Audiobook: Big Ideas for Small Businesses, John Lamerton

Read by: John Lamerton

Thoroughly enjoyed this audiobook, and it's a good reminder of basic things that we know we need to do, but often forget to. 

Key take homes for me:

> Marketing: There is no such thing as just relying on word of mouth to build your business. You have to have a marketing campaign, if you don't, it's like winking in the dark ~ you know what you are doing, but no one else does. 

> Setting goals: I love setting goals and ticking them off as I get them done. But, what I particularly like about John Lamerton's suggestion is setting three key goals at a time. I already have my annual and monthly goals, but to reach them, he recommends setting three key goals per week and then three per day to get there. Laser focus on each to get them done and not to be distracted by anything. 

> Do something outside of your comfort zone every day. 

> Who you associate with matters, the five people that you spend the most of your time with, will impact your thinking and behaviour. Choose wisely. 

5/5

#AfricaMonth: Creative Africa - Exploring the PR potential of Africa as an emerging economic & reputation powerhouse

Photographer: David Itumbi (Kenya). (L to r) Derick Chiweshe (Zambia), Hazel Zulu (Zambia), Davies Mupenda (Zambia), Pamela Mupoti (Zambia), Regine le Roux (South Africa) , Katasha Ponya (Zambia)

Bizcommunity asked me to share my thoughts on last week's African Public Relations Association (APRA) Conference that took place in Lusaka, Zambia. 

Here's an excerpt linking the theme of the conference, Creative Africa, Exploring the PR potential of Africa as an emerging economic & reputation powerhouse to reputation management:

"...Reputations matter now more than ever. Building a reputation is an artwork, it is not something that can be rushed, there needs to be balance and harmony. To be a true artist, a true master, you have to put in the work and create more than just one masterpiece; consistency is key....

"...There was a kaleidoscope of conversation, a mixture of issues old and new; ultimately all of us sharing challenges of building reputations, finding solutions to better leverage off of research and ultimately fostering closer relationships with each other, our companies and our countries. We are all indeed colourful, creative and all one Africa..."

Read the full article here:

https://www.bizcommunity.com/Article/196/759/238686.html

###
 

Why I love my African skirt.

The chant for APRA* is: One Africa, One APRA, One APRA, One Africa.

Earlier this week while travelling in Lusaka, Zambia, I went exploring. There is something energising and healing to be under the African sky, especially if that sky is bright blue and the sun blazing down. And, as an added elixir, an air of peace, calm and tolerance.

When abroad, I refuse to have international roaming on my phone after receiving an eye watering bill years ago when I was heading to Milan via Dubai. I therefore knew that access to wi-fi and ordering a Yango (Uber equivalent) would be limited to get me from place to place on my day of explorations. Making sure that I was wearing comfortable walking shoes, sun screened and had a bottle of water, I was set to tackle the day.

First stop, the Freedom Statue. From there, a quick check on Google maps (luckily you don’t need the internet to check your location) helped me to head in the direction of the Soweto Market, a recommendation from the taxi driver who collected me from the airport over the weekend.

Heading to the market, there are several other markets on route, bustling with people, shoulder to shoulder, often no room to pass, you just have to go with the crowd; no backing out, you have to just move forward. Go with the flow. The people of Zambia are incredibly friendly, and peaceful, no underlying aggression or tension. I can’t image that I would ever head into a local market on my own in the middle of a township in South Africa, which is rather sad.

As with any market, you can pretty much buy everything imaginable. The two main commodities by the looks of it: second hand clothing, acres and acres of the world’s second-hand clothing and fresh food. Almost every stall has a small megaphone that is plugged into a recording blaring out at full volume the cost of their items. Before the trip, I manged to rupture an eardrum, so in this instance being slightly hearing impaired was a blessing, but the other ear took strain.

There were also a number of stalls selling beautiful African material. At Mama Fasi’s stall my eye fell on a blue patterned piece of material. It was incredibly reasonably priced (I should have bought more material!). After confirming that it wasn’t made in China, but from Tanzania, I asked Mama Fasi, tongue in cheek, if there was perhaps someone who would be able to make me a skirt with it? Anticipating a ‘are you insane? no, not here’, she said, yes! Just around the corner! 

And there, right next to her shop, in the small corridor, was a lady sitting behind her old Singer sewing machine, willing to make me a skirt while I wait. Mama Fasi cleared a wooden bench for me to sit on. (I didn’t want to venture too far as I wasn’t sure that I would find my way back again, and by that time I was a bit marketed~out. There I sat listening to the megaphones chanting, while Destiny, all the way from the Congo, sewed up a storm.

