Discipline, Respectful and one step ahead of the competition - Crawford Sicwebu

Crawford grew up in Umsunduze on the North Coast with his five brothers and three sisters. He attended Ndwedwe School and after matriculating he struggled to find a job. He subsequently moved to his aunt's home in Chesterville with the hope of being more readily available for any job opportunities which might come his way.

After three frustrating years of job hunting a friend of his, who worked as a gardener for Ian du Randt, founder and MD of Compass, told him the healthcare risk waste company was growing and looking for hard working employees.

Crawford's first job at the company, which in 1999 only employed approximately 15 people, was securing lids on Bocan containers. "Compass is, and has always been, one hundred percent focused on safety and this was instilled in me from my first day at work,'' explains Crawford.

''We never cut corners when it comes to the products and services which we offer and this provides me with a great sense of job security,'' continues Crawford.

After six months at Compass, Crawford became an onsite staff member at Clairwood Hospital and spent two and a half years working in the wards, collecting the healthcare risk waste, taking it to the central storage area and then overseeing the weighing and loading of the vehicles.

''I learnt so much about healthcare risk waste which has greatly assisted me as I moved up the ladder at Compass.''

Crawford was then appointed to run the warehouse which required him to pick the stock for various customers and oversee the loading of the vehicles.

''I often used to go on the vehicles to ensure that the correct routes were taken and that the distribution of the containers and loading of the healthcare risk waste was efficiently executed.''

''I also involved myself in the invoicing of the orders on Pastel which was a great learning curve and something to add to my portfolio of experience.''

Compass continued to grow and in 2004 they were awarded a three year tender by the Free State Department of Health (FS DOH).

''In 2005, Ian asked me to move to the Free State to service the department and ensure that we provided an excellent service in-line with our tender requirements.''

''It was a very exciting time for me as I needed to get my driver's license as soon as possible. I passed first time and was ready to build relationships with the infection control managers and nurses at the various Free State hospitals and clinics.''

Although Crawford visited his children twice a month during his three year stay in the Free State, he missed them terribly. When a sales executive position become available in KwaZulu-Natal, he applied for it and has been a sales executive for Compass since 2008.

''I thrive on being in sales at Compass. I am self motivated so every day I get out there and see as many customers and potential customers as possible. I get to travel which I thoroughly enjoy. I have learnt how to deal with difficult people and with our motto 'the customer is king', I have become competent at finding effective solutions to problems which arise from time to time.''

Recently Crawford was asked to visit the customers which he had previously serviced in the Free State.

''I went on a road trip throughout the province with the intention of reminding potential customers of the unique selling points of Compass and highlighting our excellent track record,'' explains Crawford.

''It was my best experience at Compass to date because, through my hard work, I personally contributed to the incredible success which Compass has experienced in 2015.''

''After an absence of seven I was warmly received and the hospital and clinic staff were excited about the changes and advancement which has taken place in Compass, since I last saw them.''

''They were surprised to see I was still at the same company. As far as I am concerned, what is the point in moving when I am constantly challenged by a company which is growing exponentially?''

According to Crawford, being at Compass has taught him the benefits of discipline, self-respect, looking presentable at all times and being one step ahead of the competition.