CH eProfiler Edition 2 by CorporateHeelz

IN: WENI KABOTA | NORENA M. CHITEBA | VISION BOARDS | ASIKANA NETWORK

Inspiring, enlightening, powerful connections. EDITION 2

Kapesa Singogo Smith Chatterjee When passion pays off...

How to answer frequently asked tough interview questions.

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CONTENTS |

4 Editorial

26 CH Feature

TopFloor on Womenomics

10 CH Profile

Penjani Deborah Ng’uni

28 CH Inspiration

Quotes & Pearls of Wisdom

32 CH Forbes Article

Forbes Woman, 5 Qualities of Charismatic People. Do you have them?

34 CH Beauty

12 CH Insight

How to Answer Frequently Asked Tough Interview Questions

WENI KABOTa FOCUSED, TENACIOUS VISIONARY…

NOU Koncept

36 CH Insight

Vision Boards

16 CH Member Profile Kapesa Singogo Smith Chatterjee

20 CH Congratulates Norena M. Chiteba

22 CH Congratulates Yammie Zimba

24 CH Feature

Is the Grass Reall Greener on the Other Side?

38 CH Networks

Asikana Network

40 CH on Facebook

Conversations on FB

Inspiring, enlightening, powerful connections.

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CH EDITORIAL |

IT’S TIME TO TAKE CHARGE OF YOUR LIFE!!! “Positive affirmations can powerfully reinforce the realization of your goals…” In this month’s profiler we talk about vision boards and how they help you realize your objectives. Vision boards are said to activate the law of attraction as they begin the process of manifesting ones dreams. Vision boards are qualified as a science and proven to increase our chances of achieving our dreams. Every corporate woman, from clerk to Chairperson of a multinational, has a dream to achieve beyond the point at which she is in varied ways - from an upward elevation to increased portfolio investments. The vision board provides a frame around which to manage our path toward our goals as it links our goal to our everyday life with four key elements; the visual, the emotive, the personal, the place.

his being our second issue with a wide array of topics we wish to cover, it is ever such a challenge to figure what we should give focus in our editorial.

One subject however stood out considering the time we’ve been running, we thought why not share our practice as we proceed toward the future. Being in its infancy CH has set out a number of steps towards its planned growth, you know – the little steps that will help deliver us into the rank and file of respected entities. Key, we have learnt, is the use of Vision Boards in laying out steps towards our 100th floor corner office.

• The visual. The subconscious mind works with visuals. Including as many visual representations of your desired dreams focuses the subconscious. Adding words and phrases emphasizes emotional responses. • The emotive. When you look at your selected pictures, you should feel happy and passionate. These feelings should energize to move forward to take further action

editor@corporateheelz.com 4 CORPORATE HEELZ

toward your goal. • Personal. Sometimes, selfdoubt, criticism, or simply negative feelings can block the energy your vision board radiates. So, if you feel any negativity, place your board in a private place where your board is only visible to you. • The place. In order to manifest your goals quicker, your vision board needs to be located in a place where you can constantly see it. This way, you are telling your subconscious what you want and its energy is working on manifesting your dreams into a reality. One of the aspects of creating the vision board that was fun for us was the child like play involved of picture cut-outs and pasting. The vision boards’ strongest element in our view is the visual and as such of great importance are pictures we place on the board which by all means should be positive. Of equal importance in the use of vision boards is staying positive, the vision board by itself will not deliver our goals but positive affirmation in addition to visualization. Napoleon Hill said that we can achieve any realistic goal if we stay focused on that specific thing and avoid any negativity about it. Constantly restate your desired reality in the positive. If you repeat “I am not poor,” your subconscious only hears “I am poor.” This is another reason why there is so much emphasis on staying positive. As you focus on a photo representing your financial abundance, say “I am wealthy” instead. Positive affirmations can powerfully reinforce the realization of your goals. So CH encourages you to get started with yours today!

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CH PROFILE |

WENI KABOTa

FOCUSED, TENACIOUS VISIONARY… Business is a numbers game, expand your horizons, stretch yourself and above all, innovate!!! by janice matwi

escribe yourself in one sentence: One sentence is not enough to describe myself, but the best I can say is that I am a visionary and work hard for what I want and when I mean to achieve something and I focus on it, I will get it without a shadow of doubt.

skills that are necessary in banking. It was during this time that through Syndications, I was also exposed to other DFIs like the International Finance Corporation, Development Bank of South Africa, East African Development Bank, IFU,FinFund, Norfund etc the networks I built in that period remain invaluable to me today.

How did you end up in the banking profession? It has been a natural progression for me. My first job after graduating from the Copperbelt University was at NORSAD Agency, a Development Financing Institution (DFI) funded by the four Nordic Governments (Denmark, Norway, Finland and Sweden). NORSAD’s mandate at the time was to provide Project Finance to Companies in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region that had Joint Venture agreements with NORDIC Counterparts.

I left NORSAD after one year and moved to ALS Capital Limited, a former Anglo American Corporation Subsidiary. I was exposed to Investment Banking there, Originating and Executing various Corporate Finance Mandates like Advising on Acquisitions, Management Buy Outs, Structured Trade and Commodity Finance, Preparing Capital Raising Documents - Confidential Information Memoranda and Business plans, Corporate Valuations etc. After four years at ALS Capital I then moved to the Banking Sector, where I have been working in the Commercial Banking space for the last six years.

I Joined NORSAD as Assistant Project Economist, a role that was later changed to Assistant Investment Officer. I was responsible for the evaluation of Business Plans that were submitted by various entrepreneurs in member countries of the entire SADC Region who sought financing. The role gave me exposure in Development Finance, covering Financial Analysis, Credit Appraisal, Business Analysis, Sensitivity Analysis, Portfolio Management etc. Combined, these skills formed a ‘launch pad’ for my career, because they are 6 CORPORATE HEELZ

If you weren’t a banker, what profession would you have pursued? I would have been an Architect. You will be surprised to note that when I was applying for a programme to pursue as my first degree at the Copperbelt University, my first choice was Accounting, then my second choice was Architecture and lastly Business Administration. But the place I got was in Business Administration. I am a Business graduate by the way.

