The week that was 20191214

PROUDEST | MOST GRATEFUL MOMENT

We are in! Shucks this week is a bit of a blur. We are officially in our new beautiful home. I am so grateful and proud! This is the view from our bedroom. Now for all the unpacking and finding a spot for everything. 

This pretty much depicts how my packing went!

I absolutely LOVE our clients and my AMAZING team! Specialites Pet Food (SPF), a division of Diana Pet Food, did their first reputation study and scored an excellent 94%. They now have a set of baseline metrics for each business element to manage their reputation going forward. Thank you to the SPF team, it was great to work with you!

We also presented great research results to McDonald's. 

I am so grateful that I could take the week off to move and that the team are not dependent on me to be in the office to work on projects. 

BIGGEST LESSON THIS WEEK / REMINDER

Moving is hard work! Keep yourself nourished and hydrated!

SOMETHING INTERESTING

I'm not too sure which Church this is at, but I thought it was brilliant. The congregation crotcheted a square that was then used to make a Christmas tree. These blocks will then be sewed together into blankets to be handed out to those less fortunate. 

WHAT MADE ME GIGGLE

Oe there were a few:

The cutest "nope" :) [via Soul Alchemy @marciaswords]

The week that was 20191207

PROUDEST | MOST GRATEFUL MOMENT

[I actually wanted to post this last week, ironically I lost all the photos on my phone while I was backing them up onto a hard drive.] 

I am so grateful for and proud of our Awesome AfriCAN initiative. Rotarians from the Rotary Club of Newlands are mentors for entrepreneurs completing their course at the False Bay TVET College. As part the incentive for the entrepreneurs to complete the mentorship programme, Rotary are sponsoring a website for each of the entrepreneurs. Where our Awesome AfriCAN initiative comes in, is that we are training and empowering the entrepreneurs to build their own websites so that they can also update it themselves. It was such a wonderful morning watching the entrepreneurs build their own sites. Funds raised from the website sponsorship is being ploughed back into the community by providing community members with basic computer skills. 

I am so incredibly excited and proud of our new service offering that we are launching in January 2020. The main aim is to empower our clients with the knowledge to roll out the recommendations from the reputation research that we conduct for them, themselves. We are also offering reputation management support for entrepreneurs so that they can build reputable businesses right from the start. Send us a mail and we'll share more information including an exciting launch deal! [research@reputationmatters.co.za]. Here's an article that was published on Media Update.

I am very grateful for the opportunity to facilitate a full day reputation management course at Enterprises at the University of Pretoria. It was a fabulous group with a lot of knowledge and ideas sharing throughout the day. 

I am very proud of some lovely coverage that we received on Moneyweb, thanks to a media release that Senior Stakeholder Liaison, Chris Bischoff on our team wrote.

On a personal level, it was a rough, tough week. I had to say 'bye' to my darling, sweet Timmy. I am very grateful to have had him part of my life for the past ten years (he was about seven years old when we got him). He had become a bit of an institution in Earl Street, greeting every person that walked by and always ready for a tickle from a passersby. 

BIGGEST LESSON THIS WEEK / REMINDER

Magical things happen when you are tuned into the little things around you, especially nature. On the way to the airport I saw a flock of birds flying, when I took a closer look, I noticed they were flamingos! They were so graceful and beautiful. Later in the afternoon, this (slightly drenched) Hoepoe came to sit on my window, he became quite a poser when he saw me taking photo of him.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

"The noblest pleasure is the joy of understanding," Leonardo da Vinci.

   

"Life is always a little rocky when you are a gem!", Margaret Hirsch.

WHAT MADE ME GIGGLE

Heard on the Gautrain: A child is very permanent; rather start with a tattoo and see if you get used to something that permanent...😂

Media Release: Reputation mentorship matters

Reputation Matters launches reputation mentorship programme.

