Customer experience design and an agile approach

March 22, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Impact Partner Content: Absa / by Tina Playne, Managing Executive: Sectors and Segments, Private & Business Banking, Absa Retail and Business Bank

There is a marriage made in heaven between two practices that have been around for a while, and it is time to formally unite them. Welcome to the merger of Customer Experience (CX) and Agile management practices.

Anabela Marcos, an Angola entrepreneur on a mission to develop people talent

March 22, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Anabela Marcos, founder of Gestão Profissional (Angola)

Startup Story

Everyone knows the phrase, ‘a company is only as good as it’s people’. But developing, nurturing and connect people to the right career opportunities so they fulfill their potential is key to achieving that goal. In Angola, Anabela Marcos, founder of Gestão Profissional, has built a business that is helping both companies and employees alike with their talent development needs.

Darshani Persadh, a South African entrepreneur driving R&D innovation technology

March 22, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Darshani Persadh, co-founder of Darjyo (Pty) Ltd (South Africa)

Startup Story

As 4IR becomes the key talking point for business, ushering in the second wave of the internet, South African entrepreneur Darshani Persadh, co-founder of Darjyo (Pty) Ltd is bridging the gap between ideas and reality.

The boundary breakers

March 22, 2020 Melanie Hawken

by Catia Mondlane

We were taught to play safe and within pre-established limitations that brought blockages to our mindset and how we approach things in life. As a result we have those that are scared of taking risks to go after their dreams, especially when this requires breaking established behavioral patterns and unconscious boundaries.

Leading from the heart

March 22, 2020 Melanie Hawken

by Brigette Mashile, founder of Roka Roko

Last week, I got an enquiry on my phone about us making a dress for a collection on Thursday - the problem was this message was coming in on a Tuesday. I immediately responded with the message that we unfortunately wouldn’t be able to make a dress by Thursday. This, of course was not a lie. The entire process of making a dress is just not possible in 1 day. Even one week is not enough. So many things can and will go wrong.

The first rule of sales. Listen.

March 22, 2020 Melanie Hawken

by Clare Appleyard

Many entrepreneurs struggle with sales and often ask what is the secret to making that all important successful sale. Well, it all starts with the first rule of sales - listen!

Entrepreneur Advice from Eva Muraya: Don’t expect overnight success

March 21, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Eva Muraya, Founder and CEO of BSD Group (Kenya)

Don’t expect overnight success as an entrepreneur…

“I would apply the principles of the harvest, which is you must dig, clear the land, plant, water the crops… and then hopefully there will be a harvest and sometimes that harvest might be a little bit disappointing. But it doesn’t mean that you can’t go back and sow again.”

Eva Muraya, Founder and CEO of BSD Group (Kenya)

Quote of the Day by Karen Wessels

March 20, 2020 Melanie Hawken

"As entrepreneurs we have chosen the toughest journey… Make it through this and you’ll make it through anything!"

Karen Wessels co-founder of VA Connect & SnappSales (South Africa)

Quote of the Day by Anicha Abdul

March 19, 2020 Melanie Hawken

“My team is the fuel of the business, they put their hearts and soul into what they do.”

Anicha Abdul, founder of EP Management & Consultancy Services (Mozambique)

Entrepreneur Advice from Ursula Pais: You need to find solutions

March 19, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Ursula Pais, founder of KA DA TERRA SUPERMERCADOS, LDA (Mozambique) — **Ursula Pais**, founder of KA DA TERRA SUPERMERCADOS, LDA (Mozambique)

You need to find solutions….

“Your brand must nurture a unique strength … a healthy culture based on your company Values. You must include the value of Entrepreneurship. What does this mean? Creativity and innovation, must be at the core of your business. Problem solving, taking ownership, and responsibility for outcomes – as we tackle the current crisis, we need to have solutions.”

Ursula Pais, founder of Ka Da Terra Supermercados, LDA (Mozambique)

Quote of the Day by Swaady Martin

March 18, 2020 Melanie Hawken

“Being a female entrepreneur in Africa is especially challenging, it’s not for the faint-hearted.”

