ISSUE 7 • APRIL 2019
VISION VisionscapeGroup
visionscape.group
LinkedIn.com/company/Visionscape
WELCOME NOTE Welcome to the 7th Issue of VisionScoop! We are delighted to present to you the seventh edition of VisionScoop. Find out the latest developments across the Visionscape Group. See and be a part of the company’s unstoppable growth throughout Europe, Middle East and Africa. In this edition, we are turning the spotlight on the Sellers Containers road show, Visionscape Sanitation Solutions preparations for Seychelles, and Visionscape Africa Holdings partnership with a non-governmental organisation to help improve the lives of people in the Makoko Community in Lagos, Nigeria. Remember, your feedback is always appreciated. Shoot us an email with your comments and suggestions through comms@visionscape. group. Enjoy the read! Sellers Containers SolarStreetBinTM
Visionscape Sanitation Ready for Seychelles
VISIONSCAPE GROUP NEWS Sellers Containers’ 2-Week UK Roadshow Generates New Leads Sellers Containers exhibits the cutting-edge features of the SolarStreetBinTM with a twoweek roadshow in the United Kingdom. Sellers took the solar compacting bin to eight local authorities in the UK, including high-traffic areas in London and coastal and regional towns in the South, to give customers a first-hand experience of the solar bin’s innovative capabilities.
in the pipeline. VELLC continues to build partnerships with key government agencies and multinational corporations in Dubai and across the country, reinforcing the Group’s presence and foundation in the region while creating a robust business outlook in the coming years.
Visionscape Sanitation Solutions Joins Zoe Paris Foundation in Makoko Community Outreach
Led by Liz Carroll, Southern Region Sales Manager, the Sellers team secured six trials, as well as requests for quotations from potential customers looking to increase their efficiency and reduce costs.
Visionscape Sanitation Solutions has partnered with Zoe Paris Foundation in improving the lives of people living in Makoko, one of the biggest slums in Nigeria.
Stephen Terry, the new Midlands Area Sales Manager, joined Carroll for two days to gain more in-depth knowledge of the product.
VSS has sponsored and personally delivered 100 insecticide treated nets and cleaning materials such as waste bags, dust masks and gloves to Makoko residents. Zoe Paris Foundation, a non-governmental organisation based in Lagos, has provided the Makoko Community with free medical services and school supplies.
Visionscape Environmental LLC Headquartered in Dubai, Visionscape Environmental LLC takes on the GCC and MENA markets with major projects
Solutions
As Visionscape African Holdings continues its efforts to grow across the African continent, Visionscape Sanitation Solutions has begun to set up shop for our next host community. VSS has been awarded the commercial waste collection licence by the Landscape and Waste Management Authority Seychelles, allowing us to service a range of commercial entities, from hotels and guesthouses, to supermarkets, schools and the likes. Over the next few years, the team will focus on growing our market share and visibility on the island, starting with donating solar powered bins in the months to come.
Kiran Reddy, VAH Project Manager, with Visionscape local partner, Samuel Lautee VISIONSCOOP
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INDUSTRY NEWS
Unilever, Coca-Cola, Nestlé and Diageo Found Africa Plastics Recycling Alliance Fast-moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) companies Nestlé, Coca-Cola, Unilever and Diageo have formed the Africa Plastics Recycling Alliance to transform plastic waste in Sub-Saharan Africa into economic opportunities while improving plastic collection and recycling in the region. In addition, the companies have made their own sustainability commitments: •
•
Unilever to use 100% reusable, recyclable or compostable plastic and 25% recycled plastic content by 2025. Coca-Cola to collect and recycle the equivalent of bottles and cans it sells globally by 2030 and produce 100% recyclable packaging or use at least 50%
recycled 2030.
material
in
packaging
by
this to 100% by 2030. •
•
Diageo to design and use 100% recyclable, reusable or compostable plastic and include 40% recycled content in its plastic bottles, increasing
Nestlé to make 100% of its packaging materials recyclable or reusable by 2025.
FEATURE
Sellers Containers Brings Back 4-Wheeled Trade Waste Bin
Sellers Containers re-launches its compact, convenient and corrosion-resistant 4-wheeled Trade Waste Bins. Built to EN specifications, the Sellers Trade Waste bins offer superior durability, usability and safety. Sellers’ Trade Waste Bins are RFIDready, enabling them to generate 100% read for faster identification and weighing. “The Sellers Trade Waste Bins are the
product of our unwavering commitment to deliver superior quality and ingenuity in all of our product lines. We aim to provide enhanced quality, service and safety to our customers through our newest range of Sellers bins and all our products,” said Marcus Davies, Managing Director of Sellers Containers, an ISO 9001:2008 certified company.
