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29 August 2024 | Story Anthony Mthembu | Photo Harmse Photography
Ross van Reenen
Ross van Reenen, CEO of the Toyota Free State Cheetahs.

The Business School at the University of the Free State (UFS) recently hosted the CEO of the Toyota Free State Cheetahs, Ross van Reenen, for a guest lecture. Van Reenen presented the guest lecture in the Business School Auditorium on the UFS Bloemfontein Campus on 21 August 2024.

Reflecting on Van Reenen’s address

In a lecture addressed to an auditorium filled with UFS staff and students, Van Reenen’s talk was divided into several sections. Firstly, he spoke about the concept of the ‘black swan’ in reference to the book written by Nassim Nicholas Taleb, titled The Black Swan: The Impact of the Highly Improbable. Referring to Taleb’s book, Van Reenen defined a ‘black swan’ as a rare event that has a severe impact, and the occurrence of which people try to explain. He used some examples to explore this concept as well as its implications, including COVID-19 and its impact on the world, and the tragic death of the people in the Titanic disaster. However, he delved deeper into 9/11 and the extent of its impact, saying that “9/11 was a major wake-up call in the world economy”. Van Reenen highlighted how some companies such as Barclays, for which he previously consulted, had to work to be up and running after the collapse of the Twin Towers in 9/11.

In addition, Van Reenen’s lecture also touched on the importance of the first ninety days of a job after an individual has been employed. “Those first ninety days are crucial, as you have to establish yourself in a company where you are paid less than you are worth,” Van Reenen said. As such, he gave the audience insight into what they could focus on in that time frame. This includes focusing on the small wins, as well as ensuring that you are working at keeping the team together, as the team is an integral part of an organisation. 

Van Reenen concluded his address by speaking about his time as the CEO of the Toyota Free State Cheetahs, including some of the decisions he took to ensure the success of the organisation.

News Archive

UFS students visit Singapore
2008-03-14

 

A group of 19 students from the University of the Free State's (UFS) Department of Communication and Information Studies will be visiting the National University of Singapore in April for nine days next month. The students, who are registered for the Media Studies, Corporate Communication and Integrated Marketing Communication programmes were selected according to their academic performance. During the visit students will among others attend classes in their respective fields of study. The group will be accompanied by Mss Rentia du Plessis, Dalme Mulder and Maresa Lotter, lecturers at the department. Here are from the left, front: Geni Keyser, Carla Bakkes, Marieke Swarzendahl, Leigh-Ann Carey,Tsholofelo Ramets, Fhumulani Mudua, Mpolokeng Lepote, Clarinda Smith, Tlaleng Ramarou, Naledi Hlabahlaba, Helen Motsepe; back: Stefan Lotter, Zanda Matoti, Gerda-Marie Viviers, Marcelle Strydom, Mercia Beerkat, Lesego Thibeletsa, Melissa CC. Mann, and Zurayda Mayet. Absent: Helen Motsepe.
Photo: Supplied

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