We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Dawid Pieterse a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Dawid, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Is there a historical figure you look up to? Who are they and what lessons or values have you learned from them?

Whether or not one believes in the theology attached to him, it is impossible to deny the effect that Jesus Christ of Nazareth has had on mankind since His birth more than 2,000 years ago. Movements, individuals, groups and organizations following him span the globe. Wars have been waged and love has been shared in His name. Right or wrong. But who was the man behind the theology? The man behind the four Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John and the epistles of Paul the Apostle. Who was the real Jesus? Christians know Jesus as the ‘Christ of faith’ (Leon-Dufour 1968:272) but historians want to know about Jesus of Nazareth and his earthly life in Palestine (Tuckett 2001:121). The way to gain insight into anything historical or the life of a historic person is by examining the sources and resources available. In the case of Jesus Christ, three things must be acknowledged. Firstly, all the available evidence is in literary form. Epigraphic or archaeological evidence can only give information about his assumed background but provides no information about him as man Secondly, Jesus Christ did not write anything himself. We read in the Gospels that he once wrote on the ground, in the sand but there are unfortunately no personal memoirs or documents and so the only sources available are of what he purportedly did and said as recorded by others. However, this does not render the available sources useless; it simply means that careful analysis is necessary to unearth historical data. There are thousands more references to Jesus Christ than Julius Ceasar and the Roman empire in the preserved historical accounts. Yet millions have no doubt about the existence of the Ceasar and his Empire. Twelve of the most credible and respected historians of the first two centuries AD reported and wrote about Jesus Christ. He existed, He lived and was real.

Jesus Christ was not just a Savior, but He was also a friend, a teacher, a rabbi, a shepherd, a pastor, a priest, a miracle worker, a common man, and mentor that walked with His disciples for three years. During this time they saw Jesus the Nazarene face almost every situation imaginable. They saw Him consistently anchor Himself in God’s presence through prayer. They watched as He avoided the spotlight and the praises of the crowds. He taught them that in ministry God is the focal point and He refused to give in to the temptation of self-ambition and self-promotion. Jesus led by example. Throughout the Scriptures Jesus is challenged with correcting the disciples’ thinking. He used their error as teaching moments to reveal greater truths of the Kingdom of God. The character traits He cultivated in His disciples would later become the truths illustrated in the New Testament as those closest to Him told His story and their unique account of the events surrounding Jesus’ life. There are the major life lessons Jesus taught His disciples before returning to the Father:
Love God with all that you are, your whole heart, mind, body and soul.
Love others as thine self.
Choose words carefully, they hold power.
Earthly riches can be a hindrance to spiritual growth.
Don’t love money.
Losing your soul to gain the world isn’t worth it.
Don’t worry about earthly needs—trust God to provide.
Spiritual greatness is achieved through serving others and being humble.
Kingdom greatness is measured by humility.
Put the interest of others first.
Following Christ means denying ourselves.
If you want forgiveness, first you must give it.
Religion alone doesn’t make you holy.
It is better to give than to receive. Give and it shall be given unto thee.
Honor, acknowledge and glorify God in everything you do.
Conditions of the heart matter most to God.
Prayer in private brings power in public.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Dawid J Pieterse is a proven executive with over four decades of domestic and international business, creative development and management experience. Dawid offers a unique combination of executive skills and expertise and his positive work ethic, paired with his energetic approach and creative mindset, inspire and lead individuals and teams to achieve outstanding results. His leadership style, commitment to excellence and ability to perform optimally, impacted several companies and organizations during his career.

His expertise and experience include:
• Corporate, External and Internal Communications
• Market and Industry Intelligence, Competitive and Competitor Analysis and Sales
• Marketing and Advertising, Public Engagement and Stakeholder Relations, Stakeholder and Media Relations
• Presentations and Public Speaking, Identity and Image Development
• Branding, Brand and Perception Management, Visual Engineering and Creative Design, Content Development and Editing
• R&D, Testing and Protocols, Performance and Efficiency Improvement, Project Planning and Management
• Business Processes and Development – Human Resources (HR) Management and Employee Wellness, Coaching and Training and Grant Writing and Fundraising.

