Divisions know that if they miss sales targets they will face the indignity of being ostracised from Didata's famous year-end megabashes. The fact that Didata is still headed by its sports-mad founding directors may have something to do with its reputation as being a chauvinistic old boys clique. Women and black people, with the exception of David Molapo, are noticeably absent from the board of directors. But Didata has never been politically correct. This no-nonsense approach and focus on business efficiency has been good for shareholders, if not for many staff.
Management is ruthless with acquisitions.
They find problems quickly and eradicate them. The fact that EDS Africa was not meeting financial expectations also did not help. Though Didata has been able to integrate complex acquisitions, such as Plessey and BSW, the verdict is out on whether it can digest Comparex's European networking businesses. Valued at R7bn, the Comparex deal is the largest ever in SA's IT industry. Didata has wasted little time in wielding the hatchet at under-performing operations.