Mark Levy

🌍 Countdown to the Annual Business Week Afrika Summit Continues - 15 DAYS TO GO! Yesterday I had a meeting with the planning committee of the Business Week Afrika Summit and immediately after, we hosted business owners to an evening of fun and networking with Startup Grind. The energy was incredible, and the conversations were enlightening! Ever felt like you're navigating the ups and downs of entrepreneurship all alone? The journey can often feel isolating, but building relationships and communities with fellow entrepreneurs can make all the difference. Connecting with other business owners made me realize that we all share similar challenges and triumphs. When you meet others who are walking the same path, you quickly see that you're not alone. You learn new ways to navigate the rough patches and celebrate the wins together. Building these relationships is crucial. It’s not just about networking; it's about creating a support system. When we come together, we inspire and uplift each other, fostering an ecosystem of growth and innovation. Are you ready to build your community and learn from fellow entrepreneurs? How do you stay connected with other business owners? Let’s share our experiences and grow together! 🌟 #BusinessWeekAfrika #Entrepreneurship #Networking #Community #SupportSystem #Countdown #15DaysToGo James Owino Triply.co Bernard Momanyi Nyagaka Peter Wachira Victoria Kleinbort

19

Gone are the days of spreadsheets and documents getting lost. Digital Preventative Fleet Maintenance Solutions can significantly enhance fleet operations, especially in South Africa, where such options have been limited. With the holiday season approaching, it's crucial to ensure that vehicles are in optimal condition to avoid unexpected breakdowns and disruptions. By investing in a digital solution, you gain access to real-time data on vehicle health, automated alerts for scheduled maintenance, and cost efficiency through early issue detection. This ensures your operations run smoothly, particularly during high-demand periods. If you're interested in optimizing your fleet maintenance, speak to us at SJ Automation Group. We can provide you with a proof of concept to demonstrate how our solutions can transform your operations. Let’s work together to ensure your fleet is ready for the holiday season and beyond! Transport Forum Transnet SOC Ltd IMPERIAL Retail Logistics DHL Supply Chain Kuehne+Nagel The Shoprite Group of Companies #PreventativeMaintenance #FleetManagement #TransportSolutions#DigitalTransformation #SJAutomationGroup #SimplyFleet #SouthAfrica #Logistics

2

1 Comment

This insightful post from my CEO holds valuable information for those aiming to expand their businesses.

4

But Is It Innovation? Cell C becoming Vodacom lite! Cell C becoming Vodacom lite, as nearly all the new executives Cell C CEO Jorge Mendes appointed to his leadership team are former Vodacom employees. On 1 July 2023, Mendes took over as Cell C’s chief executive. He replaced Douglas Craigie Stevenson, who resigned in March 2023 after a three-and-a-half-year stint. Before joining Cell C, Mendes served in various executive roles at Vodacom. In his latest role, he was Vodacom’s chief consumer officer. It did not take long for Mendes to start appointing his former Vodacom colleagues to his leadership team. I understand the rationale of poaching "tried and trusted" executives from the competition. The have industry knowledge and hit the ground running, as do the new Cell C team I am sure. SA Inc across all sectors have mastered this sometimes "lazy recruitment" art if you ask me 🤷‍♂️. But does it translate to innovative business models that can gain competitive edge, or as the article says you just have mini versions of everyone else? Gary Hamel talks about the need for management innovation in large organizations. "A management innovation can be defined as a marked departure from traditional management principles, processes, and practices or a departure from customary organizational forms that significantly alters the way the work of management is performed. Put simply, management innovation changes how managers do what they do." Can managers who have moved around in the same industry change what needs to be done at an ailing minor competitor without substantial innovative approaches?Only time will tell, in Cell C's case. What Cell C needs are a hybrid of new, executable, ideas and innovations that are complimented by deep, mature industry knowledge. But what do I know right🤷‍♂️! #innovation #managementinnovation