President: Katy Cares, Inc., Katy, Texas, USA.
Accomplishments include:
• Leading the successful transformation of the organization to a more streamlined business operation, transforming it from a ‘a brick and mortar’ residential program to high impact non-residential program.
• Designed, created and developed the corporate identity and brand character, visual manifestations and aids, marketing and training material, printed and electronic.
• Reduced operating expenses by more than 35%, annual deficit by 25% and increased annual income by 45%.
• Increased support from Churches and referral partners by more than 75%.

Chief Global Affairs Officer: ARES Biotech, Inc., Houston, USA.
Accomplishments include:
• Instrumental in the negotiations and conclusions of distributorships in several European and African Countries.
• Research and comparisons performed enhanced credibility of CIMR® technology and equipment in the marketplace.
• Business development initiatives led to record sales in 2020 and 2021.
• Designed, created and developed the corporate identity and brand character, visual manifestations and aids, marketing and training material, printed and electronic.

Wellness Manager: G&H Diversified, Houston, TX
Accomplishments include:
• Increased employment engagement significantly which contributed to record gross sales for two
consecutive quarters in 2019.

Executive Vice President: OCTCET, Inc., Houston, USA.
Accomplishments include:
• Directing project and testing teams, coordinating and overseeing practical tests reaching significant milestones in excess of 43 million miles/2.5 million hours over four years.
• Efficiency improvement initiatives amounted to savings in excess of $1 million annually for various customers contributing to profitability and improving bottom-line performance.
• Led the sales team to increase sales by 35% year on year between 2014 and 2016.
• Designed, created and developed the corporate identity and brand character, visual manifestations and aids, marketing and training material, printed and electronic.

MsomiPuisano Business Development Group (Pty) Ltd, Pretoria/Tshwane, South Africa.
Accomplishments include:
• Won several multimillion Dollar contracts/tenders from State-Owned Enterprises and Government Departments ensuring the Group became the leading creative agency and consultancy in Pretoria, the Capital, Gauteng Province.
• Group was awarded the First National Bank Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment Company of the Year for its contribution to enterprise and skills development and other economic enrichment initiatives amongst previously historically disadvantaged communities.
• Designed, created and developed the corporate identity and brand character, visual manifestations and aids, marketing and training material, printed and electronic.

CHAIRMANSHIPS
– Steering Committee of the Department of Transport’s October National Transport Month.
– Every Home for Christ, South Africa (EHCSA).
– Puisano Business Development Group (Pty) Ltd.
– MsomiPuisano (Pty) Ltd.
– FdotCom Communications (Pty) Ltd.
– Centurion Business Forum.
– National Association for Small and Medium Enterprises (NASME).
– OCTCET, Inc. R&D Committee.
– Katy Cares Gala Fund Raising Committee

MEMBERSHIPS
– ResearchGate, International.
– Academia, International.
– API (American Petroleum Institute), Houston Chapter, USA.
– IMA (The Internet Marketing Association), Houston Chapter, USA.
– Society for Science and the Public, Houston Chapter, USA.
– Primus University Alumni Association, Phoenix, AZ, USA.
– South African Board of Industrial Editors (SAIBA), South Africa.
– Public Relations Institute of South Africa (PRISA), South Africa.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

In 2012, as Executive Vice-President of OCTCET Clean Fuel (Pty) Ltd, after complying with all L1-Visa regulations and requirements, I was responsible for moving of the head office of the OCTCET Group of Companies from Pretoria, South African to Houston’s Energy Corridor, Texas. In the process of relocating (the business and my family) from a third world developing country to a first world developed country, multiple challenges, several legal and Visa requirements, and stumbling blocks were encountered.
The following aspects and issues were experienced during the relocation process:
– How to get a better understanding of the market, business environment, industry sector, requirements and potential. Online research, relying on available published information and consultation is merely not enough and I undertook a proper fact-finding mission was to various States and cities to determine feasibility and to interact with key decision makers.
– Specialist advice and the establishment of partnerships with successful US businesses and individuals were crucial.
– Limited capital and an exchange rate in favor of the Dollar versus the currency of the country of origin, made it even more challenging.
– I compiled a comprehensive business plan but was also willing and ready to adapt and revise to accommodate the conditions, challenges and requirements of the USA.
– It was discovered that legal requirements and legislation can and will slow down business growth and development initially and can have an impact on profits and shareholder value.
– Investment in the company by local reputable role players from the same industry, securing of agreements with the contract manufacturer as well as the appointment of executives and consultants, experienced and respected in the broader business community, were crucial for the viability of the business.

