< Back Tracey McLennan Founder and Chief Executive Officer of BConsult and Rightside Media Tracey McLennan is the founder and chief executive officer of BConsult and Rightside Media. She is a passionate advocate for education that transforms both people and organisations. BConsult is an accredited skills development company that provides learnerships and qualifications to employed and unemployed people. Right Side Media complements this by creating the content for training, specialising in animation, both 2D and 3D, as well as whiteboard animation and digital formats for inductions and standard operating procedures. “We take traditional training content and make it engaging,” says Tracey. “The idea is to make learning accessible, fun, and effective.” Tracey’s journey began in sales, an environment that would later shape her understanding of human motivation and learning. She recalls, “I used to sell consumer products into chain stores, and to get the products moving, I would spend time training the salespeople. That was my ‘aha’ moment. I realised that training could be impactful and actually get results.”When Tracey left corporate to start her own training company, the path was not immediately smooth. “It wasn’t easy at first because companies didn’t really want to spend on training,” she explains. “But once I found the angle through Black Economic Empowerment and tax concessions, it became cost effective.” THE POWER OF TRAINING Tracey speaks passionately about the transformative nature of training. “Training changes lives,” she says. “It can change a company and can create social impact. There is so much good that comes out of it when it’s done correctly.” Her initial dream was simple. “At first, my dream was just to survive,” she laughs. “There wasn’t a big vision at the time. But as I saw the impact of what we were doing, my dream evolved. I want to reduce unemployment. We have the tools to do it through training and legislation. My goal is to make a difference, even if it’s small.” Tracey is inspired by innovation and by people who build success from humble beginnings. “I’m inspired by visionaries, by people who start in a garage and grow a business that provides employment,” she says. “Employment impacts far more than one person. The statistics say one job impacts ten people, but generationally it’s even more significant.” Her leadership philosophy centres on respect and innovation. “I try to make an impact through how I conduct myself and how I treat people,” she says. “Respect is at the heart of how we work with learners, clients, and staff. We encourage innovation, always asking, how do we do this differently, how do we make it better, and how do we make a difference?” THE ROAD AHEAD For Tracey, her biggest success is her team. “I am so proud of my staff,” she says warmly. “They’ve grown with me. Sometimes they weren’t sure where we were going, but we’ve been through a lot together, including Covid. They’ve developed tremendously. If everything ended tomorrow, I would look at them and know that they are better than when they started. We all are.” Running a training business comes with significant challenges. “Our industry is very compliance-driven. We have to meet the requirements of the various legislations and then integrate everything for our clients and learners. We answer to many people, and that can be challenging.” The human side brings its own complexity. “We work with people, each with their own challenges,” Tracey says. “Especially when working with people with disabilities, everyone has different needs. Getting all the compliance boxes ticked, meeting deadlines, and making sure the learners achieve their qualifications can be tough, but it is worth it.” When asked what advice she would give to aspiring entrepreneurs, Tracey draws on experience. “Find your why,” she says, echoing Simon Sinek. “Once you know your why, you can overcome the challenges. There will be more than you expect, but also many highs. Knowing your purpose keeps you going. It’s a marathon, not a sprint." She has thoughtful advice for women. “We face additional challenges and blessings like maternity and family responsibilities. They have an impact, both good and difficult. But every woman I know who took time off for her children came back stronger and more determined. Know why you want to do it, because it will be both more challenging and more rewarding than you expect.” Her business goals are ambitious yet deeply human. “I would love for learning to become as fun and addictive as social media,” says Tracey. “Imagine people learning because it’s enjoyable and immersive, not because they have to. I want training to be innovative, accessible, and engaging. People should not have to travel far to learn. There is so much information out there, but I want to help people find what is right for them, what truly gives them the skills to move forward.” BUILDING THE FUTURE Tracey’s approach to life is grounded in balance and gratitude. She says, “When I started working, balance wasn’t even part of the vocabulary. We just worked. But now I have learned from the younger generation that it matters. For me, I find balance in nature. It sounds like a cliché, but it works. Whether it’s the sea or a walk outdoors, it clears your mind.” Her family keeps her grounded. “They balance me, they tell me when I am right and when I am wrong,” she says fondly. “I also love reading and learning from others, journalling, and meditating, even if not as much as I should. Balance looks different for everyone. You have to find what works for you.” As she reflects on her journey, Tracey’s gratitude is clear. “I love the idea of community over competition,” she says. “Collaboration is how we will thrive in the future. The world is changing fast, and it can be daunting with all the talk about AI and the unknowns ahead. But if we collaborate and support each other, we will adapt. That is how we move forward." Previous Next

< Back KZN Leaders Free consultancy 30 minutes Book Now About KZN Leaders Portfolio is a natural progression from the KZN Top Business Portfolio. In analysing the successful companies profiled in the KZN Top Business Portfolio, there was a common thread running through each of their achievements and that was effective leadership. The KZN Leaders Portfolio was then initiated with the desire to get to know more about these leaders of business. The overall vision is to network successful people with successful people and ultimately encouraging other people to become successful through these stories. Each leader has in-depth experience in their particular field of expertise as well as much insight into business management and leadership. Of significance is that a common thread in their business journeys is the desire to make a difference in the lives of the people their companies’ impact, very often by going far above the norm. Recognising the growing power of video in quickly grabbing attention, we have filmed a series of the leaders’ interviews for use on our various platforms which have been met with much interest and the video clips watched numerous times. Previous Next

This is a Title 01 < Back Next This is placeholder text. To change this content, double-click on the element and click Change Content. This is placeholder text. To change this content, double-click on the element and click Change Content. Want to view and manage all your collections? Click on the Content Manager button in the Add panel on the left. Here, you can make changes to your content, add new fields, create dynamic pages and more. You can create as many collections as you need. Your collection is already set up for you with fields and content. Add your own, or import content from a CSV file. Add fields for any type of content you want to display, such as rich text, images, videos and more. You can also collect and store information from your site visitors using input elements like custom forms and fields. Be sure to click Sync after making changes in a collection, so visitors can see your newest content on your live site. Preview your site to check that all your elements are displaying content from the right collection fields. KEY PERSONNEL CONTACT DETAILS Read More Media Releases. Stay updated with the latest business news and articles on KZN Top Business News Blogs It just makes good business sense Previous Media Releases Read More Next

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< Back ActionCOACH -Business Coach Trevor Clark is a seasoned business coach with a strong background in marketing, sales, and leadership. ATrevor Clark is a seasoned business coach with a strong background in marketing, sales, and leadership. After completing his studies in Switzerland and earning diplomas in marketing and business management in South Africa, he began his career at ABSA in 1993. He went on to hold key roles in the engineering sector and at Babcock, where he led national initiatives. ActionCOACH -Business Coach The BLOG Read all about it READ MORE