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That notwithstanding, I naturally have an enterprising mind. If destiny had gone the other way and for some reason I did not have the opportunity of sitting in a classroom, I would still have been a very successful marketeer at Nakadoli, Soweto or Chisokone Market. The bible says in Deuteronomy that God gives us the ability to create wealth. I would have been creating wealth at the market, selling Sugar Cane, Rape, Sweet Potatoes etc. I bet you, I would have been doing it very well and definitely growing into a business person of note. That is because I have an in-born ability to “sell ice to an Eskimo”. By now the business would have evolved to something big- mark my words.”Mo

stly assertive women are looked at with disdain, what’s your take on the environment expecting women to be “subdued”?

“Dig a well before you get thirsty” -Anon CORPORATE HEELZ 7

CH PROFILE | WENI KABOTA

women to use their wisdom in this regard. In certain settings, it does not work and must be used judiciously. That is just the world order. What’s your view on women’s networks especially in Zambia? I think they are an excellent networking platform. A lot of opportunities are birthed through networking. I would encourage women to embrace them and help them thrive. What’s the best career advice you have ever received that you can share with us? • Whatever you do, make sure you do it well. Put in your best in your job, or whatever it is you call your career. • It does not matter how much you earn in life, what matters is how much you keep. I know of great men and women who once earned lots of money but today they have no idea what hit them and have lost all they had. As the old adage goes “Make hay while the sun shines”Anon. Learn to save and invest. • Jobs are not forever, plan for your family’s retirement wisely. Make sound investment decisions. – “Dig a well before you get thirsty”-Anon • With the financial crisis hitting, business cycle is down but the winners are those who dare to think outside the box. Innovation is a key success factor of the 21st century. What do you plan to do when you retire?

“Retirement is as certain as death and taxes. We all shall have to face it one day either early or at retirement age. Sometimes, it is not even retirement; companies downsize and retrench their workforce. Unless one is a fool, one cannot afford to be oblivious to this reality regardless of their position in an organization.” It all depends on an individual and to what extent they prepare. I plan to focus on growing my fashion retail business I founded some years back. It is currently running successfully and fully managed by two people since I am currently Non-Executive Director. The company deals in ladies and gents’ clothing. It specializes in supplying quality clothing from high fashion brands like Debenhams, Hawes & Curtis, Hobbs, Coast, etc. Products range from Occasion Wear, Formal Wear, Casual Wear, Hosiery, Accessories such as Hats, Fascinators, Shoes, Bags etc. It also stocks products from The Body Shop. The company is incorporated in Zambia, pays its taxes (VAT & Income Tax), maintains Audited books of

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CH PROFILE | WENI KABOTE

accounts, and has a proper accounting system (Pastel) in place. Although the company operates from a home environment, it is duly licensed with the municipal. In your opinion, what steps can women make towards empowering themselves and each other?

“I would like to encourage women to establish legitimate businesses. Register your company, pay your taxes, file annual returns, get valid Trading and other Municipal Licenses, observe ethics and embrace good corporate governance in your business practices. Maintain proper financial records for your business. If you are in employment, make sure you declare your business to your employer. At the end of the day, you should be able to account for your wealth. If you do not operate formal businesses, how will you explain your wealth? Excellence starts with doing the right thing. That way you sleep soundly at night. It also benefits the business, because it is able to approach financial institutions for financing with confidence and all these are basic things they generally consider before they can advance you money.”

Any success strategies you can share with us? • For those in business and in sales jobs, I know times are hard nowadays, with the business cycle belly-up due to recession. Do not give up. As Jack Canfield writes; “There are 6 billion people on earth, if one says “no”, move to the next. Someone will say yes.” Business is a numbers game, expand your horizons, stretch yourself and above all, innovate!!! • The world has become competitive, so up-skilling in order to stay relevant in the market place is very important. The same applies to businesses. It is important to continuously ask yourself, “What business are we in?” This is especially important in times of fierce competition and fast changing business environment. As renowned Harvard Professor Theodore Levitt once argued, the lack of insight on the part of a business and ability to ask itself what business it is in, leads to what is called “Marketing Myopia”. This, he contends is what led to the death of the railroads businesses, when they failed to adapt and were overtaken by airlines and road transport businesses. With the advent of Web 2 technology, the world has witnessed the death of a number of industries; Travel Agencies overtaken by Online Booking facilities like Booking.Com and Last Minute.Com; Bookshops and Retail Stores overtaken by virtual shops like Amazon; Landlines overtaken by Mobile telephony. Again the key to survival is innovation. • Good grooming is very important. Always look your best, because personal image determines how serious people take you or otherwise. Above all dress appropriately to suit the occasion. CH

Educational Qualifications

WENI KABOTa

a brief

back ground

• Global MBA (Candidate)-Manchester Business School: - I am done with the taught part of the programme and currently finalizing my dissertation. • Bachelor of Business Administration- CBU

Hobbies

• Travelling and all the fun that comes with it. • Playing tennis to keep fit.

Favorite Companies

Apple Inc. and Emirates Airlines – both very successful companies that have leveraged innovation and ingrained it in their DNA, to achieve untold success, building excellent business models driven by clear differentiation strategies.

Universities attended

• University of Manchester- Manchester Business School, UK • Tongji University –Shanghai, China (Residential School) • Copperbelt University

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CH PROFILE |

“People need to hear something fresh.” - PENJANI

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P en j ani D eborah N g ’ uni

HITTING HIGH NOTES FOR HIGHER CAUSE. Off the beaten path…

frequent airplay on local radio stations. Alansunga demonstrates Penjani’s artistic potential, and is a clear sign that she is an artiste who will be around for years to come. The 12-track album contains mostly self-penned songs, including To The Mount, the first song Penjani ever wrote, at the age of 14. Penjani says Alansunga encourages listeners to develop a relationship with Christ.

“If I was to say something more about the album, it’s really about relationships. When I look at every song, it’s pretty much about relationship with Christ, and it is that relationship that we develop with Him that will see us through this journey called life.” This bubbly artist is also currently working on her second project set for release 2013! Aptly titled “Feel Me”, the album is laced with songs that capture the essence of her experiences with God. Made Me Smile, the debut single from this album is already enjoying frequent airplay. With several songs recorded in Zambia, part of the project is also being recorded in Ghana.

enjani’s choice of career is one that is definitely off the beaten path, since fully committing her life to the Lord Jesus Christ at the age of sixteen, Penjani has passionately dedicated her life to bringing the Word and life of God to her generation through music. Penjani is one of Zambia’s best-known young Gospel artistes. A gifted and passionate singer, Penjani has been singing since the age of three. The daughter of Emmanuel Ng’uni, one of Zambia’s foremost Gospel folk musicians, Penjani nurtured her gift

through the years, singing at Sunday School and the youth choir at her home church Northmead Assembly of God in Lusaka, and occasionally filling in as a background singer for her father. Now 26, Penjani has ministered both at home and abroad in church gatherings and concerts to corporate functions and private gatherings. Over the past year, Penjani has ministered in South Africa, Namibia and Ghana with pending invitations to minister abroad soon. In 2010, she released her debut album Alasunga (God takes care of me). The culmination of four years work, the album was one of Zambia’s top new acts of last year, and has continued to enjoy

“I am excited about working with Producers from a completely different part of Africa to bring this album to life,” she says with so much

excitement.