Because of the unique industry requirements and regulations such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Original Equipment/Engine Manufacturers, the Texas Low Emission Diesel (TxLED)
regulations, the first three to four years were mainly dedicated to further research and development, scientific, lab and practical testing of the flagship product. At the time, I oversaw, coordinated and/or facilitated the testing of the flagship product by more than 17 labs in the USA and Canada and practical tests included more than 20 million miles and 250,000 hours. Currently the product is tested by 21 labs on four different continents.

Despite tests performed on our flagship product, in Germany, the United Kingdom and South Africa, and the fact that it was registered with the EPA, we were advised by Bulk Diesel users in various industries and executives from major oil companies that OCTCET35 must be tested by an EPA USA Accredited Testing Lab. The lab’s testing equipment and/or facilities as well as the drive cycles and/or testing protocols to be used in the tests, should also be EPA accredited. Lab tests must be performed in accordance with ASTM-D specs/ISO standards on a fuel mixture between local No.2 Ultra Low Sulfur USA Diesel. The treatment ratio used in the UK was 1:100 but the preferred treatment ratio in the USA is 1:400 (2,500 parts per million or 0.25%).

I performed a due diligence to determine which lab would fit the criteria and have the ability to test our product. I concluded that TEXAS A&M’s Texas Transportation Institute (TTI) could provide and facilitate the scientific lab testing services required and approached them in August 2012.

TTI has experience in the testing and evaluation of emissions and fuel consumption reduction technologies and additives and is well positioned to perform and/or facilitate verification and testing of various products Performance Enhancing Products, Diesel fuel additives and Oxygenators. They also have the required equipment and employs experienced staff who can support and/or perform these tests, and or can facilitate opportunities with other testing labs and facilities.

During our conversations I made it clear that the focus of these tests would be a reduction in emissions tests and that NOx must be measured specifically. Initially they were not over optimistic that a reduction in NOx would be measured because of the high oxygen content of our product. The oxygen content could increase heat in the combustion chamber which again could contribute to an increase in NOx – very typical of Bio-fuels.

At that stage I acquainted myself with the Texas Low Emission Diesel (TxLED) Program and regulations, which apply to Diesel fuel sold or supplied for use in motor vehicles and non-road equipment operating in 110 central and eastern Texas counties. This was due to my contact and interactions with Mr. Morris R. Brown of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, Air Quality Division, in Austin Texas. The positive outcome of this test was thus crucial for our future. The regulations of the Program included:
– The TxLED regulations apply to all diesel fuel sold or supplied as fuel for motor vehicles and non-road equipment operating in 110 central and eastern Texas counties.
– TxLED must contain no more than 10% aromatic hydrocarbons by volume and must have a cetane number of 48 or greater, or else must use an approved alternative formulation or comply with the designated alternative limits.
– Diesel producers may also use an approved alternative emission-reduction plan to comply with the TxLED regulations.
– Diesel fuel producers and importers that produce or import diesel fuel for use in the affected 110 counties are required to register with the TCEQ and submit quarterly reports.
https://www.tceq.texas.gov/airquality/mobilesource/txled/cleandiesel.html
I also explained to the TTI test management team that in previous tests performed, we have observed a correlation between a reduction in emissions and Diesel fuel consumption, which meant a reduction and/or decrease in Diesel fuel usage, Carbon build-up, smoke, engine noise, ignition delay time, friction and wear (as indicated by the SABS lab test results), corrosion and overall maintenance cost.

