Colette Tanner

Colette Tanner is the chief operations officer at DRG Outsourcing. Her story began in Boksburg, where she was raised in a stable and disciplined household.

One of four children and a twin, she describes her upbringing as strict but typical of family life at the time. After matriculating, the family moved to Durban, where Colette’s educational journey truly began. She completed a BTech in consumer sciences, followed by a BCom in human resources with honours, and an MBA. Currently, she is undertaking a BCom in law.

Colette’s very first job came when she was just 16 years old. She began working at Edgars on the weekends, starting in grade ten and continuing through to her matric year. “It was a casual job, and in the 80s, it was very much about being a shop assistant,” she explains.

A SEAMLESS EXPERIENCE
For those unfamiliar with DRG Outsourcing, Colette describes it as a fit-for-purpose business that navigates a myriad of disciplines. In her words, she says, DRG is “an incredible engine of activity.”

The company operates in the Employer of Record space, managing employment relationships on behalf of international clients who employ local employees. DRG handles everything from onboarding to payroll, ensuring that both the employer and employee have a seamless experience. DRG’s primary goal is to ensure that the client has an optimal experience while also highlighting the capabilities of South African employees. “We are really showcasing South Africa and South African employees and skills,” Colette proudly states.

Colette’s purpose in her role is closely tied to the client experience and operational efficiency. “It’s about navigating a penetrable space for an international client in a highly regulated and complicated local environment,” she explains. The challenge lies in helping clients understand the complexities of the local market and ensuring that their expectations are met, if not exceeded. “That’s the purpose,” she says, “navigating a very challenging space and ensuring that the client has an experience that they can take away.”

Colette’s vision for KwaZulu-Natal over the next five years is closely tied to DRG’s social impact. “We are involved in so many local projects,” she says, emphasising the importance of supporting and assisting people in managing their businesses and their employees. For Colette, the next five years are about contributing to the growth and success of small businesses in the region.

A PROUD MOMENT
Professionally, the accomplishment that makes Colette the proudest is completing her MBA dissertation. “I worked very hard for that dissertation,” she says, noting that many MBA students tend to drop the ball at this stage, it’s a long degree, but for her, it was the culmination of everything she had learned and a wonderful opportunity to apply learnings. Her dedication paid off when she achieved the highest award in the country for her dissertation, the highest award the institution had ever granted. “It was a proud moment for me because I was able to navigate that space successfully,” Colette adds, highlighting her ability to balance full-time work and home life.

The biggest challenge Colette has faced in her life has also become her greatest personal achievement – raising her son, Camryn, who was born differently abled. Faced with a dismal diagnosis and the suggestion to place Camryn in a home, Colette resolutely refused. “I was determined to get Camryn to live a normal life as we know it, "she recounts. Today, Camryn is thriving, and Colette attributes much of her own life’s joy to him. However, she acknowledges that “disability is largely misunderstood,” bringing a complex mix of grief and joy. Colette explained that she constantly balances the grief of unrealised potential with the contentment and absolute bliss of living a life with someone who is completely different from everyone else. Rather than overcoming such challenges, Colette believes in coping with them, stressing the importance of contentment and acceptance. “You don’t overcome it, you just cope,” she says, reflecting on the profound impact Camryn has had on her life. “Throughout my life, I thought I’d have to make sure that I prepared for every single eventuality to ensure that Camryn had a life of joy. But in fact, that’s actually what Camryn brought me.”

AUTHENTIC SELF
For Colette, inspiration comes from traits rather than individuals. “Humility inspires me tremendously,” she says. She admires those who show up as their authentic selves, without posturing or relying on titles, qualifications, or material possessions. “Humility is enormously impressive,” she concludes, highlighting its impact on her personal and professional life.

The best advice Colette has ever received came from her boss in her early 20s. She was grappling with a difficult disciplinary decision at work, and her boss told her, “When you lose your heart in human resources and dealing with people, stop dealing with people.” This advice has stayed with her, reminding her to always keep her heart in check when making tough decisions. “We need to consider that just because we can’t see the struggle, it does not mean that someone is not struggling,” Colette reflects, emphasising the importance of empathy in her work.

Colette believes that trust is the key to keeping her team motivated, both at home and at work. “You have to trust your people,” she asserts. Trust empowers people, giving them the confidence to make decisions and contribute positively. “That brings about enormous creativity and innovation and excitement,” she adds, noting that her team delivers because they know they are trusted. Open communication and feedback are also crucial components of her management style.

Colette lives by a simple but powerful motto: “Just do it.” Although it echoes the famous Nike slogan, for her, it means not overthinking and simply getting things done. “There’s no point in wrestling with fear, just get it done,” she advises, advocating for action over hesitation.