35

3 Comments

South Africa has a diverse consumer landscape that needs to cater to a varied audiences ranging from social grant recipients through to the wealthy. Consequently, advertising channels need to be continually evaluate how their offering fits in audiences’ lives. One of the most dynamic sectors to emerge from this process is that of ad campaigns delivered to the mobile device. To a large degree, Telcos in SA were the forerunners of this trend when they launched mobile advertising campaigns around 2007. In more recent times, social media channels have emerged as another option for both the consumers and advertisers consideration.    In developed markets where the most current devices and high data usage are prevalent, a major portion of digital ad spend is allocated to social media campaigns. So, in turn, deals with the top social media companies are often struck by the global HQ team (think FMCG companies). These deals then need to be implemented in the local market with as much as 80% of the digital budget allocated too social.   In developing markets (such as SA), the challenge with the such a mandate is that consumers in the low- to mass market segments do not have the same devices nor data usage patterns as in the developed markets. By way of illustration, one of SA’s leading device retailers still sells 3.5m feature phones per annum and 15% of people who buy a smartphone do not typically use data. Furthermore, low-end smartphones have limited storage so only 4 – 5 apps can be downloaded. As most consumers are ‘data deprived’ they have to concern themselves with pragmatic issues such as how much data will be used for an app refresh or whether they should click a campaign URL. Hence, the importance of engagement mechanisms such as USSD.    Additional data reveals that one of VNA’s Telco partners has 8.8m Non-Social Media Users i.e. consumers who would NOT be exposed to social media campaigns on the likes of FB, YouTube, TikTok etc. Considering that some brands allocate their entire digital budget to flighting social media campaigns, they’re missing out on a significant audience segment. Interestingly, the Non-Social Media User subset is well represented across the ARPU (Average Revenue Per User) spectrum.    Given their treasure trove of 1st Party Data and ability to reach across the device spectrum, Telco’s mobile ad campaigns remain a relevant and impactful media through which to address the SA’s diverse consumer landscape.    

15

2 Comments

Nkosingiphile Mkhonta. We were talking about this today😄. Interesting how transformational work can also be about doing basics well. No fency footwork or big strategy jargon. Just consistency on basics.

50

5 Comments

Capital is like oxygen to any business. The Investec and Founders Foundation NPC has a mandate for black-owned, youth owned, female owned businesses, among others, for their accelerator program. Take up this accelerator program opportunity by applying or refer someone who has a early stage business or idea that could do with a capital boost. #finance #growth #fundraising

6

Throughout our extensive telecommunication experience in the South African business communication landscape, we have witnessed a lot of groundbreaking technologies, but GECT stands out as a revolutionary solution for modern businesses. Why juggle multiple accounts when you can streamline all your fixed office and mobile user expenses into ONE efficient platform? ✨ Key Benefits of GECT: 1. Unified Expense Management: Merge fixed and mobile expenses into a single, easy-to-manage account. 2. Enhanced Control: Monitor and manage how your mobile users utilize voice and data in real-time. Cost Efficiency: Calls between mobile users and the office? Absolutely free! Reduce your mobile expenditure by an average of 60%—no more unmonitored wastage! 4. Simplicity and Savings: Simplify operations and significantly cut costs, giving your business the competitive edge it needs. GECT is not just a product; it's a transformational tool that reshapes how businesses communicate and manage costs. Ready to take control of your communications expenses and boost your bottom line? Let’s talk about how GECT can make a difference to your organization! 🔗 [Learn more about GECT and schedule a demo today!] [email protected]

2

Why Capitec Bank decided to launch mobile services as an MVNO In TJ Strydom’s book, "Capitec: Stalking Giants", he tells the story of a how a group of entrepreneurs turned a small microlending network, into one of the largest retail banks in South Africa. The book also gives some insights – based on an interview with Capitec’s CEO Gerrie Fourie -  into why Capitec decided to launch mobile services as a mobile virtual network operator (#MVNO). After its fast growth to 22 million customers in 2024, Capitec could no longer grow, as fast as it had in the past twenty years. However, Fourie told Strydom that they saw many opportunities for future growth. “We started as a microlender, then a bank, then a tech-digital business, and now you begin to shift to a data business, where data drives almost everything.” The bank’s large pool of clients and number of transactions it processes provided the bank with roughly two trillion data points. This allowed it to better understand customer behavior, assess risk, and grant them credit at the best possible price. “[retailers] Shoprite, Checkers, and Pick n Pay know what you buy. We know what’s in your bank account and where you buy. If you can combine the two, you end up with mega-data,” said Fourie. “Then there are the mobile companies that know who you talk to, how long you talk, and what you do. If you combine all this…” And that is what Capitec did, they launched their MVNO #CapitecConnect in 2022 and it signed up thousands of customers in its first few months. By 31 August 2024, the bank reported that Capitec Connect had reached 1.2 million SIMs, of which 50% generated revenue within the past 30 days. The MVNO also contributed R69 million in net income in six months between March and August 2024, up from R4 million the year before. My Broadband has more on the story: https://lnkd.in/gw54xNVB See also: The goal of Capitec's bank MVNO – and what comes next: https://lnkd.in/gkfPeqHy Yet another financial service group is ready to join the success of MVNOs in South Africa: https://lnkd.in/gjVagnje Nubank CEO shares background and what's to come with its MVNO Venture: https://lnkd.in/gnDMT7C9 MVNO - The billion dollars secret weapon of Banks: https://lnkd.in/gsmtTkQY