Sellers Trade Waste Bins
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VISIONSCOOP
BITS & BYTES
VISIONSCAPE GROUP ACCEPTABLE USAGE POLICY:
storage devices, with encryption enabled, must be used when transferring Visionscape classified data;
Mobile Storage Devices and Removable Media •
Mobile devices such as memory sticks, CDs, DVDs and removable hard drives must be used only in situations when network connectivity is unavailable or there is no other secure method of transferring data;
•
The primary copy of any Visionscape data must be stored on the Visionscape network drive where it is backed up;
•
Only
Visionscape
authorised
•
Removable media containing Visionscape information with classification of confidential or strictly confidential information must never be left unattended, unless when it is stored securely, e.g., in a locked cabinet;
•
Do not store data on an unapproved device, e.g. USB stick or storage medium, unless approved by the IT Management;
•
Do not use USB data storage devices for regular transfer of data. Other secure transfer methods must be used for this;
•
Do not attempt to read or write data to any unauthorised external device, e.g., USB memory stick.
mobile
FROM THE FINANCE DESK
Caren Van Rooyen:
How to Act Responsibly and Confidently with Money 1.
Have a plan. It’s very unlikely you will achieve a goal if you’re not clear on what it is. Write it down, be specific, be visual (so you can feel what success will be like) and include timelines. Acknowledge that it will not be a smooth ride and you intend to stick it out through the inevitable ups and downs. Being able to refer to the plan when times are tough is a powerful tool as it will help you remain committed
and ultimately achieve your goal. 2.
Spend less than you earn and invest regularly. This is an extremely powerful habit to establish as early in life as possible. A critical aspect to being financially successful is overcoming the desire for immediate gratification, such as the latest mobile phone, meal at a trendy restaurant, or overseas holiday.
3.
Pay down your debt. This is almost certainly your best risk adjustmentafter-tax return, especially in case of expensive debt.
4.
Make your money work for you as much as possible. Take advantage of all the tax breaks (let the government help you save) and be very aware of costs. These include tax-free
savings, using annual interest and considering whether retirement annuities, pension fund allocations and endowments are appropriate. 5.
If it seems too good to be true, it normally is. You will come across lots of wonderful get-rich-quickly schemes where your friends have made fortunes in no time, such as crypto-currencies in 2017. These are incredibly appealing – but almost always disastrous. It takes time and patience to generate wealth.
I hope these insights have practical value to you! - Caren -
VISIONSCOOP
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HEALTH & SAFETY
PEOPLE MATTER
“The best creative work is never done when one is unhappy.”
7 TIPS FOR YOUR DAILY WORK COMMUTE SAFETY Here are 7 tips to keep in mind as you commute to and from work daily. 1.
Choose your route carefully and find alternative routes to get to your regular destination.
2.
5.
Stay alert and do not let your guard down. Do not walk with your head down, wear headphones with loud music or be absorbed in your mobile device.
If you are taking public transportation, sit near the front and be in proximity with the driver/operator. You’ll be seen and heard more quickly than if you’re at the back of the bus.
6.
Avoid waiting outside at bus stops or train stations when there aren’t a lot of passers-by around.
3.
Do not carry valuables in plain sight.
7.
4.
If you are driving, follow the safety signs, wear your seatbelt and do not text while driving.
Be sure to lock your doors when you get home! Culled from Arbill.com
Employee engagement represents the levels of enthusiasm and connection employees have with their organisation. It shows how motivated people are to put in extra effort for their organisation and how committed they are. Employees who are highly engaged at work provide greater value to the organisation and experience better quality of life at work.
LIVING GREEN
4 1.
Ways Living Green Increases Your Savings
Cut down your energy bill. Do you want to lower your monthly utility bill? Invest in LED and solar lights. LED lights use less power, while solar lights use renewable energy, so you get to reduce your power use and cut down your utility bill. Avoid buying new things. Sustainable living involves minimising the waste you create. Instead of buying a new shelf or bedside cabinet, why not repurpose your old furniture and make it? Upcycling your old stuff rather than throwing them away allows you to reduce your waste while saving money you would’ve spent on new things.
3.
Save on your grocery budget. You now use washable rags instead of paper towels, reusable water bottles instead of single-use plastic ones, and you even make your own cleaning solutions from organic ingredients! Not only do you help the environment, VISIONSCOOP
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Engaged employees are innovative: They perform at a higher level and bring passion and interest to their job, which often leads to innovation in the workplace and bring innovative methods to improve themselves and their teams. Innovative ideas expand collaboration and allows the company to achieve higher objectives through better employee engagement.
2.
Engaged employees are productive: Employee engagement helps to create a positive workplace culture that drives organisational success. When employees are engaged at work, they feel connected with the company and go the extra mile for what they are doing and improve their overall performance.
3.
Engaged employees are satisfied: Employees that are engaged and satisfied are highly invested in the success of the business and have a great level of commitment and loyalty. They promote and support the company’s mission, vision and strategy.
Living sustainably doesn’t just help the environment – it also helps your wallet! Here are some ways living green can help grow your savings:
2.
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THREE IMPORTANT REASONS WHY EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT IS BENEFICIAL AT THE WORKPLACE:
you get to slash down your grocery expenses, too! 4.