Three of the vendors opposite Mama Fasi’s stall had their lunch in the corridor and invited, no actually insisted, that I join their meal of nshima (pap), chibwabwa (pumpkin leaves mixed with peanuts) and peri-peri chicken. I had bought peanuts earlier in the day which I was able to contribute to this feast.

Destiny did a marvellous job of making the skirt! It even has pockets!

A skirt made in Zambia, by a lady from the Congo, using material from Tanzania, bought by a South African, a truly African skirt!

The skirt isn’t 100% perfect but, the imperfection is perfect. It’s absolutely marvellous, beautiful, comfortable and the pockets a wonderful surprise. To me, this one garment, represents the fabric of Africa in so many ways, Africa isn’t perfect, but it is absolutely marvellous, beautiful, versatile and it will surprise you in wonderful ways, it is home.

We are all one Africa.

[*APRA = African Public Relations Association, and I’m here in Lusaka, Zambia presenting the research that Reputation Matters did on the state of ethics and PR landscape in Africa at their annual conference.]

Ethical standards remain crucial for the African PR industry new report finds

Adhering to ethical standards remains essential for the best practices in public relations and communication. All members of APRA and PRCA are required to follow the APRA Code of Conduct and PRCA Professional Charter and Codes of Conduct, respectively, and are accountable for doing so.

The African Public Relations Association (APRA) and Public Relations and Communications Association (PRCA) have jointly released their report on the state of ethics and public relations industry in Africa for 2023. The report is based on a survey conducted across 21 African countries with 274 respondents.

The report highlights a shift in priorities for PR activities in the past two years, with crisis management (44%) taking over from digital and social media (40%) as the highest priority. Reputation management (42%) is also considered to be a high priority. Ethics management (16%), sales promotion (14%), and event planning (14%) have decreased in importance due to the impact of COVID-19 and the shift towards digitisation.

The joint research also found that training and development in communication strategy development (59%), reputation management (51%), crisis management (42%), and ethics management (41%) are highly recommended in the region. Respondents also expressed a strong interest in training sessions on the metaverse, highlighting the importance of keeping up with contemporary matters such as artificial intelligence.

Other key findings:

• Most respondents work within an organisation that has between two to five employees (17%), followed by 11 to 15 people (15%).
• Communications strategy development (61%) is the most common response for the main function of PR practitioners' roles.
• Crisis management has taken over from digital and social media as the highest priority, with a 10% decrease compared to last year.
• Ethics management, sales promotion, and events planning have decreased in importance.
• Flexible working and remote working are valued only 14% and 10% of the time, respectively.
• 46% of respondents reported working in a hybrid model, 34% are in the office full time, while 17% are fully remote.

Reputation Matters Managing Director Regine le Roux said:

“Prioritising ethics is crucial within the public relations landscape, more so than ever before on our continent. At Reputation Matters we believe that research is the springboard to success, and with this collaboration, the insights will help to build and strengthen the industry to help build individual, organisational, and country reputations. We are thrilled to play a part in quantifying value across the continent."

###

Reflection: Breath

To be honest, it’s been a challenging couple of weeks, because when things don’t flow and timelines don’t work out as anticipated, my automatic setting is panic.

Panic and over analysis of everything. It’s as if even the most mundane small non-issue, becomes this massive issue that needs to be analysed and overcomplicated from every possible angle. It’s exhausting. 

Exercise helps, it helps a lot.  In fact it was during my run this morning up Suikerbossie that my inner voice belted out to me: STOP THIS! STOP.THE.PITY.PARTY! 

I woke up this morning being fully in my head and panic mode turned to maximum. The morning walk on the beach with Mark and Bella was an absolute blur because I was more focussed on what I was worrying about instead of taking in and appreciating the magic that an early morning brings, and the appreciation of another dawn with these two incredible two beings. 

As I progressed up Suikerbossie, and rather taken aback by this inner outburst, I realised that I was able to do sweet blue all about everything that I was worrying about at that immediate moment in time. All I was able to do, is agree with myself to tackle one moment at a time. And, the only thing I should be focussing on is Suikerbossie and aiming to reach the top without stopping, and while I’m at it, chuck in some gratitude that I am healthy, and able to run and that I live in one of the most beautiful places imaginable, where I can enjoy a magnificent sun rise. 

