Relating to people puts the fizz in his hard-working life
Hugh Wilson is the general manager and commercial director of home sparkling-water maker SodaStream South Africa. He tells Margaret Harris that, as a child, he wanted to be a professional golfer
What makes my job amazing is that the decisions I make each day influence both the path of the company and the people I work with.
This is a big responsibility that I don’t take lightly, and I feel privileged to be at a point in my career where people have faith in me being able to make these decisions.
A good friend of mine knew the MD of SodaStream in Australia and knew he was looking for someone to fill the role in South Africa. He did the introductions and the rest is history.
I have a strong background in fast-moving consumer goods, with experience in sales, brand and commercial management. What was your first job and did you learn any important lessons from it?
My first job was with a company called Lockbolt Fastening Systems in a sales role.
The one thing I learnt from this role, and have applied throughout my career, is the power of good relationships. I have always got on well with the people I meet across all levels and have used this to my advantage in both personal and business arenas. What did you study and how does that help you do your job?
I studied marketing and sales management. It opened doors for me in terms of the roles I have had in the sales and marketing arena. What did you want to be when you were a child?
A professional golfer. I loved the game, which I started playing when I was four years old.
I have memories of watching the Masters at Augusta, Georgia, on TV every year, wishing I could be there and be in contention for the title. My lowest handicap was a +2. What would you most like to outsource from your job?
Running around getting involved in the smaller details.
That would free up time to focus on elements that would grow the SodaStream business in South Africa. What is the best thing about the work you do?
Being involved in all aspects of the business.
I enjoy working with people, and because of my role I interact each day with a number of different people in all sorts of roles who have different views and talents. The challenge is how you adapt to these different situations to get the best results.
Life is about lessons learnt and I do believe that it is important to take something new out of all interactions.
Also, I have a number of childhood memories that come rushing back just thinking about the SodaStream brand.
It was a brand that was a “lovemark” brand for many children of the ’70s and ’80s.
It was a brand that touched all your senses, reached into your hearts and minds, creating an intimate, emotional connection that you just couldn’t live without or forget.
A personal trainer — I have a passion for health and being healthy and would love to help other people achieve their goals in terms of being healthy and feeling better about themselves. What character traits do you need to do your job?
I have driven my career through dedication, commitment, hard work and the ability to adapt quickly to life’s lessons.
My work also requires a clear vision and the ability to make decisions and, of course, adapt along the way.
It is also important to have good communication skills so that members of the organisation understand the direction we are heading in and are on board in driving the vision.