Benefit from government incentives. Some governments offer to pay back consumers every time they recycle their waste. For example, in California, people get a refund for every beverage container they take to a certified recycling centre. You can also go to businesses that buy scraps, so you recycle your waste while earning some cash.
BETTER LIVING
How to Start Your Own Mini Farm in Your City Apartment Growing your own food has its perks. You can be sure it’s all organic, free from pesticide, and freshly picked for your use. If you live in the city, you can still enjoy the benefits of a farm-to-table lifestyle by cultivating your own mini farm right in your apar tment.
Start small.
Do your research.
Choose one or two plants to grow. See what happens first, then gradually add more plants.
Research which plants can thrive in your apartment space and which pots are best for them.
Choose space-saving pots.
Place your plants somewhere with lots of sunshine.
Smart pots, planters, containers, hanging baskets and glass jars – there’s plenty of options that can help you save space.
Give your plants a healthy dose of sunshine every day by placing them on the window sill, balcony, terrace or patio.
Buy good quality soil.
Plant a variety of fruits and vegetables.
The most suitable potting soil is composed of peat moss and pine bark. Add fertiliser and compost occasionally to replenish the soil’s nutrients.
Expand your apartment garden to include herbs, microgreens like spinach and kale, tomatoes, avocadoes, lettuce and potatoes.
Invest in smart technology. There are now “smart farms” available in the market. These are specially designed for apartments and have their own soil and LED lighting. These can be placed in the pantry or closet to save space.
YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT Healthy options and alternatives for your everyday meals.
REDUCED CARB OATMEAL One serving INGREDIENTS: 17g chia seeds 17g golden flax meal 39g finely shredded unsweetened coconut ¾ tsp ground cinnamon 15g oats (rolled or steal cut - not instant) 390ml almond milk 35g Total 0% fat free Greek yoghurt (or any other reduced fat Greek yoghurt)
Method: For oatmeal: In a medium sized combine the chia seeds, golden unsweetened coconut, oats and then gently warm in the almond
saucepan, flax meal, cinnamon, milk.
To serve: Stir through yoghurt and serve. Tips: Add more or less almond milk depending on personal preference. You can always add but you can’t take away in cooking.
VISIONSCOOP
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MEET
CORE VALUES
Our People We maintain a work environment and culture that encourages creativity, diversity and idea sharing. We value and treat all people with dignity and the utmost respect Full Name: Sameer Abdul Latheef
and believe in investing resources into the personal
Role: Lead–Information Technology
and professional development of our workforce in the
Since: November 2017 Q: What aspect of your role do you enjoy the most? A: I get opportunity to interact with all business units to discuss their IT requirements, concerns etc., enabling me to explore and learn new things every day. I enjoy all aspects of my job – Driving Change & Innovation, Architecture, Leading People, Mentoring etc.
communities we serve.
Q: Tell us something that might surprise us about you. A: I love food, travelling (trekking and adventure water sports), and spend my free time experimenting in the kitchen – I run a small restaurant in my home town. Q: What is the one thing you cannot resist? A: Hyderabad Biriyani (Indian cuisine) Q: What is the most embarrassing thing that has ever happened to you? A: Lost track of my first Wedding anniversary, the worst thing could ever happen to a man. I Imaging you know how that went…! Q: If you could be any one for a day, who would it be? A: A chef! Good food could bring joy to anyone. It›s not good cooking for yourself; the joy is in cooking for others (Chef Quotes).
QUOTE
Q: If your house was burning down, what three items would you take with you? A: My wife, kids and phone. Q: Where is the best place you’ve travelled to and why? A: Vagamon in Kerala, India. I don’t know why, but I always feel more relaxed when I’m there. Nice weather; it’s green with pine trees; good food; and it’s calm. Q: What is your greatest fear? A: Loneliness Q: What is the greatest challenge you have had to overcome in your life thus far? A: Staying away from my family and friends when moved abroad. Q: What have you always wanted to try, but never did? A: Horse riding 6
VISIONSCOOP
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It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop. - Confucius
GREEN HUMOUR
PHOTOS EVENTS
JOURNEY SO FAR
Sellers Road Tour
Visionscape Sanitation Solutions distributing insecticide, mosquito nets and cleaning materials in Makoko, Nigeria.
Sellers Containers load and go, 35YD3 Open Smooth sided Hook lift containers to be delivered to one of our customers! Sellers Containers PEL Solar Bins Ready for Seychelles.
But first, let me take a selfie!
An exciting six years come to an end as a devoted staff of Vision Petlon Polymers, Charlie Neale, moves on, “We wish him the very best.”
The Visionscape Group Business Development team as they work endlessly to build portfolios for the business.
Liz Carroll with the Sellers SolarStreetBinTM
VISIONSCOOP
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PHOTO OF THE MONTH
A beautiful sunset at the Bau Vallon Beach on the island of Mahé, Seychelles.
TM
VISIONSCAPE ENVIRONMENTAL SA
VisionscapeGroup
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VISIONSCOOP
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