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From Designing a Customer Experience Business Unit to Organisational Transformation

January 8, 2023 Melanie Hawken

by Mandisa Makubalo

When organisations talk about wanting to set up a new business unit, there is often so much confusion within the organisation and outside the organisation. This confusion could be justified by the fact that most individuals both internally and externally are not part of the boardroom conversations where decisions are made. To some this decision is seen as a response to a business need; to some this introduction is met with great resistance as they feel left out and anxious about the thought of new people coming into the organisation. There’s concerns about who will be promoted, some immediately make accusations about unfair recruitment practices like “they already know who they want for those roles” which begins to threaten their relationship with the organisation.

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In Guest Blog Tags Mandisa Makubalo, Customer Experience
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Cookie-Cut Approaches in CX (Customer Experience)

July 10, 2022 Melanie Hawken

by Mandisa Makubalo

Ever heard of the word ‘cookie-cut?’ By definition, to cookie-cut is to indicate that each one is the same, like a guaranteed formula for something that works. It also means that the same approach or style is always used and not enough attention is paid to individual differences. Have you ever found yourself saying “I’m struggling to get the buy in of the C-Suite for my CX (Customer Experience) project”? Have you recently taken on a CX project as an independent consultant or entrepreneur? If your answer is yes, I invite to look as I discuss some of the reasons you might be experiencing the resistance and ways to overcome it.

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In Guest Blog Tags Mandisa Makubalo, Customer Experience
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The Customer Experience Game 

February 12, 2022 Melanie Hawken

by Mandisa Makubalo

“The greater the adoption the wider the experience divide.”

Today’s temperature is a scorching hot 35 degrees, the kind of weather that is unbearable for most households, especially those in the townships due to the quality of the housing structures. Most people are sitting outside their houses, children are playing in the streets, throwing water at each other, and some residents have made their way to the beautiful beaches of Cape Town in an attempt to escape this rather unbearable heat.

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In Guest Blog Tags Mandisa Makubalo, Customer Experience
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How the most successful people innovate

August 15, 2020 Melanie Hawken
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by Mandisa Makubalo, Unlimited Experiences

Every business leader agrees that INNOVATION is important, yet they cannot agree on what it means? It has become a rather confusing buzzword which has been positioned in a very complex way as it comes in many flavours.

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In Guest Blog Tags Mandisa Makubalo, Innovation
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Mapping your business journey

June 27, 2020 Melanie Hawken
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by Mandisa Makubalo, ceo, Unlimited Experiences SA

We are living in times where the way of doing business and living has been redefined for years to come. Pandemics are generally known for taking years to reach their full destructive potential, it is therefore critical for organizations to behave responsibly during the different phases of the pandemic. The consequence of irresponsible behaviour is a new era of disputes that are going to need to be resolved by employers.

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In Guest Blog, Business Unusual Tags Mandisa Makubalo, People Management, BU Management Advice
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Post Pandemic: Restructuring in a Restructured Economy.

April 9, 2020 Melanie Hawken
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by Mandisa Makubalo, founder and managing director, Unlimited Experiences SA (Pty) Ltd

Pandemics may take months, sometimes years, to reach their full destructive potential. Let us look at how small businesses can re-structure themselves in a restructured marketplace. It would be rather risky and naïve to neglect the fact that COVID-19 has resulted in a restructuring across the globe from an economic, social and political perspective.

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In Guest Blog, Business Unusual Tags Mandisa Makubalo, BU Crisis Strategy
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A Case of Customer Loyalty

February 21, 2020 Melanie Hawken
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by Mandisa Makubalo, founder of Unlimited Experiences

A wave has just hit South Africa's banking industry, so who will be left behind? Tyme Bank is the new kid on the block promising to help South Africans achieve their full potential. The bank empowers South Africans to take back control of their money by helping them understand how money really works and giving them a transparent view of their own financial situations. Is this what customers are looking for from banking? What does banking mean for South African consumers? Could it be that Tyme Bank is the answer to the pain points of the South African consumer as far as banking is concerned?

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In Guest Blog Tags Mandisa Makubalo, Customer Management
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Customer First Talk vs Delivering Value

January 23, 2020 Melanie Hawken
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by Mandisa Makubalo, founder of Unlimited Experiences 

What is "Customer First Talk"? How does this look, tangibly, and how does a company recognize that it’s moved beyond ‘customer first talk’ to delivering value for its customers?

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In Guest Blog Tags Mandisa Makubalo, Customer Experience
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Why Your Business Needs To Consider These 2020 Strategic Planning Insights 

January 4, 2020 Melanie Hawken
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by Mandisa Makubalo

I’m sure we are all familiar with the culture of “strategic planning” which sees most businesses taking time out to plan for the year ahead. This practice has become a culture in such a way that massive budgets are allocated to these gatherings. These sessions should be about looking at ways to solve business challenges through design whether this is what happens nobody knows except when customers and employees start feeling the pain. 

