November 2011 Events
| CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITES FOR DYNAMIC MARKETS- 2012 By Grant Hatch- Executive Strategist- Accentur |
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We have seen amazing growth in parts of Africa in mining, consumer goods and retail. A number of trends are guiding this growth which includes easier regulations and demographics. The sub-Saharan Africa population is likely to double over the next 40years. We have more young people entering the population and that stimulates consumer demand. Consumer spending is also growing rapidly. The introduction of modern technology also contributes to Africa’s growth. More young people in Africa today use cell phones. | |
| New Business Management Modules | ||
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Speaking at the Henley Business School Breakfast, Lars Kolind Group Chairman of Grundfos highlighted that in everything we do; we are bound by mental modules. “We always have a mental module of what things will look like and many times we do not really think about these things. The same goes for business. Now we have to think about it because things are changing. We are currently looking at a new generation of workforce that is different from the last two decades”. “We developed three basic mechanisms: One is getting things done which was a project structure. Second is keeping the professional level of what we do at a higher standard and the third mechanism is a people oriented mechanism which is like for every 10-15 people, we will appoint a mentor”. When one observes critically, this is sufficient to run a company without a management structure. |
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| Enhancing Education System in Gauteng | ||
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Speaking at the Regenesys Business School Leadership Conversation, Barbara Creecy, MEC of Education in Gauteng pledged her commitment to ensure that education remains a priority in developing young people in Gauteng. “Education is vital to the future of the province and success in the country. We cannot just train teachers; we also have to train school managers so that they will be able to do the work that school managers can do. The curriculum must be managed by school managers and they must ensure that the whole curriculum is taught. We have also developed a strategy for teachers to submit their lesson plan before they teach. Some people are good educators but it doesn’t mean they can develop learning materials, etc”. “The average age of teachers and principals in Gauteng is 40 and 50 years respectively, so very soon we will run out of teachers. We are giving out 13,000 supervisory posts to young people to assist with assignments in school. We want to attract young people in the Education sector”. “The bottom line is that teachers should be in school at the right time teaching our kids”. |
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| African Entrepreneurship and Innovation Day Business Breakfast | ||
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The Global Entrepreneurship week is the world’s largest celebration of innovators and job creators who launch start-ups that bring ideas to life, drive economic growth and expand human welfare. (www.unleashingideas.org). Speaking at the AE Business Breakfast, the Director General of the Department of Public Enterprises, Tshediso Matona emphasised on the role of State owned enterprises and the importance of collaboration within the public and private sector in igniting entrepreneurship in South Africa. Center for Creative Leadership (CCL) director for Sub-Saharan Africa, Simon Rweyongoza highlighted the need for entrepreneurs to be innovative and leaders in their respective field. Speaking on the panel Bridgitte Backman, Managing Director for SASOL Chemcity expressed Chemcity’s willingness to support businesses and initiatives in the chemical, energy and related sectors. Overall the event was thought provoking and it opened up avenues for futures discussions on the importance of entrepreneurship in Africa. To find out more on what the Director General said in his speech watch the video. |
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| Pick n’ Pay reviews its strategy | ||
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Speaking at the Regenesys Leadership forum, CEO of Pick n’ pay- Nick Badminton says that change is something organisations have to embrace. “Two years ago we had a gap with our major competitor-Checkers which narrowed and has widened again. We need to start changing the way people work and the way we operate. It is very difficult to change behaviour and that is what we are currently doing in order to get adequate and efficient service for customers. Ultimately you have to get profit while moving the right way”. “One Pick n’ pay- One Big Change, a lot more positive and a lot "more to come”. |
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| Marketing Concepts and Innovation emerging in Africa | ||
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The Gordon Institute of Business Science hosted top marketers and brands Ambassadors on how brands can reach the African consumer. “It is vital that African businesses get equipped with the local knowledge of the African country they wish to invest in. We need to collaborate with local partners to build up brands. Acknowledge, respect and celebrate individual cultural background, beliefs and languages. Find your inspiration at the source. Africa love stories, so tell African stories. Embrace both formal and informal sector and think beyond the traditional ATL advertising” says Gary Harwood, director and founding member of HKLM. Only the innovative shall survive. How equipped is your brand online? Is your business mobile enabled? “Is there easy access to your business? Is what you are offering relevant? Is your product line sustainable? 79% of smart phone Internet users use their smart phones to help with shopping. Is your website and business mobile enabled”, asks Brett StClair head of Google Mobile South Africa? |
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| MORE EVENTS... | ||
