As head of the Resources segment for the Accenture Technology growth platform in South Africa, it is perhaps appropriate that Donovan Müller is so passionate about his connection with South Africa—and the benefits of the global touch.
The way Müller sees it, a technology service provider first and foremost must truly understand the business conditions its client faces.
“Being able to understand exactly what your client is dealing with is the first step,” he explains. “That is why Accenture places such an emphasis on collaborating with its clients, developing a relationship of trust. It is impossible to do that if you don’t understand what their business challenges are like—and that’s why you need a profound understanding of the local scene.”
The next part of the Accenture value proposition is the link it offers to global thought leadership and industry-leading practice. Says Müller, “Accenture’s people on the ground, like myself, are wired into a truly global organization, so we are able to apply global experience in a way that has a true local nuance. Information and communication technologies have become inseparable from the business they support, and we can help South African and African companies understand how the global leaders are using technology to gain competitive advantage.
"That’s particularly true in the resources sector here. Mining is a core industry for the country, and needs to be able to compete with global competitors. And we all know the pressure our energy sector is under—and technology has a huge role to play in helping the country to come through the current energy crisis.”
Müller and his team are already helping several South African clients in the resources industry transform the way they use technology to drive innovation. “If that prospect excites you, why not give me a call so we can talk?” Müller adds.
Müller is a passionate proponent of the role of education in alleviating poverty and helping people to create the kind of life they desire—a path he himself trod from his birth in Cape Town’s District Six to a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Cape Town and then a successful career with Accenture. He is involved with both schools and the University of the Western Cape to make sure the next generation gets the same opportunity.
He is also very aware that tertiary education is out of reach to many, and thus also devotes time and energy to creating an enabling environment for entrepreneurs—he was one of the founders of the local branch of Enablis, a Canadian nonprofit organization that supports entrepreneurs in the developing world through its member-driven Enablis Entrepreneurial Network. He continues to serve as a board member.
In his spare time, Müller enjoys a total break with his family on the remote but fascinating Cape west coast, exploring nature and pondering the relationship between man and the environment.
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