Insights from the Gibs / ECR Business Breakfast held in Durban today

There was plenty of brain food on offer at the breakfast as over 500 captains of industry attended the breakfast at the Durban ICC.

Dancers spiced up the morning at the GIBS ECR Business Breakfast brought to you by Trade and Investment Kwazulu-Natal.

Speakers at the GIBS ECR Business Breakfast were ushered onto the stage by 'praise singer' T-Bone.

Former Dean of GIBS, Nick Binedell reminded us that 'Economic growth is the oxygen of the country.'

The CEO of MTN Ghana, Serame Taukobong reminded us that 'We are part of Africa.'

Dion Change of Flux Trends gave us insight into our future world.  He told us to look out for Ingestible Tech.  He also suggested that to be at the forefront of business we should anticiapte disruption.

The great storyteller Gcina Mhlophe entertained us throughout her speech.

This was indeed a wonderful breakfast and the delegates left with wonderful thoughts in their heads, ready to build their business up.

The event trended on Twitter and for more insight into the breakfast you can track the hashtag #FindYourFrequency.



Article by Fred Felton
Twitter @fredfelton

Images - Supplied.

Business Tips from the Speakers at TIKZN GIBS East Coast Radio Business Breakfast

Last week I attended this business breakfast and came away with some great business insight from the business leaders in attendance.

(Nick Binedell, Trish Taylor, Zamo Gwala, Nicola Tyler, Jake White, Bernice Samuels and Anwar Jappie - picture by Abhi Indarajan)

Five of South Africa's most influential thought leaders, strategists and trendsetters converged at Durban's ICC.  The event was sponsored by TIKZN.  The theme of the GIBS / East Coast Radio Business Breakfast was Strategy, Transformation and Branding. The MC was the hilarious Darren Maule from East Coast Radio.

Here are some of the tips that the speakers shared:

Zamo Gwala - TIKZN 

• There is now a brokering unit to help companies with their EIA's 
• Business confidence is high as delegations from India and Japan have visited KZN 

Jake White - Director of Rugby, Sharks Rugby

• You need to become bigger and stronger
• You need to understand what you are good at
• What does your business stand for?
• Have a plan, have a direction.
• Backing players leads to success.
• Experience comes with a massive responsibility
• Experienced players set the trend and tone
• Decide how you will be innovative
• Think outside the box
• Build up a network
• He used to look at other sports codes to see what he could learn from them
• History tells you something

Nicola Tyler - CEO of BRG

• Leaders know how to get results 
• Leaders realize it's not about them
• A plan is a set of anticipated steps 
• You have to align what you Think, Say and Do. 

Nick Binedell - GIBS

• What do we have to do as leaders to create those outcomes?
• We learn to lead
• Why are we doing what we are doing?
• This country has produced economic champions
• What attracts you to certain companies?
• Relish the uncertainty
• Do you have training going on in your business? 
• Never take the same route to work
• Do you really understand your city and the markets?
• Does your company engage in Africa?
• You have to take the risk

Bernice Samuels - Chief Marketing Officer - FNB

• You are surrounded by info now so you start resisting a lot of it
• You want to become a brand champion
• Social Media is a weapon of mass communication
• Everyone is a broadcaster 
• You need to give something to people that is meaningful
• What is it you are broadcasting?  Do your clients understand it and relate to it?
• A brand is not a logo
• A brand should have a strategy behind it
• What is so special about your brand?

Anwar Jappie - Brand Director - Nike Africa

• Be brave
• Go into spaces where people say you can't do it
• Look through the lens of the youth
• The youth are confident and opportunistic about Africa
• Half of Africa's population is under 25
• The Youth want to be treated with dignity and respect
• Consumers want it now
• This is now a portable life
• Africa is Number 2 Growth in Mobile Usage Worldwide
• You have to have a digital plan
• Mobile first, then digital
• Be laser focused, who are you speaking to?

All in all much food for thought.

Article by +Fred Felton 

An Inspiring ECR GIBS Executive Breakfast

This week I attended the East Coast Radio, GIBS Executive Breakfast.
It was indeed quite inspiring.

Speakers - Nicola Tyler, Buhle Dlamini, and Nick Binedell with East Coast Radio's Trish Taylor
and Seema Diahnan and TIKZN's Wendile Gumede and Norman Chorn.

Put on by East Coast Radio and Trade and Investment Kwazulu-Natal (TIKZN) the GIBS
Breakfast had some fantastic speakers.

Seema Diahnan from East Coast Radio started us off and introduced everyone.

Nicola Tyler was a wonderful MC for the event.

