Very interesting interview with Bill Lynch, SA entrepreneur of the year, conducted by Alec Hogg from Moneyweb:



Interviewed by Alec Hogg



MONEYWEB: The World Entrepreneur Awards are up next, and joining us on the telephone is Bill Lynch, who is South Africa’s Entrepreneur of the Year for 2006, heading off next week to Monaco where he is going to take on the counterparts, other Entrepreneurs of the Year, from 30 other countries. Bill, have you been to Monte Carlo before?



BILL LYNCH: No, I haven’t – I’m not a gambler, Alec.



MONEYWEB: Well, I guess you’re going to be gambling a little, though, hopefully bringing home the bacon this time for South Africa. You’ve obviously looked at the other contenders. Are there any that jump out at you that are going to be tough to beat?



BILL LYNCH: I saw the list of names but, to be honest, it meant nothing to me because there wasn’t any description of what they are and what their story is in life. I’ve no doubt there are some great people there.



MONEYWEB: What are you looking forward to most about this experience?



BILL LYNCH: I think I’m looking forward to see what all these 30 great people are all about, and try to hear what their stories are and meet some of the previous entrepreneurs, and just generally educate myself on the subject.



MONEYWEB: You mix a lot with entrepreneurs – not only externally, but within the business as well. Are there any characteristics that you will be looking out for from them to say, hmm, that guy knows what he’s talking about?



BILL LYNCH: Yes, I will be looking at people who actually do it. I think the most important element of it is getting down and doing it. You know, over the course of life, you meet an enormous number of people who have great ideas, but they actually didn’t act on it or they were dissuaded from moving ahead, or somebody discouraged them. And I’m really looking for the people that say, “I’ll do itâ€