Lindiwe Matlali

The Mid-year Consumer Outlook for South Africa reveals significant financial polarization among consumers, with many struggling due to rising food and utility costs, while others exhibit increased confidence, promoting a shift in purchasing behaviours toward driven-value and budget-conscious choices. #consumerbehaviour #southafrica https://lnkd.in/d-P-3Y7u

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As we enter a phase of increasing technological change, the food processing sector in South Africa is navigating a pivotal moment, balancing growing global demand with environmental, social, and governance (ESG) challenges. My latest report examines emerging technologies like AI, robotics, digital twins, and IoT, shedding light on their transformative potential for productivity and sustainability. While these innovations offer immense promise, their adoption presents challenges, from workforce skill shifts to infrastructure overhauls. TIPS (NPC) for more, see: https://lnkd.in/dPZbmZwM #Food #Manufacturing #Research #Economist #SouthAfrica #Technology #Foodprocessing

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Unlock Growth with TEND: Our Exclusive Free Trial for SMEs In today’s competitive landscape, retaining customers is key to sustained growth. Yet, less than 20% of businesses in South Africa have formal retention strategies. This opens up a significant opportunity for SMEs to outpace competitors by focusing on what truly matters: keeping your customers. That’s where TEND comes in. At The Consumer Psychology Lab, we’re excited to introduce our innovative Customer Review Programme, designed specifically for SMEs. And for a limited time, we are offering ONE small or medium enterprise an opportunity to join our beta phase and experience TEND for FREE. But we’re not just looking for any SME - we want to partner with a business that can show us why they deserve this opportunity. Why TEND? Boost Revenue: Discover and leverage what truly matters to your customers to grow your business. Enhance Retention: Address customer pain points before they become reasons to leave. Optimize Costs: Streamline processes to reduce the cost of serving customers - all without financial risk. What Is TEND? TEND is a cutting-edge, customizable Customer Review Programme designed to help SMEs thrive through conversational reviews and by listening to their customers. It is not a conventional Voice Of The Customer Programme. Having conducted over 25,000 conversations over 15 years, we mastered the art of customer conversations, and crafted TEND to help your business grow - whether you’re just starting out, or looking to scale. What We’re Looking For: To be considered for this exclusive free trial, tell us: 1. Why is understanding your customers’ feedback critical to your business? 2. What challenges have you faced in gathering and acting on customer insights? 3. How would TEND help you address these challenges? 4. Why is this free offer the opportunity your business needs right now? This is more than just a free month - it’s a chance to transform your approach to customer engagement. We’ll work closely with the selected SME to ensure that TEND delivers measurable results, and we’ll share your success story as a case study. Ready to Make Your Case? If you’re committed to listening to your customers and growing your business, send us a message detailing why your SME should be selected for this opportunity. 👉 Apply Now: Send your application to [email protected] TEND - Because Paying Attention, Pays Off!  #SMEs #CustomerFeedback #VoiceOfTheCustomer #BusinessGrowth #FreeTrial #CustomerRetention #ConsumerPsychology #B2B #B2C

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#Understand the world. 🌍 Flux Trends was recently hosted by GIBS Business School (Gordon Institute of Business Science) talking about our latest book. The Future : Over 80 Key Trends for South Africa. Following our Trends Methodology, starting with Technology, here's an insight into AI. Book The State We're In Trend Briefing and have this book unpacked by our experts to your team. Email [email protected] to start your journey. #trends #businessstrategy #thefuture

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2024 Effie Awards SA entries are open! Clarity on what Judges will be looking for coupled to preparing and submitting an effective case is critical to your success. Unlock the secrets behind effective Effie case studies! Ipsos in South Africa and Effie Awards SA present "IPSOS 2023 EFFIE SOUTH AFRICA TRENDS REPORT INSIGHTS," a webinar designed to help agencies harness creativity and drive success. Learn how to connect with consumers and stand out in the competitive landscape of advertising. Mark your calendars for an enriching session on 8 May 2024. 📅 8 May 2024 🕥 Time: 10h30 - 11h30 📧 RSVP: [email protected] Don't delay, RSVP today. #EffieAwardsSA #IpsosEffieInsights #MarketingEffectiveness

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Ipsos, one of the largest market research companies, asks ‘Is AI a market research miracle?’, and outlines the insights shared by Ipsos Global Head of Product Testing Dr Nikolai Reynolds which he shared during his visit to South African clients and agencies. These include: Artificial Intelligence is profoundly affecting the approach to market research by revolutionising how companies understand and predict consumer behaviour and AI-driven product testing has the potential to create a new generation of hyper-attuned consumer-friendly products. #AI #ProductInnovation #ProductTesting #MarketResearch #Ipsos https://lnkd.in/dgEdzFfg

