Jacky Rossouw, sales director at Lecico SA.
Shelley Galliver is the group marketing director for
Wholesale Housing Supplies.
CHALLENGES AND BARRIERS
Looking at challenges and hurdles she had to overcome,
she says that since the industry is male dominated,
men normally tend to trust the opinions of another man
more than they would a woman. However, she thinks
that women are constantly empowering themselves and
standing their ground.
“Starting as an office temp 15 years ago, in comparison
to where I find myself today, is practically unbelievable.
I have been awarded the opportunity to grow in all
departments of the business, and I am still being
mentored from the managing director to facilitate my
growth in the business.
“Knowledge is power! To be good at what one does
without compromising your femininity you have to be
steadfast in your approach. Women are proving that
they can add value and make decisions confidently.
Plenty of persistence and hard work pays off and we
should see more women in senior positions in the
industry,” says Rossouw.
TEAM MEMBER
Shelley Galliver, the group marketing director for
Wholesale Housing Supplies under which she oversees
August 2018 Volume 24 I Number 6
the marketing for the divisions of Saffer, WHD, Stability,
and Dawn Logistics, says: “I am all for equality in the
workplace and part of that equality is about not being
seen as a woman in a man’s industry. I prefer to just
be seen as a team member, who adds value within
my area of expertise; therefore, it is not at all about
whether I am female or male, but rather about the
work I do and the value I add.”
Galliver adds: “Having worked in ‘male dominated’
sectors throughout my career, it has been a norm for
me, and I have never felt that it was a challenge to
be recognised for my contributions. If I don’t make a
difference every day I go to work, I shouldn’t bother
going. I hope that over time I leave a trail of success
stories behind me and I certainly have moments that
I see as highlights in my career; but every day is
about trying to improve and grow; and add value to
the organisation.”
Galliver says her passion is marketing. “Most
people do not really understand what marketing
is and think it is about designing pretty artwork.
But the most exciting and challenging part of
marketing is the strategy behind the output. The
‘pretty artwork’ is only the outcome of a strategy
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