Ian Russell doesn’t have an office. This is surprising considering he’s the CEO of BCX, a major Telkom subsidiary that generates R19.7 billion in annual revenue and employs about 10 000 people.

Not having an office might seem unusual, but for Russell, it makes perfect sense. He has only been in charge of BCX for about a year. When he started, he was looking for a way to get to know the people in his organisation. Or as he puts it: “When you have 10 000 people in your company, how are you going to meet them all?”