Reputation Matters, who has dominated the reputation research space with their customised reputation research tool, the Repudometer®, is excited about their new service offering that they will be launching in January 2020.

“Measuring and understanding your reputation isn’t always enough. We have realised that there is a massive need for ongoing reputation management support, especially for entrepreneurs and people who are new to the communication field,” says Regine le Roux founder and managing director of Reputation Matters. “Very often it is assumed that reputation management is very pricey and something that is only relevant for large corporate organisations,” continues le Roux.

“It is especially important for new business owners to build and foster their companies’ reputations right from the start. Often it is assumed that having a social media presence is sufficient. It is, however, everything about your business that impacts how you are perceived that has an effect on your reputation.”  

But why is reputation management so important? “People want to do business with companies that have a good reputation. We have evidence that there is a correlation between a good reputation and bottom line,” adds le Roux.

“Reputation management is much more than just having cool social media pages, SEO and a creative website,” explains Regine. “A large portion of your budget may be going to quirky marketing gimmicks, but if you don’t have your reputation building blocks in place, you’ll be wasting a lot of time and money.

“With our hands-on approach, our programme will help you to focus on the whole business and how you as an entrepreneur (or even a large organisation) can build a positive reputation for your business right from the start. You will be empowered with a very comprehensive understanding of how to look after your reputation, identify your blind spots and leverage off your strengths,” says le Roux.

Communicators, or in fact anyone in the organisation that has a keen interest in reputation management, will also benefit from the mentorship programme. “We have often seen that after a company has invested significantly in a research project, they don’t implement the recommendations. 

Research is crucial; unfortunately, without implementing the recommendations, your reputation will not grow and improve. With the new mentorship programme, we aim to empower the client with the knowledge to roll out the recommendations themselves. We will mentor you on how to build your own communication policies, strategies, and plans, and provide you with templates to make your job easier. In this way we aim to foster a longer-term relationship with the client instead of just an annual engagement,” concludes le Roux.

For more information about Reputation Matters’ mentorship programme and an exciting new launch offer mail: research@reputationmatters.co.za or visit www.reputationmatters.co.za. Follow Reputation Matters on Facebook (@yourreputationmatters) or Twitter (@ReputationIsKey).

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The week that was 20191201

PROUDEST | MOST GRATEFUL MOMENT

This week I am feeling a bit nostalgic. After eleven years in our house in Hout Bay, the time has come to move. I looked everywhere for the perfect place! We almost moved to Kommetjie, which is a lovely community with some lovely properties, it's just really quite far. After the last house viewing there on my way home, and as we drove over Chappies into Hout Bay, I just realised that Hout Bay is home and neither Mark and I wanted to move out of the Republic. I then found the perfect house, such a lovely space (and quiet!) a block away from where we are currently staying. I am grateful to have stayed in this wonderful house in Earl Street, but, I am now excited about the new chapter, still in Hout Bay! Next mission: packing!

It's been another wonderful week of running and cycling! I am so grateful for my running buddies. Photo above is from our Tuesday run with the Hout Bay Harriers. We ran from the Vine to the pier. It was such a beautiful evening. I think we did just over seven kms. 

Two early morning rides up Suikerbossie continued this week, I know that I have said it a million times before, it just really is such a magical time of day. I am so grateful to live in this beautiful part of the world. Picture above is the back of Table Mountain.

I am very grateful to have been part of the PR2020 Summit presented by Faselis Southern Africa, where I spoke on Wednesday on  reputation management from a communicators point of view. Friday was Entrepreneur2020 and my focus was on the importance of reputation management as an entrepreneur and the different dimensions to consider. Well done to Nadia Hearn from Get Published for an absolutely wonderful and well organised summit! Exciting times awaits the PR industry!

BIGGEST LESSON THIS WEEK / REMINDER

I definitely love bibliosmia! It is the smell and aroma of old or good books!