Penjani is also an entrepreneur, and has established herself as a respected and proficient event decor specialist, particularly for corporate functions and weddings. The driving force of her ministry, however, is her passion for souls. “People need to hear something fresh,” she says. “Each time I get up to minister, I just want to experience God. As a result, His people end up being blessed too.” CH CORPORATE HEELZ 11

CH PROFILE |

How to Answer frequently asked tough Interview Questions.

Question 1. Tell me about yourself?

strengths?

TRAPS: Beware, about 80% of all interviews begin with this “innocent” question. Many candidates, unprepared for the question, skewer themselves by rambling, recapping their life story, delving into ancient work history or personal matters.

TRAPS: This question seems like a softball lob, but be prepared. You don’t want to come across as egotistical or arrogant. Neither is this a time to be humble.

BEST ANSWER: Start with the present and tell why you are well qualified for the position. Remember that the key to all-successful interviewing is to match your qualifications to what the interviewer is looking for. In other words you must sell what the buyer is buying. This is the single most important strategy in job hunting.  So, before you answer this or any question it’s imperative that you try to uncover your interviewer’s greatest need, want, problem or goal. Illustrate with specific examples of your responsibilities and especially your achievements, all of which are geared to present yourself as a perfect match for the needs he has just described.

Question 2. What are your greatest 12 CORPORATE HEELZ

BEST ANSWER: You know that your key strategy is to first uncover your interviewer’s greatest wants and needs before you answer questions. And from Question 1, you know how to do this.  Prior to any interview, you should have a list mentally prepared of your greatest strengths. You should also have, a specific example or two, which illustrates each strength, an example chosen from your most recent and most impressive achievements. You should, have this list of your greatest strengths and corresponding examples from your achievements so well committed to memory that you can recite them cold after being shaken awake at 2:30AM.  Then, once you uncover your interviewer’s greatest wants and needs, you can choose those achievements from your list that best match up.   As a general guideline, the 10 most desirable traits that all

employers love to see in their employees are: 1. A proven track record as an achiever...especially if your achievements match up with the employer’s greatest wants and needs.  2. Intelligence...management “savvy”.  3. Honesty...integrity...a decent human being.   4. Good fit with corporate culture...someone to feel comfortable with...a team player who meshes well with interviewer’s team.  5. Likeability...positive attitude...sense of humor.  6. Good communication skills.  7. Dedication...willingness to walk the extra mile to achieve excellence.  8. Definiteness of purpose...clear goals.  9. Enthusiasm...high level of motivation.  10. Confident...healthy...a leader.

Question 3. What are your greatest weaknesses? TRAPS: Beware - this is an eliminator question, designed to shorten the candidate list. Any admission of a weakness or fault will earn you an “A” for honesty, but an “F” for the interview.   PASSABLE ANSWER: Disguise a strength as a weakness.  Example: “I sometimes push my people too hard. I like to work with a sense of urgency and everyone is not always on the same wavelength.” Drawback: This strategy is better than admitting a flaw, but it’s so widely used, it is transparent to any experienced interviewer.   BEST ANSWER: (and another reason it’s so important to get a thorough description of your interviewer’s needs before you answer questions):

“Assure the interviewer that you can think of nothing that would stand in the way of your performing in this position with excellence.”

Then, quickly review you strongest qualifications.  Example: “Nobody’s perfect, but based on what you’ve told me about this position, I believe I’ d make an outstanding match. I know that when I hire people, I look for two things most of all. Do they have the qualifications to do the job well, and the motivation to do it well? Everything in my background shows I have both the qualifications and a strong desire to achieve excellence in whatever I take on. So I can say in all honesty

that I see nothing that would cause you even a small concern about my ability or my strong desire to perform this job with excellence.” Alternate strategy (if you don’t yet know enough about the position to talk about such a perfect fit):  Instead of confessing a weakness, describe what you like most and like least, making sure that what you like most matches up with the most important qualification for success in the position, and what you like least is not essential.

Question 4. Why are you leaving (or did you leave) this position? TRAPS: Never badmouth your previous industry, company, board, boss, staff, employees or customers. This rule is inviolable: never be negative. Any mud you hurl will only soil your suit. Especially avoid words like “personality clash”, “didn’t get along”, or others which cast a shadow on your competence, integrity, or temperament.  BEST ANSWER: (If you have a job presently) If you’re not yet 100% committed to leaving your present post, don’t be afraid to say so. Since you have a job, you are in a stronger position than someone who does not. But don’t be coy either. State honestly what you’d be hoping to find in a new spot. Of course, as stated often before, you answer will all the stronger if you have already uncovered what this position is all about and you match your desires to it. (If you do not presently have a job.)

“Never lie about having being fired.”

It’s unethical - and too easily checked. But do try to deflect the reason from you personally. If your firing was the result of a takeover, merger, division wide layoff, etc., so much the better. But you should also do something totally unnatural that will demonstrate consummate professionalism. Even if it hurts , describe your own firing - candidly, succinctly and without a trace of bitterness - from the company’s point-ofview, indicating that you could understand why it happened and you might have made the same decision yourself. Your stature will rise immensely and, most important of all, you will show you are healed from the wounds inflicted by the firing. You will enhance your image as first-class management material and stand head and shoulders above the legions of firing victims who, at the slightest provocation, zip open their shirts to expose their battle scars and decry the unfairness of it all. For all prior positions: Make sure you’ve prepared a brief reason for leaving. Best reasons: more money, opportunity, responsibility or growth.

Question 5. Where do you see yourself five years from now?

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CH PROFILE | How to Answer frequently asked toughest Interview Questions

TRAPS: Your interviewer fears you may leave this position quickly, as you have others. He’s concerned you may be unstable, or a “problem person” who can’t get along with others.  BEST ANSWER: First, before you even get to the interview stage, you should try to minimize your image as job hopper.