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In Guest Blog Tags Mandisa Makubalo, Strategy
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Black Friday, who benefits?

November 29, 2019 Melanie Hawken
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by Mandisa Makubalo, Unlimited Experiences 

Research has revealed that from the year 2020 (which is less than 6 weeks away) Product and Price will no longer be the differentiator but Customer Experience, what does this mean for the future of Black Friday when the very essence of this day is about Product and Price.

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In Guest Blog Tags Mandisa Makubalo
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So what is cx and why does it matter so much to the new age customer

October 20, 2019 Melanie Hawken
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Today’s customers need a very good reason to give you their money, and it is high time businesses got out there to understand just how customers perceive and experience their brands. Not just at the point of purchase, but holistically. It means embedding a customer-centric perspective into your organisation’s corporate DNA.

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In Guest Blog Tags Mandisa Makubalo, Customer Experience
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Tech FoundHER AFRICA CHALLENGE

MEET THE 10 FINALISTS — We look forward to announcing the winning women founders on 19 November 2025.


CELEBRATING 10 YEARS


LATEST PODCASTS

Lioness Radio Show Interview: Listen to Mr Jules Ngankam, Group Chief Executive Officer of the African Guarantee Fund, discussing the journey from Bias to Bankable - AGF’s Case for Financing Women Entrepreneurs.

Lioness Radio Show: Five Mozambican women entrepreneurs share their experiences of building successful green businesses and creating green jobs for local people. From an environmentally-friendly, high-impact skincare brand, to an innovative green transportation business transforming marine waste into bicycles, these Lionesses are making waves in Mozambique. Listen to their stories, learn from their experiences, and be inspired by their tenacity.


LIONESS WEEKENDER COVER STORIES

LIONESS WEEKENDER COVER STORY
Vanessa Mhlom, a South African wellness brand builder
Vanessa Mhlom, a South African wellness brand builder
Morongwe and Michelle Mokone, two social impact entrepreneurs building a high-growth, premium sustainable homeware business
Morongwe and Michelle Mokone, two social impact entrepreneurs building a high-growth, premium sustainable homeware business
Dr. Phindi Cebekhulu-Msomi, an agripreneur focused on climate-smart solutions
Dr. Phindi Cebekhulu-Msomi, an agripreneur focused on climate-smart solutions
Retang Phaahla, a pioneer for South Africa’s indigenous teas
Retang Phaahla, a pioneer for South Africa’s indigenous teas
Dr Margaret Kemigisha, a publishing entrepreneur passionate about childrens’ literacy
Dr Margaret Kemigisha, a publishing entrepreneur passionate about childrens’ literacy

IMAGE OF THE DAY. CELEBRATING WOMAN MADE IN AFRICA.

Image of the Day / Dathonga Designs

Traditional craft elevated…We love the impact-driven accessories created by Márcia Nangy O’Connell, founder and artistic director of Dathonga Designs in Mozambique. Since 2010, she has establis
Image of the Day / Dounia Home

Statement lighting… from Dounia Home, the home of innovative, handcrafted and ethically made Moroccan lighting and home decor founded by Dounia Tamri-Loeper. Her company designs, produces and brings to market hi
Image of the Day / Mash. T Design Studio

Award-winning furniture design…We are big fans of talented South African designer Thabisa Mjo, founder of Mash. T Design Studio in Johannesburg, and these fabulous side tables are firm customer favouri
Image of the Day / Quazi Design

Sustainable Home Decor…If you want to make a statement with your interior design and home decor, and at the same make a contribution to supporting eco-friendly enterprise, then these unique decor pieces from Qu
Image of the Day / Eki

Silk Sensation…Nothing is quite as luxurious as silk, that’s why we love the ‘Africa on Silk’ collections from Eki, founded by Hazel Eki Osunde. Eki is known for its signature soft silks and ethereal c
Image of the Day / ‘57 Chocolate

Bean to bar luxury chocolate… Taste the difference with the finest chocolate lovingly produced by ‘57 Chocolate, the pioneer bean to bar chocolate manufacturer in Ghana, created by sisters Kimberle
Image of the Day / Kebe Home

Handcrafted home decor …We are big fans of the work of Manuela Kamadjou, an interior architecture and design entrepreneur who transforms homes and spaces in Cameroon through her business, Kebe Home. Her new Echo V
Image of the Day / Pichulik

Beautiful bracelets… Introducing The Aruba Bracelets by Katherine-Mary Pichulik, the founder and designer behind the Pichulik line of accessories. Pichulik is an ethical jewellery, accessories and womenswear atelie
Image of the Day / Eva Sonaike

Vibrant textile design…This striking textile design by Eva Sonaike caught our eye this morning. Like the rest of the world, we love the African aesthetic which is increasingly finding its way into global interio
Image of the Day / Adèle Dejak

