by Dr Langelihle Simela, Business Development Manager, Absa
Since the onset of COVID-19, many engagements went to electronic platforms such as Zoom and MS Teams. One benefit from this experience is that we learnt that we do not have to drive, fly or Uber to each and every meeting; there are some instances where it is sufficient to engage over virtual platforms and save on travel time and costs. By the same token, the downside is that digital meetings constrain the establishment of meaningful connections. The human part of the relationship is not as easy to establish across the screen. So, following the successful Business Agility Webinars and taking advantage of the decline in COVID-19 infections and the easing of social distancing measures, Absa and the Lionesses of Africa (LoA) are moving to face-to-face engagements, where authentic professional relationships can be established. After all, Absa is a relationship-driven bank.
Dr Langelihle Simela, Business Development Manager, Absa
During the August Business Agility Webinar, Absa invited lionesses for in-person interactions with the four Relationship Bankers who were profiled in the recent issues of Lionesses Weekender digimag. The interest in the face-to-face meetups has been astounding. Between Absa and Lionesses of Africa, we are busy sorting out the logistics and will soon invite some lionesses for the first round of meetings. We hope for dynamic and genuine discussions and exchanges of ideas during these sessions. For Absa, our takeaway would be deeper insights into the individual entrepreneur’s needs and their expectations of the bank.
Thanks to the quick actions from Bongi Macholi to leverage broader existing relationships within Absa, the first confirmed engagement is the participation of 12 lionesses in the Communication for Art of Pitching Bootcamp. The event will be hosted by Small Enterprise Development Agency (seda) on 7 September 2022. We hope for lots of positive feedback and valuable learnings from the participants.
In the upcoming issues of the Lionesses Weekender, we will provide feedback on events that have taken place and plans for those ahead. This is an exciting phase of the Absa Lionesses of Africa relationship. We look forward to honest connections and valuable engagements with the lionesses beyond the computer screens.
