COVID-19 has changed the world and employers must pivot to products and services that provide direct and immediate assistance to workers. EWA is an emerging employee benefit that provides workers on-demand access to wages they have earned but not yet been paid on. But is EWA just payday lending in disguise? I am joined by Deon Nobrega and Bryan Habana from Paymenow to find out.

The gig economy has played an important part in providing work during a year of considerable financial instability. However, the annual South African Fairwork ratings provide evidence that gig workers, as in so many countries worldwide, continue to face unfair work conditions and lack the benefits and protections afforded to employees. Georgie sits down with me to discuss:

The Gig economy and gig work is becoming increasingly important as a potential pathway to socio-economic development and unemployment alleviation. This promise is important given Africa’s simultaneous status as the continent with the youngest population but the highest youth unemployment rate – a potential socio-political time-bomb. But is the gig economy a realistic solution to addressing the severity of these challenges within SA? And is this a sustainable option for the unemployed?

My Guest: Bridgette Ward, Sales Manager, AdvanceNet

We may all be tired of hearing about C19 and the impact it's having on a global scale but the fact of the matter is it is continuing to have a seismic effect on how businesses operate. Work still needs to be done. Sales need to happen. Opportunities need to be pursued. Service issues need to be resolved. I’m Angela McCann and in today's podcast, we are going to be looking at CRM solutions and how businesses that have leveraged off them have managed to remain top of mind with their clients during the pandemic.

About Bridgette Ward:

Bridgette has over a decade of sales experience, liaising with both midmarket and large blue-chip companies throughout Africa. She leverages the power of technology in order to create effective, affordable business solutions for customers.

Bridgette’s extensive background as a Sales Manager, makes her uniquely qualified to help customers identify their pain points and assist in providing the best solution.

Her comprehensive knowledge and passion for modern technology enablers aside, Bridgette understands how businesses operate and believes in providing true value beyond technology!

About AdvanceNet:

AdvanceNet offers top-quality business solutions from some of the globe’s leading brands. You can be certain that when you invest in a product or service, you’ll not only be receiving value for your money but a lasting commitment to high levels of professionalism and customer care. AdvanceNet is committed to delivering excellence and functionality across the broad spectrum of our products across numerous industries.

In celebration of Women’s Month, we change things up a bit for this episode and discuss one of the hottest topics at the moment; Woman in Technology. Emerging tech is only as well-rounded as the people who teach it and therefore diversity is critical.  I am joined by Georgie Midgley, the CEO of M4Jam, as well as a revered leader in this field to chat about how advancing woman will help introduce new viewpoints and new ideas to emerging tech.

The informal trade can fundamentally alter the fortunes of brands in South Africa especially in light of a retracting formal retail sector. It comes at no surprise that both national and international businesses consider the informal economy as a significant opportunity for their products and services. We explore Last Mile Solutions and what makes one offering succeed above the rest.  HOST: Angela McCann GUEST: Richard Dunn, Chief Implementation Officer for M4Jam

Mobile payment technologies are fast becoming the norm, including mobile and e-wallet solutions. Not only because of the convenience it offers but with the outbreak of Covid-19 who really wants to be touching bank cards and cash? This episode digs into various types of digital payment innovations that are shaping the future of how people transact.

Read the Transcript

For the last few years, both the IT and business worlds seem to have been preoccupied with digital transformation need for organisations to make the shift. Now, unfortunately, the last couple of months we have been preoccupied with the Covid-19 crisis and how it is already massively altering humanity and our global economy. Lockdown and quarantine measures globally have decimated many long-standing business models. Given the absolute need for digital transformation at an accelerated rate, I chat with Devin Govindasamy, Chief Technology Officer for M4Jam about what companies can do to move now and move fast.

In recognizing the business opportunity that the Gig Economy provides for South Africans, we wanted to explore if other countries were encountering similar obstacles in their pursuit of capturing this underpenetrated market. Today I am excited to introduce an Australian author, researcher and multi-dimensional practising gigster, Sue Ellson who’ll be giving us an inside look into the Australian Gig Economy.

Sue is an author of four non-fiction books on the topics of LinkedIn, Careers and Business, Hyper-Local Marketing and Gigsters (future of work). Educator at the Centre for Adult Education (CAE) in Melbourne. Private consultant and advisor available for professional development sessions on social media, websites, search engine optimisation, online presence, networking, careers, business, marketing and writing. More details online at https://sueellson.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/sueellson

With social distancing in place and remote working now becoming the new normal, changing how we connect with our buyers is demanding the use of more digital sales and communication methods. Sales leaders who can digitally transform their organisations to meet the digitally-enabled buyer on their terms will build a massive competitive advantage. This episode explores questions around the hows, whos, whys and whats of delivering the best buyer and customer experience. Is this the new battleground for B2B companies?