Evolving beyond information communication
BCX MD retires after 4 decades
Business Connexion (BCX) Namibia managing director (MD) Ferdi Graupe shares his journey with Careers being in the IT industry for over 40 years
Passion within an organisation and what you do as a managing director sets the tone for an organisation. Business Connexion (BCX) Namibia managing director Ferdi Graupe says it is greatly about people working together making sure to provide a solid ecosystem and not about the MD alone.
BCX started as a small organisation that has now grown to accommodate over 120 people. Just like any other operation, challenges and achievements were observed through its infant stages. Some of these included mergers and acquisitions which have evolving effects on people’s lives. Since its inception BCX never had to retrench anyone. “This is an achievement we greatly appreciate as it shows that we were able to make work successful,” said Graupe.
Observing change
While reflecting on the beginning stages of the company as only a support organisation in the ICT environment, another achievement he highlighted was being able to provide end-to-end solutions to clients stating that “there is hardly anything in the ICT field that we don’t do in Namibia.” The organisation has thus transformed to effectively offer many services ranging from network cabling to software development. Sharing some of the things that stood out to him over the years Graupe says that the entire sphere of telecommunications has grown to become more effective. “Initially, it was all about information technology, but now has evolved to being information and communications technology where one cannot do without the other,” he said.
As the MD, Graupe’s roles include making sure that all divisions of the company smoothly execute their tasks. The role does not entail being directly hands-on and involved in too many operational environments, but rather to lead, give advice and share opportunities to create a better successful working environment. Proving that Graupe’s work was greatly influential, Dirk van Niekerk who works alongside him says Graupe leaves behind a rich legacy. “We will all be proud of his work at BCX. We will certainly miss him and wish him all the best for the next phase in his life. He will remain part of our DNA going forward,” he said.
Graupe’s educational career started with qualifications in telecommunications sector followed by electronic repairs before moving into the ICT field. Having this educational knowledge afforded him the ability to lead a complete company with functioning bodies.
Polishing raw talent
BCX has played a huge role in the Namibian IT industry with many prominent IT personalities as observed over the years of its existence. Graupe extended this view by adding that developing IT skills and expertise in Namibia can be nourished to equip young professionals in the country. He refers to one of the greatest success factors BCX has had in Namibia saying that “we took school leavers and those who had interest in IT to train them.
It never was mandatory for BCX to only consider individuals who had obtained qualifications in higher education. He said that BCX firmly stood by these individuals to help them become professionals in the IT industry.
Bidding farewell
After spending a lifetime in the IT industry, gaining and sharing expertise in leadership positions, Graupe retires after spending 4 decades in the ever-changing industry. BCX receptionist, Susanna Erastus expresses her feelings towards Graupe’s retirement saying that she will miss him and his genuine work ethic. “He has always been very helpful in the workplace. He lends an ear to whatever you want to speak about. He has a great open mind which makes him accommodative to many. I am sad that he will be leaving, but I am even happier that he will get the chance to rest after long serving,” she said.
He shares with Careers that he is excited about this new venture with hopes to continue adding to his knowledge related to his work. He firmly believes that he will be leaving the company in good hands. “We have built a solid foundation as BCX. We can now take what we have and grow further with it to offer exceptional experiences to its clients,” he said.
Graupe shares that the future success of IT organisations is contained in adopting customer experience as a key factor. Not only selling known solutions, but further understanding the customer’s business to offer better experiences to their clients.
10 Fun facts about Graupe
1. Loved playing soccer and Fistball and represented Namibia back in the 80s.
2. Started BCX in his garage 40+ years ago
3. Loves to play and watch golf
4. Finds nature attractive and enjoys tourism
5. Occasionally does some wood work
6. Spends his last day today at BCX as MD
7. Enjoys taking walks as a sport - Did the French Camino (784 km) in 2016 and Portuguese Camino in 2017 (350 km)
8. Enjoys grooming young professionals
9. Believes in providing exceptional experiences to clients
10. Enjoys everything to do with technology
BCX started as a small organisation that has now grown to accommodate over 120 people. Just like any other operation, challenges and achievements were observed through its infant stages. Some of these included mergers and acquisitions which have evolving effects on people’s lives. Since its inception BCX never had to retrench anyone. “This is an achievement we greatly appreciate as it shows that we were able to make work successful,” said Graupe.
Observing change
While reflecting on the beginning stages of the company as only a support organisation in the ICT environment, another achievement he highlighted was being able to provide end-to-end solutions to clients stating that “there is hardly anything in the ICT field that we don’t do in Namibia.” The organisation has thus transformed to effectively offer many services ranging from network cabling to software development. Sharing some of the things that stood out to him over the years Graupe says that the entire sphere of telecommunications has grown to become more effective. “Initially, it was all about information technology, but now has evolved to being information and communications technology where one cannot do without the other,” he said.
As the MD, Graupe’s roles include making sure that all divisions of the company smoothly execute their tasks. The role does not entail being directly hands-on and involved in too many operational environments, but rather to lead, give advice and share opportunities to create a better successful working environment. Proving that Graupe’s work was greatly influential, Dirk van Niekerk who works alongside him says Graupe leaves behind a rich legacy. “We will all be proud of his work at BCX. We will certainly miss him and wish him all the best for the next phase in his life. He will remain part of our DNA going forward,” he said.
Graupe’s educational career started with qualifications in telecommunications sector followed by electronic repairs before moving into the ICT field. Having this educational knowledge afforded him the ability to lead a complete company with functioning bodies.
Polishing raw talent
BCX has played a huge role in the Namibian IT industry with many prominent IT personalities as observed over the years of its existence. Graupe extended this view by adding that developing IT skills and expertise in Namibia can be nourished to equip young professionals in the country. He refers to one of the greatest success factors BCX has had in Namibia saying that “we took school leavers and those who had interest in IT to train them.
It never was mandatory for BCX to only consider individuals who had obtained qualifications in higher education. He said that BCX firmly stood by these individuals to help them become professionals in the IT industry.
Bidding farewell
After spending a lifetime in the IT industry, gaining and sharing expertise in leadership positions, Graupe retires after spending 4 decades in the ever-changing industry. BCX receptionist, Susanna Erastus expresses her feelings towards Graupe’s retirement saying that she will miss him and his genuine work ethic. “He has always been very helpful in the workplace. He lends an ear to whatever you want to speak about. He has a great open mind which makes him accommodative to many. I am sad that he will be leaving, but I am even happier that he will get the chance to rest after long serving,” she said.
He shares with Careers that he is excited about this new venture with hopes to continue adding to his knowledge related to his work. He firmly believes that he will be leaving the company in good hands. “We have built a solid foundation as BCX. We can now take what we have and grow further with it to offer exceptional experiences to its clients,” he said.
Graupe shares that the future success of IT organisations is contained in adopting customer experience as a key factor. Not only selling known solutions, but further understanding the customer’s business to offer better experiences to their clients.
10 Fun facts about Graupe
1. Loved playing soccer and Fistball and represented Namibia back in the 80s.
2. Started BCX in his garage 40+ years ago
3. Loves to play and watch golf
4. Finds nature attractive and enjoys tourism
5. Occasionally does some wood work
6. Spends his last day today at BCX as MD
7. Enjoys taking walks as a sport - Did the French Camino (784 km) in 2016 and Portuguese Camino in 2017 (350 km)
8. Enjoys grooming young professionals
9. Believes in providing exceptional experiences to clients
10. Enjoys everything to do with technology
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