Full Name: Gary Epstein

Position and Company Name: CEO of EasyBiz Technologies

Main Activity of the Company: EasyBiz provides business software solutions to clients in South Africa and sub-Saharan Africa. The products that the company provides include Quick Payroll, and MiClient software, as well as ancillary services that go hand in hand with these products, such as support, training and consulting

Date and Place of Birth: October 14, 1958, Johannesburg

Schools and Tertiary Education: A national diploma for technicians in electrical engineering (light current)

First Job: I started working at Atlas Aircraft Corporation of South Africa

Career History Prior to Current Position: Euro Point Electronics, MD and shareholder (1998 to 2004); Age Electronics & Cellular, MD and owner (1991 to 1998); Albert Epstein Brokers, sales and marketing manager (1989 to 1990); Procom Sales, internal sales/ telesales, external sales engineer, product specialist, product manager, sales and marketing manager, and then sales director designate (1985 to 1989); Amtronix, senior electronics technician and then technical manager (1983 to 1984); Atlas Aircraft Corporation of South Africa, apprentice and then electronic technician, 1979 to 1982

Size of First Pay Packet: R355 a month

First Job with Present Group: MD

Value of Assets under Your Control: Few million rands

Number of People under Your Leadership: 28

Management Style: Listener, democratic, understanding, two-way road, time for play and time for work. I maintain a low staff turnover and a high retention rate (98%) through mutual respect and loyalty

Personal Best Achievement: Business related – I acquired QuickBooks accounting and software solutions exclusively from Intuit for the South African market, as well as the distribution rights in sub-Saharan Africa. I also grew the QuickBooks accounting software from a 0% market share in 2000 to a top-three accounting software choice in South Africa today

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My children

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: Brad D Smith, ex-CEO of Intuit Corporation

Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Past tense – Nelson Mandela

Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Steve Jobs

Philosophy of Life: What you put in is what you get out

Biggest Ever Opportunity: Starting up QuickBooks in South Africa

Biggest Ever Disappointment: None

Hope for the Future: That world conflict reduces to an absolute minimum

Favourite Reading: Daily Newspaper

Favourite TV Programme: Discovery Channel

Favourite Food/Drink: Shellfish/fizzy drinks

Favourite Music: Club

Favourite Sport: Rugby

Hobbies: Electronics and handiwork

Car: Jaguar

Pets: A dog

Miscellaneous Dislikes: People who are know-all’s

Married: Yes

Children: Two

Clubs: None