“If there are several entries on your resume of less than one year, consider eliminating the less important ones.”

TRAPS: One reason interviewers ask this question is to see if you’re settling for this position, using it merely as a stopover until something better comes along. Or they could be trying to gauge your level of ambition. If you’re too specific, i.e., naming the promotions you someday hope to win, you’ll sound presumptuous. If you’re too vague, you’ll seem visionless.  BEST ANSWER: Reassure your interviewer that you’re looking to make a long-term commitment…that this position entails exactly what you’re looking to do and what you do extremely well. As for your future, you believe that if you perform each job at hand with excellence, future opportunities will take care of themselves. Example: “I am definitely interested in making a long-term commitment to my next position. Judging by what you’ve told me about this position, it’s exactly what I’m looking for and what I am very well qualified to do. In terms of my future career path, I’m confident that if I do my work with excellence, opportunities will inevitable open up for me. It’s always been that way in my career, and I’m confident I’ll have similar opportunities here.”

Question 6. Why have you had so many jobs? 14 CORPORATE HEELZ

Perhaps you can specify the time you spent at previous positions in rounded years not in months and years.   Example: Instead of showing three positions this way:  6/1982 - 3/1983, Position A; 4/1983 - 12/1983, Position B; 1/1984 - 8/1987, Position C;  …it would be better to show simply: 1982 - 1983, Position A; 1984 - 1987 Position C. In other words, you would drop Position B altogether. Notice what a difference this makes in reducing your image as a job hopper. Once in front of the interviewer and this question comes up, you must try to reassure him. Describe each position as part of an overall pattern of growth and career destination. Be careful not to blame other people for your frequent changes. But you can and should attribute certain changes to conditions beyond your control. If possible, also show that your job changes were more frequent in your younger days, while you were establishing yourself, rounding out your skills and looking for the right career path. At this stage in your career, you’re certainly much more interested in the best long-term opportunity. You might also cite the job(s) where you stayed the longest and describe that this type of situation is what you’re looking for now.

Question 7. Why do you want to work at our company? TRAPS: This question tests whether you’ve done any homework about the firm. If you haven’t, you lose. If you have, you win big.  BEST ANSWER: This question is your opportunity to hit the ball out of the park, thanks to the in-depth research you should do before any interview. Best sources for researching your target company: annual reports, the corporate newsletter, contacts you know at the company or its suppliers,

advertisements, articles about the company in the trade press.

Question 8. Aren’t you overqualified for this position? TRAPS: The employer may be concerned that you’ll grow dissatisfied and leave.  BEST ANSWER: As with any objection, don’t view this as a sign of imminent defeat.

“It’s an invitation to teach the interviewer a new way to think about this situation, seeing advantages instead of drawbacks.“

Example: “I recognize the job market for what it is - a marketplace. Like any marketplace, it’s subject to the laws of supply and demand. So ‘overqualified’ can be a relative term, depending on how tight the job market is. And right now, it’s very tight. I understand and accept that.” “I also believe that there could be very positive benefits for both of us in this match.” “Because of my unusually strong experience in ________________ , I could start to contribute right away, perhaps much faster than someone who’d have to be brought along more slowly.” “There’s also the value of all the training and years of experience that other companies have invested tens of thousands of dollars to give me. You’d be getting all the value of that without having to pay an extra for it. With someone who has yet to acquire that experience, he’d have to gain it on your budget.” “I could also help you in many things they don’t teach at Business School. For example…(how to hire, train, motivate, etc.)

“When it comes to knowing how to work well with people and getting the most out of them, there’s just no substitute for what you learn over many years of front-line experience.”

Your company would gain all this, too.” “From my side, there are strong benefits, as well. Right now, I am unemployed. I

want to work, very much, and the position you have here is exactly what I love to do and am best at. I’ll be happy doing this work and that’s what matters most to me, a lot more that money or title.” “Most important, I’m looking to make a long term commitment in my career now. I’ve had enough of jobhunting and want a permanent spot at this point in my career. I also know that if I perform this job with excellence, other opportunities cannot help but open up for me right here. In time, I’ll find many other ways to help this company and in so doing, help myself. I really am looking to make a long-term commitment.”

NOTE: The main concern behind the “overqualified” question is that you will leave your new employer as soon as something better comes your way. Anything you can say to demonstrate the sincerity of your commitment to the employer and reassure him that you’re looking to stay for the long-term will help you overcome this objection.

Question 9. Can you work under pressure? TRAPS: An easy question, but you want to make your answer believable.  BEST ANSWER: Absolutely…(then prove it with a vivid example or two of a goal or project accomplished under severe pressure.)

Question 10. May I contact your present employer for a reference? TRAPS: If you’re trying to keep your job search private, this is the last thing you want. But if you don’t cooperate, won’t you seem as if you’re trying to hide something?  BEST ANSWER: Express your concern that you’d like to keep your job search private, but that in time, it will be perfectly okay. Example: “My present employer is not aware of my job search and, for obvious reasons; I’d prefer to keep it that way. I’d be most appreciative if we kept our discussion confidential right now. Of course, when we both agree the time is right, then by all means you should contact them. I’m very proud of my record there. *Article reproduced with permission from FYI CENTRE

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“My prayer is that when my work is shared, YOU may find healing and enlightenment in reading it.” - KAPESA

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K A P E S A S I N G O G O S M I T H C H AT T E R J E E

When passion pays off…

“P

assion is energy. Feel the power that comes from focusing on what excites you” Oprah. I like this quote because it reminds me of the stage in my life when I stopped to ask myself, ‘What excites me? What am I passionate about?’ I started to search for a deeper meaning to my life. In an able-bodied frame, how was I going to use my passion for the goodness of others? I have been raised as a Catholic. My values and beliefs tied in with Bemba and Nyika cultures from Northern part of Zambia; infused with Western education. Noticeably, the only constant personality trait I possessed was the desire to help others. With a Bachelors of Information and Communication Technology (Notre Dame University, Perth WA) and Masters in Information System and Technology (Macquarie University, North Ryde NSW), and currently employed as Senior Technical Support Engineer at Oracle, I admit I thrive in investigating system issues and delivering the best solutions to enable seamless continuity of business process and performance for clients. It became apparent to me that I wanted to extend this same passion of helping others by using my gift of writing. Suppose there was a ‘rule book on life’ that taught everything I needed to know about ‘emotional survival’, I often pondered growing up. Suppose when I became of age my mother handed me a journal with her experiences on emotional survival. Learning from her experiences about surviving a heart break, dealing with a boy crash, confronting a cheating boyfriend, breaking away from bad

friendships etcetera, how would that have improved on the quality of my decisions? I could only ‘suppose’.

