This year marks 25 years since South Africa’s leading independent technology and management consultancy IQbusiness (Pty) Ltd (level 1 B-BBEE) commenced business. Today, the professional services firm employs over 1100 team members and provides decisive advice and expert implementation to entities locally and internationally. Focused on its close working partnerships with corporate clients in banking, finance, technology, insurance, manufacturing and retail, IQbusiness has grown from a Johannesburg-based four-man founding team to an international African consultancy with 22 partners and clients in cities across the continent and further afield.

When it was founded in 1998, South Africa was in its democratic infancy. The founders knew that the future of both the business and country would be determined by their commitment to building a strong foundation with the brightest and most dedicated young people. 

“The IQbusiness story is a fascinating one” shared Adam Craker, Chief Executive Officer. “Competing against global consultancies to attract the right talent was always going to be an enormous challenge. So the partners applied what is now a very characteristic IQbusiness ‘get it done’ approach – they kitted out a tour bus and went on a national roadshow, hiring graduates from universities country-wide. Many of these people are still part of the IQbusiness network today, and many of whom have played a role in South Africa’s greatest innovations and success stories” he added. 

One of the most significant contributions that IQbusiness has made to South Africa stems from its consistent growth and commitment to inclusive growth. IQbusiness has paid in excess of R2 billion to the fiscus since inception, as a combined PAYE and company tax contribution. It has also supported around 500 supplier and emerging businesses over the past 25 years.

“But for us, it’s more than just meeting the bare minimum of being a responsible and law-abiding corporate citizen. We have always advocated for ethical leadership, a sense of communal responsibility for our collective futures, and a fierce belief in the absolute necessity of inclusive growth for all. To that end, IQbusiness is a certified B Corporation, an international accreditation that recognises companies that meet high standards of stakeholder value creation, social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency. 

“IQbusiness also won the 2018 Conscious Companies Award. The Award recognises and celebrates companies and leaders who display a strong sense of purpose, values, innovation and a vision of inclusive growth. Both of these awards are symbolic of IQbusiness’ broader commitment to growing people, growing business and growing Africa so that we can all prosper” said Craker.

IQbusiness is constantly looking for new ways to attract and retain top talent. This year, it is participating in the South African pilot of the Four Day Week, supervised by the University of Stellenbosch Business School. 

“As a professional services firm that delivers beyond expectation, we can’t ignore the people who make our business work. The commitment to excellence that we give to our clients will never change, and this pilot is an opportunity for us to explore how we can best do this – and more – by taking an innovative and brave approach to the traditional working week” explained Craker.

Looking ahead, Craker concluded that “It’s never been tougher to do business in South Africa than right now. We are a broken country, and a broken people. But I’m encouraged by the pockets of growth and potential that are still here. We have huge opportunities to leverage South Africa’s nascent renewables industry. Our highly skilled professionals compete on a global level, and there’s no reason why we can’t do so from right here at home. And if there’s one thing that we’ve learned over 25 years of pushing through an increasingly tough economy, it’s that we know what it takes to ‘get it done’ no matter what. I’m excited for what that can look like.”

IQbusiness will celebrate its momentous anniversary at a dedicated key client and staff event later this year.