Excellence is now Lindy’s gold medal
Lindy Rousseau is sales and marketing director for the luxury Singita Private Game Reserve. She tells Margaret Harris that at university she had to choose between being a professional athlete and getting her degree — and focused on her studies
What does your work each day involve?
I direct the activities of the sales and marketing teams as well as the reservations and travel service team. I also keep up with the latest trends and consumer behaviours, because I play a significant role in determining the strategic direction for the business as a whole. I also liaise with the teams at the lodges to ensure that the delivery of the marketing promise is consistent. What drew you to this career?
My first career was in the food industry as a development chemist. But I soon became drawn to the buzz and excitement of marketing. After two years in the food industry and holding the position of marketing director, I was approached to join the team opening the Cape Grace to head sales and marketing and to develop a strategy that would take it to the position of best hotel in the world. What did you want to be when you were a child?
A professional athlete and a teacher. I love sport and enjoy teenagers and love the idea of enjoying so many long holidays every year! What stopped you from becoming a professional athlete?
I started training seriously from about the age of 12 and had great dreams and aspirations of becoming one of the fastest over the 100m and 200m distances. I enjoyed the discipline of regular, tough training and met amazing people through the sport.
Stellenbosch University was a natural choice for my tertiary studies because of its focus on sport and its successful track record in developing great athletes. I realised quite soon in my university career that I would have to choose between sport and academics — it was just too taxing to focus fully on both. Frankly, I don’t think I was good enough anyway, so I made the right choice.
Sport, however, remains a very important component of my everyday life — I remain active and fit and love to watch and follow sport. Along with cooking and entertaining, it is my stress release. You also wanted to be a teacher. Does your job involve any mentoring or teaching?
During my honours year at Stellenbosch I was offered the chance to lecture for a year. I grabbed the opportunity because I had always thought that teaching was my true vocation. I found it very tough and not at all what I thought it was made out to be. I learnt very quickly that I was not cut out to be a teacher at all — there is way too much patience required. I do love to mentor, though. I have been really lucky to have worked for very progressive companies throughout my career and have been exposed to many amazing training and development initiatives. I have also worked with and learnt from some of the best in the business. I love sharing what I have learnt and helping where I can to develop others. It is the most rewarding aspect of my job. What else do you enjoy about your job?
Singita’s purpose is to protect and preserve large tracts of land for future generations. It is a big vision, but being part of making it happen is hugely motivating. I enjoy the variations in my job, the independence I have to make de- cisions and shape the business, and the huge amount of creativity that is involved. I am energised by people, and being around passionate, motivated people all day is stimulating and rewarding. What element of your job keeps you awake at night?
That it is never done.
What would you do if you could not do this job?
I’d enjoy working with teenagers in some form of mentorship role. I have a lot of experience to share and I am passionate about what I do, so I think I might be able to help teenagers to develop life skills that would assist them in becoming passionate about their future careers.
What qualifications do you have and how do they help you to do your job?
I have a BSc honours and I majored in food science. I learned great analytical skills that have helped me to add a valuable dimension to my marketing role.
My love of food keeps me engaged in the latest trends and helps me to understand the markets we target so much better. What qualities do you need to do well at this job?
Endless energy, an ability to have lots of balls in the air at once, exceptional people skills and good analytical and presentation skills. Where would you like to be in five years’ time?
Doing what I do now. It still challenges me and I am still learning.