Andrea van der Merwe
South Africa
I am inspired by the potential of individuals and organisations and how I can help to unleash their full force. For me it helps to use a systems thinking frame in understanding that each individual contributes to the whole and that all parts of the organisation are connected. Working from this perspective is empowering for individuals, in order to see the difference they can make. I work on different levels of thinking, starting by connecting the values of the individual with the values of the organisation. The tools and frameworks I use range from individual coaching and team processes to the use of social technology to enable the design of innovative learning processes. I am currently working with an entertainment company enabling them to embed a new level of customer service, through innovative learning processes which capitalise on the use of new technologies such as social networks. In another project at a non-governmental organisation, we work consciously with the concepts of creating a learning organisation. I am particularly interested in the sustainable and resilient organisations in a complex environment, which was the topic for my master’s thesis. My experience in the corporate world and extensive travel in the developing world have shaped my thinking on management’s role to facilitate growth of people in the organisation as a sustainable organisational strategy.
Education and Professional Background
Andrea completed graduate and post-graduate studies in the fields of Sociology, Organisational Psychology and Business Economics. She travelled for two years before starting work with Accenture in London, returning to South Africa in 1997. Her experience in corporate South Africa ranged from product management for internet banking for Nedbank, to leading several projects in the banking, aviation and manufacturing industry for Deloitte Consulting. She played a number of roles driving change and innovation for Absa bank, focusing specifically on the emerging mass-market segment. Andrea holds an honours degree in Business Economics and a Masters degree in Future Studies. Her thesis focused on organisational strategies that contribute to innovative and resilient organisations from a complexity perspective.