In an environment such as the one I grew up in, I was never taught such lifeskills. In my culture talking about this was considered a Taboo. However this experience made me realise that it is with this purpose in mind, I would write. I have been writing as far back as 1992. My father had been enrolled in the defense college in India, New Delhi. For one year, I wrote letters to my friends about my life in a foreign land. Each time they responded, they expressed such great joy in how they looked forward to receiving letters from me because reading my 13-paged letters was like reading a novel. While in India, my sister told me that she had finished writing her book. The thought of her writing a book excited me but the possibility of me writing one had never crossed my mind until then. It was during this time that I had my first attempt at novel writing. I decided to write from my experiences and those I had learned through others. My prayer is that when my work is shared, YOU may find healing and enlightenment in reading it. I hope to inspire others, in the same way that others that have come, gone and stayed with me have inspired me over the years. But it doesn’t end here…

Read up more on Kapesa passion in her NOU KONCEPT Column on page 28. CORPORATE HEELZ 17

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Inspiring, enlightening, powerful connections.

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“I am pretty poised for the position.” - NORENA

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NORENA M. CHITEBA

ZAMBIA SQUASH ASSOCIATION FIRST FEMALE PRESIDENT “I have had the opportunity to play at international level and represented Zambia in both the Junior and Senior national teams.”

he AGM for Zambia Squash Association (ZSA) was held on Saturday 22 September 2012 at the Mulungushi Service Club in Lusaka. In attendance was the Board member of National Sports Council of Zambia Mr Mwamba Kalenga and the General Secretary Major Muke.

Why now? There had been several calls from the Squash fraternity for me to stand as President in the last couple of years and I had always resisted. But this time it felt right for I knew God was on my side. The game of Squash has over the years deteriorated and I felt it was time that we had a change of guard. Youth programmes that we once enjoyed during the ZCCM days are nonexistent. My aim is to improve and contribute positively to the game that I hold very dear to my heart. We need to get the youth playing the again, we need to bring back the glamour to the game, we need to have more girls playing the game again.

Why Norena President?

Chiteba

I held my first Squash racket in 1987 back in Kitwe. I have had the opportunity to play at international level and represented Zambia in both the Junior and Senior national teams. I was Zambian Junior Champion in 1991, 1992 and 1993. Zambias no 1 in 92 and 93. In terms of Administration, I have held Senior Management Positions at BancABC, Finance Bank and Standard Chartered Zambia. I am pretty poised for the position.

What does this mean to me? I am so glad to have been given the mandate to serve at the helm of a game I love to bits. And as I accepted the reins of power on Saturday, I could not help but wish that my Father was around to see me take up the position of President. He was my greatest cheerleader and I am pretty sure he is smiling down and going “that’s my girl!” This is my

time to make a difference!

What next? My team and I will need to create an enabling environment for the game of Squash to flourish. • We need to get back to the basics and look at the grass roots as we all started from there by developing junior programmes. • Improve infrastructure • Source the right equipment for the players. • Coaching programmes as we only have 3 qualified coaches in the whole country. • Re establish the league • Stage more tournaments • Set up systems and guidelines • Develop plans and strategies • Set up proper channels of communication • Utilise the expertise of our professional players in the diaspora. Obviously we will need financial, Government and club support if we are to achieve all the above. We will be knocking on the doors of the corporate world for partnerships and sponsorships for the various projects and plans that will be set out. We need to restore the confidence in our sport.

What we will need/demand from the members? • Cooperation • Support • Respect • discipline

Vision for the game? I have a great and vibrant team ready to move the game to the glory days that it once enjoyed. We need to put Zambia on the map again and to see Zambia ranked in the top 3 in Africa.

lastly... I would like to thank my husband Chansa for his encouragement and support. My God above because without him all this would not have been possible. CH CORPORATE HEELZ 21

CH CONGRATULATES |

“...never give up, even when it hurts!” - YAMMIE

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Yammie

zimba

CH CONGRATULATES YAMMIE ZIMBA on her appointment as PR Manager of ZESCO!

ammie Zimba is a Communication Specialist currently pursuing her Masters Degree in Applied Media with a focus on Corporate Communication at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. Having experienced

Yammie is excited to join Zesco Ltd as PR Manager. If she were to state one lesson in life, Yammie says it would be that challenges build people, hence, it is important to never give up, even when it hurts!

“I have a passion for the energy sector, and therefore thrilled with the appointment. I look forward to exploring the energy sector further, and being able to make a sound contribution.” both sides of the coin, as a Journalist and PR practitioner with Energy Regulation Board, Realtime Zambia, and Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University’s Disability Unit;

Yammie is also Zambia’s past National Chair/ Council Member for the International Public Relations Association (IPRA) in the UK.

CORPORATE HEELZ 23

CH FEATURE |

V eronica Simubali

IS THE GRASS REALLY GREENER ON THE OTHER SIDE? BY VERONICA SIMUBALI

friend of mine recently landed a job with a salary and perks that would make most people very happy. But after only two months, she called me in a panic and said “I am going to quit my job” Needless to say I was shocked and thought she was losing her mind. After a long chat on the phone, she belted out how she couldn’t stand another day at her new job and was already looking for yet another job because of the negative working environment at her place of work.

”Stories of people constantly leaving their jobs and looking for greener pastures have become the norm in the corporate world today.” Each passing day, stories are bountiful about how people hate their jobs and are constantly looking for new jobs, but no sooner had they settled into their new apparent dream than they realize it’s not all rosy and the cycle of looking for yet another job begins. According to some research papers the negative environment in the corporate arena ranges from unfulfilling and unsatisfying jobs, difficult bosses, frustration due to favoritism of other employees, unrealistic deadlines and targets and stringent structures that do not allow for employees to express their creativity. However leaving one corporate organization for another may not be the solution as one might be jumping from the proverbial “frying pan into the fire” “Corporate Organizations all offer similar challenges” notes Virginia Lungu a Lusaka Business woman who 24 CORPORATE HEELZ

is a communications executive with experience in Journalism, Public Relations, Advertising and Marketing. She is a trained Journalist but now working in Public Relations. She has over 4 years experience in mainstream media reporting having previously worked for a number of local media and working as PR Executive and Manager for a local Advertising Agency.

left a high profile job at one of the leading banks. Ms Lungu advises that it is not prudent to keep moving from one job to another just because of these challenges because the corporate world is tough and you will not find it easy anywhere. One interesting point that some people talked to expressed is that most corporate jobs are not “family friendly” this says that companies have become so profit and deadline obsessed that they do not allow employees to have quality time with their families or have time for social activities.

