excomag issue 14

xhibitors’ CORNER

The platform to grow, connect and equip SMME businesses. August - September 2023 - Issue #13

14 ISSUES STRONG

MANAGING DIRECTOR (DIAMOND BERRY ENTERPRISES) Nhlanhla Dabengwa

CHIEF EDITOR

Mellisa Tshuma

EDITORIAL TEAM

Jennings Chibike

Khayelihle Sibanda

Anittah Munyaradzi Chidonhwe

Loveness Mpofu

ADMINISTRATION

Charllote Mpofu

Gugulethu Ncube

MARKETING & SALES

Charllote Mpofu

Magazine Design

Arthur Musiyiwa

David Papayi

DIAMOND BERRY ENTERPRISES

The Property Center, L Takawira & J Tongogara St, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.

MARKETING & ADVERTISING

TEL: +263 29 226 2993

CELL: +263 71 570 0593

EMAIL:

newsroom.excomag@gmail.com, info.diamondberry@gmail.com

PUBLISHED BY DIAMOND BERRY ENTERPRISES

Exhibitors Corner

www.diamondberry.co.zw / www.excomag.co.zw

BE INSPIRED

Melisa Tshuma Chief Editor Excomag

EDITORS NOTE

Welcome to the latest issue of our magazine, the Exhibitors Corner. As we embark into this new-year, the pages of our magazine are teeming with insights, analysis and inspiration to guide you through the evolving landscape of business. As we navigate the ever-evolving landscape of business, it’s imperative to pause and reflect on the significant developments shaping industries worldwide. In the dynamic realm of business, adaptation is paramount. In the wake of recent global economic shifts, our team has worked diligently to curate content that addresses the challenges and opportunities facing entrepreneurs, executives and innovators alike. From navigating supply chain disruptions to harnessing the power of digital transformation, each article in this issue is crafted to empower our readers with actionable strategies and informed perspectives.

In this edition, we explore various strategies and insights to foster teamwork, whether in the office or in virtual settings. From effective communication techniques to the cultivation of trust and companionship, our aim is to equip you with practical tools to enhance team dynamics and achieve remarkable results. Delve in more to find a diverse array of features, including an in-depth exploration of sustainable business practices,

Delve in to get some indispensable nuggets about financial and legal obligations that you might be missing out in your business

a spotlight on emerging trends in fintech and exclusive interviews with industry leaders who are driving change and shaping the future of commerce.

On our cover story is a tale of a brilliant lady who paved her way in a male dominated industry from the age of twenty. Victoria Gazi is the founder of Vici Donum Investments which has a brick company, water purifying and gas company as its subsidiaries. She narrates how strongly she has forever believed in her vision and has gone to the wits and nits to achieve that dream and make it a reality. The society we live in may be patriarchal but that doesn’t deter her determination. We hope her story will inspire you and bring to realization the hopes and dreams of other women and girls. A popular quote of encouragement says, “It can’t happen overnight, it’s going to happen over decades. But if I or my contemporaries give up on this struggle, the next generation will definitely not be able to see the change”. We are optimistic that giants will be born as they bulldoze into various industries.

We hope this issue inspires to cultivate stronger bonds within your team, paving the way for innovation, resilience and shared success. Thank you for your continued support and readership. Together let us make this year one of innovation, growth and prosperity. We appreciate you. As always we welcome your feedback and suggestions for future topics and features. Please write to us on newsroom@excomag.co.zw.

HOW TO BUILD A HIGH PERFOMANCE TEAM.

Nhlanhla Dabengwa MD. Excomag

MANAGER’S REMARKS

Building a high-performing team is essential for any organization to achieve its goals and objectives.

HOW TO BUILD A HIGH PERFOMANCE TEAM.

Building a high performing team is essential for any organization to achieve its goals and objectives. A high performing team is a group of individuals who work together to achieve a common goal, and they are characterized by their ability to collaborate, communicate effectively, and produce outstanding results. However, building a high performing team is not an easy task, and it requires a lot of effort, time, and dedication. In this article we will discuss how to build a high-performing team and the key factors that contribute to its success.