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OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT We are thrilled to announce the official launch of our book, Data as a Compass, on the 3rd of December! After a year of dedicated work, the moment has finally arrived to share our insights and experiences with South Africa. This book encapsulates our passion for guiding organisations toward more effective, data-driven decision-making. Launch Offer: Order now and enjoy a 10% discount as part of our launch celebration! The book will be dispatched before the 15th of December. Not sure if the book is for you? Take a look at the endorsement below and find out why this guide is already making an impact across industries. Don't miss your chance to explore practical strategies and forward-thinking approaches that empower individuals and teams to harness data more efficiently. Data as a Compass is designed to inspire anyone looking to foster growth, innovation, and agility in today’s rapidly evolving landscape. Order now and start your journey with Data as a Compass! Data as a compass - By Ashley Francis and Rob van den Wijngaard Rob van den Wijngaard “Data as a Compass” is an essential resource for navigating digital transformation. It offers actionable strategies for using data to drive strategic decisions, strengthen leadership, and build resilient, high-performing organisations.   Dr Shirley Zinn | Chair and Non-Executive Director of numerous boards, author of best-seller Dr Shirley Zinn

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🔍 Exploring Political Forecasting: Discover how listening247 applied AI-driven analytics to predict the South African election results through social media data. A breakthrough showcase of technology's role in modern governance and electoral strategies. Read more about our innovative approach here: https://bit.ly/3RDdAtY #DataAnalytics #listening247 #elections2024

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Grateful to be part of the 2nd Annual Botswana Sustainability Week ongoing from the 8th-10th July 2024 at the Diamond Dome in Gaborone! unpacking the theme- ‘Investing in ESG and Sustainability: Aligning Profitability with Positive Environmental and Social Impact.’ Representing the Botswana Green Building Council, I participated in a panel discussion on 'The shift towards green construction, interior, and buildings in Botswana and globally.' Key takeaways: 1. Reviving Setswana Vernacular Architecture: Historically, materials like earth, cow dung, wood logs, and thatch were used in Setswana local construction. Our traditional building methods, utilizing earth for its thermal mass, were well-suited to Botswana’s climate. Modern buildings often fail to provide the same comfort, especially with climate change. Modernizing these into circular-designed, competitive, affordable, construction products such as brickwork, paneling, and structural systems components is crucial for Botswana's sustainable development. . 2. Adapting Building Codes and Policies: With the Ministry of Trade and Industry reducing cement importation, there is a significant opportunity for local innovation. Policy frameworks must evolve to support this shift. Prescriptive building codes must transitions to performance-based codes intended to reduce embodied carbon, design out waste, promoting circular design principles. 3. Reducing Emissions with Low-Carbon Building Material Alternatives: substituting conventional cement production by reducing the amount of clinker crushed to cement (lowering CO2 emissions)by mixing with bio-based low-carbon alternatives, such as by-products from agriculture. This strategy could also help develop exportable local products, reducing our import bill. Botswana’s high export rate of cereals like wheat and maize, means we have abundant cereal by-products that could be used as low-carbon, renewable materials. Training for local manufacturers to explore these alternatives is essential. 4. The Economic Viability of Green Building offered in significant returns on investment like energy and water savings, reduction in bills, increased property value, and lower operational costs throughout the building’s lifecycle despite perceptions that it is expensive. Worth noting that green finance is taking shape in Botswana with financial institutions like De Beers Group supporting it. The Botswana Green Building Council extends gratitude to Green Loop ESG Consultants for hosting such an impactful engagement during the #BotswanaSustainabilityWeek2024 cc Nkaelang Matenge Botswana Housing Corporation Sebusang Enele Sebusang Botswana Institute for Technology Research and Innovation - BITRI Jonathan Raheem Hosseini Kgalagadi Resources Development Company (Pty) Ltd. t/a Solar Power #SustainabilityWeek #GreenBuilding #ESG #SustainableConstruction #BotswanaGreenBuildingCouncil #RegenerativeDesign #SustainablePractices #CircularEconomy #LifeCycleThinking

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SERVICES MARKETING AND ITS LINK TO SME BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT Services marketing in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) within emerging markets such as South Africa presents a unique set of drivers that distinguish it from larger enterprises and established markets. These businesses, often operating in dynamic and competitive environments, rely on specific strategies to effectively market their services and capitalise on growth opportunities. Want to know more, then read the attached opinion piece. It confirms the drivers of services marketing as important tools in SME success. Why? Because services marketing in SMEs in emerging markets such as South Africa is shaped by a customer-centric approach, value proposition differentiation, digital adoption, networking, cultural sensitivity, service quality, flexibility, innovation, and strategic resource allocation. SMEs that effectively leverage these drivers can navigate competitive landscapes, capitalise on growth opportunities, and build resilient businesses that thrive in dynamic emerging markets.

