Abstract
M.A.
Whether you are an independent bottler of Coca-Cola or whether you are with the CocaCola
Company, employees who make and sell Coca-Cola have a passion for the brand
unequalled to any other brand in the world. During the troubled years leading up the
1994 watershed elections in South Africa, some of the 'magic' that is Coca-Cola was lost
to employees at ABI. In stead of passion in their step to make it possible for consumers
to enjoy moments of refreshment, distrust and polarisation amongst people in the
organisation robbed every one of the advantages of building a 'world-class' organisation.
Pressing 'world class' ahead of other organisations in South Africa required courage and
determination from both management and union. Passion for the customer had to be
reintroduced and passion for people in the organisation had to match a re-kindling of
passion for the brand. Although there is still a long journey ahead for ABI towards
becoming 'world-class', the first steps of creating a vision, setting long-term strategies
and clear objectives have been taken. People in the business have rallied around their
own set of values and ethics - because they created them and have learnt that the best
way to tap the potential of all in the business is to grow the future together. Working
together towards a clear vision and having jointly agreed business purpose is putting the
fun back into Coca-Cola for all at ABI and is, once again, creating wealth for it's
shareholders.