1. DEFINE YOUR OBJECTIVES AND GOALS.

The first step in building a high performing team is to define your objectives and goals. You need to clearly outline what you want to achieve and how you plan to achieve it. Your goals should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time bound. This will help your team to focus their efforts and work towards achieving your objectives.

2. RECRUIT THE RIGHT PEOPLE.

Building a high performing team starts with recruiting the right people. You need to look for individuals who have the right skills, knowledge, and experience to help you achieve your goals. Additionally, you should consider the personalities and values of your team members to ensure that they will work well together.

3. FORSTER OPEN COMMMUNICATION.

Open communication is essential for building a high-performing team. Team members need to feel comfortable expressing their opinions, ideas, and concerns without fear of judgment or retaliation. To foster open communication, you should encourage regular team meetings, provide feedback, and create a safe space for team members to share their thoughts.

4. ESTABLISH CLEAR ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES.

Each team member should have a clear understanding of their role and responsibilities. This will help to ensure that everyone is working towards a common goal and there is no duplication of effort. Additionally, clear roles and responsibilities will help to prevent confusion and ensure that everyone is held accountable for their work.

5. PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR DEVELOPMENT.

To build a high-performing team, you need to provide opportunities for development. This can include training, mentoring, and coaching. By investing in your team members, you will help them to develop their skills and

knowledge, which will ultimately benefit your organization

6. CELEBRATE ACHIEVEMENTS.

Celebrating achievements is an important part of building a high-performing team. You should acknowledge and reward your team members for their hard work and contributions. This will help to boost morale, increase motivation, and encourage team members to continue performing at a high level.

7. CONTINOUSLY EVALUATE PERFOMANCE.

To ensure that your team is performing at a high level, you need to continuously evaluate their performance. This can include conducting regular performance reviews, monitoring progress towards goals, and seeking feedback from team members. By doing so, you can identify areas for improvement and make necessary adjustments to keep your team on track.

In conclusion, building a high-performing team requires a combination of clear objectives, the right people, open communication, clear roles and responsibilities, opportunities for development, celebrating achievements, and continuous evaluation. By following these steps, you can create a team that is collaborative, productive, and focused on achieving your organization’s goals.

INTERVIEW COVER STORY

With Victoria Gazi

VICTORIA G. – FOUNDER & MD VICI DONUM INVESTMENTS.

Victoria M. Gazi is an accomplished professional who is the Founder and Managing Director of the holding company Vici Do num Investments. Vici Donum Investments has three subsidiary companies namely Samson Bricks, Aquamanzi, and a Value Gas franchise. Victoria is a 26-year-old University of Cape Town Alum ni who graduated with a BCom Financial Accounting (Chartered Accounting Stream) Degree. She has a Post Graduate in Business Administration with the University of South Africa (UNISA) and is currently working towards a Masters in Business Leadership with UNISA.

“When I was in university I already knew that I wanted to be an entrepreneur,” noted Ms. Gazi an accountant by profession, entrepreneur by choice and marketer by heart. Her entrepre neurial ambitions and research led her to establish Samson Bricks, a manufacturer and retailer of concrete products and building materials ancillary to concrete products, to serve both the interest of her soon to retire father and herself. It became apparent to her that there was tre mendous potential in the built environment sector with a lot of construction taking place both on the domestic and commercial front.

As of 2018, Victoria purchased the first set of machinery that would kick start Samson Bricks in the near future. With such a capital intensive business venture at her disposal, the prolific en trepreneur started the journey to conserving towards her dream. From August 2019 to August 2022, she was gainfully employed at Battery Giant, which is a franchise of Exide express battery company. This is where she gained a great deal of knowledge about entrepreneurial discipline, building business systems, and how to become part of a salary as an entrepreneur under the guidance and tutelage of her boss, Patience Nyombayi.

In describing her inspiration and why she attributes her success to her parents, Ms. Gazi emphasizes the importance of the role they played in her career. “My success is attributed to two of the most important role models in my life; my parents, who influenced me greatly in instilling the necessary traits that have enabled me to stay, focused and keep going.” She revealed, “My tenacity, disci-

I execute my duties more accurately as Managing Director, which are essentially driving the vision and pushing growth without micromanaging.

