Book: Banker to the poor, The autobiography of Muhammad Yunus, founder of the Grameen Bank, Muhammad Yunus with Alan Jolis

A very interesting read and take on how to eradicate poverty. On this MAD journey that I am on, this book was highly recommended and I understand why. It was first published in 1998; there have been many changes with the boom of technology, sadly not too much in terms of finding a solution to poverty. 

I particularly like what Yunus says about charity, "Charity is no solution to poverty. Charity only perpetuates poverty by taking the initiative away from the poor. Charity allows us to go ahead with our own lives without worrying about those of other people. Our conscience is adequately appeased by charity. The real issue is creating a level playing field for everybody, giving every human being a fair and equal chance."

The only place where poverty should be seen in the future is in museums. 

The week that was 20180908

PROUDEST | MOST GRATEFUL MOMENT

My most grateful moment this week was receiving my Côte d'Ivoire visa. I am incredibly grateful to my assistance Tracey for taking charge of all the admin in my life. I never realised just how much I needed a Tracey in my life. With this, the African adventure continues!

MY BIGGEST LESSON THIS WEEK

For years I had the same financial planner, we walked a path for almost 15 years. It was one of those scenarios where you don't know what you don't know, and you blindly support someone because you think they have your best interest at heart. For some time it bothered me that I only heard from him once a year when my policies had to be renewed, usually with quite a steep price increase. I knew that I had to change advisors.

Enter Carla. I now have the most amazing Carla from Adviceworx in my life, who takes a genuine interest in what I do and my finances. We have reviewed everything and through this exercise, realised that my will was last updated in 2009! 

Medical aid, short-term insurance, life insurance, you name it we've looked at it. Not a massive fan of change, I was initially a bit daunted by all of these changes. Then I realised (and this is where the lesson for the week comes in), that the whole purpose of changing over to Adviceworx was to get advice and guidance. There is absolutely no point in wanting things to change but you continue doing things in the same way. 

MY FAVOURITE QUOTE THIS WEEK

Not necessarily a quote, but I really liked this piece shared by one of our team members earlier this week:

PODCAST I'M LISTENING TO 

WHAT MADE ME GIGGLE THIS WEEK

This absolutely made my week!

The week that was 20180901

PROUDEST | MOST GRATEFUL MOMENT

I feel super chuffed to have completed the Certified Directorship course presented by the Institute of Directors in Southern Africa (IoDSA). It was a great experience to be a student again for a couple of hours a week. I particularly enjoyed Part 5, which was a simulation of a real board meeting. A highly recommended course. 

MY BIGGEST LESSON THIS WEEK

The biggest lesson this week, is more of a reminder; and could actually also be positioned under the 'My Proudest Moment this week." It links to Steve Job's quote I shared last week. "It doesn't make sense to hire smart people and then tell them what to do; we hire smart people so they can tell us what to do," ~ Steve Jobs.

I absolutely love my team. This week we presented two large research project results to clients. I was bursting with pride as they presented the results. I did not have to micromanage any of the projects and only provided a soundboard function as and where needed.

Both clients commented on what a painless process it was and thanked the team for making the research such an easy process. 

The right team, processes and tools is a magical combination for pain-free research and reputation management. 

MY FAVOURITE QUOTE THIS WEEK 

PODCAST I'M LISTENING TO 

WHAT MADE ME GIGGLE THIS WEEK

Here's to another AWESOME week!

Another Awesome AfriCAN week 20180830

#Cameroon 

Founded in 2013, Kiro'o Games is one of Cameroon's most successful digital startups. It has grown to become Central Africa's first major video games studio. It draws on African mythology rather than Hollywood for inspiration, as in its fantasy role-playing game "Aurion: Legacy of the Kori-Odan." Read more about what they are doing here.

#Ghana

Google recently announced that Africa is getting a Google Artificial Intelligence Laboratory in Accra, Ghana.

Why Ghana? Jeff Dean (the Google AI and Google Brain team lead), explains that it had to do with the robust network of academic institutions as well as infrastructure. Google has been a significant investor in strengthening those institutions and the infrastructure around it. Read the full article here.

#Morocco

Rabat is becoming an open-air art gallery, with local and international street artists leaving their mark behind. Thanks largely to support from the annual Jidar Toiles des Rue festival and Montresso Art Foundation, large-scale murals are popping up around town on national institutions and residential blocks. More information and beautiful images here.

#SouthAfrica

  

Gracious Dube (33) from Hout Bay (Cape Town) has always had an eye for fashion, but never did she think her handmade purses from Rooibos tea bags would one day be sold as a hot fashion accessory in Paris, the fashion capital of the world.

