Entrepreneurship is not just about starting a business; it’s about developing the leadership skills required to engage successfully with people and lead a successful enterprise. Jason English, an entrepreneur, author, speaker, and co-founder of CG Tech, embodies the essence of a strong leader who has not only established successful businesses but also transformed industries. This article delves into the remarkable journey of Jason English, his diverse ventures, leadership philosophy, and the impact he has made in various domains.
Early Journey:
Jason’s journey began at a young age, as he started working when he was just sixteen. He engaged in various jobs, from selling avocados on the roadside to serving food at a local steakhouse. This early exposure to the world of work instilled in him important life lessons about choices, teamwork, and processes.
In 1996, Jason joined the South African Police Services and began working as a paramedic. This experience further deepened his understanding of the influence of choices, teams, and procedures. While working, he pursued education, earning a qualification in mechanical engineering in 1999.
Afterward, he transitioned into the corporate world, joining a multinational oil and gas services firm. Despite starting as a junior engineer, his dedication and hard work propelled him to the position of Director of Global Development. However, Jason’s entrepreneurial spirit led him to embark on his own business journey.
CG Tech:
In 2012, Jason English co-founded CG Tech, an investment holding company with a unique approach to business. CG Tech provides strategic management oversight and deploys innovative solutions to its portfolio of underlying owner-managed businesses. Their goal is to make an extraordinary impact on people, communities, and clients within their ecosystem.
The company focuses on investing in established businesses that may be considered traditional and “dull” but have significant growth potential. What sets CG Tech apart is its combination of structure and innovation, which enhances creativity, productivity, and effectiveness within its portfolio companies.
Leadership Philosophy:
Jason’s leadership philosophy revolves around values, vision, and alignment. At the CG Tech level, his role is to standardize how the corporation views its ecosystem, including employees, customers, suppliers, communities, and competitors. He believes that alignment is key, from vision and objectives to yearly strategies, procedures, and systems.
Within the leadership of CG Tech’s portfolio companies, alignment is achieved through collaboration and shared resources. The executive management teams across the companies are aligned and make efficient use of their resources because structures, systems, and processes are standardized.
Life Inside and Outside the Workplace:
Jason’s personality remains consistent inside and outside the workplace. He values open-mindedness and believes in considering various perspectives before making decisions. He emphasizes the importance of learning from mistakes, understanding that not learning from a mistake is the only true loss.
In his personal life, Jason enjoys spending time with family and friends, as well as a good night out with music. He is passionate about speed and fast cars and is also a licensed commercial drone pilot and helicopter pilot.
Appreciation for Being Exceptional:
Jason finds fulfillment in watching others succeed. He has played a pivotal role in developing employees’ careers, helping them advance from general laborers to senior project managers and clerks to homeowners. He takes pride in the growth of CG Tech from a small team to over 5,000 employees across three continents.
He also values the impact CG Tech has had beyond business, such as sponsoring the South African robotics team at the World Robotic Championships and funding an anti-rhino poaching campaign. These experiences have underscored the power of impact investing and the importance of giving back.
Words of Wisdom for Future Leaders:
Jason emphasizes the importance of authentic leadership, urging aspiring leaders to be themselves rather than trying to conform to others’ expectations. He believes that there are various leadership styles, and the key is to attract people who align with your leadership style and vision.
He advises employees to look beyond financial benefits and consider their own happiness and fulfillment. Money alone does not guarantee job satisfaction, and alignment with company values and direction is essential for a fulfilling career.
Questions That Shape the Future:
Jason and his team consistently ponder several fundamental questions that guide their business operations:
- How can they improve the utilization and management of their large asset base?
- How can they enhance the skills and knowledge of their teams while scaling?
- How can they ensure succession planning?
- How can they support communities in a sustainable and value-adding way?
- How can they deploy technology and innovation without disrupting existing systems?
- How can they manage vast quantities of data and documents across the group?
- How can they improve the lives of employees and clients?
- How can they optimize collaboration, learning, and knowledge sharing across different entities?
- How can they streamline a complex supply chain?
On a personal level, Jason continuously strives to become a better father and husband. These questions, while generic, apply to both business and personal life and often lead to solutions with a multiplicative effect.
The Future of CG Tech:
For CG Tech’s future, maintaining relationships with existing blue-chip clients is crucial. However, they also focus on adapting to emerging trends, researching new sectors, technologies, and spaces where they can add value. Their approach involves a dynamic and agile response to change, ensuring that they stay at the forefront of innovation and growth.
In conclusion, Jason English’s journey as an entrepreneur and leader reflects the power of aligning values, vision, and authentic leadership. His commitment to impact investing and making a positive difference in the world sets an inspiring example for future leaders and entrepreneurs. As he continues to lead and innovate, the future holds promising opportunities for CG Tech and its diverse portfolio of businesses.