‘’More and More corporate executives want the flexibility of being able to work, but also have time to spend on family and other social activities, but in today’s corporate world where you have to constantly fight competition and meet targets, you end up working long hours and neglecting other areas of your life which is not healthy.” While there are attempts by some organizations to create flexibility in working hours, deadlines and targets, situations are still tough. Although people may still be leaving jobs looking for higher paying jobs, others who already have the high paying jobs argue that money is no longer the end in itself. People want working conditions that propel self growth, supports their social activities by creating flexibility, better communication channels by management teams and less stress when dealing with coworkers. While things cannot be expected to perfect in the corporate world, there is need for a balance otherwise the trend of corporate executives moving from one job to another might be with us for a long time. CH

Inspiring, enlightening, powerful connections.

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CH FEATURE |

B . D avid V osbur g

TopFloor on Womenomics

is the Managing Director of TopFloor, Zambia’s leading training company, and Treasurer of the American Chamber of Commerce in Zambia. Dave is an avid entrepreneur and builder of businesses. With an MBA from Yale University in the United States and experience in building his second successful start-up in Zambia, Dave’s vision is to create a hub of certified training and eLearning in Zambia for the Southern African region.

BY B. David Vosburg

arren Buffet is arguably the most accomplished investor in the world. Over decades he has taken a very modest amount of capital and turned it into billions of dollars, making him one of the richest people globally. He has also become a great philanthropist, giving the majority of his riches not to his children, but investing it in critical health and development issues. But how did Warren do so well? Warren built his empire through value-based investments, rather than growth investments. A value-based investment strategy identifies opportunities in which companies are under-valued and future growth is guaranteed, whereas a growth investment looks for opportunities in an industry in which market-beating growth is expected. Last year, TopFloor hosted Avivah Wittenberg-Cox to discuss the concept of Womenomics.

“Womenomics is the idea that women now represent a majority of the talent pool and a majority of the consumer market, so a better gender balance in leadership yields better corporate performance.” In casual discussion, Avivah discussed her visits with corporations in Europe and North America as 26 CORPORATE HEELZ

frustrating. Entrenched male interests often prevented leaders from changing their behaviors, policies and procedures to encourage gender-balancing. Today in Zambia, women are severely undervalued. Taking a gender-balanced approach to your organization is the right thing to do but is also critical to your success. If you do not act now to genderbalance your team, you miss a once in a generation opportunity to leverage the talent and buying power of women. This is how Warren Buffett made billions. So you agree on the opportunity, but how do you move forward? The first step is to understand what is currently happening in your organization. You should ask questions like, “How many women do we have at each tier of our management structure?” or “Do we hire women at the same rate as men?” and “When do an imbalanced number of men receive promotions while women leave the company?” These questions and more will paint a picture of where you need to begin. There are further steps after this that would involve communicating the findings what you have found, creating an action plan, getting the organization walking in the same direction and installing processes and procedures that will reinforce a gender-balanced workplace. In the end, we all must reframe our understanding of the economic power of women. Only when we completely shift our way of thinking will we make better decisions that will invest in the potential of more than 50% of our educated workforce, capitalizing on the value of women.

Inspiring, enlightening, powerful connections.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Every advertisement should be thought of as a contribution to a complex symbol which is the brand image.â&#x20AC;? - David Ogilvy

Ready to grow your brand? place your business card here.

editor@corporateheelz.com

CH inspiration |

{

Quotes

“

People tend to be generous when sharing their nonsense, fear, and ignorance. And while they seem quite eager to feed you their negativity, please remember that sometimes the diet we need to be on is a spiritual and emotional one. Be cautious with what you feed your mind and soul. Fuel yourself with positivity and let that fuel propel you into positive action.” - Steve Maraboli

“The only time you fail is when you fall down and stay down.” - Stephen Richards, Cosmic Ordering: You can be successful

“Great minds discuss ideas, average minds discuss events, small minds discuss people.” - Eleanor Roosevelt

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“I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” -

Thomas A. Edison

| CH inspiration

45 LIFE LESSONS WRITTEN BY A 90 YEAR OLD

1. Life isn’t fair, but it’s still good.

9. Save for things that matter.

2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.

11. Make peace with your past so it won’t screw up the present.

3. Life is too short not to enjoy it.

12. It’s OK to let your children see you cry.

4. Your job won’t take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and family will. 5. Don’t buy stuff you don’t need. 6. You don’t have to win every argument. Stay true to yourself. 7. Cry with someone. It’s more healing than crying alone. 8. It’s OK to get angry with God. He can take it.

10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

13. Don’t compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about. CORPORATE HEELZ 29

CH inspiration |

14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn’t be in it.

36. Growing old beats the alternative — dying young.

15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye… But don’t worry; God never blinks.

37. Your children get only one childhood.

16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.

25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.

17. Get rid of anything that isn’t useful. Clutter weighs you down in many ways.

27. Always choose Life.

18. Whatever doesn’t kill you really does make you stronger. 19. It’s never too late to be happy. But it’s all up to you and no one else. 20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don’t take no for an answer. 21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don’t save it for a special occasion. Today is special. 22. Overprepare, then go with the flow.

26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words, ‘In five years, will this matter?’

28. Forgive but don’t forget. 29. What other people think of you is none of your business. 30. Time heals almost everything. Give Time time. 31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change. 32. Don’t take yourself so seriously. No one else does. 33. Believe in miracles.

23. Be eccentric now. Don’t wait for old age to wear purple.

34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn’t do.

24. The most important sex organ is the brain.

35. Don’t audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.

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38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.

39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere. 40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else’s, we’d grab ours back. 41. Envy is a waste of time. Accept what you already have, not what you think you need. 42. The best is yet to come… 43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up. 44. Yield.

