Building an ethical business is important to me and my work at Richline – one of the world’s largest jewelry manufacturers. In this blog, I reflect on how the Executive MBA is helping us bring value beyond profit to local communities in South Africa.
It was a breathtaking sight. The long, arduous climb through the rugged landscape led us to one of the most spectacular panoramic views I’ve ever seen. We were at the summit of Table Mountain in South Africa.
The dramatic coastline and vast expanses of the Atlantic Ocean dominated the landscape, with the bustling city of Cape Town beneath us. Small clouds danced on the horizon and the surrounding mountains stood like monoliths in the distance. Looking across this dramatic landscape with my cohort from the Oxford Executive MBA was a moment I’ll never forget.
We’d just arrived in South Africa on a study trip for the Inclusive Business in Africa module on the Oxford Executive MBA, organized by Associate Fellow and lecturer Aunnie Patton Power. The climb set the tone for the rest of our week in Cape Town. That week, we saw stark contrasts between life in Cape Town, and the affluent suburbs, and those in Mitchel Plains and Langa, where local black and minority populations continue to languish 30 years post-Apartheid.
We heard about South Africa's history and political evolution and delved into impact investing, social innovation, and values-based leadership. We tried our hand at Malay cooking in Bo-Kaap and visited corporate giants such as Woolworths. So, what brought me to South Africa and the Oxford Executive MBA? Let me explain more.
Looking across this dramatic landscape with my cohort from the Oxford Executive MBA was a moment I’ll never forget.
From Lebanon to South Africa
Born in Lebanon, I grew up in a small Armenian town called Anjar in the foothills of the mountains in Bekaa Valley, where I learned my trade as a diamond setter. Amidst the growing conflict in Lebanon in the 1980s, I moved to New York and completed my degree in economics. At that time, diamond-setting, as a skill, was in much demand in the US. I was able to find gainful employment in the jewelry industry. Since then, I’ve worked for some of the world’s largest and most prestigious jewelry companies.
Today, I’m Senior Vice President of Richline, a leading manufacturer and distributor of fine jewelry and precious metals. Richline was founded in 2007 following the merger of two of the US’s largest wholesalers, and subsequently acquired by Berkshire Hathaway. Richline now operates in many countries around the world and employs more than 3000 people. For the past 12 years, we’ve had a presence in South Africa. Working ethically is at the heart of our work in the country. But what does this mean in practice?
What makes a company ethical?
Over the years, the jewelry industry as a whole has been subject to constant scrutiny over its business practices – from the environmental impact of mining activities to working practices and corruption.
As a large jewelry manufacturer and distributor, we’ve always set ourselves the highest ethical standards at Richline. We’ve been meticulous about the way we source materials globally. Compliance in this area is incredibly complex and challenging but it’s vital that we’re operating as a responsible business.
But acting in an ethical way goes well beyond our procurement processes and governance. For Richline, it means supporting the communities in which we operate and being good corporate citizens. We have an obligation to treat our employees fairly, regardless of their background, creed, or religion, and to reward them properly. Today, we’re all more aware of our role as human beings, not just employers. But treating people well also makes good business sense. Africa offers unimaginable business opportunities. We need to work with local communities for the common good.
We’re proud that 86% of our employees are female – providing stable jobs for women in the local area close to our facility. Our goal is to transform our South African facility into a major production unit and create even more jobs in this area. We want to encourage more young people to come to work for us and settle here – providing stability so they can raise their families in South Africa and build stronger communities. Read more about our work in South Africa.
Applying my learnings to drive sustainable development
You can probably tell that I feel strongly about growing our ethical business. So, when I learned about the Oxford Executive MBA and its focus on social impact, I jumped at the chance to apply. The social impact themes are very much in tune with our times and Oxford sets the standard for executive business education globally.
The South Africa trip has been one of the many highlights. Of course, I already knew South Africa from my work, but the study trip gave me a new perspective. Taking the bus into Langa (Cape Town’s first black township) hit me hard on the first day of the trip. I have seen poverty in various parts of the world, but nothing prepared me for this experience. Seeing local families surviving on such limited resources served as a poignant reminder of the hardships people are facing in South Africa.
The social impact themes are very much in tune with our times and Oxford sets the standard for executive business education globally.
As leaders, we all have a role to play in driving impactful change and using our platforms for social good. South Africa's challenges are complex, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t tackle them. We live in a world where we’re all connected in some way. We shouldn’t isolate ourselves.
The Oxford Executive MBA has made me more aware of the social aspects I can influence. It’s also given me renewed impetus to drive forward our long-term plans for growth and sustainable development in South Africa and other countries. All in all, the program has been an enlightening experience.
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***Header image shows Moss with members of his Executive MBA cohort during the time to the summit of Table Mountain***
Acknowledgments
I would like to express my thanks to the organizers of our South African study trip – Associate Fellow and lecturer Aunnie Patton Power, along with convenors Peter Chak and Tatenda Nyamuda, the guest speakers and my cohort – all of whom contributed fantastic insights.
