John sidetracks from business one morning. A spur of the moment decision based on his personal ego sets up a ‘bad’ day – a buffalo hunting safari.
Business and or ‘intelligence’ returns as he unexpectedly gives a ride to a Chinese operative visiting the country. Now three different sets of competitive ground rules emerge – the UK business; the Chinese invasion; the local Intelligence lady.
Titled as ‘Marketing Manager, Africa,’ he travelled through some 20 out of the then 42 African countries selling his UK company products.
Long before e-mails and cell phones appeared to second guess you; screw with your mind and your decision making.
John typed only one report a month; made no long distance phone calls; made his own decisions; was in fact the company CEO for Africa.
Africa in the 1960’s was a continent newly ‘Freed from Colonialism’. John was a white, British, expat. – “An old Colonial".
How he survived, how he did business, how he lived, what he saw…how he was welcomed makes for a unique tale.
Interestingly John opens each chapter with an opening comment about the business approach to the upcoming situation. 50 years ago versus today. Food for thought.
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