The beautiful tea bag clutch, all the way from Hout Bay
in Cape Town that is all the rage in Paris!

Original T-Bag Designs is a company that started out as a social responsibility project by founder, Jill Heyes, to help impoverished women from Imizamo Yethu (an informal settlement in Hout Bay) to earn money, by making unique arts and crafts from tea bags and boxes. [Check out their website.]

Whilst holidaying in South Africa, French fashion designer, Carine Khalil, who focuses on upcycling products, was intrigued by Dube’s eye-catching tea bag purses, which she spotted at the V&A Waterfront.

Khalil has since worked with Dube on recreating her Rooibos purse for the Paris market, which sells for €26 at Ithemba Design Ethik, a top fashion and decor boutique, owned by Khalil.

To make her fashionable purses, which are lined with silk, Dube starts off by drying and ironing about 45 to 50 Rooibos tea bags. Once done, the tea bags are varnished and either glued or carefully stitched onto the silk. Some purses are also decoratively painted to add to the unique look. [More info SA's Rooibos Council's website].

#SouthAfrica

South Africa has been named the top adventure travel destination in the world for 2018, beating popular destinations like Iceland and New Zealand in Virtuoso International Luxury Travel’s annual rankings. 

Global luxury travel network Virtuoso deemed South Africa the world’s number one adventure destination for 2018.

Advisors from Virtuoso-affiliated travel agencies in North America, Latin America, Asia-Pacific, the Caribbean, Europe, Africa and the Middle East were polled, drawing on their expertise and client requests to offer insight into 2018’s biggest trends. Read more here.

Patience is the key which solves all problems. ~ Sudanese proverb

Book: IoDSA King IV Report on Corporate Governance for South Africa 2016

The King IV report is the 'Bible' for corporate governance. It provides a fundamental base to running ethical entities. It is not just for corporate organisations, it includes subsections for: Municipalities, | Non-Profit Organisations | Retirement funds | Small and Medium Enterprises | State-Owned Entities | 

There are 16 Principles:

• Principle 1 = The governing body should lead ethically and efficiently
• Principle 2 = The governing body should govern the ethics of the organisation in a way that supports the establishments of an ethical culture
• Principle 3 = The governing body should ensure that the organisation is an and is seen to be a responsible corporate citizen
• Principle 4 = The governing body should appreciate that the organisation's core purpose, its risks and opportunities, strategy, business model, performance and sustainable development are all inseparable elements of the value creation process
• Principle 5 = The governing body should ensure that reports issued by the organisation enable stakeholders to make informed assessments of the organisation's performance and its short, medium and long-term prospects
• Principle 6 = The governing body should serve as the focal point and custodian of corporate governance in the organisation
• Principle 7 = The governing body should comprise the appropriate balance of knowledge, skills, experience, diversity and independence for it to discharge its governance role and responsibilities objectively and effectively
• Principle 8 = The governing body should ensure that its arrangements for delegation within its own  structures promote independent judgement, and assist with balance of power and the effective discharge of its duties
• Principle 9 = The governing body should ensure that the evaluation of its own performance and that of its committees, its chair and its individual members, support continued improvement in its performance and effectiveness
• Principle 10 = The governing body should ensure that the appointment of, and delegation to, management contribute to role clarity and the effective exercise of authority and responsibilities
• Principle 11  = The governing body should govern risk in a way that supports the organisation in setting and achieving its strategic objectives
• Principle 12  = The governing body should govern technology and information in a way that supports the organisation setting and achieving its strategic objectives
• Principle 13  = The governing body should govern compliance with applicable laws and adopted, non-binding rules, codes and standards in a way that supports the organisation being ethical and a good corporate citizen
• Principle 14  = The governing body should ensure that the organisation remunerates fairly, responsibly and transparently so as to promote the achievement of strategic objectives and positive outcomes in the short, medium and long-term
• Principle 15 = The governing body should ensure that assurance services and functions enable an effective control environment, and that these support the integrity of information for internal decision-making and of the organisation's external reports
• Principle 16  = The execution of its governance role and responsibilities, the governing body should adopt a stakeholder-inclusive approach that balances the needs, interests and expectations of material stakeholders in the best interests of the organisation over time
• Principle 17 = The governing body of an institutional investor organisation should ensure that responsible investment is practiced by the organisation to promote the good governance and the creation of value by the companies in which it invests

The Insititute of Directors in Southen Africa (IoDSA), are the custodians of King IV. There is a wealth of information on their website. Their certified and chartered Directorship programs should be a non-negotiable course for all executives. 

