Exploring the Creative Works of Cohen Appanah: A Unique Perspective

Full Name: Cohen Appanah

Position and Company Name: Global project manager in manufacturing excellence at Komatsu.

Main Activities of Komatsu

Main Activity of the Company: Komatsu specializes in producing heavy-duty equipment for the mining sector.

Background Information

Date and Place of Birth: April 11, 1991, in Durban.

Education and Early Career

Schools and Tertiary Education: Cohen holds an engineering degree, an MBA, and several leadership qualifications from renowned institutions including the Gordon Institute of Business Science, Wits Business School, the University of Cape Town, and Oxford University.

First Job: He started as an engineering in-service trainee at an automotive company.

Size of First Pay Packet: His first salary was R2,240 a month.

Career Progression

Career Path to Date: Over his 12-plus years in the workforce, he has advanced from an engineering trainee to a global manager overseeing 15 sites across seven countries.

Leadership Style

Management Style: Cohen adopts a situational leadership approach. He believes in adapting his style to suit the current work environment and team requirements.

Personal Insights and Achievements

Personal Best Achievement: He received the Top Student Award in the Executive Development Programme from Wits Business School in 2023.

Biggest Influence in Life: His wife is the person who has significantly influenced him.

Biggest Influence on Career: Cohen’s first manager greatly impacted his career trajectory. Witnessing this manager’s complacency inspired him to pursue continuous growth instead.

Inspirational Figures

Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Steve Jobs stands out to Cohen for his remarkable achievements at Apple, despite differing views on his authoritative leadership style.

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Philosophy and Aspirations

Philosophy of Life: He believes in trusting God and maintaining unwavering faith. Writing down goals, visualizing them, and staying disciplined are keys to achieving one’s aspirations.

Biggest Ever Opportunity: At 27, Cohen became a manager leading a team of 100 people, pivotal in shaping his view of potential.

Biggest Ever Disappointment: He sees all experiences, good or bad, as essential parts of his journey, claiming he has faced no disappointments.

Vision for the Future

Hope for the Future: Cohen aims to live out his purpose daily while remaining principled and making a positive difference in the world, leaving it better than he found it.

Personal Preferences

Favourite Reading: One of his all-time favorites is Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela, a deeply inspirational book for him as a South African.

Favourite Food/Drink: He has a fondness for Indian food, which has been a part of his life since childhood.

Favourite Music: He enjoys 2000s RnB and Rap.

Hobbies: Cohen’s biggest passion is traveling. He is also dedicated to the 5AM Club routine, which includes exercise, journaling, meditation, and reading.

Car: He recently became the proud owner of a hybrid vehicle, marking a smart choice, with plans to transition fully to electric in the future.