Publisher's Synopsis
This is an autobiographical account of John Barry's business career -- a career that started in a tearoom on the Durban beach front, clerical bank work and to being presented with the JSE Top 100 award. John acquired his sales and marketing skills while working for Shell and later for Muller and Phipps. It was during his years at Muller and Phipps, an international company that handles the marketing and distribution of 'big brand' fast-moving consumable goods (FMCG), that he conceptualized advertising campaigns and brand prominence for products that are still household names today. 'It's not inside it's on top' (the ad campaign for Cremora) and 'Duracell lasts up to six times longer' are two examples of his success in the FMCG world. In a leap of faith and with some persuasion John decided to leave the security of a top-earning position for the chance to start his own business and ultimately to create and unlock real wealth. He bought into Admark, a floundering advertising agency, where he avoided bankruptcy through hard work, unwavering focus and total transparency. When Admark was back on its feet, with all the creditors paid and showing a profit he realized the advertising industry no longer appealed to him. He then set about creating Adcorp, a recruitment advertising agency. Adcorp grew immeasurably over the next few years as John implemented his effective business philosophy -- establishing his own competition through many acquisitions. This enabled him to make the rules of the game himself and therefore massive profit for his company. In 1986 John listed Adcorp on the JSE and in 1999 Adcorp won the prestigious JSE Top 100 award, the first serviced-based company to win this accolade. When Nelson Mandela was released from prison John realized -- before any legislation was passed and before any other company -- that a change in government would mean a complete turnaround in business. A pioneer of empowerment, John then brought Simeka Management into the Adcorp fold and watched them grow autonomously and with great success. John is now a director of Khululeka Corporate Services, a company focused on finding perfect empowerment matches for F.N.B.'s corporate clients. John's passion for successful empowerment partnerships has added massive value to the clients' businesses and continues to reinforce the true principles of empowerment. The book details John's personal and business philosophies clearly and honestly. Despite having only a standard eight, nowhere to call home and struggling as a single father for many years, John overcame these adversities to achieve enormous success. He shares with the reader the lessons he has learned en route, giving the reader a chance to unlock their own real wealth.
