Business Day Spotlight

In this edition of the Business Day Spotlight, we talk about the medical cover shortfalls that are hurting consumers.

Our host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Travys Wilkins, chief executive guru of insurance comparison platform Compareguru.

The discussion focuses on the importance of gap cover, the disparity between the amounts paid by medical aids versus what is charged by doctors and hospitals, the need for greater consumer education around medical cover and Compareguru’s business model.

In this edition of the Business Day Spotlight, we talk about the economics of vaccinating the African population from Covid-19.

Our host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Dr Ernest Darkoh, a founding partner of the BroadReach Group, a group of social impact businesses focused on public health issues.

The discussion focuses on the rollout of Covid-19 vaccines in Africa; challenges and opportunities around the rollout; the strength of African economies; the importance of regional integration; and how current rollout practices can be improved.

In this edition of the Business Day Spotlight, we talk about the importance of continuous learning in organisations.

Our host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Michael Gullan, CEO of G&G Advocacy to discuss the issues.

The discussion focuses on the important of continuous learning by employees in corporate SA; the responsibility of companies in ensuring that their people have access to learning tools; technology as enabler for further learning; and the challenges that people face when it comes to putting together an effective learning program for staff.

In this edition of the Business Day Spotlight, we talk about what it means to grow and maintain one of the country’s best known brands, Nando’s.

Our host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Doug Place is the chief marketing officer of Nando's business in India, Middle East and Africa.

The discussion focuses on the functions of Nando’s marketing function; its place in executing the group’s strategy; the development of effective campaigns; differentiation across countries; internal versus external marketing considerations; the evolution of marketing channels over time; and the effects of Covid-19 on the group’s brand.

In this edition of the Business Day Spotlight, we talk about how one of the country’s largest banking groups is making use of cloud computing to improve its business and operations.

Our host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Andrew Baker, Absa’s group chief technology officer, to discuss the issues.

The discussion focuses on how Absa has made use of cloud computing to improve its offering to clients, cut costs, develop new technology faster, while at the same working to make sure that staff have the skills to use and develop new banking platforms.

In this edition of the Business Day Spotlight, we talk about the performance of economies in the SADC and East African regions.

Our host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Jacques Nel, head of macro-economic research for Africa at NKC African Economics, to chat about the issues.

The discussion focuses on the economic performance of countries in the SADC region, specifically Botswana, Namibia and Mozambique; then looking at growth in East Africa; progress made in terms of vaccinations; and an outlook for the two regions.

n this edition of the Business Day Spotlight, we talk about the use of digital banking and accounting services by small business owners in SA.

Our host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Colin Timmis, country manager at Xero SA - a digital accounting software service; together with Alan Shannon, Nedbank’s executive for client engagement in their professional and small business banking unit.

The discussion focuses on the value of Xero and Nedbank’s new partnership, digital banking adoption amongst small business owners, the effects of Covid-19 in spurring entrepreneurs to take up digital channels for managing their businesses, and the concept of software as a service.

In this edition of the Business Day Spotlight, we talk about the impact of recent electricity tariffs hikes on SA consumers.

Our host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Rob Gwerengwe, CEO of the middle market segment at FNB.

The discussion focuses on the effects of the recent 15% increase in electricity tariffs on SA households, general effects of the pandemic on consumer spending in SA, people leaning more on credit to finance day to day expenses and the growth of the gig economy as families and individuals look to supplement their incomes.

In this edition of the Business Day Spotlight, we talk about the performance of global coffee company, Starbucks’ business in SA.

Our host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Adrian Maizey, CEO of Starbucks Southern Africa and founder of the Rand Group.

The discussion focuses on the Rand Group’s decision to takeover the Starbucks license in SA, the company’s strategy to grow the business, trends in the local coffee market, as well as changes brought on by Covid-19 and lockdown.

In this edition of the Business Day Spotlight, we talk about how SA consumers have taken to virtual financial advice.

Our host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Lisa Hovgaard, divisional director of change, communication and trade marketing at Liberty, to discuss the issues.

The discussion touches on how the shift to virtual financial advice has affected consumers, the ways in which Liberty has had to change its offering in the face of rapid technology change, challenges still holding back many people from having open conversations about money, and an outlook of how the financial advice industry has likely been permanently affected by the pandemic.