“”

I am working on a passion project in the pipeline which focuses on empowering girls to bring more to the table through a life clinic that mentors young girls.

pline, and inspiration are all a result of their influence.” She added.

As she stated in addition to; her team is a vital part of the vision with their competence and excellence in delivery. “I execute my duties more accurately as Managing Director, which are essentially driving the vision and pushing growth without micromanaging, as a proper delegation process has been put in place”

Samson Bricks boasts of a unique value propositions for its clients and partners, from professionalism, excellent customer service right across to premium quality products. “We take our product quality with utmost seriousness so much so that we took or products for a strength test in the first month of operation something which small businesses over look,” She added.

Founders of businesses face a multitude of challenges throughout their journey, and Ms. Gazi is not immune from this, as she operates in a male-dominated industry marred by societal stereotypes that undermine not only her business as a young entrepreneur, but also as a female business owner. A high staff turnover rate, technical issues relating to concrete products, as well as compliance issues associated with running such a business, make it an ever-learning experience, she explains.

Victoria Gazi is actively involved in numerous community initiatives and projects, both through her businesses and personally, contributing significantly to social responsibility. In particular, she is involved in the dynamic “pusheka girl” movement that sources and donates stationery, clothing, and other necessities to those who are less privileged. Additionally, she is a regular speaker and fundraiser for Girl Talk Zimbabwe, a charitable organization that strives to restore dignity to the girl child, primarily by supplying sanitary wear to girls suffering from periods of poverty.

“I am working on a passion project in the pipeline which focuses on empowering girls to bring more to the table through a life clinic that mentors young girls, and I contribute to the tuition of two disadvantaged students in my neighborhood.”.

As a respite from her busy schedule, Victoria Gazi loves travelling and spending time with friends and family

Victoria Gazi is an award-winning entrepreneur with a number of accolades awarded to her.

4. Megafest Southern Region Diamond Winner – Female Entrepreneur of the year 2023.

1. ZNCC business woman of the year.

2. Forbes Africa 30 under 30.

3. Women In Enterprise Conference Awards – Manufacturer of the year 2023.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

TEN ENTREPRENURIAL LEADERSHIP CHARACTERISTICS.

LEADERSHIP

Entrepreneurial leadership involves organizing and motivating a group of people to achieve a common objective through innovation, risk optimization, taking advantage of opportunities, and managing the dynamic organizationalenvironment.

...The traditional corporate mindset has its focus on systems and processes, whereas the entrepreneurial style is more risk oriented.

Some of the common entrepreneurial leadership characteristics are as follows.

COMMUNICATION SKILLS

The leader is able to clearly articulate their ideas, and the plan to achieve common goals. They encourage communication between departments and across levels. They avoid ambiguities and generalizations, and are able to avoid conflict and misunderstanding due to poor communication.

VISION.

A successful entrepreneurial leader has a clear vision. He knows exactly where he wants to go and how to get there. They communicate their vision to the team and work with them to make the vision a reality.

SUPPORTIVE.

An entrepreneurial leader realizes the importance of initiative and reactiveness, and they go out of their way to provide all the support that the team needs to achieve their goals. The leader usually does not punish employees when

they take a calculated risk, which misfires. Instead, they sit down with employees to analyze what went wrong and work with them to correct the mistakes.

SELF-BELIEF.

The leader has tremendous belief in themselves and has confidence gained from years of experimenting, at times failing, and learning. They are aware of their strengths and weaknesses, and demonstrate their skills without hubris. An entrepreneurial leader is very self-assured.

SHARES SUCCESS.

When the team or the organization succeeds at something, the leader does not hog the limelight or take all the credit. They acknowledge the contribution of others and shares

the accolades with them.

INVOLVED.

You will not find an entrepreneurial leader cooped up in the office. Leaders like to spend time among employees, walk around the factory or department, interact with everyone, and see them doing their job. This leader will usually take some time out to informally chat with employees, and

CREATES AN ATMOSPSHERE CONDUCIVE FOR GROWTH.