Luxury statement accessories…We are big fans of luxury jewellery and accessories made with love and passion on the African continent, and Adèle Dejak in Kenya is the epitome of handmade luxury. The
Image of the Day / Dathonga Designs

Traditional craft elevated…We love the impact-driven accessories created by Márcia Nangy O’Connell, founder and artistic director of Dathonga Designs in Mozambique. Since 2010, she has establis Image of the Day / Dounia Home

Statement lighting… from Dounia Home, the home of innovative, handcrafted and ethically made Moroccan lighting and home decor founded by Dounia Tamri-Loeper. Her company designs, produces and brings to market hi Image of the Day / Mash. T Design Studio

Award-winning furniture design…We are big fans of talented South African designer Thabisa Mjo, founder of Mash. T Design Studio in Johannesburg, and these fabulous side tables are firm customer favouri Image of the Day / Quazi Design

Sustainable Home Decor…If you want to make a statement with your interior design and home decor, and at the same make a contribution to supporting eco-friendly enterprise, then these unique decor pieces from Qu Image of the Day / Eki

Silk Sensation…Nothing is quite as luxurious as silk, that’s why we love the ‘Africa on Silk’ collections from Eki, founded by Hazel Eki Osunde. Eki is known for its signature soft silks and ethereal c Image of the Day / ‘57 Chocolate

Bean to bar luxury chocolate… Taste the difference with the finest chocolate lovingly produced by ‘57 Chocolate, the pioneer bean to bar chocolate manufacturer in Ghana, created by sisters Kimberle Image of the Day / Kebe Home

Handcrafted home decor …We are big fans of the work of Manuela Kamadjou, an interior architecture and design entrepreneur who transforms homes and spaces in Cameroon through her business, Kebe Home. Her new Echo V Image of the Day / Pichulik

Beautiful bracelets… Introducing The Aruba Bracelets by Katherine-Mary Pichulik, the founder and designer behind the Pichulik line of accessories. Pichulik is an ethical jewellery, accessories and womenswear atelie Image of the Day / Eva Sonaike

Vibrant textile design…This striking textile design by Eva Sonaike caught our eye this morning. Like the rest of the world, we love the African aesthetic which is increasingly finding its way into global interio Image of the Day / Adèle Dejak

Luxury statement accessories…We are big fans of luxury jewellery and accessories made with love and passion on the African continent, and Adèle Dejak in Kenya is the epitome of handmade luxury. The

STARTUP STORIES. MEET THE WOMEN WHO’VE LAUNCHED.

Featured
Isabel Mandofa, a Mozambican woman entrepreneur building a successful, high-impact agri-food business
Isabel Mandofa, a Mozambican woman entrepreneur building a successful, high-impact agri-food business
Lerato Masuku, a South African construction business builder with a passion for infrastructure development and job creation
Lerato Masuku, a South African construction business builder with a passion for infrastructure development and job creation
Olamide Alade, a Nigerian fashion brand builder with a passion for weaving cultural heritage into every garment
Olamide Alade, a Nigerian fashion brand builder with a passion for weaving cultural heritage into every garment
Mirza Jamal, a Mozambican marcomms expert empowering businesses and brands
Mirza Jamal, a Mozambican marcomms expert empowering businesses and brands
Lovable Dladla, a South African entrepreneur turning a passion for baking into a growing business
Lovable Dladla, a South African entrepreneur turning a passion for baking into a growing business

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LIONESS BOOK REVIEWS

Featured
Built on Purpose: Discover Your Deep Inner Why and Manifest the Business of Your Dreams by Betsy Fore
Built on Purpose: Discover Your Deep Inner Why and Manifest the Business of Your Dreams by Betsy Fore
The Magnetic Female Entrepreneur: The Art of Empowered Presence, Rising to New Levels of Impact and Influence, and Financial Success on Your Own Terms  by Mary Grant
The Magnetic Female Entrepreneur: The Art of Empowered Presence, Rising to New Levels of Impact and Influence, and Financial Success on Your Own Terms by Mary Grant
Women Entrepreneurs Rewired To Rise: Powerful Habits that Break Through Burnout, Silence Your Inner Critic, and Build a Thriving Business from the Inside Out  by Fiona Soutter
Women Entrepreneurs Rewired To Rise: Powerful Habits that Break Through Burnout, Silence Your Inner Critic, and Build a Thriving Business from the Inside Out by Fiona Soutter
Dream Big and Win: Translating Passion into Purpose and Creating a Billion-Dollar Business by Liz Elting
Dream Big and Win: Translating Passion into Purpose and Creating a Billion-Dollar Business by Liz Elting
After the Idea: What It Really Takes to Create and Scale a Startup by Julia Austin
After the Idea: What It Really Takes to Create and Scale a Startup by Julia Austin

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