Swaady Martin, founder of YSWARA

Entrepreneur Advice from Mkamboi Mwakale: Begin with the little you have

March 18, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Mkamboi Mwakale, founder of Saru Organics (Kenya)

Begin with the little you have…

“Do not wait any longer because you have found out the money at hand is not enough. I will tell you that very few people do have 'enough' Capital - the majority of us began with the little we had, just believing and making steps, and before long you will be rewarded for your diligence. So step out and create that dream from the unbelievably humble beginning!”

Mkamboi Mwakale, founder of Saru Organics (Kenya)

Entrepreneur Advice from Kulani Shiluvane: Hold on to your self-belief

March 17, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Kulani Shiluvane, founder of Shiluvah (South Africa) — **Kulani Shiluvane,** founder of Shiluvah (South Africa)

Hold on to your self-belief…

“In business, like in life, it is important to hold to yourself when there is nothing and no one to hold on to. Ignore the negativity from any and all directions, and rather fuel that fire that got you going in the first place.”

Kulani Shiluvane, founder of Shiluvah (South Africa)

Quote of the Day by Narcissi Madisha

March 17, 2020 Melanie Hawken

“If you plan to go into business, choose something that you are absolutely passionate about.”

Narcissi Madisha, founder of Kameo Kids (South Africa)

Entrepreneur Advice from Diana Opoti: Find your niche and turn it into a business

March 16, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Diana Opoti, founder of Diana Opoti PR, Kenya — **Diana Opoti**, founder of Diana Opoti PR, Kenya

Find your niche....

"Find a niche. Turn what you like into a business. Passion fuels business."

Diana Opoti, founder of Diana Opoti PR (Kenya)

“Fashion cannot be made in Africa!”

March 15, 2020 Melanie Hawken

by Jacqueline Shaw, Director Africa Fashion Guide

When I launched my company 10 years ago this was the general consensus from the international fashion industry. The narrative that the experts believed and spoke was that you can’t produce, source or manufacture fashion in Africa AND that it cannot produce quality product.

Coronavirus - Hope for the best, but prepare for the worst

March 15, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Special Feature — by the Lionesses of Africa Finance Team

Coronavirus is hitting the Northern Hemisphere hard and will come to Africa and a city near you soon. Sadly, this is a fact. Indeed according to www.worldometers.info (careful this page is quite addictive and time consuming), a number of cases have already been reported in Africa and this number is increasing, albeit slowly for now. Still, for the time being, African countries thankfully are a long way down the list of countries hit. As a business owner, you have time to put your own emergency measures in place now, and that starts with ensuring your company survives the economic fall-out from this global pandemic.

Are you a Trader? Then you need these Top Cash-handling Tips

March 15, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Impact Partner Content: Absa

Receiving payment from a customer for a sale should be a relieving and fulfilling moment for any retailer. Stock is moving off the shelves and you‘re able to cover costs incurred to procure that item. However, successful businesses need to continually look for ways to optimise their cash and margins.

Flora Mutahi, Kenya’s pioneering flavoured tea brand builder

March 15, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Flora Mutahi is the founder of Melvin Marsh International, the Kenyan-based family business that first began in 1995. Kenya’s first flavored teas were launched under the company’s renowned brand – Melvins Teas. Today, Melvins Teas serves millions of cups of tea a year. The product base has expanded to include not only flavored teas but herbal and fruit infusions.

Bukky Asehinde, a Nigerian entrepreneur with a platform that enables creative businesses to thrive

March 15, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Bukky Asehinde, founder of Bellafricana (Nigeria)

Startup Story

Getting products noticed by global consumers is always difficult for Africa’s creative women entrepreneurs, but this challenge represented an opportunity for Bukky Asehinde, founder of Bellafricana. Her platform is giving visibility to Nigeria’s creative business owners and their quality products.