A great reminder that I saw on social media this week:

'The only thing that matters is how much you love. In the end it doesn't matter what your body looks like, how successful your career is, how big your house is, how advanced your yoga practice is, or what your bank statement says. Let me repeat this: "The only thing that matters is how much you love." Your purpose on this earth is to love. And love is a two-way street. We give, we get. With love we will turn this crazy world around.  

And another one:

Refuse to be offended. When people ignore or are mean or rude to you... they're revealing themselves. They're telling you what's within themselves...not what's within you. How you treat those who mistreat you, reveals your emotional and spiritual maturity. "A fool's displeasure is known at once, but whoever ignores an insult is sensible," Proverbs 12:16

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

Loved seeing the quote above: "Sometimes in order to keep growing you just need to change pots."

"Don't find fault. Find the remedy; anyone can complain," Henry Ford

THIS WEEK I FINISHED READING...

The Stellenbosch Mafia by Pieter du Toit. Unfortunately I didn't enjoy it as much as I had hoped I would. The chapter on Steinhoff was incredibly interesting, now I definitely want to read Steinheist. 

I also finished listening to the ebook, "How to Live on 24 Hours," Arnold Bennett. I did have a couple of giggles I am so grateful that we've really evolved specifically with women in the workplace. I do feel that I am doing fairly well with maximing my daily 24 hours.

WHAT MADE ME GIGGLE

"You know what doesn't grow back, Susan? Trust."

It was really very hot in Cape Town this week, I had parked in the sun and it was 40 degrees Celsius!

Leadership Magazine: Governance in IT

Here's my latest Leadership Magazine article, it's all about the importance of IT Governance, thanks to Carolynn Chalmers for all her insights. You'll find it on page 78 and 79 of the November 2019 issue.

“Information technology and business are becoming inextricably interwoven. I don’t think anybody can talk meaningfully about one without talking about the other,” Bill Gates. 

Mention Information Technology (IT) governance, and you probably think that it is some or other computer security protocol or compliance issue best left to techies.

Far from it! As Carolynn Chalmers, executive director of Candor Governance, explained it to me, IT governance has evolved from referring to the organisation’s mainframe and what makes it work, to including all communications aspects. It includes networking, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and machine learning.

“IT governance is best left in the hands of competent legacy builders, experienced governing body members, and considered innovators. It is a mindful and purposeful task which requires foresight and deep insight,” she said. IT governance should therefore fall within the ambit of the very top levels of management as a strategic function.

Carolynn has been interested in what computers can do since she first put her fingers on a keyboard in 1979. She was never really attracted to the gaming side of things, but rather how well and creatively computers could solve problems and present results.  Around 2003 when working as a Group CIO, the company’s Chairman took Carolynn under his wing and provided her with her first insight into “impact investing” and “social responsibility”. It was a light bulb moment for her where she realised that leadership and oversight is not only about what one “must do” but, more importantly, it is all about what one “should do”.

Carolynn is certified in IT governance and has conducted certification training across the world. Her insights and knowledge on the topic are invaluable, especially as non-compliance carries massive reputational risks for organisations. I had a great conversation with Carolynn to get to grips with IT governance. Here are more of her insights, in her own words:

“IT governance is more than just compliance. It is about doing its best and adding the most value to the organisation. IT governance is not management: it is about guiding the organization in the right things to do, not telling the IT department the right way of doing things.

I am a passionate advocate of the King IV definition of corporate governance and apply this to IT governance, so, to paraphrase…

IT governance is the ethical and effective leadership of information, technology and transition by the governing body for the achievement of governance outcomes.

IT governance is not about red tape. Poor IT governance looks and feels like compliance and red tape.  It is stifling and can be very detrimental for the organisation. Effective or “good” IT governance brings certainty to the environment, confidence to investors, and opportunities for the organisation.