45. Life isn’t tied with a bow, but it’s still a gift.

| CH inspiration

{

Pearls of Wisdom “I would like to encourage women to establish legitimate businesses. Register your company, pay your taxes, file annual returns, get valid Trading and other Municipal Licenses, observe ethics and embrace good corporate governance in your business practices. Maintain proper financial records for your business. If you are in employment, make sure you declare your business to your employer. At the end of the day, you should be able to account for your wealth. If you do not operate formal businesses, how will you explain your wealth? Excellence starts with doing the right thing. That way you sleep soundly at night. It also benefits the business, because it is able to approach financial institutions for financing with confidence and all these are basic things they generally consider before they can advance you money.” -Weni Kabota on women empowering themselves in business.

“Good grooming is very important. Always look your best, because personal image determines how serious people take you or otherwise. Above all dress appropriately to suit the occasion.”-Weni Kabota “I’ve discovered that when you are occupied and doing the things you love; there’s isn’t enough room left for the minor things or people that do not add value to your life.” - Kapesa Singogo Chatterjee Smith

CORPORATE HEELZ 31

CH FORBES ARTICLE |

FORBES WOMAN

5 Qualities of Charismatic People. How Many Do You Have?

illary Clinton and Michelle Obama have it. Their husbands also have it. The “it” is charisma. Girls and women talk about the power of charisma – how they want it and how they admire it. Like this response from a 17-year-old girl when I asked her why Hillary Clinton and Sheryl Sandberg, COO of Facebook, are on her top 10 list of women she admires: “They are charismatic. Who wouldn’t want to look up to a charismatic person?!” And who wouldn’t want to be charismatic?

Synonyms for charisma are alluring, bewitching, captivating, fascinating, charming, enchanting, engaging, magnetic and seductive. 32 CORPORATE HEELZ

Charisma is powerful and charismatic people can make others “drink the Kool-Aid.” When possessed by people like Adolf Hitler and Charles Manson, charisma is dangerously powerful. But when it’s used for good, the Kool-Aid is really sweet. Let’s do a quick word association. Close your eyes and think of the word Charismatic. What famous people pop into your head? The first five people who pop into my head are Michelle Obama, Hillary Clinton, Gloria Steinem, Barack Obama and Bill Clinton. They are followed by Meryl Streep, Diane Keaton, Oprah, Steve Jobs and George Clooney. This word association led me to this question: Can someone be charismatic to me, but not to you? I thought about the Beatles. When they arrived in the US in 1964, the Beatles were high

on the charisma chart for girls, but low for parents. They had a ‘mop-top’ charisma. They were playful, ‘fit together’ and every girl thought I Want To Hold Your Hand was written just for her. The Beatles were mesmerizing to girls, but not so appealing to parents. Why are some people charismatic and others are not? Are we born charismatic or do we cultivate it? And once you have it, can you lose it? To dig deeper into the mysteries about charismatic people and to find answers to my questions, I went to Joyce Newman, President of the Newman Group. Joyce leads high level media, speaker and executive presence sessions for top executives, celebrity spokespersons, athletes and authors. Her clients include Booz Allen Hamilton, NARS Cosmetics, Hearst Magazines, Maybelline New York and Skadden, Arps. Joyce helps people find their personal style and tune into and turn on their charisma. Joyce shares her insights on charisma and how to be a charismatic person:

“Everyone can be charismatic. We are not born charismatic – we cultivate it in many ways.”

One way is by observing and learning from people who you think are charismatic. You don’t need to copy them, but learn their secrets, try them on and fine-tune them until they fit you. It’s a trial and error process. Bad news is that once you have your charismatic status, you can lose it. Just look at Mel Gibson and Lindsay Lohan. But here’s the good news – if you lose it, with self awareness and effort, you can regain your charismatic ranking.

2) Tell Great Stories.

“The universe is made of stories, not of atoms.” (Muriel Rukeyser, Poet and Activist). Speak with conviction. Use words like “I am sure” vs. tentative words like “I think, I hope and I feel.” Be tuned into humor. Self-deprecating humor can included – it’s ok to tell a story about an embarrassing moment. Be relevant. Know what’s happening in the world and around you. People want to be with people who are in the know.

Don’t: Confuse humor with bad joke telling. Don’t selfdeprecate yourself out of the conversation. Don’t put yourself down so much that it takes away from who you are. 3) Body Speak.

Be open and approachable. Gracious and graceful. Walk up to someone, smile, make eye contact, shake hands. Introduce yourself by saying your name, “Hi, I’m Ann, Ann Roberts.” That way people hear your voice twice. Own the room when you walk into it. Think President Obama when he walks to the podium. Get your own personal swagger.

Don’t: Overdo it. When you smile, be authentic. If your smile is not in your eyes, people will know you’re faking it. 4) Make The Conversation About The Other Person.

Let the world revolve around the person you’re talking to.

“Make the person feel like they are the only person on the planet at that time. Immediately put others at ease and make them feel comfortable with you.”

Here are 5 important qualities of a charismatic person – how many do you have?

Don’t: Let your ego drive the conversation. We all have egos. If your ego is in overdrive, check it at the door.

1) Be Self Confident.

5) Be A Good listener.

“Like yourself. It’s much easier for others to like you if you like yourself.” Be optimistic. Keep your glass half-full. Be enthusiastic. Be comfortable with who you are. Be consistent.  Hold your own. Think Sheryl Sandberg – she holds her own in a male dominated geeky world and is still feminine. She knows herself and isn’t trying to be someone else.

Don’t: Trot out all your issues. No one wants to be with

Downer. We all have problems, but compartmentalize them, park them in a corner and bring them out for close friends and family.

You can’t remember everything, but remembering someone’s name is a biggie. Here’s a trick: When you are introduced to a person, immediately repeat their name. Example: “Amanda, it’s so nice to meet you.” Listen with interest. Pay attention. Engage. Be empathetic.

Don’t: When you’re talking with someone at an event, do not check your cell phone or look around the room to see if someone more important is there. If you want to find someone more important, make the conversation brief and move on graciously.

Are you charismatic? How many of the 5 qualities do you have? What about your co-workers, boss, spouse, friends and family – how many qualities do they have? Want to improve your charismatic rank? It’s never too late. Just cultivate it. CH CORPORATE HEELZ 33

CH BEAUTY |

NOU KONCEPT “In an able-bodied frame, how can I use my abilities for the goodness of mankind?” The History NOU KONCEPT - Stylist: Make Up: Lifestyle started much earlier for me than I realized. I have come from a household where everyone has their own unique style.

