Doug Leather, former MD of CRM consultancy Peppers & Rogers South Africa, has been appointed as MD of Intact Solutions, a company in the Primedia Group.
Intact Solutions offers its corporate clients an insight into their customers` behaviour and actions, the development potential of these customers and a view of the relevant external market potential. This information assists in unleashing the strategic value of business insight critical in the drive to sustainable competitive advantage.
Leather has replaced company founder Richard Lees, who has emigrated to the UK.
"I was totally inspired by the vision Peppers & Rogers had for one-to-one marketing," says Leather, "but I did not believe it would reach its full potential in the local group with which Peppers & Rogers US had signed a joint venture agreement.
"Accordingly, I was delighted to be offered an opportunity to rejoin the CRM fraternity and to continue developing and building on the foundations I believe are critical for successful business practice: the concept of `treating different customers differently`."
Intact Solutions had its roots in Standard Bank where Lees managed a GIS (geographical information systems) department. Primedia acquired the company in 1996. Today, the company is 30 people strong and has become one of the most successful companies of its kind, working with large South African organisations to maximise the value of corporate data.
"Intact Solutions reflects the convergence of powerful business intelligence, GIS and CRM (customer relationship management)," says Leather.
"It goes further than competitive offerings in that it can unleash the knowledge and the learning gained through the data analysis. Outputs are measurable and designed to yield solutions to real-world challenges."
Leather has had a long career in the local IT market, including stints at Hewlett-Packard and HiPerformance Systems, serving as an executive director of Siltek Distribution Dynamics, and having invested in the Bryan Hattingh Group. He has maintained an interest in the retained executive search industry. He sees a bright future for Intact Solutions, including the potential for international expansion.
"Our approach and methodology are applicable in any country and in most industries," says Leather. "As soon as I am satisfied the South African operation is moving towards its potential, I will be setting my sights offshore."
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