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The National Development Plan (NDP) 2030 highlights the transformative power of digital communications in reshaping society and promoting social inclusion. To achieve this, digital service delivery must streamline and integrate government processes, offering timely and relevant information and services to South Africa's information society, encompassing citizens, businesses, and industries. Additionally, it enhances governmental efficiency in administration, management, and resource allocation. The pressing need for governments to innovate in public service design and delivery underscores the critical role of digital technologies in driving this transformation. #DigitalTransformation #NDP2030

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Discover the power of NLP Sales Training through compelling testimonials and endorsements from South Africa's top professionals. 🚀 Let their success stories guide you towards achieving unmatched sales excellence. Elevate your skills and unleash your potential with our cutting-edge training program. 🌟 Join the ranks of satisfied clients who have experienced firsthand the transformative impact of NLP Sales Training. #SalesTraining #NLP #SouthAfrica #SuccessStories #UnlockYourPotential #SalesExcellence 💼🔝 Don't miss this opportunity to take your sales game to the next level! 🌈📈 #LinkedInMarketing

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SECOND PRINT RUN! To find out why this practical guide to achieving sustainable financial health is making such a positive impact on readers' lives in 2024, get your copy at bookshops throughout South Africa or online, including at: https://lnkd.in/dWhaiCtN #financialhealth #bestseller #financialplanning #personalfinance #financialfreedom #moneymatters #robmacdonald #vindigopress #lifeadvice #inspirationquotes

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#CallforProposals 83473281, closing 03 November 2024: Digital Career Paths Training Measures - Digital Creative Industries The GIZ’s Digital Skills for Jobs and Income (DS4JI) project aims to enhance employment opportunities for young individuals in the rapidly evolving South African digital economy. Leveraging the learnings from its predecessor Digital Skills for Jobs and Income, the Digital Skills for Jobs and Income II (DS4JI II) project set to refine the integration of support services, delivering a seamless navigation for youth transitioning from Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and youth that is neither in education, employment or training (NEET) into the digital labour market. The project activities focus on providing career planning and digital career information to TVET students, offering targeted training aligned with digital economy demands, supporting the transition to employment or self-employment, and developing evidence-based digital career pathways informed by labour market analyses. The DS4JI II project is implemented together with the South African Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT) and guided by the National Digital and Future Skills Strategy and Implementation Plan. Against this background, the DS4JI II project aims to improve employment prospects for young people, particularly women, by focusing on demand-oriented career paths within South Africa’s digital economy. Career paths include a structured series of education, training, and work readiness programmes designed to prepare South African youth for employment in digital fields. The DS4JI II project seeks to support Digital Creative Industries training measures that create pathways into employment and/or gig work for a minimum of 100 NEET youth, of which 60% are young women. Companies with a proven track record are encouraged to apply to develop and implement a Digital Creative Industries training programme, not exceeding 9 months, that meets established employer(s) and/or gig requirements, develops soft skills, provides mentorship from industry experts and income opportunities in roles that match the training. The programme must include support measures for gender transformation and disability mainstreaming, informed by engagement with employers/industry bodies, to address underrepresentation of women and persons with disabilities in the Digital Creative Industries careers. GIZ invites eligible and professional companies with local presence in South Africa to participate in this tender. Tender Documents are available to download HERE ➡ https://lnkd.in/dqyg3wvX Your proposal must be submitted to [email protected] by 03 November 2024. Please quote reference 83473281 when submitting the documentation. Late submissions will not be accepted #DigitalLabourMarket #TVET #DigitalCareer #DigitalCreativeIndustries #GenderTransformation #DisabilityMainstreaming #SoftSkills

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SME Failure Rates and Market Access Challenges 🌍 In this insightful clip from the GIBS Business School (Gordon Institute of Business Science) hosted event wherein preliminary findings on the 'ESD Ecosystem Effectiveness in South Africa' research project were discussed, Prof. Kerrin Myres addresses a critical point:  👉While it's often said that SMEs in South Africa have a high failure rate, the reality is that the global benchmark shows about 75% of small businesses fail within the first three years. This early-stage failure is common worldwide. The real issue for South African SMEs, as Prof. Myres highlights, lies beyond this initial phase. The structure of our economy, heavily concentrated and dominated by corporates, makes it challenging for small businesses - even those with turnovers of R50 million—to penetrate many markets. 📌 Key Takeaway: Opening up supply chains to small businesses is essential for fostering SME growth and sustainability. 💥 This study on ESD Ecosystem Effectiveness in South Africa was initiated by Edge Growth and is being spearheaded by GIBS Business School.

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New paper alert Enhancing factors play a crucial role in boosting industry competitiveness in both domestic and international markets. The key elements contributing positively include the availability of unskilled labour, local input suppliers, scientific research institutions, technological quality, the cost of unskilled labour, soil conditions, and the sustainability of local input suppliers. Many thanks to Prof. JJ Hlongwane and Dr. MA Nkoana, PhD https://lnkd.in/dn6pg2uP

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