Immediate next steps: 

🌅 Stop the pity party. 

🌅 Focus on and deal with one moment at a time. 

🌅 Be fully present and focus on doing one thing at a time, and do it as best you can.

🌅 Be patient, everything works out perfectly.

🌅 Breath.

Three wishes for South Africa: Insights from Business Leaders

 

[Photo:www.canva.com]

Today is Freedom Day. I was intrigued by the heading of this press release when I received it, Three wishes for South Africa: Insights from Business Leaders. A "wish" is not a strong enough business concept, for me it's pie in the sky with no concrete outcomes. But, with that said, I definitely agree that the top three things identified should be non-negotiable goals, something which is actually achievable when egos are set aside and the concepts of ethics and integrity embraced on all levels of a country.

Nonetheless, here's the article, and the wishes: 

Freedom Day on 27 April, is a day that commemorates the end of apartheid and the progress made towards freedom and democracy.  In a recent survey conducted by the Alexforbes investment survey team, business leaders were asked to share their three wishes for South Africa based on challenges that still exist for the county; hypothetical wishes that would contribute to the nation's growth and development.

Don Andrews, Head of the Investment Survey Team at Alexforbes, highlighted the significant social issues that South Africa faces, including poverty, gender and racial inequality, unemployment, and social justice. Despite the progress made, there is a growing sense of disillusionment and frustration among some, who feel that democracy has not delivered on its promises.

The wishes shared by business leaders in the survey were seen as crucial for addressing these challenges and creating a more prosperous and equitable society. The top three wishes were:

1. A corruption-free environment in state-owned entities would ensure their efficient functioning, financial sustainability, and contribution to economic growth.

2. Reducing crime and lawlessness would lead to improved safety, security, and a conducive environment for economic growth and development.

3. Improved access to quality education and meaningful employment would reduce poverty and inequality while ensuring that all citizens have the necessary skills to participate in the economy.

Furthermore, finding a permanent solution to South Africa's energy and electricity challenges was also highlighted as a crucial wish. A reliable, affordable and sustainable energy supply is vital for both households and businesses.

While these wishes are essential, the survey results also emphasised that more than three wishes are required to address the complex issues facing South Africa. Business leaders recognised their role in actively addressing socio-economic challenges and emphasised the need for collaboration with the government to find sustainable solutions.

"The challenges facing South Africa are multifaceted and require a collective effort from all stakeholders," says Don Andrews. "As business leaders, we have a responsibility to actively engage in finding solutions that contribute to the country's growth and development."

The results of the 2022 Alexforbes Annual Retirement Fund Survey, which featured the thoughts and wishes of business leaders, serve as a call to action for businesses. They need to play a proactive role in addressing social issues and working towards a more inclusive and prosperous South Africa.

If you would like to delve deeper into the insights and perspectives shared by business leaders on some of the critical issues facing our country, we invite you to access the full article by clicking on the link below.

Full report

###

Audiobook: The Ultra Mindset, Travis Macy

Read by Brain Hutchinson

Some of the key take homes for me from this book:

• Whether you are training for an ultra-marathon, or your first five kilometers, to be successful is all about mindset. 
• If you want it, you make a plan to make it happen.
• You are better than you are, and you can do more than you think you can. 
• Commit not to quit.
• If you are doing something you don't like, reappraise it and say to yourself ‘this is good mental training, it will make me stronger, resilient and prepared to take on other challenges in my life’.
• "80% of success is showing up" ~ Woody Alan
• Work hard and relentlessly in everything that you do. Show up with a positive attitude and your full presence.
• Be a wannabe ~ emulate those people that you respect and admire. 
• Have an ego and use it – until it’s time to put your ego aside. Ego should be used to bolster your own drive and confidence. It should never be about comparing yourself to others.
• Reflection ~ Think about your thinking: what and why. Begin races focused on your what and turn to your why when the going gets tough. What = the mechanics of your plan, including pacing, effort, nutrition and hydration, gear, etc. Think of each step and how you are doing it.  Why = the motivators and goals you’ve set for this race. Why are you doing this and ultimate outcome. 
• When you’ve made a choice, see it through by putting aside any possibility of changing your mind.
• Bad stories, good stories: the ones you tell yourself make all the difference.
• Never quit, except when you should quit. It's okay to stop when it is the smart thing to do, especially if by continuing you put your safety or health in jeopardy. Otherwise, keep going.
• Have fun. 
• Failure is the route to success

###