Effective IT governance brings role and responsibility clarity and clearly articulates delegated authorities, helping to speed up decision making. It encompasses performance management as well as consequence management and entrenches principles of learning organisations, thereby ensuring that the environment is continually improving. It provides parameters within which the organization’s personnel and leadership team can operate, guiding them on the right things to do so that they can focus on doing these things in the right way. These aspects collectively support organisational entrepreneurship and innovation, two extremely important characteristics in today’s Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR).

IT governance promotes ethical behaviour in the use of technology and information and in the treatment of threats technology is posing to human rights. This will become increasingly critical as we move deeper into the 4IR. Cybersecurity, information security, and privacy impacts are just a taste of what we will face in future. We need to be ready; ethical and effective IT governance equips organizations for this.

Three non-negotiables for IT governance:

1. Ethical and effective leadership, by
2. Legacy builders and appropriate risk-takers, who are
3. Passionate about, and invested in, guiding their organizations to do the right things, minimize value leakage, and steward the world’s limited resources responsibly.

 IT governance carries enormous reputation risk, and opportunity. Technology provides organisations with the ability to access vast arrays of data, but its ability to rapidly and widely distribute data also has the potential to destroy organisations. While we have seen several newsworthy reputational disasters relating to the unintentional exposure, or nefarious use, of data, some South African companies have successfully leveraged the benefits of data effectively responding to the threats. They are using data optimally to reduce costs and outrun competitors.

It’s not only about the technology or the information; it’s mostly about the people. Today my efforts are directed to Business Relationship Management and minimizing value leakage that occur as a consequence of poor human behaviour and dysfunctional organisational relationships.

Active listening, negotiation, convincing and motivation are hard knocks for traditional IT people like me who are most comfortable sitting behind a device. In tomorrow’s world I believe these skills are going to be core differentiators as technology increasingly automates the repetitive tasks. It is a problem we must tackle head-on as these relationship skills are precisely those we are losing touch with as we increasingly interact and communicate through our devices.”

In today’s world, IT has infiltrated every aspect of business. It is not just ‘the computer guy’s’ responsibility anymore. Organisations that struggle with IT governance may see real business impact in the form of missed market opportunities and lost competitive advantage, and even extinction. The good news is that, for those with sound IT governance, ready to take Industry 4.0 by the horns and evolve with the digital age, a whole new world awaits.

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The week that was 20191123

PROUDEST | MOST GRATEFUL MOMENT

I am grateful for being back in the saddle. I've entered the Cape Town Cycle Tour 2020; I really do find that having a goal to work towards helps my exercising routine. At this stage I'm not riding too far, my immediate focus is to get my cycling fitness back on track.  

I just love living in Cape Town. I had to stop and take a photo of Lion's Head on my way into Town the other morning. There are the most beautiful pink / mauve flowers on the side of the Mountain; unfortunately the photo does not do it any justice. It's a reminder that we need to stop, take stock and enjoy the beauty that surrounds us.

BIGGEST LESSON THIS WEEK / REMINDER

This is fascinating! I honestly never even thought that a music typewriter existed, how incredibly inventive.   

This is a great reminder via Robin Banks' Facebook page. Don't forget to be awesome! Remind yourself daily: 

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

This is a great quote: "No one ever made a difference by being like everyone else," P.T Barnum.

THIS WEEK I FINISHED READING...

I know that I have waxed lyrically about Verne Harnish before; I really do like the business principles that he shares. This is a book I am encouraging my team to read as well. 

WHAT MADE ME GIGGLE

Awesome AfriCAN Businesswomen: Margaret Hirsch

Over the next couple of weeks I am going to be profiling dynamic business people who inspire me.

First up is Margaret Hirsch, Founder and Chief Operating Officer of  Hirsch's. Not only is she a successful, dynamic and inspiring businesswomen and mentor, she is also an incredibly special friend. We've traveled together to Côte d'Ivoire, a place I would never have dreamt of visiting if it had not been for Margaret nudging me and pushing me out of my comfort zone! 

From a consistency point of view, I've asked everyone the same questions. 

Here's Margaret's wisdom...