With a deep understanding of the importance of other people’s contribution to organizational success, the entrepreneurial leader creates an atmosphere that encourages everyone to share ideas, grow, and thrive. They actively seek other’s opinions, and encourages them to come up with solutions to the problems that they face. The entrepreneurial leader also provides positive feedback when employees come forward with an opinion.

HONESTY.

Honesty is the most important quality of an exceptional leader. Entrepreneurial leaders who are honest are able to quickly win the trust of their employees. People respect leaders to come across as honest, and are more likely to accept positive or negative feedback and work harder.

PERSEVERANCE.

When the going gets tough, the entrepreneurial leader perseveres. True entrepreneurs simply do not quit, they keep going until they find what they are looking for.

LEARNING.

The leader not only invests significantly in learning and updating their knowledge, but they also create a learning environment in the organization encouraging others to improve their knowledge, widen their experience, and tackle multiple challenges. They encourage employees to think outside the box and come up with creative solutions to problems.

FIVE BASIC FINANCE CONCEPTS YOU SHOULD KNOW. TIPS

When you hear the word ‘finance’, does your brain immediately reply ‘I’ll never understand it’?.

In fact, it is one of the most intimidating topics for people, perhaps because it is rich in concepts or because it is associated with large amounts of money and risks, or even because it is considered an elitist world for a few experts. Finance is nothing more than the management of funds and it has an impact on your daily life, so to manage your money with awareness, it is important to know the basics. Here are five basic finance concepts you need to know.

TIME VALUE OF MONEY.

The first of these basic finance concepts is that a sum of money is worth more in the present than in the future. In other words, the value of money decreases over time due to inflation, which reduces purchasing power.

This means that if you keep $1,000 for five years ‘idle’ under your mattress; its value will drop dramatically over time. In addition, at the same time you will lose the possible gains that your $1,000 would have yielded once invested. The concept of time value of money in fact shows that if money gradually loses value, the only way to make it grow is by investing and that waiting to do so means missing an opportunity.

DIVERSIFICATION.

To explain the second of the basic concepts of finance, that of diversification, the image of the basket is often used: the rule is ‘never put all your eggs in one basket, if it falls they will all break’. The idea is not to buy a single asset with your savings to avoid losing everything if something goes wrong. Diversification serves to minimize risk and consists of spreading one’s investments across several assets.

RISK/REWARD.

Another of the basic concepts of finance is that of the ‘risk/return’ ratio. This relationship is directly proportional, i.e. the higher the risk, the higher the return and vice versa. In the world of finance, you often hear that ‘There isn’t no such thing as a free lunch’; the economist Milton Friedman among others popularized this expression. One cannot have lunch without paying, i.e. in order to have

high profits; one must be willing to take risks.

INTERESTS.

Interest is a fundamental component of finance and represents the cost of borrowed money or the gain from a deposit. In a loan, interest represents the amount of money the lender charges the borrower for lending him/her the money. They are usually expressed as a percentage and are paid together with the repayment of the principal (i.e. the amount of money lent) at set intervals, e.g. monthly or annually.

In an investment, on the other hand, interest is the profit earned over a period of time.

PUT YOUR MONEY AT WORK.

Of all the basic concepts of finance, this refers to the idea of embarking on a strategy in order to grow one’s savings and thus achieve a return.

In this way, the money ‘works’ for you, producing results. Obviously, every investment has its risk component; the idea behind ‘putting your money at work’ is to try to get a higher return than you could get by simply keeping your money in a bank account or under your mattress.

In summary, ‘put your money at work’ is an invitation to consider investing as a way to grow your money and achieve your long-term financial goals.

These are the five basic concepts you should know as an entrepreneur or business owner.

HOW TO STAND OUT FROM YOUR COMPETITORS.

Nowadays, with the high competitiveness among companies in the market, it is increasingly difficult to know how to stand out from the competition.

However, if you want to succeed and achieve good results in your business, it is essential to come up with good strategies to make this possible.

By finding alternatives to distinguish your company from your competitors, you are able to satisfy customers, set up good business strategies and maximize the profitability. Here we have excellent ways for you to stand out and get expressive results. Keep reading and check it out!