28

1 Comment

Helping South African Businesses to navigate their Digital Transformation journey.

1

Manufacturing in South Africa contributes significantly to the economy, accounting for around 13% of the country's GDP. The sector employs over 1.2 million people, making it a vital source of jobs. Key industries include automotive, food processing, and chemical production. South Africa's manufacturing sector has shown resilience, with steady growth in recent years. Despite challenges, such as infrastructure constraints and global competition, the industry continues to play a crucial role in driving economic development and GDP growth. With a diverse range of industries, from automotive to technology, the country's manufacturing prowess is evident. #ManufacturingInSA #EconomicGrowth #Innovation

26

I've finished reading Walter Isaacson's biography on Elon Musk and it is a comprehensive and engaging account of one of the most influential figures of our time. Isaacson’s captivating writing style makes the story of Musk’s journey from a young -occasionally bullied- kid in South Africa to a tech giant an enthralling read, offering rich insights into his relentless ambition and innovative spirit. The biography meticulously covers Musk's ventures, from PayPal to SpaceX, Tesla, Twitter, and beyond, highlighting both the highs and lows of his career. Isaacson excels at providing a balanced perspective, showcasing Musk's brilliance alongside his flaws. This thorough exploration paints a vivid picture of Musk's larger-than-life persona, his bold aspirations, and his often turbulent path to success. However, the book's exhaustive detail can be both a strength and a weakness. At over 600 pages, the narrative sometimes becomes bogged down with superfluous information, such as descriptions of specific meals or how people dressed in some social gatherings. While these details add color, they occasionally feel unnecessary and could have been trimmed to create a more streamlined and focused biography. Additionally, the overwhelming number of names mentioned throughout the book can make it challenging to keep track of who’s who. Including a list at the end of the book with brief descriptions of each person would have significantly enhanced the reading experience, helping readers maintain context and clarity. Despite these minor drawbacks, Isaacson's biography is a remarkable and insightful read, and his portrayal of Musk is compelling and thought-provoking. It provides a deep dive into the life of one of the most groundbreaking and controversial entrepreneurs, offering readers a greater appreciation for Musk's contributions and complexities. For anyone interested in understanding the man behind some of the most innovative companies of our era, this biography is a must-read.

3

I don't agree with this metric. It suggests that your talent pool is directly proportionate to the population size. I do however think there's a case to be made and probably has already been proven that the support given to the talented and not-so talented to unearth that medal-winning quality could be the reason, rather than just the sheer size of the countries population. Its like saying the USA with a population size of almost 5 times South Africa should by virtue of its population size have a more advance banking system than South Africa - which we know is not the case.

2

1 Comment

I hope you enjoy this Let's Talk Loyalty podcast as much as I enjoyed the conversion with Mateboho MALOPE....it really is one to listen to in terms of understanding the role of loyalty in the fintech space and fintech in the loyalty space. Podcast link is in the comments below. Let's Talk Loyalty and Loyalty TV

46

1 Comment

South African Business Owners, When it comes to CRM systems, what are your non-negotiables? 🤔 Pre-register: https://lnkd.in/d3uERVDm We're offering something different—unlimited users for a simple setup fee and a flat monthly rate based on server resources and support. No surprises, just a solution that grows with you. If you are interested? We’d love to hear what you need in a CRM to make your life easier. Let’s chat—drop your thoughts in the comments below! 👇 #BusinessGrowth #CRM #CustomerRelationships #SouthAfrica #JaNiceMedia

1