Clive Vanderwagen has transformed corporate training by putting people first, showing that kindness, listening, and building relationships can lead to measurable results and international recognition.
South Africa (20 January 2026) – In a world where corporate life can often feel transactional and impersonal, Clive Vanderwagen has carved out a different path, one that centres on people first. The founder of the Cape Town–based training and coaching firm, ReadyPeople, has recently been recognised internationally, winning the Customer & Employee Experience Training Specialists of the Year 2025 at the MEA Business Awards.
“It’s a huge deal,” Clive admits. “I’m honestly not sure how I won it, who nominated me, but I’m very chuffed. It’s affirming to see that the work I set out to do. To make people feel better, improve their relationships and results, actually matters.”
Clive left a secure corporate role nearly a decade ago, driven by a desire to challenge what he saw as an unkind, process-driven environment. He started ReadyPeople with a one-line business plan: to make people better.
“I literally launched my business, and two months later COVID hit. So I had to hustle. To see where we are now, and to have this work recognised internationally, it’s really affirming.”
Unlike traditional corporate training, Clive’s approach focuses on relationships rather than scripts.
“Most companies focus on results first. I go in and say, we need to look at purpose and relationships. Training shouldn’t be cut and paste, it has to be bespoke, tailored to the people and dynamics in each organisation.”
His work often leads to tangible improvements: customer experience scores can rise by over 35 percentage points within months, and employee engagement strengthens alongside faster, more confident decision-making. Yet, Clive says the most meaningful shifts are subtle.
“One call centre agent, after training, realised customer experience isn’t just a process, it’s a decision about how you treat people. He recognised he was treating customers badly, even unconsciously, and it wasn’t aligned with his values. That moment when people reconnect with the human side of work, that’s what really elevates service.”
For Clive, the journey has been transformative on a personal level too.
“What surprised me most is the change in me. I’ve learned compassion, patience, and the power of simplicity. Something as simple as asking a customer, ‘I really hope you’re okay’ can make all the difference.”
In a corporate world that often values speed, Clive Vanderwagen is proof that putting people first by listening and acting with kindness earns international recognition.
Sources: GTG Interview
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