MAP YOUR COMPETITORS.

Knowing who your competitors are and what they do is the first step to achieve success in your business strategies. Therefore, research them and try to understand how they are positioning themselves in the market to find opportunities for your business to stand out. That way, it will be much simpler to identify the points your company can improve to serve your business’ consumers while gaining new customers. By implementing this tip, your chances of achieving good results will be optimized.

KNOW YOUR TARGET AUDIENCE WELL.

It is necessary to know who your potential buyers are, as well as their wishes, expectations and preferences, so that you can adequately serve everyone and distinguish yourself from your competitors.

Therefore, try to understand what characteristics your target audience has, such as: what age group they are in, what they usually consume and what is their willingness to pay. That way, it will be possible to attract and retain customers more effectively.

BET ON INNOVATION.

Constant innovation is a characteristic of successful companies. Therefore, find out which innovations can be applied to your business and use them to improve your company’s results. Also, keep in mind that innovating is not just about adopting technological solutions.

The possibilities for innovation are related to customer service, as well as to achieving a more efficient sales process, carrying out a captivating after-sales service, and having the company’s processes very well defined. By adopting solutions that help in this regard, you will certainly stand out from your competition.

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WHAT ARE HACKATHONS AND WHY ARE THEY IMPORTANT?

Excomag

According to Wikipedia, a hackathon is an event where people engage in rapid and collaborative engineering over a relatively short period such as 24 or 48 hours.

The term is related to programming events where programmers, also called hackers, come together to work on collaborative computer programming to solve specific problems.

The events have become quite popular lately. They are quite effective when finding proper software solutions becomes the number one priority. Hackathon projects are also great for increasing professional creativity and self-expression by using the most innovative and modern technological solutions.

When an idea or a problem occurs, experts, professionals, and specialists with technical backgrounds collaborate to develop a unique strategy or a solution. This approach stands behind achievements such as robots, mobile apps, or websites.

When great hacking minds work together, it is almost like miracles happening. The goal of every hackathon is to push the limits of technological achievements even further explore every bit of programming nature.

Surprisingly, in the case of hackathons, the word hack is not related to computer crime, as most people know it but rather in terms of exploring the limits of a particular idea or a technological achievement.

THE GOALS OF HACKATHONS.

Hackathon is a combination of two words: Hack + Marathon. Hackathons are exploratory programming events where people gathered around the same passion give their best to find unique solutions to technical problems.

Whether it is a bitcoin hackathon or a covid 19 hackathon, themes on hackathon are built around, a certain product needs to be built and delivered to create a fully functioning prototype. It gathers project managers, designers, developers, and programmers to work together on various software projects. There is competitive spirit, but the main goals are creativity like something new and extraordinary.

Today, hackathons are a normal way for programmers from all over the world to stay in touch with the latest technological achievements and another aspect has been added to the original concept: the educational aspect.

THE BENEFITS OF HACKATHONS.

There are many useful benefits of hackathons, which is the exact reason why they are so important. With that in mind, here are the three biggest benefits that will help you understand the importance of such events.

• Networks and Connections. When you have the same interests with many other people, it is the best way to learn even more from the most brilliant minds from all over the world. Well, the basic point of hackathons is exactly that: providing an opportunity for developers and programmers to join their knowledge and accomplish outstanding achievements within their business niche or a field of interest. It is also the best way to get into networking and make new, useful connections as a business on the rise.

• Collaboration. Technology is an endless field of opportunities so, that means that there is no end to technological achievements having an opportunity to work with like-minded people and deepen your knowledge puts you in a position to work as a team towards achieving a higher purpose, a goal that surpasses the individual concept of sharing knowledge and accomplishing great achievements. You also get a chance to realize the importance of having high communication skills and how teamwork can help accomplish outstanding achievements.

