat selling opportunities.What did you want to be when you were a child?Like most kids, I wanted to be a policeman, but one of the ones that provide protection services to presidents and heads of state when visiting South Africa and also various ministers.At a young age, I was fascinated by the process of intensive training and screening, along with some travel abroad that goes with the job.story_article_right2What makes the work hard?Trying to persuade potential clients of the need to outsource traffic accommodation and temporary traffic management, and for them to see the economic benefits this will have for their core business.Communication between the main client, the main contractors, local traffic authorities, local community leaders and other key broad stakeholders can also be challenging.What do you love about your job?My excellent team, business partners and the other stakeholders I work with.There are critical business systems, proper planning and effective communication strategies in place that makes it easier for me to delegate. This enables me to work "on" the business and not "in" the business. I can focus on growth and on bringing in new business.There is nothing more fulfilling than being part of a team that performs magnificently out in the field and brings a smile to a client for a job well done with no injuries or fatal accidents.When hiring people for your company, what characteristics do you look for?Curiosity, competitiveness, integrity, decisiveness and hunger...