Like every other journey, Nou Koncept has its own challenges. However, I am passionate about what I am doing so I have risen above them and managed to stay focused on the goal.

The Koncept

You could not leave the house looking in a way, which was less than acceptable. Regardless of the occasion you would be certain to get unsolicited recommendation shortly before stepping foot out of the door.

NOU KONCEPT - Stylist: Make Up: Lifestyle is about discovering your authentic and unique brand, embracing and enjoying it at any age, budget or lifestyle.

The Birth

It’s about understanding the importance of what your personal style says about you without speaking.

I have always been passionate about Information Systems and Technology, and inquisitive about the world evolving around us. For this reason, I studied Bachelor of Information and Communication Technology then Masters of Commerce in Information Systems and Technology to be part of the bandwagon that could make a positive impact in the world. I often asked myself, “In an able-bodied frame, how can I use my abilities for the goodness of mankind?” As much as it’s inevitable how much IT has impacted on the world, there was a desire in me to help people and see direct results. I felt a great passion for makeup and fashion styling as this calls for an expression of creativity in a way that would help others. Being able to see the impact, that helping someone on how to better manage themselves has, is priceless and breathtaking!

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At NOU KONCEPT - Stylist: Make Up: Lifestyle we believe that “It’s about how YOU wear it”. So we will offer personal style consultation, individual coaching and group workshops, make up tuition and wardrobe lifestyle solutions that work for you because we pride ourselves as a service working with individuals on style, make up and lifestyle to build your personal brand. That’s NOU! CH

Get Konnected E: info@noukoncept.com W: www.noukoncept.com F: http://www.facebook.com/pages/ Nou-Koncept http://www.facebook.com/groups/ NOUKONCEPT/ (Closed Ladies Group)

“ I have come from a household where everyone has their own unique style.” - KAPESA CORPORATE HEELZ 35

CH INSIGHT |

Vision boards

Visualize your goals.

ost of us have a habit of writing down our goals, and then change diaries. I recently moved house and as I packed my boxes of full of my “to do later” I realized I had kept a number of diaries with my old “epiphanies”. As I sat there ripping pages trying to preserve the dreams, goals I once had, I realized that I lost track of some of these great goals because I didn’t remind myself of what I wanted to achieve….and at that point I thought it was time to make a vision board. I had heard about so many people making vision boards and later go on to achieve their dreams. I remember some years back reading about Joel Osteen buying his dream house and as he was moving to his dream house, he found an old vision and had

Choose a medium size bulletin board, you can also buy manila paper from any stationery shop. Your vision board sh ould be large enough to catch yo ur attention as you walk by it.

the same exact house he bought many years. So you may ask yourself why vision boards? Vision boards (also known as a goal board, goal map, or treasure map) are recommended by life coaches, trainers & scientists as the most effective techniques to turn your goals & dreams into reality! Vision boards are essentially a collage of images, pictures and affirmations of your dreams and desires. One of the most common but on a smaller scale vision board example is people writing themselves a million dollar cheque. However as with anything in life, a there’s a good and bad way to start a vision board.

Find pictures in magazines and online that represent your vision/goals. For example as with Joel Osteen’s example in his book “Your best life now”, if you want to buy a house then find a picture of a house that you want and cut it out or if you want to get your MBA, print out a an MBA template with your name and year of completion on it. Make sure that you have interesting pictures for each goal on your list. This does not have to be neat and orderly. The important thing is that every goal is visible.

Type out in very large print each one of your goals and not going to be the size of your writing in a notebook. The writing has to be easily read from a distance.

Hang your goal board somewhere that you will see it u everyday to remind yo of what you want to achieve.

Good luck CHers! We look forward to hearing about how vision boards changed your lives in the future! 36 CORPORATE HEELZ

We offer long-distance courses in:    

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January 2013 intake is open! #16 Enock Kavu Road, off Addis Ababa Road, Rhodespark Tel. +260 211 258684 Cell: +260 979 044454 www.mancosa.co.za

CH NETWORKS |

asikana NETWORK

MEET UP SUMMARY

he event was kicked off with a brief discussion of the latest technological innovations. This led the ladies to share their ideas regarding the type of technology and gadgets that they feel could improve their lives and other lives in Zambia. Asikana Network then gave a progress update on the CrowdMap for African Women in ICT organisations, projects and initiatives. The map was launched in September 2012 in order to make visible the wealth of womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s talent and enterprise springing up all across Africa. It is the first such map and so far 38 projects in 15 African countries have been added to the map. (View the map at https://womentechafrica.crowdmap.com/ main)

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After this, the two guest mentors of the month each took turns to speak about their experiences in the ICT industry. The first speaker, Shupekile Mwanza is the ICT Project Manager at World Vision Zambia. She eloquently described her career in the ICT sector. She encouraged the ladies to explore and fight for growth and development in their professional and personal lives. She placed emphasis on service delivery; an area that she feels leaves a lot to be desired in Zambia. Due to her exposure, Shupekile drew inspiration from by fellow Africans. One such example was her experiences working at EcoBank, a West African bank. She was shown that Africans can be dedicated, hardworking and have high standards. Instead of being intimidated by this, she embraced the challenge of being

| CH NETWORKS

Shupekile Mwanza

better and in turn is determined to encourage her fellow countrymen to follow suit. The second speaker, Cassandra Mtine, is the CEO of ShopZed, a Zambian internet startup. The site originally started by catering to the Zambian diaspora looking to be able to help those at home, while making sure the money that is allocated actually goes to what it is intended for. It has now expanded to include a myriad of solutions for Zambians at home and abroad. She started the business in the US and has now returned to Zambia and with her female business partner, they are looking to expand their business including providing a platform for Zambian businesses to be able to showcase their products and services to the world. Cassandra highlighted the fact that many people have wonderful ideas but very few take the necessary steps to put their ideas into action.

Cassandra Mtine

A question and answer session quickly followed as the ladies were eager to hear more from their mentors. Asikana Network then announced the winner of the Asikana logo competition. Please find the new logo attached (although we are not yet ready to use it publicly as the colours will be changed). Additional updates were made with regards to current and future events. One event of interest is that Asikana Network is currently conducting free web development trainings on Saturday mornings. The meetup was closed with tea and mingling. The next Asikana Network meetup is scheduled to take place in the first week of November 2012. CH CORPORATE HEELZ 39

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