Transnet CEO Brian Molefe

We heard a great talk by Brian Molefe the Transnet CEO.  He told us about the developments
happening at Durban Harbour.  New Cranes will be put in place, new infrastructure.
Twenty Years from now the Durban Harbour will need upgrading.  Transnet is focused on spending on training as as well.  He told us that new jobs are on the horizon over the next 7 years.

Nick Binedell was very inspiring.  He reminded us to learn faster than the rate of change.  He also told us
that there was no country of our size that has produced so many champions.   He told us that SA has a legacy of greatness.  Good people want to work in great companies he said.  Great companies want to be in great countries.  People need great countries.

Norman Chorn showed us how organisations work and the changing face of technology.  This is a much more complex world he reminded us.  He asked us, 'What is the dominant competitive position of your company?'

Lastly we had an inspiring talk by Buhle Dlamini.  What a motivator he is.  He suggested we change our thinking and look for the opportunities.

To find out more follow the hashtag #ecrgibs on www.twitter.com
and get more insight into the Breakfast.

All in all a wonderful event and successful executive breakfast.

Article by Fred Felton - Photo's Courtesy of East Coast Radio.


(Fred Felton was a guest of East Coast Radio.)

Read about the GIBS Executive Breakfast, St Clements and a Little Girl who needs your help

Almost time for the 5th GIBS Executive Breakfast

The Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS), East Coast Radio and Trade and Investment, KwaZulu-Natal (TIKZN), have banded together to produce what is quickly becoming one of the most sought after business breakfasts in the province.

Durban’s business fraternity will once again have access to high profile speakers, like the CEO’s of Transnet and the Business Results Group, at this year’s GIBS Executive Breakfast in March.

Already a popular calendar event within the Durban business community, the annual breakfast boasts some of the most successful business-minded people all under one roof. “We are excited about the theme this year, ‘Leading with Impact’ which will prove to be a beneficial tool for all business men and women. In this current economic climate every business big or small could benefit from our hand picked speakers wealth of knowledge. Each speaker will share their invaluable knowledge on business growth and leadership skills.” said Trish Taylor, General Manager of East Coast Radio.

With a number of guest speakers from numerous business fields who will give tips and strategies on how to better manage your business, there should be something for all business owners.

Nicola Tyler, CEO of Business Results Group, who is known for her highly acclaimed strategic planning and thinking workshops, will host the event.

Dean of GIBS, Professor Nick Binedell whose area of expertise lies in the field of business strategy, will share his knowledge on Strategic Leadership. Although his academic and consulting work is predominantly in South Africa, it does include work in the United States, Europe and Australia.

Transnet CEO, Brian Molefe, will open the presentations with his highly anticipated speech on Leading with Impact. Molefe has received several awards for his role in the economy, particularly in the advancement of black participation.
Bringing a strong international strategy presentation to the program is Norman Chorn, academic, practitioner and visiting faculty member from GIBS. Chorn will demonstrate how Durban business owners can plan the future of their business through designing innovative organizations. He will also show them how to incorporate strong and positive leadership styles for sustainable growth of their business.

Motivational speaker, Buhle Dlamini, will rally Breakfast goers into action by proving that anything is possible. Born and raised in the rural KZN village of Hlabisa, Dlamini has risen above and beaten the odds to become one of the top South Africans in People and Social Development today by proving himself in the youth development field, business, public speaking, media and social entrepreneurship.

Date: Thursday, 7 March 2013
Time: 07:30am – 11:30am
Venue: ICC Durban
Price: R500 per person or R4750 per table of 10

Visit www.ecr.co.za for more information or book your tickets through Computicket.

(Source East Coast Radio)


Music and More at St Clements

A NIGHT OF STORYTELLING: With Matt Vend and Hezron Chetty (The Accidentals)

Date: Friday the 1^st of March, 7pm

Venue: St Clements, Musgrave Road, Durban.

Entry: R30 per head, book a table on: 031 202 25 11, for other information contact Matt on 0769483274, or emailmwbeardo38@gmail.com

Matt Vend has been travelling extensively over the last few years and he has managed to document many of his adventures. On this particular night Matt will be sharing some of his stories and also playing many of his original songs with Hezron Chetty, an amazing violinist. Together they go by the name of The Accidentals, and have a great repertoire of original music to get your feet moving. This is going to be a night of great stories and great music. Space is limited so book a table on 031 202 25 11.  The venue is quaintly located on Musgrave Road, next to St Thomas church, which is surrounded by trees and presents itself as a natural oasis in the busy suburban area.

(Source - St Clements)


Can you help?

If you feel you can help out a young girl in need. She is in desperate need of an operation.
If you can help in any way or know of someone who can assist please visit the website
rose.iafrica.biz

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