Ian Fuhr — Hatch Institute | Founder

How race relations and diversity are fueling business growth and prosperity

In this episode I talk to Ian Fuhr, known to many as the dynamic founder of the Sorbet group, about his new project the Hatch Institute and its work in helping entrepreneurs build more inclusive, progressive and impactful businesses.

Ian defines the work of the Hatch Institute with the phrase 'cultureneering'. His first business, K-Mart, catered to underserved black markets in the late 1970s and early 1980, deep in darkest years of segregationist Apartheid South Africa.

In the early 1990s, Ian launched a labour consultancy, Labour Link, to assist businesses navigate race relations within their organisations during one of South Africa’s most tumultuous periods. Throughout his career Ian has remained convinced that, despite the complexity of the South African socio-political landscape, fostering working environments and cultures that revolve around a common purpose of obsessive customer service we will result in success.

We talk about his passion for South African business owners, about the opportunities and challenges of our complex business landscape, and especially about the power of having difficult conversations. The Hatch Institute · MikeStopforth.com · Connect with Mike on LinkedIn · Follow Mike on Twitter · 48h crisis communication consultancy