Etienne Schlechter
Cape Town
Summary
Versatile Managing Director with proven abilities across all levels of organizational management. Talented in developing partnerships, overseeing personnel and developing tactical plans to meet strategic goals. Proven leader with significant background in Hospitality, Events,Liquor and Digital Development. Skilled in developing and executing business plans to maximize profitability, streamline operations and maintain compliance with industry regulations. Significant experience in the NGO sector as the Chairman of The Board for Cheshire Homes.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
Work History
Managing Director
Maximus AR
11.2019 - Current
- Maximus AR is focused on development of Augmented and Virtual reality software.
- Develop and implement various new initiatives in the mining sector creating a unique virtual reality training product.
- Devise and implement innovative and marketing campaigns to promote products and services.
- Monitor and coordinate workflows to optimize resources.
- Introduce new methods, practices, and systems to reduce turnaround time.
- Lead development of comprehensive business plan to maximize profitability and company performance.
- Negotiate price and service with customers and vendors to decrease expenses and increase profit.
- Generate new business opportunities and maintain excellent relationships with current customers at executive level
- Support clients with technical resources, adding to success in sales through development of apps
- Negotiate and close large scale business transactions.
- Helped to oversee software transactions and solutions.
- Create, communicate, and manage project plans.
- Collaborate to create strategic initiatives to design, code, and test solutions.
- Applied and remain current with existing and emerging technologies
Director
Expo Africa
11.2014 - 10.2019
- Hosting successful exhibitions throughout South Africa and Africa including Dinos Alive, Art of the Brick, Titanic, The Springbok Experience
- Responsible for marketing and sales of the exhibition
- Managing finances in excess of R 15 million per annum
- Managing digital and social media content
- Building the Dinos Alive brand image
- Engaging with local and international contractors, government officials and venues.
- Oversaw operations and provided corrective feedback to achieve daily and long-term goals.
- Monitored office workflow and administrative processes to keep operations running smoothly.
- Managed daily operations while overseeing multiple locations to foster increased productivity.
Consultant
Good Food and Wine Show
01.2008 - 01.2015
- Liaised with customers, management, and sales team to better understand customer needs and recommend appropriate solutions.
- Analyzed problematic areas to provide recommendations and solutions.
- Renegotiated outsourcing contracts to save considerable costs.
- Negotiated with celebrity chefs and hosted interviews in the Chefs in Action Theatre
- Drove sales through to exhibitors and guided them through the entire show process
- 70000 thousand visitors to the show in four days
Managing Director
The Bartenders Workshop
03.1998 - 10.2014
- Built the business from the ground up with five offices in Cape Town, Johannesburg, Durban, Port Elizabeth, Mauritius and Namibia
- Monitored office workflow and administrative processes to keep operations running smoothly.
- Negotiated new annual contracts and service agreements with vendors to achieve prime pricing.
- Spearheaded successful business development initiatives aligned with company's strategy and core competencies.
- Devised and implemented innovative and marketing campaigns to promote products and services.
- Monitored and coordinated workflows to optimize resources.
- Led development of comprehensive business plan to maximize profitability and company performance.
- Lectured at universities and hotel schools in the fields of hospitality and service excellence
- Consulted at bars and restaurants to increase profitability and improve service standards
- Developed and implemented training standards for various hospitality businesses
- Hosted some of South Africa's largest events including the Jazz Festival and 2010 Soccer World Cup, CTICC Bar Operations
- Hosted World Bartending Conference in South Africa in 2014 as President of the South African Bartenders Association
- Traveled extensively in Africa and the rest of the world providing training and judging competitions
- Made numerous TV appearances and engaged with local and international personalities.
- Published a cocktail book entitled Easy Going Cocktails
Education
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy - Psychology
The Academy of Modern Applied Psychology
01.2022
Life Coach - Life Coach Speciality Practitioner
Coaching Studies International
10.2019
Alignment Therapist Level 3 - The Human Body
Academy of Alignment Therapy
02.2019
Hospitality Management - Hospitality
SABA
11.1992
High School Diploma -
Stellenberg High School
12.1989
Skills
- Quality Assurance
- Business Planning
- Financial Management
- Staff Management
- Project Management
- Business Development
- Accounting Processes
- Business Administration
- Performance Monitoring and Evaluation
- Partnership Development
- Operations Management
- Lead Support Skills
- Public Speaking
- Employee Recognition
- Problem-Solving Skills
- Team Collaboration
- Budget Development
- Negotiation
- New business launch
- Human Resources Management
Affiliations
Branch Chairperson Western Cape Cheshire Homes South Africa
In this voluntary role I oversee the operation of three homes which care for profoundly disabled persons.
As the chairperson for the Western Cape the general managers of each home report to me on the overall running of the homes.
In this position I am also called upon to liaise with government, the department of social development and key stake holders
Chair board meetings at the homes and act as the Chairperson of Eric Miles Cheshire home.
Attend EXCO meetings on a bi monthly basis to decide on best practices for Cheshire Homes South Africa.
Timeline
Managing Director
Maximus AR
11.2019 - Current
Director
Expo Africa
11.2014 - 10.2019
Consultant
Good Food and Wine Show
01.2008 - 01.2015
Managing Director
The Bartenders Workshop
03.1998 - 10.2014
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy - Psychology
The Academy of Modern Applied Psychology
Life Coach - Life Coach Speciality Practitioner
Coaching Studies International
Alignment Therapist Level 3 - The Human Body
Academy of Alignment Therapy
Hospitality Management - Hospitality
SABA
High School Diploma -
Stellenberg High School
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