1. Describe in eight words what it is that you do

Motivate others to be the best they can be.

Margaret inspiring her teams across the country

Entrepreneurs across the country can attest to the phenomenal advice that Margaret shares

2. What is the biggest myth that you would like to bust about your industry

People think that because my shops are big and well stocked that we are expensive. 

Our prices are cheaper than they can get anywhere else and our service is exceptional too!

3. If you could go back in time, what is your biggest business lesson that you would share with yourself on day one of starting your business?

Help others along the way; in the beginning you are so focused on yourself, you forget to help others.

As soon as you start helping others, the blessing are heaped on you.

4. What excites you most about Africa?

I absolutely LOVE Africa, the people, the beat, the pulse, the wealth, the abundance; its like nowhere else on earth!

5. What is the biggest lesson about money that you want to share with business owners?

This is actually not a question that I had specifically asked Margaret. But as I was writing this, I realised that one of the most important pieces of advice that I've received about money and payments as an entrepreneur came from Margaret. And, as business owners money management is fundamental to the success of a business. 

Her advice: Make sure that you get paid before delivering the product or service; you aren't going to go to your local grocery shop and only pay for the food after you've eaten it. Why bill for your offering any differently?

That has definitely stuck with me!

6. What is your favourite quote

You can live anywhere but you can  only be truly happy in Africa!

The Results are In!

We've once again measured our own reputation...

“The goal is to transform data into information, and information into insight.” - Carly Fiorina Thank you to everyone who had participated in our annual reputation survey. We are firm believers in practicing what we preach, and once again measured our own reputation amongst our key stakeholder groups using our propriety research model, the Repudometer®. There were a number of stakeholders who completed the survey, including employees, clients, past clients, strategic partners, service providers, and the media. Participants were mainly from South Africa, but also included responses from other countries such as Nigeria, Kenya, Mauritius, and Zambia. We are ecstatic to announce that Reputation Matters has once again received a very healthy rating; this year's score is 86%. We are pleased to know that our governance structures are in place and that our team is considered as knowledgeable in the reputation management space. There is always room for improvement, and we'll be focusing a lot more on our external communication, so watch this space! The majority of participants indicated that our core service offering is reputation research; we are thrilled about this as we’ve been working hard to position ourselves in this space. We also asked a few general research questions; 67% of stakeholders said that they have conducted research in the past. It's interesting to see that there is a big need amongst corporates to know more about stakeholders' attitudes, perceptions, and expectations, something that we are very passionate about. The biggest frustration is the costs; we urge you to contact us for a customised research solution. Your research could even be free! We’ll gift you 10% off your next project when you refer a company to us that signs up for their own research study. Refer ten people, and your research will be free! If you invest in a research project before 2020, you won't have to pay the annual 10% increase. We are just as proud to announce that our passion project, Awesome AfriCAN, is still in full swing. If you'd like to get more involved in building our nation one community at a time, please reach out.

The week that was 20191116

PROUDEST | MOST GRATEFUL MOMENT

I am so grateful for living in Hout Bay and to be within walking distance from the beach. It's absolutely magical and fodder for the soul to to start your day like this every morning. 

BIGGEST LESSON THIS WEEK / REMINDER

An important reminder: Surround yourself with people who push you to do better. No drama or negativity. Just higher goals higher motivation, good times and positive energy. No jealousy or hate. Simply bringing out the absolute best in each other. 

Another one from Adam Grant: One of the best ways to make a good impression is to avoid wasting other people's time. Time is the scarcest resource we have. Use it well. 

...and one more:

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

I really like this quote from Margaret Hirsch: 'To be the best, you must be able to handle the worst!'

one more...

'No one ever made a difference by being like everyone else,' PT Barnum

WHAT MADE ME GIGGLE

A friend from university's surname is Bischop, when he checked in to his hotel on a recent business trip, he was greeted and welcomed as Pastor John! :D