In this What\u2019s Next with Aki Anastasiou interview, Robert Koen unpacks the growth of Amazon in South Africa and shares his vision for the company\u2019s future in the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Koen is the Managing Director of Amazon for Sub-Saharan Africa and has spent over 25 years working in key leadership roles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This began with him working at IBM, first as a Distribution Manager and then as a Client Executive, before he moved to Genesys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At Genesys, Koen held multiple notable positions, including Client Director for EMEA, Director for Worldwide Channel\/Partner Strategy, and Senior Director.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Following his time at Genesys, he would work as the Vice President and General Manager for LanguageLine Solutions and as the Head of Americas and Asia Pacific for TIBCO Software Inc., before joining Amazon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At Amazon, Koen quickly distinguished himself and, prior to his promotion to his current role, held multiple other notable positions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This includes overseeing the USA Partner Network (AWS) and acting as the Director of the Buy with Prime division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In this What\u2019s Next interview, Koen discusses what inspired him to become a businessman and reveals what his first job was.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Koen touches on his academic background, noting why he chose to study what he did, and unpacks what he has learned from his time working abroad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He also explains why he returned to South Africa and shares the biggest challenges he has faced since returning \u2013 noting how his leadership style has evolved accordingly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Koen shares his vision for Amazon Sub-Saharan Africa, and concludes the discussion by revealing the advice he would give a younger version of himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Watch the interview with Robert Koen below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n