The week that was 20180825

PROUDEST | MOST GRATEFUL MOMENT

For the first time in months I reconnected with my surfboard. It was an absolutely glorious morning. There was even a seal enjoying the waves with us, and small fish popping about. There really isn't anything that clears your head or is as exhilarating as finding that perfect wave;  (or anything that clears your sinuses if you don't!). I forgot what a full body work out it is! 

I am very grateful to Daniel Newman for the opportunity to chat to him about Reputation Matters and reputation management for his CEOWise.TV series. We recorded it in the Botanical Gardens in Pretoria.

MY BIGGEST LESSON THIS WEEK

One of the recurring themes of my conversations this week has been about time management. 

I've learnt to embrace routine. 

My weekdays do start quite early, but I don't start working immediately. When I get up, I set 30 minutes aside for quiet time and meditation; then 30 minutes of reading, and 30 minutes of exercise (usually if it is light enough, I take Bella for a quick walk around the block). I find this helps me to structure my day and be in the right frame of mind to tackle things. 

When I am in front of my computer, I steer away from the temptation to dive into my Inbox (otherwise, my day pretty much revolves around emails and I don't get to doing anything else). I first tackle something more strategic or pressing, then I allow specific times during the day to check emails. I have also found that as much as we put pressure on ourselves to multitask, focussing is key. First, focus and finish one activity at a time; switch off your phone and close your emails. Dedicate your attention to that specific piece of work. Finish it before you move onto the next 'to do' item. 

Getting sidetracked is fatal to productivity. Usually, it takes a lot longer to get back into the rhythm of said activity, than if I had just persevered another five minutes. 

WHAT MADE ME GIGGLE THIS WEEK

PODCAST I'M LISTENING TO 

How Artificial Intelligence (AI) can save our humanity by Kai-Fu Lee was fairly interesting, and links back to the recurring theme of the importance of having balance. [https://player.fm/1sbTdW]

MY FAVOURITE QUOTE THIS WEEK 

ONE LAST THING 

Remember, YOU are AWESOME!

Another Awesome AfriCAN week 20180823

#Africa

The Homecoming Revolution is an absolutely amazing concept; they operate with the aim of creating a powerful wave of prosperity for the continent by bringing top skills back home.

Established in South Africa in 2003, Homecoming Revolution is the “brain gain” Global Headhunting Firm for Africa.

They specialize in headhunting and placing globally experienced African talent on the continent, with a focus on middle management up to C-suite.

They primarily recruit across sub-Saharan Africa with a strong focus on South Africa, Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania and other Anglophone countries in sub-Saharan Africa.

What an incredible initiative to bring talent back to Africa.

#DemocraticRepublicofCongo 

Congo Fashion Week ~ Much of the world knows little of the country’s vibrant arts scene, and last weekend in the capital, Kinshasa, models showed off daring new looks dreamed up by local designers on the catwalk. [The Guardian]

#Morocco

Moroccan technology startup ATLAN Space is developing artificial intelligence (AI) to guide autonomous drones so that they can scan large areas for "environmental crimes" like illegal fishing, poaching or deforestation. Once a drone detects a boat, AI will enable it to verify whether it is a cruising boat, tanker or fishing vessel. The drone will then establish whether the boat is operating inside a marine protected area, and if it is an authorized fishing vessel.[via CNN]

#SouthAfrica 

Bicycles and Beyond (BAB), founded in 2015, is a non-profit organisation that empowers individuals, especially women and youth via bicycles. It is owned and managed by Beverley Roode and Janine Johnson. They believe that BAB plays a pivotal role in Western Cape communities, providing a safe and friendly environment where women and youth can learn about cycling, road safety, bicycle maintenance and repairs, and so forth. In addition to this, they also host ladies’ cycling events and bicycle tours, spinning classes, team buildings as well as special holiday programs in communities to keep vulnerable youth busy during the school holidays. 

Roode and Johnson manage and operate the Qhubeka Western Cape Bicycle Assembly Facility at Nederburg Wines in Paarl, where a number of previously unemployed women from the local Paarl East area work as trained bicycle builders and mechanics. 

Qhubeka, a non-profit organisation, advances socio-economic development in South African communities via the distribution of bicycles as part of a range of learn-to-earn, work-to-earn, sports and disaster relief programmes. To date, this charity has contributed in excess of 80 000 purpose-built bicycles, uplifting many communities throughout the country.  

#SouthAfrica 

In celebration of women’s month, South African Airways (SAA) chartered an all-female flight that took off to São Paulo yesterday morning. The flight aims to inspire younger generations of women to pursue a career in the field of aviation and ultimately showcases that women can do it too! It’s seldom that an all-female flight is chartered. [thanks for the pic @Slindelo_M]  

 If you have a story to share please send it to: africa@reputationmatters.co.za

Learning expands great souls. ~ Namibian proverb