I further provided a rationale, because of our product’s high oxygen content (35% oxygen by weight and 9.8% active oxygen), why it will:
– Contribute to an improvement and/or increase in a quicker and more complete combustion.
– Lead to an increase the Cetane number/level.
– Facilitate a cleaner burn,
– Increase engine efficiency and extend the engine life.

I was confident that, when US Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel is treated with our product, a reduction in NOx of between 6 – 7% could be achieved. If so, it would open up opportunities especially in Texas Counties that comply with the TxLED regulations including several Independent School Districts in the future.

After several rounds of talks between TTI and OCTCET, our US executive team agreed to enter into a Master Research Agreement with Texas A&M TTI. This agreement was signed in September 2012 and TTI commenced with the process of facilitating the scientific lab tests we required.

The facilities of the University of Houston’s Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, who manages the Texas Center for Clean Engines, Emissions and Fuels (TCCEE) were visited by our R&D team in February of 2012 prior to us opening an office in Houston. When Texas A&M TTI suggested to involve TCCEE we agreed without hesitation. Because of their expertise and credibility, South West Research Institute’s Fuels and Lubricants Laboratory, Petroleum Products Research Department was also involved.

Emissions testing process
As our company’s Project Manager and Chief of R&D, I was involved on a daily basis, in the decision-making processes regarding all aspects of the tests including:
– The test protocol to be followed.
– The drive cycle/s to be used.
– Length of the tests – hours and number of cycles.
– Quality of diesel fuel to be used (additive free).
– Treatment of the Diesel fuel.
– Length of the purging and soaking period.
– Cold versus hot start and warm-up time.
– Establishment of the baseline.
– Type of vehicle/truck to be used and load.

I was also present at the TCCEE labs for the duration of the tests and interacted with lab employees and scientists to ensure integrity and accuracy at all times. The test results confirmed what I eventually anticipated, that OCTCET35, when treated with local Diesel fuel, has the ability to reduce NOx.

Results achieved were as follows:
– Carbon Monoxide (CO) reduced by 17.69%
– Total Hydrocarbons (THC) reduced by 23.25%
– Nitrogen Oxide (NOx) reduced by 9.39%
–
These results, combined with the results from Millbrook, confirmed our product’s ability to reduce emissions. A reduction in emissions (meant a reduction in Diesel fuel consumption) and will lead to a cleaner and healthier environment.

Several of the findings and research results were published in protocols and white papers, is available online from two scientific portals and have been downloaded, referenced and read more than 2,000 times since 2019.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

Develop organizational goals.
Do a thorough competitive/competitor analysis.
Truly understanding your competition.
Create a plan to generate demand.
Develop a brand awareness campaign.
Compile a media and stakeholder relations strategy.
Align all visual manifestations for various target audiences.
Ensure service excellence and mange brand reputation.
Create a customer profile that is tailored to a specific product offering.
Hire, onboard, train, empower and compensate sales team members adequately.
Measure individual and team performance.
Track sales activities.
Recognize and reward internal and external stakeholders.
Upsell and Cross-Sell: Maximizing New Opportunities
Increase online sales through social media.
Become a thought leader.
Create strategic partnerships
Don’t shy from cold calling.
Offer a demonstration of the product.
Provide a personalized, clear end result.
Be willing to adapt your offering.
Close deals with confidence.
Nurture existing accounts for future selling opportunities.
Introduce a customer loyalty program.
Create blog content that is written with your ideal client in mind.
Perfect your current client process to receive more referrals.
Build an active social media presence.
Answer questions on social media
Use ads on various social media platforms
Work with clients who have a large, engaged audience.
Follow up with potential clients that never purchased.
Follow up with past clients to see if they need any additional help.
Build your email list and stay in touch with your subscribers.
Blog and guest blog on other sites.
Maximize your SEO.
Host a webinars
Diversify
Be creative, responsive and receptable.

Image Credits
All my own photos or photos taken by family members. All my own paintings…my hobby.