• Innovation: Since one of the main goals of hackathons is developing new ideas, it is safe to say that every hackathon is a place where innovation is born it is the most efficient environment for problem solving and the most suitable place for developing new ideas involving coding, software solutions, and technology. It is also a perfect opportunity to merge different business niches into one whole so that people can put their minds together and develop solutions or solve global problems. Therefore, hackathons are events that boost inspiration, innovation, creativity, and productivity. On top of everything, hackathons are usually where ideas for entirely new products come to life.

• Hackathons are also excellent hiring opportunities for both companies and those looking for a job. In addition, they are a good way to stay ahead of both the competitive and technological curves.

LEGAL ISSUES

ENTREPRENUERS NEED TO KNOW.

From business structures to non-disclosure agreements, here are some important legal matters to consider.

... While many entrepreneurs at least have a basic understanding of the law, most of them fail to think about the legal implications of starting a company. Many startups who are trying to save money on hiring attorneys are turning to online legal service companies who provide low cost “boilerplate” contracts.

However, there are numerous unforeseen pitfalls with using these types of contracts when it comes to ensuring that your new company is legally sound. In general, a new company should be legally sound from the get-go and one of the best ways to ensure that is to consult with an attorney. A good attorney will be able to properly advise you and tailor their advice to your particular situation.

Here are some common legal issues entrepreneurs will face:

IS MY BUSINESS COMPLIENT?

Corporate compliance affects companies in all types of industries. It is important to find out what type of records and other documents should be generated and maintained by your business. The laws, which apply to your business, will vary depending on a range of different factors, such as what type of business entity you are and what state you do business in. As a result, it’s usually important to consult with an attorney to ensure that your company is compliant with any federal and state laws that might apply to you

WHAT BUSINESS STRUCTURE SHOULD I USE?

There are multiple business structures available and using the best structure can be critical to ensuring that your company is successful.

LEGAL

For instance, are you interested in having your company go public in the future or do you want to remain a private company? Are you planning on taking on investors or will you be privately funded? What type of growth do you predict your company will have in the future?

The answers to all of these questions will lead to structuring your company in a variety of ways.

HOW TO AVOID PROBLEMS WITH EMPLOYEES?

Generally, every company should limit their liability as much as possible before taking on any new employees. Typically, company owners should have an employee handbook in place and ensure that all new employees sign an acknowledgement form stating that they received the handbook. The handbook should address everything from the company’s sexual harassment policy to the office dress code.

AM I PROPERLY PROTECTING MY PERSONAL ASSETS?

It is always important for a company owner to keep their personal and business assets separate. The best way to do this is to maintain a separate business bank account and only pay for business-related items and expenses from your business account. In the event that a creditor sues you, they may

be able to seize your company’s assets if they were purchased using your personal funds.

HOW SHOULD I STRUCTURE A PARTNERSHIP?

Many new companies fail because there never was a well-written partnership agreement in place that spelled out the duties and obligations of each partner and covered all issues that could have arisen in the future. For instance, will the partners agree on all company decisions unanimously or by majority rules? How much equity will each partner have in the company? How will company assets be split up in the event of dissolution? All of these issues and many more must be tackled and addressed in a comprehensive partnership agreement at the outset of forming the partnership.

AM I PROPERLY PROTECTING MY BUSINESS NAME?

A large amount of companies begin using a name only to find out that another company has already been using that exact same name. A company should usually do a trademark search on the internet to ensure that a business name is available. An attorney can help you register your name as well as a logo and assist you with protecting against anyone infringing on your intellectual property, especially if you will be exporting your brand.

SHOULD I USE A NON-DISCLOSURE AGREEMENT?

If your company is looking to share proprietary information with another company with the intent of potentially forming a joint venture, then it might be appropriate to have a non-disclosure agreement in place. It is important to make sure the non-disclosure agreement is very detailed and lays out exactly what proprietary information will be shared. Otherwise, you might risk losing valuable work to a competitor and cause major setbacks in making your company a success.

DO I NEED AN ATTORNEY OR I CAN DO IT ON MY OWN?

Sometimes, you might perceive a legal problem to be small when in fact the problem can potentially affect your business in ways that only an attorney can foresee. While you can certainly read up on a particular legal issue if you have the time, it is best to consult with an attorney who can anticipate various legal pitfalls your company might encounter.